|
 Inevitably,
the Great Experiment has yet to begin and we are already in crisis mode.
All three of our failsafe offers to care for our two lovely
cats while we are out of the country have fallen through at the last
minute. One
has gotten a new job in another city, another’s mother has just had
a nasty fall and needs constant care, and the third says her roommate
has
threatened to kick her out if she brings home two cats, now matter
how smart and well-behaved they are.
Poor Norma Yvonne has been crying all night. Two of the three retracted
offers were from her students. Today is moving day, we are off to rent
a U-Haul, and the poor cats are wandering around the boxes and bags
wide-eyed and anxious. They know something is up, and its not looking
good.
We can’t afford professional boarding. Besides, it might be an option
for two weeks, but for the two months we are going to be gone our cats
need human contact and companionship. That’s too long to be in a cage.
We have purchased a mountain of cat food and kitty litter for the woman
we thought was our savior, and now they are piled by the back door.
Our options at this point seem to be a) cancel the trip, b) leave them
in the back yard to fend for themselves, or c) Angel Memorial, the ASCPA shelter where unadopted cats get sent to swim with the fishies. There is a no-kill shelter on the North Shore, but they have a tow month waiting list.
Our first plan was to take them with us, and we went so far as to buy the carriers, advised the Airline, got their physicals, shots and get the US papers they would need to travel. However, there were requirements of the Ecuadorian government we couldn’t complete without being there.
We have been to the ASPCA (they run Angel Memorial) and had signs up at the Unviersity where I work and at 2 vets, although we took down the vet signs when we “thought” we had a committed caregiver.
These
are the sweetest and calmest cats we have ever had, and we are at our wits end. Why does love have to be so sad?
Honey, the svelte female, looks over at me reproachfully, then turns
back to stare out the bare window at the rain-soaked back yard. If
we ever needed to believe in the power of miracles, now is the time.
|
March 27th, 2004 at 9:57 am
If you live close to Browns MIlls, NJ My wife and I would be glad to take care of you cats. we have two of our own. The cat in the picture is beautiful.
BTW I enjoy reading your weblog
Ted
March 27th, 2004 at 10:31 am
We live in Dorchester, and have three cats but also have twelve rooms. I have in the past volunteered for Alliance for Animals in South Boston. Email your phone number if no one else comes through for you.
March 27th, 2004 at 10:32 am
my email address again, since it didn’t seem to post last time
March 27th, 2004 at 10:35 am
Potentially putting down an animal for the sake of our convience should never be an option. If these where your children you wouldn’t leave them behind. An animal that we take as a campanion relys on you for it’s life. Take them with you (espically if it’s in the states} or find them care. You can try the following places.
Look in your phone book for a animal place that does foster care. Contact your local ASPCA and they might have a list of people who do foster care that can take care of your two kitties until you return. Also try your Vet or any Vet they also have connections.
The other option. Contact your local media. You never know what kind of response you will get. Good luck and keep searching you will find something.
March 27th, 2004 at 10:54 am
Uh, hate to break it to you Jen, but a cat is an ANIMAL. No, he wouldn’t leave his children behind. A child is a PERSON. See the difference? Sorry Fluffy…
March 27th, 2004 at 11:01 am
Sorry Jeff, but I know what kind of person NEVER to make a business deal with.
When you take on a responsibility, you take it on, not just until it becomes inconvienent. I wonder what your thoughts on interpersonal or legal relationships are?
And yes, it is an animal, one that is dependent upon you.
March 27th, 2004 at 11:28 am
Putting these cats down is NOT an option. They have been part of our family for 6 and 7 years respectively, since they left their mothers. We will abandon our travel plans before we abandon our cats.
Our first plan was to take them with us, and we went so far as to buy the carriers, advised the Airline, got their physicals, shots and get the papers they would need to travel. However, there were requirements of the Ecuadorian government we couldn’t complete without being there.
We have been to the ASPCA (they run Angel Memorial) and had signs up at the Unviersity where I work and at 2 vets, although we took down the vet signs when we “thought” we had a committed caregiver.
Unfortunately, abandoning our trip at this stage will have serious repercussions financially and professionally, as well as the fact that we have no place to live until August.
Michael “The Dowbrigade” Feldman
March 27th, 2004 at 11:33 am
“Crying all night”? “Cutting us up inside”? Get ahold of yourself, my friend. They’re just cats. If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford to board them, what are you doing spending money on food for them in the first place? Shouldn’t that money be going into savings for situations like this? I advise Angel Memorial: they’ll probably be adopted, and if not, it’s better than letting them loose where they’d just kill more of the bird life in your town.
March 27th, 2004 at 12:25 pm
There are nicer boarding places–locally in Albuquerque we have a place known as the Canine Country Club & Feline Inn ( http://www.caninecountryclub.com ). They’re well suited for long-term boarding, with playtime & places to play for the pets. They cut us a great deal for a long term board (we had to board two of our cats there for a month while moving), and while our cats weren’t exactly pleased with the situation, they did great.
Might you have something similar in your area? I have a hard time imagining that an area as small as Albuquerque would have something that you wouldn’t.
If you are stopping near us on your way to ecuador, we are more than happy to help.
March 27th, 2004 at 8:52 pm
One word of advice: you’ll find it much easier to find a willing foster home if you have the cats declawed. The the adopter will know their furniture won’t be destroyed by stressed out cats during the transisition period between owners. We have all our cats declawed–with indoor cats, it really helps.
March 28th, 2004 at 2:56 am
Michael, have you forgotten the animal lover champ of the world,your baby sister? Sure, she has three cats of her own, but I know she’ll help you find someone. I will help with the board (your 16th emergency birthday preseNT) especially if your sister can work out a deal, until you (or she) can find someone) As u know i live 3 states away with a 14 yr old dog who will make their lives as miserable as they will make hers. Love, Mom
March 28th, 2004 at 7:54 am
I’m really sorry to read your options keep falling through. = (
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March 18th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Think that I’ve joined this conversation just a little late(!) but would be very interested to know what happened!
Thanks,
Andy
March 18th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
…but hopefully all was well in the end!
May 14th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Interesting story. What happened to the cat?
June 14th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Bit of a dilemma hey? What happened?
August 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am
An update would be very interesting. I’m sure this situation must happen to a lot people.