Topic: Never doing rescue again: too (censored) expensive! (Read 17629 times)

Dawn F · « **Reply #54 on:** December 04, 2007, 14:46:54 PM »

I hope she contacts you, it's the cats we're all worried about and I think we all know her heart was in the right place

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #53 on:** December 04, 2007, 14:39:39 PM »

I've tried phoning Hippy but there's no answer. I'm sure she's watching this thread so Hippy if you are, can you please pm me regarding the ferals, I've also sent you a pm. I need to know as soon as possible so I can get mine sorted and to make arrangements with Lesley and Erin, thanks. If I don't hear back by tomorrow, I'll assume you are getting them sorted as I really can't put this off any longer.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #52 on:** December 04, 2007, 11:52:57 AM »

I may give her a ring later as not knowing what's happening is holding me up with what I've got to do. As I've mentioned, I've got 2 cats to go up that way and I can't arrange anything until I know for definite, I haven't got money to waste on 2 journeys as it's not down the road. I'll keep you posted if I get in touch.

Ela · « **Reply #51 on:** December 04, 2007, 08:47:14 AM »

Quote

I hope HK will contact Dawn and accept her help.

Me too as I feel it would be pity to have to return the cats behind some shops, when Dawn could perhaps find pastures new and a safer environment.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #50 on:** December 03, 2007, 20:47:24 PM »

I hope HK will contact Dawn and accept her help.

Ela · « **Reply #49 on:** December 03, 2007, 11:31:29 AM »

I have sent mail to HK asking her to reconsider for the sake of the cats. I feel as indeed I am sure do many of you that it would be far better if the kittens/cats were relocated to a safer environment than behind some shops.

I think HK's heart is in the right place but the enormity of it all especially when you have no experience must have hard to deal with. I think this is also a timely reminder to anyone thinking of helping cats is to start by helping a rescue where you can receive all the help, advice, equipment and financial support.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #48 on:** December 03, 2007, 10:58:31 AM »

[edited]
I wish I hadn't got involved in this whole business. I'm sure a call to CP would have solved the problem.

[edited] I'll sort the cats and kittens out somehow, even if I have to return them. Unfortunately, the two young untameable gingers are unneutered. R has reassessed their ages and thinks they may be younger than she first thought. They are impeding the progress of the rest of the group, so I'd like to separate them by finding a warm safe place for them until they are neutered and returned to the shops. Not too warm, as they are being released. I'll release the black and white tom asap after having a word with the shopkeepers etc. It's sad, as it would be nice if every cat had a good indoor home, but he really is miserable inside.

[edited to bring this back on topic]

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #47 on:** December 02, 2007, 17:27:39 PM »

HK thanks for sticking with this one. If I had a pound for all the times I've said "no..it's an..er...internet forum" to be greeted with some very funny looks, Woodland Nook wouldn't need to be on the list

I think Purrs is so much more than that. I usually lump it with CatChat when I explain to people all the benefits of it.

Quote from: Gill (sneakiefeline) on December 01, 2007, 18:45:14 PM

However Woodland Nook which is a special place that Smokeys Cp branch have is are on our list.

Thanks Gill and I have to say that it can be an emotional tug even under CP. They are fabulous, don't get me wrong it's just so hard claiming money back when you've ordered hundreds of pounds worth of special diets, Drontal and Frontline from VetUk to save a few pounds and then had to go and buy a plug-in and some coley because one of the old dears is under the weather.

I've been told I can claim the mileage from my follow-up visits but I just can't bring myself to it. Maybe I will and then put the money aside for the kittizens.

I really don't know how the independent rescues manage financially but people like Dawn really are saints

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #46 on:** December 02, 2007, 11:49:37 AM »

HK, you might be surprised with Winnie, I had a woman ringing wanting a pair of kittens, and ended up taking a 13yo tabby, and have had a few ringing recently wanting adults, rather than kittens. Good luck with them all, and I hope you feel better soon.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #45 on:** December 02, 2007, 11:46:37 AM »

Well done, HK for hanging in there!

Hippykitty · « **Reply #44 on:** December 02, 2007, 09:38:49 AM »

Cheesecat, although Winnie has a wonderful nature, she doesn't have the 'cute' factor of the kittens. Why does everyone want a bloomin' kitten

don't they realise that they'll grow into big cats and spend years as monsters?

