My Short Sighted Dirty Little Secret

[Whaler]

Originally Posted by Nora B

Oh please don't misunderstand, all 3 of my girls are altered. I work with a TNR group, I believe all pets should be altered unless they are part of a well organized structured breeding program - which means they likely aren't pets....

I bottle raise orphans, unplanned for, usually not very healthy, rescue kittens - I care for the random babies dumped on the local rescues or the vet med school - it's those little ones I'm looking forward to -I hope they don't happen, I pray for their sakes I'm not needed....but deep down inside I love having babies around. hereI lay in bed having 'gone to sleep 4 hours ago - 2 hour feedings are right up my alley - I actually get more sleep with little ones in the house, and I just miss them being around.

no, i understand what you are saying. i don't think my post relayed my feelings accurately. what i meant is that for me, since my work is solely with ferals, any more kittens would make me even more depressed since there is nothing to be done as far as socializing them and trying to find them a home. all of the shelters in my area are overflowing and due to working 70 hours a week i could not try to care for them myself. knowing that there are even more cats that will never get to experience all of the things that they deserve just breaks my heart. i guess that is just one of the "facts of life" in regards to dealing with feral cats.

[spotty cats]

Originally Posted by Nora B

unless they are part of a well organized structured breeding program - which means they likely aren't pets....

I'm not quite sure what that means, I'm a registered breeder, many of my friends are too (met at shows) and all our cats are pets first.

[Nora B]

Originally Posted by Whaler

no, i understand what you are saying. i don't think my post relayed my feelings accurately. what i meant is that for me, since my work is solely with ferals, any more kittens would make me even more depressed since there is nothing to be done as far as socializing them and trying to find them a home. all of the shelters in my area are overflowing and due to working 70 hours a week i could not try to care for them myself. knowing that there are even more cats that will never get to experience all of the things that they deserve just breaks my heart. i guess that is just one of the "facts of life" in regards to dealing with feral cats.

I understand - it is a constant uphill battle and the question often comes up if raising more is the 'right' thing to do - no easy answers.

[Nora B]

Originally Posted by spotty cats

I'm not quite sure what that means, I'm a registered breeder, many of my friends are too (met at shows) and all our cats are pets first.

Poorly organized choice of words on my part. I live in a relatively rural area, and the reality around here is that cash producing animals (cows, pigs, goats, sheep, hunting dogs, etc.) get far far better food and medical care than animals that are 'just pets'. We consider our group efforts successful when people will keep up with what those on this board would consider routine medical care. No offense intended. my apologies.
Nora

[spotty cats]

Originally Posted by Nora B

Poorly organized choice of words on my part. I live in a relatively rural area, and the reality around here is that cash producing animals (cows, pigs, goats, sheep, hunting dogs, etc.) get far far better food and medical care than animals that are 'just pets'. We consider our group efforts successful when people will keep up with what those on this board would consider routine medical care. No offense intended. my apologies.
Nora

Ah I see, thank you I appreciate the explanation

[Mitts & Tess]

Gosh! I dread kitten season because we never have enough people like you that will take bottle babies. I hope the rescue group you work with appreciates you, big time!

[Nora B]

Originally Posted by Mitts & Tess

Gosh! I dread kitten season because we never have enough people like you that will take bottle babies. I hope the rescue group you work with appreciates you, big time!

You always say the nicest things to me. I so very often feel like I cannot do enough and whenever this topic pops up somewhere you make me sound so much more useful than I feel - thank you.
N