Need help with foster homes and supplies

[ArkRescue]

You can also use Chicken Feed for Kitty Litter!!

That sounds odd but ok. At $16 a 50 lb bag, I guess it wouldn't be all that expensive to use, as long as it's absorbent. However, I imagine the kitties tracking dusty chicken feed all over the carpet, ewww.

I was so thrilled when I thought to try the horse pelleted bedding - when they pee in it the pellets pop open as they absorb the moisture - a 1 inch layer of pelleted bedding puffs up to become a good 4 to 5" in the litter boxes in 2 days of use by several kitties. Every 2 days I change out the entire pan, so easy peasy.

One of my 2 boys told me he didn't like that pelleted horse bedding litter by pooping on the floor next to the litter box (he peed in the box just fine) - and after 2 weeks of this, I figured he just wasn't going to adjust, so I bought Fresh Step clumping litter again for them.

There is a lightweight recycled cardboard product that is good also. The product is lightweight, so a huge bag is easy enough for me to carry. They make one for small pets with small bits of cardboard, and bigger pieces for horses. Tractor Supply doesn't sell it, I am not sure who does anymore, but I used to buy it from RD Cross/Southern States (SS) dealer. There just isn't a SS dealer more convenient to me than Tractor Supply is.

Lacey the hen has been in her flock this week. I resisted taking her out today. She seems to get into the middle of the group on the roosting poles to stay warm at night, so I will leave her be and hope for the best.

 

[mamatutu]

We are getting into serious financial trouble due to the length of time we have been caring for so many adoptable critters. The credit cards are full and we can barely afford to buy even the cheapest pet foods at this point. All are due for another round of flea/tick treatments also.

Can you foster a kitty or 2 or 3? We have 2 somewhat shy kitten twin boys that need more socialization with new people and who have had no exposure to other cats yet.

Can you donate supplies? We welcome gift cards to places we can buy critter supplies i.e. any grocery store, Tractor Supply, any drug store, pet stores, etc. You can make Paypal donations also. Snail mail is:

Lisa's Ark Critter Rescue
P O Box 811
Bandywine, MD 20613

You didn't put your website. Page 1

I just bumped your thread and donated again. You are the best, Ark.

 

[ArkRescue]

You didn't put your website. Page 1

I just bumped your thread and donated again. You are the best, Ark.

Thank you! I just realized I need to buy more Advantix. I thought I had enough for another round on the kitties.

I just checked the snow outside OMG we got another 5" overnight (measured the new snow on top of the mailbox).

 

[ICit]

Thank you! I just realized I need to buy more Advantix. I thought I had enough for another round on the kitties.

I just checked the snow outside OMG we got another 5" overnight (measured the new snow on top of the mailbox).

I sure hope you were not that dumb.... and this is a typo.....

 

[ArkRescue]

I sure hope you were not that dumb.... and this is a typo.....

Advantage - yeah I keep forgetting the name but I have the old package to remind me - hey I'm not DUMB!

 

[PrepH4U]

Thank you! I just realized I need to buy more Advantix. I thought I had enough for another round on the kitties.

I just checked the snow outside OMG we got another 5" overnight (measured the new snow on top of the mailbox).

You have snow fleas? I hope you don't put those chemicals on them year round.

You need to start putting up posts in the animal groups you belong to on FB. Lots of rescue people us them to find homes for their fosters.

 

[ArkRescue]

You have snow fleas? I hope you don't put those chemicals on them year round.

You need to start putting up posts in the animal groups you belong to on FB. Lots of rescue people us them to find homes for their fosters.

Ahhhh I've posted looking for adopters there but not to find foster homes. I'll try that. I only use the flea/tick stuff every 3 months in Winter. Some of my relatives/friends have indoor/outdoor critters the seem to find fleas all year round so I am concerned a flea of 2 may hitch a ride on me or my dog. I'd be totally embarrassed if I adopted out a critter with fleas.

 

[ArkRescue]

Ah ha! I caught the elusive daddy of the Spring 2013 litter at the barn. He is not feral, just leery of people. I've pet him through the cage. Ginger looks like this boy. Gonna have him neutered in AM. Already treated him with Advantage after feeling his lumpy skin surface from flea litter probably yuck. He wants out of the cage and with him not being feral I'm tempted ...... hmmmmm but he may get away then I will be screwed. Poor kitty is crying to get out.

 

[ArkRescue]

I resisted and left him in the trap cage until this morning. Funny but he never even went potty. I hope he figures out he needs to use the litter box. I should throw some dirt in there also. Vet said he is about 3 years old. Poor baby may have been living outside all this time.

Realized after I picked him up I had forgotten to ask for a microchip in case he shows me he is adoptable (while I have him contained to recuperate). He seems friendly enough. I think that's the last kitty in the area (hopefully).

 

[kwillia]

Poor baby may have been living outside all this time.

The tom that adopted me lives outside all the time and he is a happy cat.