It's been a while since I saw Pauline in person, but have recently spoken to her on the phone. She's great, and totally cat-bonkers. I don't know how she's coped with so many cats for such a long time.

Dawn, at least three of the cats I've trapped are, imo, untameable: a large black and white older kitten (he must be about 6mths, but he's huge); he's nervous and aggressive to the point that he's suffering by being in contact with humans and would be happier if released where he was trapped or placed on a farm. If he was released to the back of the shops, he'd be the only member of the colony left if I can catch the mother. I think someone must have taken in the other older sibling (there were four, I only caught three).

There are two ginger kittens aged about 3mths. I think they are identical twins. One of them is really vicious. I think he may have had a bad experience around bonfire night, or a student may have been particularly nasty to him. I don't think he'll grow out of this. It seems unfair to split the pair, and they are too young (and unneutered) to be returned at this time of year. I would be grateful if you could take them for me and find them farm placements.

I've thought about the advice given by Pauline (Wellcat); because this area is so heavily populated by students many of whom might think it 'fun' to torment a feral, it's maybe unwise to put them back. If this was a more residential area I'd agree with her, but it can be hell here sometimes (P and S have become indoor cats in their old age!).

Winnie and Victoria, the tortie and white spayed females could be rehomed and become soppy kittypets, if I can find someone who wants CATS, not kittens. Smudge and Newbie will also settle, and are very appealing kittens. I'm tempted to have Smudge myself, but may try to persuade the woman who wanted the ginger twins to take them. The remaining kitten, Alfie, has a home lined up with a close friend of mine (fingers crossed that he's FLV neg!).

I'll do a vid on my webcam and post stills on Purrs.

Meanwhile, I'll try to catch the mum before she has her babes. I'll post when/if I manage this. I just feel sooo drained!

Health not good at the best of times - I have to take each day as it comes and catch a good one.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #43 on:** December 01, 2007, 22:00:34 PM »

I do hope you will contact some of your local rescues to see if they can use your help - even if it is only trapping them, and someone else looking after the cats. It is much easier under the umbrella of a rescue, I know how much our rescue cost to run last year, and wouldn't like to try and find that kind of money myself!! I also hope you dont rip the cheques up, they were given for the cats, and you can spend it purely on that (and donate any extra to Wellcat) if it helps your conscience - I can understand where you are coming from though, the rescue Zi is from gave me some food for her, but I have spoilt her too much, and she wnot eat it, so they are getting it back - but they said to use it for the others, and I Cant' bring myself to do it, they ahve paid for it, it isn't right I use it on fosters not belonging to them, and have 'swapped' the food I can use for food I have that Zi will eat so they aren't out of pocket.

[edited to bring this back on topic]

Cheesecat · « **Reply #42 on:** December 01, 2007, 20:54:19 PM »

Good luck with these babes, I hope they can be found lovely homes - well done for trapping them and socialising them - what is it about the Winnie that you think makes her not the usual type people go for HK? I must ask as I do love my tortie ladies

[edited to bring this back on topic]

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #41 on:** December 01, 2007, 20:35:25 PM »

Dawn.

I spoke to HK today and she said she thinks she would be best to take you up on offer of rehoming.

Angiew · « **Reply #40 on:** December 01, 2007, 15:20:00 PM »

HK, I know pauline and quite often drop off any shares in fish food to her. In fact I was ther last week and ended up bringing 2 cats back to coventry (not for me I might add but they are now in a good home - one extreme persian

and the other deaf and blind with other problems - both of which are doing well to date).

I'm sure Pauline would also be greatful of anyway you can help her and Wellcat - goodness knows she has a house and garden full of cats and numerous fosterers.
I would always advise anyone to start off under the umbrella of a rescue - its very hard to do it on your own, if for nothing else than there is always someone to rant to at the end of a phone.

HK Rant away, we all need to else we'd all stop doing our little bit if we had no where to vent.

Ela · « **Reply #39 on:** December 01, 2007, 14:14:35 PM »

We cannot do it all ourselves and I would also suggest you do not rip up those cheques, but accept them with the good grace that they were given and use the money to help the little ones.

[edited to bring this back on topic]

Liz · « **Reply #38 on:** December 01, 2007, 11:17:44 AM »

I think you should speak to your vet in this instance and ask them for a nice discount ie for free as you are helping feral cats and lessening the kitten population.

