[Lucky1]

My 2 female cats had around totally 7 kittens a while back (8 weeks) and I have to go take them and 2 others to the shelter 2morrow Going to break my heart, but i know that I have too many cats around here I'm gonna miss them I love them

 

[sentimentalgirl]

That's so sad! I hope it's non-killing shelter...

Have you spayed your cats?

 

[Lucky1]

no
Is that required?

 

[drjean]

No, but it would have prevented all the *extras* and allowed you to keep the adults.

Unfortunately, many shelters are less likely to put unspayed cats up for adoption because of the extra expense of the surgery.

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

 

[wookie130]

No, it's not required...but it's truly the right thing to do. In fact, I would venture to say that it is the single most important responsibility you have as the owner of a cat.

I don't want you to think that I'm jumping down your throat, because certainly I'm sure you love your cats and kittens, and you probably believe what you're doing is the right thing. I'm going to go ahead and post some things I think you should read...because believe me, the shelters are populated enough with unwanted cats and kittens, and something needs to be done. Fortunately, the solution starts when each and every owner makes the decision to alter their pets.

I'll go find some things for you, and I encourage you to read them. I know you didn't intend for your females to become pregnant...it happens quite naturally when they're outdoors and not spayed. But the operation itself is not that costly, and it actually has a lot of health benefits for females...such as eliminating ovarian cancer down the road, for example.

 

[wookie130]

Here is a poem, called "The Miracle of Life." I realize the circumstances are slightly different than yours, but once the kittens are placed in a shelter, their futures are very uncertain...there is no way for you to know what direction their life will take.

http://www.critterlane.com/miracle.html

And here are some articles related to the cat overpopulation problem:

http://www.cathobbyist.com/articles/Fer ... ation.html
http://www.care-evanston.org/catover.htm
http://www.homeatlastrescue.org/html/ov ... ation.html
http://www.fancyfortunecookies.com/over ... acts.shtml

And here are some articles related to why spaying and neutering is an essential part of being a pet owner:

http://www.vospca.org/archive/spayneut.html
http://www.catsinternational.org/articl ... ering.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... icleid=925
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... icleid=910
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... icleid=908

I am obviously very passionate about this issue...and while I honestly believe your intentions are good, I can assure you that the outcome of this situation will be bad for the cats and kittens, if it continues.

So in a nutshell, what I'm saying, is that instead of contributing to the problem...be part of the solution. I have posted ample amounts of information to help you become more informed on these issues, and I sincerely hope that you read the articles.

Thanks, and again, I'm not attacking or criticizing you. I'm just an animal lover...and the problem here is very real. We all have a part to play!

 

[Lucky1]

Oh believe me i am a HUGE cat lover but since i am only a 16yr old with only my mom, my dad died it's hard to deal with cause of $ sometimes.

 

[wookie130]

So...did you read any of the articles?

 

[Mike]

I agree with Wookie, the pet over-population problem is very real. And I get pretty adamant when I think about how it is a PEOPLE problem and not a pet problem.

Lucky1, you might try calling around to see if there are any reduced price spay/neuter programs in your area. I hope you will be able to locate one, so that you can get your furkids altered.

Please try to make sure that you are going to take the kitties to a no-kill shelter, OK? If the shelter is not no-kill, let us try to help you find one that is.

Peace,
Mike

 

[Lucky1]

yes i read all of the articles and shed some BIG TIME tears. I am very sorry that I have to do this to my cats & kittens i will miss them very much. But the shelter I called said that they will keep them as long as they can. Will try their best to sell them. Will give over 2 years for them to be taken. So im hoping people will be smart and take them. I'm going to have and cry some more.

 

[Mei-Mei]

Most large communities have reduced cost or (in some cases) free spay and neuter clinics. Here in New Orleans there is a spay/neuter bus that goes about handing out coupons for free spay/neuter to low-income pet owners. It is very worthwhile to have your animals fixed. The pet overpopulation problem is extreme and we have to take all steps to reduce it.

 

[ForJazz]

Getting your cat spayed or neutered is affordable to anyone. There are low-cost places all over that will usually do it for around ten dollars. If you can't afford ten dollars for the health and well-being of your cat...then there are places that will do it for free. But if you can't afford ten dollars, perhaps you shouldn't have a cat, as mean as that sounds. But if you truly love your pets, you'll look into it. It's so easy, and in some cases all it takes is a phone call -- little or no money at all. Another way to keep your cats safer and healthier, and to keep from being part of the overpopulation problem leading to millions of cat deaths per year, is to keep your cats inside.

The best thing a cat owner can do for their cat is to educate themselves. Do your research, it will make a huge difference.

 

[Lucky1]

yea i can deftinely afford that
I will get it done 2morrow and plus what we are taking them to are a humane center so they will be well taken care of

 

[seashell]

Have lots of cats and have to take them to a shelter

I think you are acting very responsibly by recognising when you have too many cats. It wouldn't do the cats any favours to try to struggle on looking after them when you don't have the resources.
Also, you have acted upon all the good advice you've received here. Well done you!
I used to work with 16 year olds, half of them couldn't read a bus time-table, never mind arrange for a cat to be spayed. It's nice to be reminded that there are young people out there with a bit of 'nous'

good luck
old aunty seashell

 

[Jeanie]

There is a list of no-kill shelters in every state at the top of this page.

http://www.catforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=1147

I hope we will all take advantage of these links, not overlook them. I know; they're always there, and we get used to bypassing them to get to the posts, but they are there because they are extremely important.

Also, if you know of another no-kill shelter in your state, please add it. We depend on our membership to help us keep it updated. Thanks for your help.

Lucky, I wish you the very best! I'm so glad you came here. It is a source of information and a place where you can make friends and share stories about your cats.