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…
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)
Bring them to the closest vet clinic (30 miles away in the closest town) where they will be euthanized.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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)
Bring them to the closest vet clinic (30 miles away in the closest town) where they will be euthanized.
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.
Just set some limits and have an exit plan.
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.
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.
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.