[edited]

The folks on purrs are all genuine and we all have an affinity with cats I think that shines through in what we all do in our posts and our furkids.

We have helped a lot through the years and ferals are our thing - both through CP and word of mouth and have 22 ferals of our own and moved 37 cats when we moved including our colony as noone was going to be there to feed them.

Elaine and I rescued 2 babies on Tuesday aged 4 months from a shed where the nice folks were feeding them not and they are now happily ensconced in the Clan cats home and are now called Raven and Panther and although a bit skittish not the ferals I was ecpecting compared to some of ours these 2 are darlings and purr a lot. They are staying as Robin was horrified that someone could make little babes live in a shed!

Don't give up you have done a good thing and there is help there for you as Ela has said and that should give you some hope

[edited to bring this back on topic]

Hippykitty · « **Reply #37 on:** December 01, 2007, 10:35:17 AM »

With hindsight, I was probably thinking with my heart, not my head, when I embarked upon trying to save this colony from the RSPCA with the likely outcome of pts. The girl at the chemist intended to call them, but like many Purrs members, I have no faith in them.

My total income is £80 per wk, comprised of income support and severe disablement benefit. I can't go into debt as my bank won't even give me a credit card, just a debit one.

I did not start this thread to raise funds, but to let off steam after a nasty encounter with the receptionist at a vets I've used for over twenty years. In all that time they've given me good service, till now.

[...edited]

I phoned Pauline Roberts who runs Wellcat, the local cat charity from which I acquired Polly and Samantha, and many years ago, a cat called Bella and asked her what she thought would be in the cats' best interests (not mentioning my wild imaginings regarding people met on the internet). Her advice was to have the cats neutered/spayed and return them to the back of the shops as long as the shopkeepers etc continued to feed them. Her reasoning was that it was their home, a place they knew and where they were doing a worthwhile job of keeping down the rodents. Pauline also loaned me the iron-heavy trap which I've had to lug around; no mean feat even without a frantic cat inside - it weighs a ton! I didn't do that because I don't care about cats!

Although I believe that most ferals can be homed rather than released, if they were going to be released it seemed logical to put them where they came from.

[..edited]

The cats were neutered/spayed with vouchers from CP, but I wasn't expecting the £33.50 for the de-fleaing and worming. I roundwormed all the young kittens earlier with part of a £5 Sherley's roundwormer (a paste added to food, I fed them separately, and got covered in scratches! I look like I've been self-harming!)

Reading the replies to my 'rant' about the vet convinces me further that this kind of work isn't for me. I should stick to giving homes to individual, difficult to home cats such as P and S were.

Thanks to those who sent cheques. I'll destroy them. It doesn't feel right put them in my account.

Rosella, I'll write to you soon.

[post edited to return to topic]

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #36 on:** November 23, 2007, 10:57:31 AM »

The only problem being Dawn, is I have to drop another cat off in Kidderminster

That's really nice of you to offer though

But if Hippy has problems catching her though, she may need to be picked up at a later date so you may still be able to help or if I end up dropping Jenny off before then, you can still get her for me

Ohhhh it's great to finally have a fosterer who will combine it with a bit of chauffeuring

Cheesecat · « **Reply #35 on:** November 23, 2007, 10:51:21 AM »

Dawn, I am in Coventry next Friday/Saturday to see my dad if you want me to pick up the mum for you from HK then to save you fuel money? We might as well do it if we are in the area anyway and save you some well needed moneys

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #34 on:** November 23, 2007, 09:45:27 AM »

Quote from: Lesley (Eight Lives Left Kitten Rescue) on November 23, 2007, 09:41:29 AM

Dawn, you are doing a wonderful job up there, - have sent a little to help out with fuel etc.

Lesley, that is really lovely of you but you have enough of your own to pay out for

LesleyW · « **Reply #33 on:** November 23, 2007, 09:41:29 AM »

Dawn, you are doing a wonderful job up there, - have sent a little to help out with fuel etc.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #32 on:** November 23, 2007, 09:37:59 AM »

I am back over in that area hopefully sometime next week as soon as I sort some fuel money out. If Hippy has caught the mum by then, I can pick her up whilst I'm over there. I'll give you a bell over the next couple of days and we'll try and sort something out.

