Asked to help 5 cats in 2 days!

[farthing]

This may not sound much but we are a small, relatively unknown sanctuary, so it is a sign that elsewhere, more well known rescue are full.
The first 2 were cats owned by a lady going into care- one is 6 and one is 16, both neutered males and unvaccinated. We were lucky enough to get another sanctuary to take them for assessment and potential rehoming, although we will cover blood tests and vaccinations for them ( and potentially end up with the 16 year old permanently.
The other 3 were fosters because the owner's were in a mental health unit, the cats had nobody to look after them and they were not vaccinated so catteries will not take them. Thankfully they have all found a place ( one has been driven to Lossiemouth by the MH nurse.)
It is sad to see there is no where for animals whose owner's end up in this situation. We do all we can to help but having taken in a dog and a guinea pig and possibly 40 hens in the next couple of weeks we are full!

[angieh]

It's something I am very conscious of - what will become of my two cats and the dog if anything were to happen to OH and/or me. Perhaps it's worth a thread of it's own?

Good luck with 16 year old cat - not an easy rehome.

[farthing]

I know many people are against vaccination, but perhaps if anybody is likely to be in this situation they need to be sure vaccines are up to date, or your animal may not even be given a chance!
We are looking at trying to fund a couple of dog/ cat runs to try and help, even if only for a couple of weeks while the animal gets its vaccines, but obviously we need to look after our own sanctuary animals before looking into this.

[dandysmom]

It's a pity there isn't a registry for people who would foster unvacccinated cats; I would do it if Leia weren't so adamant about being an only cat.

[Velvet]

It's something I am very conscious of - what will become of my two cats and the dog if anything were to happen to OH and/or me. Perhaps it's worth a thread of it's own?

Good luck with 16 year old cat - not an easy rehome.

I have a clause in my will that the main benefactor takes care of my pets for their natural life (with their agreement)

[Velvet]

This may not sound much but we are a small, relatively unknown sanctuary, so it is a sign that elsewhere, more well known rescue are full.
The first 2 were cats owned by a lady going into care- one is 6 and one is 16, both neutered males and unvaccinated. We were lucky enough to get another sanctuary to take them for assessment and potential rehoming, although we will cover blood tests and vaccinations for them ( and potentially end up with the 16 year old permanently.
The other 3 were fosters because the owner's were in a mental health unit, the
cats had nobody to look after them and they were not vaccinated so catteries will not take them. Thankfully they have all found a place ( one has been driven to Lossiemouth by the MH nurse.)It is sad to see there is no where for animals whose owner's end up in this situation. We do all we can to help but having taken in a dog and a guinea pig and possibly 40 hens in the next couple of weeks we are full!

It's bad everywhere Farthing at present, everywhere is full, kittens are not even moving:( if it wasn't for people such as yourselves, it does not bear thinking about

[MrsH]

Another reason why we should keep up with vaccinations even though there are also good arguments against annual boosters. Such a dilemma!

I'm not sure that our 2 children would be willing to take our pets but our son's godmother has specifically requested that she be nominated in our wills as preferred adopter of our cats and the dog would go back to his breeder for rehoming. We thought it was something we should sort out.

Are rescues particularly pressed this year? I don't think I've seen many reports although there was a story in the paper the other day about black and white cats being overlooked as adopters were preferring tabbies.

[dandysmom]

I have a provision in my will for Leia. Those of us who're older with no family or SO really need to make provision for our animals.

[Liz]

If the patients are under Council caare the Council are bound by law to look after the animals - very few make this public, also have you tried the Blue Cross for the oldies as they have a foster scheme

Also might be worth checking with CP to see if they might help with injection costs if you "take on" the cats till homes can be found as fosters

I currently have a 5 month old Bengal found about 8 miles from here in my bathroom as CP wanted to PTS as she was a bit hissy and frantic, bless her she is scared but after 4 days here is much calmer, loves valarian toys and is now purring up a storm and we can pick her up and she is called Porsche and will be staying here for the forseable future

All our mob are in our wills with the provision once they have all gone the lucky person gets the house and all cash

[farthing]

Yes Liz, it was a mental health nurse in each case who contacted us, they were the ones going and feeding the cats when they finished work, and they were the ones trying to find a placement but in each case could find no where to take them. The one found a place thanks to pet fostering services Scotland, but the closest fosterers was in Lossiemouth, and it was the nurse who drove the cat up there yesterday once she had finished work. After a full days work she drove there and didn't get home until after 9pm at night.

[dandysmom]

Bless that nurse. There are some good people out there ....

