• Jay@lemmy.ca
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    3 days ago

    I’ve got like 19 of them if you need to borrow a few. Any particular color preferences? (This isn’t all of them)

      • Jay@lemmy.ca
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        1 day ago

        Ya I get it. I really do. I’m sure there’s nothing I can say or do to change that opinion, but here’s my choices…

        1. ignore the strays and let them die. (I live in Canada where the temps regularly go down to -30 to -40c. We have found other cats in the area that had frozen to death, the most recent being just a few months ago. That’s a long story all by itself, but someone has been dumping kittens out here in the area. 5 more kittens were just found abandoned nearby several weeks ago, but a neighbor found a surrogate mother for them, and they’re doing well)

        2. Bring them to the closest vet clinic (30 miles away in the closest town) where they will be euthanized.

        3. Help them and potentially find them homes if possible. (We are here) I have spent several thousand dollars getting them fixed, medication etc. Several that we’ve taken in have found new forever homes, and two I have now will also have a new home soon. (The people that want them are moving this summer but can’t take them in just yet.)

        Aside from my original 5 that I don’t let outside, most of them can and do go outdoors, weather permitting. (Ya I know, but they’re basically farm cats) I live in a rural area and have a heated shed for them if needed.

        If that makes me a crazy cat hoarder, then I guess I am.

          • Jay@lemmy.ca
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            1 day ago

            Honestly if it were up to me I wouldn’t have had any cats. I’m more of a dog person, my last dog died of cancer a few years ago. But I do love these little assholes and want to help the best I can. When I do find a home for one, it makes me a little sad to see them go, but very happy someone else loves them and that I did my part to help give them a normal life.

            • Bytemeister@lemmy.world
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              1 day ago

              Totally not going to judge you for showing empathy to animals. My MiL has gone full cat hoarder. House smells like cat shit, there is a thick layer of cat fur on everything, there are multiple pukes or turds in every room of the house. If you can’t manage it, then that’s the problem. She has no real plans to downsize, no limits on the number of cats she’s willing to take in. Ultimately, if she doesn’t change, then when she has an accident or becomes unable to care for them, then they will most likely go to a shelter, and the shelter is probably going to dispatch of them, since taking 9 indoor and 20 or so outdoor cats at once is unfeasible for them to maintain and adopt out.

              • Jay@lemmy.ca
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                1 day ago

                Ya that sucks to be in that situation, but I know it’s very easy to fall into that trap. I’ve put up ads for homes in the past for these guys, but it’s hard to find homes for many of them when you live in the boonies. Despite spending a lot of money on them (it’s over $220 plus tax alone just to get a female fixed here, plus I blow about $200 a month on food and litter) I give them away for free when I can.

                I’ve wanted to upgrade my 15 yr old pc for awhile, but to me this is more important. (I would have bought some upgrades this spring but a $750 vet bill took care of that.) But if I didn’t do what I’m doing, there would be at minimum 8 more litters of cats around to deal with, or a lot more dead cats.

      • Jay@lemmy.ca
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        3 days ago

        And they were all strays, or born from a stray. Already had 5 when I moved here where I am, then made friends with two stray moms who both had 4 kittens, making 15 total. Then another 3 toms came along. Then lastly around xmas a stray kitten (Pip, the grey boy in the top right) showed up at my door in -36c weather, so of course I brought him in.

        The only shelter around here has too many cats and will euthanize any brought in so I decided I’m going to do my best to give all these furry rodents love and a place to call home as best as I can, and here we are. It’s a killer on the little money I have but they’re safe and that’s all that matters to me.

        Worst part is I’m attached to all of them now lol! I’m not even a cat person…er…wasn’t… I guess I am now.

          • Jay@lemmy.ca
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            3 days ago

            And proud of it lol! They’re my family now. Best part is when I go to sleep I usually have a minimum of 4 of them at any time wanting to sleep with me, or on me. (Bam Bam, the black fuzzy one in particular loves to sleep on my head for some reason.)

            • MajorMajormajormajor@lemmy.ca
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              2 days ago

              How are they all together? My two cats have disagreements sometimes about who gets the prime sunshine spots (even when the space is large enough for both). So I’d be curious about the dynamic for 19 living in one spot.

              • Jay@lemmy.ca
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                2 days ago

                Just to add to my other comment, It also helps where I live. I have a small old two story house with a basement, so there’s 3 levels and lots of little nooks and crannys for them. I have several litter boxes in the basement and on the main floor as well, along with 3 water stations and 4 main food bowls. (Although for wet food and treats I usually have to also break out some dishes so they get a more equal distribution, especially because of Moops (second grey cat down from the top right of the pic) who is very much a food orientated cat, and likes to hoover up as much a he can before anyone else gets a chance.

              • Jay@lemmy.ca
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                2 days ago

                Not as bad as you’d think. There’s some disagreements here and there, but overall they pretty much all get along. The only exception is Jeeves, a black and white cat. For some reason him and two of the others don’t get along great, but it’s manageable at least.

          • Jay@lemmy.ca
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            3 days ago

            Thanks. I don’t know about that, I’ve made my share of mistakes and have done a lot of dumb shit in my day. I just can’t handle seeing animals (or people) have to struggle to survive. I’ve been there, it sucks. As long as I can do something about it I will. That’s worth more to me than upgrading my old pc or spending money on myself because it makes them happy… which makes me happy.

    • Godric@lemmy.worldOP
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      3 days ago

      I understand, I still desperately miss my first cat, the smartest one I ever knew. Big handsome would come when called and knew who to go to when told “go see x”.

  • Otter@lemmy.ca
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    3 days ago

    Do you have a cat cafe or shelter/rescue nearby?

    It’s not the same thing, but it might quench your thirst somewhat

    • Godric@lemmy.worldOP
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      3 days ago

      Sadly no, just LLCs making a business out of it. Recently my buddy teased the shit out of me when we visited his friend, he had the most chill kitty and I spent the whole time hugging it :)

  • QualifiedKitten@discuss.online
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    2 days ago

    Foster! I got in real deep and about a week ago had 12 kittens from 4 litters, ranging in age from 2 days to 2 months. Finally found other foster homes for half of them, so I’m back to just 6 kittens from 2 litters now. Cats of all ages need foster homes! Some for just a few days, others for months, and most organizations will allow you to “foster fail” if you fall in love.

  • Pope-King Joe@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Same man same. My housemate is allergic so that’s a nonstarter atm. One day I shall rise again as a forever home to a kitty!