Ela · « **Reply #31 on:** November 23, 2007, 09:07:40 AM »

Quote

If this is truley in your heart then I urge you to gain financial support

With that I would agree, as previously posted if someone offered to help us with feral we would bit their hand off.
Also we provide all food and pay for all neuters/spays, flea and worm treatments at the vets because doing it yourself with a feral is not the easiest job in the world. Also all the necessary equipment would me supplied.
HK’s intentions are commendable and I expect with hindsight she would have everything in place before trapping. Although sometime people promise the earth beforehand then don’t carry out there promise. We all have to learn and this certainly has been a huge learning curve for HK.
I also think HK was offered help as one poster offered to take in some of the kittens. Again with hindsight this possibly would have been her easiest option. Perhaps that offer can be used so all the remaining little ones can be trapped and go on to find good homes. What a shame it would be if they had to go back. And as we all know if only one cat is left the problem will return.

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #30 on:** November 23, 2007, 08:46:23 AM »

I've read through these posts a few times and tried to put myself in HK's shoes. Have to say, one or two of the posts come across as a bit harsh bearing in mind this is HK's 1st stab at what to me sounds like a great amount of work. I think I'd feel a bit hurt if I were HK. HK would never have taken this all on if she were not doing it for the cats and I very much hope the mom cat is caught soon.

HK's thread was merely to allow her to let off steam after she felt ripped off by a vet surgery that she has trusted for some time when she can ill afford it. Ela's point about taking advantage of them being under anaesthetic sounds right too but HK should not have been charged for something she did not agree to and she was going to do the defleaing and worming herself in any event.

I completely agree with PB's post and admit I would be overwhelmed at the scale of the problem. I've popped a contribution in the post HK and hope to speak to you soon. Well done.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #29 on:** November 22, 2007, 18:40:19 PM »

Hi PB hope your ok hun....hav'nt seen you for a while

>CC...have you never heard of a pappuse (sp?)

Ive never done any feral trapping on a large scale....ie. over one, but I have to say that I do not consider cost when helping cats/kittens....yes of course it is a crucial part but Im afraid no matter how much out of pocket you get you could'nt pay for the feeling of contentment....

If this is truley in your heart then I urge you to gain financial support

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #28 on:** November 22, 2007, 17:38:00 PM »

You can only do what you can when you can, HK.

The problem I've realised is that some people get depressed when they start to investigate the scale of the problem. But dealing with cases like Chislet has made me realise even if you get one female in for the snip, you save years and years of suffering on the streets for countless generations.

But like everything else in the world, get the money in place first. I'm surprised at what I've managed to achieve just by asking for help in the right places.

Unfortunately, I can't do anything to make the vet take back his bill but I will put a little something in the post to help with it.

Ela · « **Reply #27 on:** November 22, 2007, 16:38:10 PM »

Quote

I would love to do rescue but thats not posible for me for obvious reasons

Very understandable with a young family.

Ela · « **Reply #26 on:** November 22, 2007, 14:15:09 PM »

Quote

Are you short of people helping with ferals, Ela? And what does it entail?

We are short of everyone doing everything. Re the ferals it is a matter of trapping, taking to the vets and then if possible caring for them until they can be released about 10 days after the op or if they can't go back we place them on Virginia's farm until we can find them a new home. We have all ferals ear clipped and flead and wormed while under anaesthetic. Obviously I cannot speak for the branches nearer to you.

ccmacey · « **Reply #25 on:** November 22, 2007, 14:01:52 PM »

I would love to do rescue but thats not posible for me for obvious reasons, at the end of the day the point of it all is to help the cats and what you get in return is the happyness of seeing the cat settled in it's forever home.

LesleyW · « **Reply #24 on:** November 22, 2007, 13:25:29 PM »

I'm sure Dawn and Teresa would agree with me when I say I would be a rich woman if it were not for cats but that is the crux of rescue, it costs money and we do it for the cats, nothing else.

All the cats I take in are vaccinated, microchipped, de-flead, de-wormed, and, if old enough, neutered. Some make it to new homes, but the re-homing fee does not cover the cost of all that has been done and then, of course, are all the ones that never go anywhere because of their medical conditions etc. These are the ones that really cost the money, but I could never stop doing what I am doing on financial grounds. Sometimes the emotion feels like it is too much to bear, but as Teresa once said to me, you pull yourself together and get on with it.

