Seeking Advice for Cat Emergency
The employer who gave me my first job, which put me through college and part of grad school, and whom I’ve known for 30 years, has experienced the most unimaginable series of events. It’s all very David vs. Goliath, with this couple against corporate America and standing up for what is right–and losing. To the tune of losing the business they’ve built for 30 years and even their house.
We can’t help with that, but here’s where we might be able to help: The woman, Barbara, cares for 10 neighborhood adult cats. They live outside and also inside, and all are healthy and spayed and neutered and all that. Her own future is so uncertain and she doesn’t want the cats to suffer.
They’ve never been in cages and she doesn’t think they’d survive for long in cages, and I have absolutely no idea what to tell her. I thought about calling Best Friends or the North Shore Animal League (she is on the south shore of Long Island), but those were the only ideas I had. She will drive the cats anywhere if it means the chance at a good life.
She is sending me descriptions of the individuals that I will post tomorrow. But for now, does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance for any help.
What Barbara could do is contact a rescue in her area who could foster these cats until loving homes are found for them or post on Craigs List in her area with a picture and description of each cat stating they are spayed/neutered and up to date on shots etc. Sometimes cats who are feral, but who have become accustomed to people feeding them will also do well on a farm as long as proper care is given and they have the option of coming indoors. If these cats are a socialized yet feral colony they would not fare well at all in cages. It would be cruel and inhumane to incarcerate a cat used to such freedom. It's cruel to cage any animal, but that's how it is in most humane societies, therefore they should go to private homes or foster. Craigs List works well as long as a fee is posted and vet records and homes are checked. Hope this helps.
Thanks, Tricia. I have passed on your comment. Barbara is dreadfully afraid to give the cats to a stranger. They are a group of random strays and used to roaming around, blocks at a time, all day long, and sleeping and eating at her home, and I can't imagine a situation that they would prefer more given how they've lived.