[PoshPuss]

Farthing, thanks for your good heart and patience and yes, bless that MH nurse too. You made me realise that we hadn't given a thought to what would happen to Posh in the (hopefully, not too soon :shock: ) event of our demise.
I know my brother would not be able to take her because of his allergies, my sis lives in America, my daughter and family have a dog, don't know how that would work.

I 'm sure my family would rally around and ensure she is cared for, but must try not to dwell on it too much. You got me thinking now so must make a plan.

[angieh]

It is certainly one of those things that once sorted can bring comfort in the knowledge that your pets will be looked after. There is The Cinnamon Trust, a charity set up specifically to help elderly people care for their pets - it is not yet countrywide though and does not look as if it operates in Scotland.

I must think about it - I have no near relatives and although OH has a brother who may be able to take Monty, he probably wouldn't want to look after Kizzy and Pip. Hopefully it won't be needed but it is always best to be prepared.

Bless you farthing and that MH nurse who really went out of her way to help those cats.

[Kazz]

Hmmm good point I never considered what would happen to Sal. I will have to think about that.

Although it is one of the reasons I am unsure of another animal after Sal, maybe fostering is the answer all the joys of animal care, and yet no long term responsibilities.

[Elaine]

This may not sound much but we are a small, relatively unknown sanctuary, so it is a sign that elsewhere, more well known rescue are full.
The first 2 were cats owned by a lady going into care- one is 6 and one is 16, both neutered males and unvaccinated. We were lucky enough to get another sanctuary to take them for assessment and potential rehoming, although we will cover blood tests and vaccinations for them ( and potentially end up with the 16 year old permanently.
The other 3 were fosters because the owner's were in a mental health unit, the cats had nobody to look after them and they were not vaccinated so catteries will not take them. Thankfully they have all found a place ( one has been driven to Lossiemouth by the MH nurse.)
It is sad to see there is no where for animals whose owner's end up in this situation. We do all we can to help but having taken in a dog and a guinea pig and possibly 40 hens in the next couple of weeks we are full!


How very odd as I had a call from Cornhill Hospital, Social work dept asking me about fostering 2 cats on friday morning. I did try to call you, bet your very pleased I didnt get you:lol: . Anyway, managed to get them a foster home, so all is well.

[farthing]

It was probably the same 2 cats Elaine- it was Cornhill who contacted me too.
The next one was the Inverurie mental health unit. In the past we have fostered a cat for them short term, until it went to someone else to foster- they let it out and it went missing ( I was so upset about that one) and Loki also came via Inverurie as his owner was going into care long term and he was going to be PTS.
Ultimately I would love to have a list of fosterers and rescues who would be willing to help in situations like these and large scale rescues where people have either overbred or become hoarders- we already have a selections of cages ( not great ones) but suitable for short term care until homes could be found. I just haven't had the time and so many rescues as competitive about things its hard to get them to work together!

[Elaine]

Well the girl who I got to foster the two cats would probably be willing to help out. I'll ask her. All their animals are rescues. Oh and if you know of anyone who may be interested in taking on some ferrets, give me a shout please as this couple have ferrets also and have recently taken on some more who were to be pts.;)

[Phoenix]

Farthing where abouts in the UK are you? When we're in a position to we may be getting Dylan a friend.

[farthing]

Hi, we are in Aberdeenshire, so quite a bit away. It looks like the 16 year old will be coming to the sanctuary as he has long term health problems, the other sanctuary are going to take responsibility for the 6 year old. It's a shame to split them up but in reality the old guy may not have much longer anyway and it will be easier to rehome the young lad on his own. He is booked in for a vet check on the 13th, and once we collect the old man, he will be vet checked and blood tested to find out exactly what is going on!
We really don't want another cat, but have no real option, it's just so sad that all rescues are full and any other animals needing spaces are going to be harder and harder to place.:(

[Liz]

Everywhere is just so full at the moment I have a very traumatised 5 month old Bengal in the bathroom at the moment we have called her Porsche CP wouldn't touch her as she was a tad nuts to put it politely

She has come on in leaps and bounds in the last week though, she now purrs for me but not OH and is now sleeping in the open on her balnkie in the bidet and likes to be stroked as my sister found out this morning during her ablutions:lol:

At least here she is safe and will become whatever she can be she is a brown marbled girl and her coat is gorgeous

Hope all goes well on the oldies vet visit, I have an NFC in my cat room so matted he is off to be shaved tomorrow he came from folks who never groomed him :evil: and this is his third and last shave but he will be going home to his breeder when she leaves hospital so only lodging with us

[farthing]

We collect Buttons on Thursday night.