RESCUE IS EXPENSIVE but the price you get back in love from these furry babes is worth every penny in my books.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #23 on:** November 22, 2007, 13:24:24 PM »

Quote from: Ela on November 22, 2007, 11:01:32 AM

Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a word with your local CP co-ordinater and offer to do feral work for them. Then you will get everything paid for including all equipment. If you lived near me I would bit your hand off.

Are you short of people helping with ferals, Ela? And what does it entail?

Ela · « **Reply #22 on:** November 22, 2007, 11:03:03 AM »

Quote

It's not about what you get out of it emotionally, it's about the cats.

With that I would agree.

Ela · « **Reply #21 on:** November 22, 2007, 11:01:32 AM »

Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a word with your local CP co-ordinater and offer to do feral work for them. Then you will get everything paid for including all equipment. If you lived near me I would bit your hand off.

Ela · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2007, 10:55:52 AM »

Quote

explained: THESE ARE NOT MY CATS AND I DIDN'T SIGN FOR DEFLEAING/DEWORMING. But this fell on deaf ears.

It is very wise to flea and worm ferals whilst under anaesthetic, it would be such a shame not to take full advantage of the situation.

We in Chesterfield apart from paying for the neuters/spays would also have paid for the cats to be flead and wormed. Perhaps you could ask you local branch if they are prepared to do this. Although I appreciate they can only pay what their finances allow. I would also say that if not every cat in that situation is caught then you have more or less wasted your time (although a few cats will not have a better life) as the situation will never be resolved. I know I would not be able to rest until I had caught every last cat.

I don't know if Tan has any plans to help out in one off situations like this where there is no one to help financially. (Although I appreciate Purrs cannot help the world). If it is so then perhaps the money could be sent direct to the vets.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2007, 10:48:33 AM »

Quote from: ccmacey on November 22, 2007, 00:27:38 AM

I know Helen, but I took that as she didnt want to pay if she is getting nothing in return. Which is not how rescue goes, you should feel proud of yourself for helping someone that cant help themselves.

I've just re read this thread again and CC, I totally agree. I don't know how anyone can do rescue and not get involved

I've had my heart broken many times and spent oodles of money on these cats but I will say, they have been worth every penny as far as I'm concerned. Hippy, I did offer to take all these cats for you and get them sorted out, who do you think would have paid for their care whilst they were here? I, like you, qualify for the PDSA scheme and yet I haven't ever used that privelege, I am always in debt for cats that are not mine but without sounding harsh, you did choose to keep them and get them sorted out. My offer is still there if you want me to take on the mum cat but don't make it sound as if you regret getting involved. For a lot of cats, the general public are their only life line, without us, what would happen to them. After everything we went through with poor Lucas last night, this post is quite upsetting to read. It's not about what you get out of it emotionally, it's about the cats.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2007, 10:00:13 AM »

Please dont give up HK, if you can get mum then you'll really make a difference. Have you actually asked the shops for help towards food and litter? Sometimes if you dont ask you dont get and people just assume your ok.

I know what you mean about costs, iv spent a small fortune setting up my cat accomodation. The first thing i did was barter a deal with my vet who straight up gave me the discount they offer all rescues

That didnt apply to maggots vets now trip tho

£150 and id only had her a few hours

You'll soon learn how to handle them and be able to treat for fleas and worms yourself

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2007, 08:08:36 AM »

I hope you can get somewhere with help for the bills - can you not enquire about neutering vouchers? IT certainly can be expensive, I realised earlier that I am buying food for both my fosters at the mo, I dont actually know how that happened - so much for trying to save money!!
PB has a good point about getting rescue's involved - CP do have feral grants, but it is for a minimum of 6 cats.

ccmacey · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2007, 00:37:13 AM »

Yes hopefully PB will be able to twist someone's arm and they will help with funds so you can carry on

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2007, 00:35:07 AM »

Hippy, if you manage to trap the mum cat, give me a shout and I'll get her sorted. I'll ring you tomorrow for a chat but don't be disheartened hun, you've done more than a lot of people but I know what you mean about the expense

Author Topic: Never doing rescue again: too (censored) expensive! (Read 17629 times)

ccmacey

ccmacey