 

[ArkRescue]

PS he is in a jumbo heavy duty plastic dog crate while he recuperates. Has a heating pad and the usual (litter box, scratch pad, food, and water, kitty bed, and a pillow.

 

[ArkRescue]

The tom that adopted me lives outside all the time and he is a happy cat.

This boy has good-sized puncture wounds on his body so may be battle scars ? Too big to be bb's. So him continuing outside may not be in his best interest. The vet didn't note the wounds on his paperwork to comment. Maybe since the blue-kote was on 2 wounds, they knew we knew .....?

Is your tom neutered? Does he spray?

 

[kwillia]

This boy has good-sized puncture wounds on his body so may be battle scars ? Too big to be bb's. So him continuing outside may not be in his best interest. The vet didn't note the wounds on his paperwork to comment. Maybe since the blue-kote was on 2 wounds, they knew we knew .....?

Is your tom neutered? Does he spray?

Once I realized he wasn't leaving I have him vetted... shots and neutered. He fights off other cats as he wants to be the only one living on our property so on occasion he gets battle scars. I keep him up to date on shots.

 

[Bann]

Ah ha! I caught the elusive daddy of the Spring 2013 litter at the barn. He is not feral, just leery of people. I've pet him through the cage. Ginger looks like this boy. Gonna have him neutered in AM. Already treated him with Advantage after feeling his lumpy skin surface from flea litter probably yuck. He wants out of the cage and with him not being feral I'm tempted ...... hmmmmm but he may get away then I will be screwed. Poor kitty is crying to get out.

Do you keep all the cats in cages until you find them homes?

 

[ArkRescue]

Do you keep all the cats in cages until you find them homes?

The big black one is caged. The 2 twin boys are also caged. That is why we need foster homes.

 

[ArkRescue]

PS the rest of the available kitties are not caged, but only have about 200 sf to live in, which to me is sad. One thing for sure is they all have great social skills with other cats.

 

[Bann]

The big black one is caged. The 2 twin boys are also caged. That is why we need foster homes.

I don't really get it.

You caught (trapped) a cat who isn't feral, and you took it and got it neutered? Is it possible that it might belong to someone? What do you with it after it recuperates?

If you take in all these cats and keep them in cages, why is that good for them vs. being outdoor cats, which we know exist and do so quite happily.

Also, it seems like a vicious circle to keep taking in animals you can't afford and get them vetted, and then keep them in cages all the time until you find a home for them, which means you have to then keep paying for animals' upkeep that you can't afford.

 

[mamatutu]

Ark, I know you do all you do for the critters because you want to, and it is part of your character. Also, the fact that you have a job, and are fighting some physical ailments makes me that much more in awe of you! You go girl, as long as you can do it! I will keep donating when I can. Also, when I can adopt again someday, I will contact you first.

 

[Bann]

]Ark, I know you do all you do for the critters because you want to, and it is part of your character.[/B] Also, the fact that you have a job, and are fighting some physical ailments makes me that much more in awe of you! You go girl, as long as you can do it! I will keep donating when I can. Also, when I can adopt again someday, I will contact you first.

I didn't and never have questioned her character. My questions were serious questions. I don't understand trapping animals considered to be feral (or not) and keeping them captive until you find homes for them.

If someone wants to spend their money until they have little to no funds left and then solicit the funding from other sources to trap, spay & neuter and then release the animals - fine by me. However, why trap & keep them captive until you find a home for them? That's not natural for them. It's not what they're used to.

 

[ArkRescue]

I don't really get it.

You caught (trapped) a cat who isn't feral, and you took it and got it neutered? Is it possible that it might belong to someone? What do you with it after it recuperates?

If you take in all these cats and keep them in cages, why is that good for them vs. being outdoor cats, which we know exist and do so quite happily.

Also, it seems like a vicious circle to keep taking in animals you can't afford and get them vetted, and then keep them in cages all the time until you find a home for them, which means you have to then keep paying for animals' upkeep that you can't afford.

I should have known better than to reply to you as you seem to be hell bent of tearing me apart at every chance. We do NOT keep all cats in cages, period. BUT even if we did, how are they kept at the animal shelter? And when their time is up what happens if they haven't been adopted? HUH? HUH? Is me keeping them in tight quarters or in cages so bad after all? When they get adopted they get to lead a normal life.

As far as people who may OWN the strays/ferals that come on MY property? I don't care what they think about what I do their kitty. It was on MY property. If the latest one belongs to someone, then they should have had him neutered and kept him confined at home. When he steps onto my property, it becomes my business.

None of us had ANY idea last year that the KITTENS wouldn't get adopted. Had we known then what we know now, we would have told the people to take the kittens to the shelter. Our purpose in existence is to help TNR ferals that are breeding like rabbits, and to keep adoptable critters from going to the shelter.

We are doing our best to find adoptive homes for all of the critters. Once we do, we will not allow ourselves to get overwhelmed again, which means more critters will die. Having a heart got us into this situation of having too many kitties, but they will find homes in time if we can hang in there long enough. Put your money where you mouth is and donate to help the kitties or .