We can contribute, too. Cats are good causes. 
I meant my clinic in particular, not all vets will help out strays. I was the one who suggested previously that you try calling other vets for more information on shelters and rescues in your area. Just don’t let one bad apple ruin the whole bunch for you.
If it’s really bad don’t freak out if they recommend amputation as that may turn out to be the best option. Cats can do quite well on three legs and usually bounce back faster from an amputation than orthopedic surgery.
And if anyone in my area would like a kitten, we currently have two blacks and a black and white in need of homes. We cannot send these to the usual shelter because they are overflowing with black/black & white cats and new arrivals would not fare well. So have to wait for space to open up for them in one of the no-kill shelters we work with and they are also overflowing with cats, especially black/black & white ones.
Spent this morning trying to find a no-kill shelter for Merry. Emailed some contacts (there were no numbers listed), called the ones (again) that had numbers listed, and even went to the pet store that often hosts adoptions and came home even more frustrated. I found out that the ones they have/know of listed are dog-friendly only. Even checked with the pound and they dont even have access to a vet since Dec 1 due to some new city ordinances. If I were to surrender an animal to them it would cost $60 and all they would do is put it to sleep.
Can I scream now?
This has been one heck of an eye opener for me. I’ve decided to get back into volunteering. And i told the SO that for my birthday I want a cat house built in the back (well hell, he’s been saying he wants one too… although I dont think he meant the same kind of cat) so I can foster some until they are adopted. I just have to figure out how to build one to keep them warm/cool and safe from the dogs… we have plenty of outdoor room!
Until then, I have had to work with Merry on her social skills. She did not like me paying attention to the other 2 cats and sometimes she rub against one of them and then hiss at 'em the next minute. If she’s on the bed or couch, she will hiss and growl at them if they walk by. If they are on the same level, she usually does not (so that confuses me). Thankfully, Sparti doesnt really pay attention to her and leaves her alone. Bella, on the other hand, does not like her one bit. She did manage to get closer to Merry today for a short time before growling and hissing (in which Merry returns the favor).
I’ll give $20. Whoever is collecting, just email me and I’ll paypal it to you.
By my count that’s $70, plus Brynda’s offer.
Who is collecting?
Somebody please check with the Mods so Pixilated doesn’t get into trouble over this.
That said, I’ll chip in too, though not as much as I would like as I am up to my ass in my own vet troubles at the moment.
Just wanted to let everyone know that Merry is doing better. I ended up taking her to another vet and they presented me with all the facts I needed to know. I especially appreciated the fact that the vet did not push my sympathy buttons - as a matter of fact, they didnt even charge me for a consulation or the earmite medication (enough to cover all 3 cats!)!
I decided not to go with the surgery option. First of all, it would have had to be done almost immediately because so much time had passed and the cat was already healing… which also meant more “rework” and more $$. The vet explained the no guarantee with the surgery because of the location. Merry didnt seem to be in a lot of pain while getting checked out (of course, cats hide their pain and have a high tolerance).
Since her last appt, which was just before xmas, Merry has been walking on all 4’s and her limp is becoming less noticable. She is also a very accomplished jumper (and dang can she jump hgh!). She’s put on some weight which has made her look older than when I first saw her - and she should! I found out she is at least a yr old but no older than 2!
And of course, now that she is doing better and getting around, I have decided to have her fixed instead of waiting til she’s adopted out. Well, the fact that she went into heat last week confirmed the need to do so asap.
Speaking of such - i find it strange that she only had one week of this annoying behavior. Poor Sparti! She was all over him and couldnt understand why he wasnt taking advantage of her situation! I’ve definately had my fill of kitty-porn for the rest of my life… I really didnt need to see them going at it orally! OMG get a private room! sheez! Maybe Sparti did do something for her to trick her into thinking she’s been mated. I dont know, I dont care. Peace is wonderful! And its so cute to watch Sparti and Merry bathing eachothers ears and necks.
downfall is that the two girl cats arent getting along & I’m thinking its because they both want the attention of the only tomcat.
One other thing, and maybe we should start another weird pet things, but Bella (the other female) is more like a Meerkat - she will sit/stand on her hind legs just like one of them! Maybe this is because she had a long body and short legs?
Yeah, I’ve had cats go into heat, too. I brought home a sick Siamese girl from the Humane Society, after the cat adoption person made me pinky-swear that I’d get her fixed as soon as she was well. We already had a neutered boy in the house. Sapphire went into heat before she was quite well. Now, whatever a Siamese cat does, she is going to do in the loudest and most dramatic way possible. She informed the whole ZIP code that she was in heat, and now’s your chance to get some primo meezer pussy, toms. She also targeted the neutered boy we had in the house, since he was the right sex, the right species, and RIGHT THERE. He’d been clipped before he had any Ideas about girls, spraying, and fighting, so he couldn’t figure out WHAT she wanted. She would rush ahead of him as he wandered around the house, and assume the position. When he was just quietly sitting and thinking deep thoughts, she raced to him and shoved her butt in his face. She must have sat him down and drawn him a diagram, because eventually he’d hump her halfheartedly…I don’t think that he actually consummated their relationship, but he did go through the motions.
DO get her fixed. We had one queen who’d go into heat one week, be back to her usual quiet self the next week, and the week after that was all howling and rolling on the ground again.
We’ve had a thread about cats who sit on their hind legs. Some people call it Gophering, but I prefer calling it Meerkating.
PM me and I’ll draw you up some simple plans that anyone can build with a minimal tool set. I’ve built any number of outdoor barns, hutches, and houses for all manner of animals. Scritches for teh kittehs, and hugs for the dogs.
Did I happen to mention the saying often used in veterinary medicine? “As long as the cat and its broken leg are in the same room together it should heal.”
Congrats on your new cat!
well… you see, I wont be able to keep the cat. 3 cats is too many. If it was a barn cat, no problem! But this one is scared to death to go outside (even when she was in heat she would run away from the door) and there are dogs that roam around. Best bet is for me to find her a good home.
I take her in to be fixed on Wed.
I am glad Merry is doing well and I hope you can find a home for her soon.
Here is a link for easy insulated cat shelters.
Some people just buy the styrofoam insulated coolers and fill them with straw and then place that inside the larger tub that is also filled with straw. Saves money not having to buy the extra tub and the extra insulation.
Make sure the hole is cut as high as possible with out effecting the lid or weakening the side. It will help keep out snow/rain and protects against the wind.
You can also get a very large container to use as a feeding station. Just place the food and water inside and just cut a hole for them to get in an out of.
The tubs make it easy when it comes time to clean.