I'm sad... please advise
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I'm sad... please advise
| Tue, 08-24-2004 - 1:32am |
I went to feed my feral river cat tonight for the first time in a couple of weeks. I've been out of town. I knew she had had her kittens, but hadn't seen them yet. Anyway, I saw her and she looked awful. She was skinny (she is a little cat, though) and her eyes had black around the rims. She also had some black around her nose. Is this some sort of infection? She was hungry and thirsty, and while she ate I went to look for the kittens. I saw four of them. They're about 6 weeks old and are prob. ready to be weaned. They looked healthy, but they are skittish and I can't get to them. The poor cat has had at least 5 litters that I know of, and I tried MANY MANY times to trap her, and never could. I'm afraid she is just worn out. Does a cat ever get to a point where they eventually just die from having too many litters? I'm sure her system is just worn out, and she looked so unhealthy. I just can't attempt to try to trap the kittens and give them away, plus try to trap her again. I'm trying to job hunt, I've been traveling, and it's just exhausting and too emotional to go down there and feed her everyday. There are fishermen and campers around the area, and I hope she gets some food from them. The poor thing is just worn out, and my emotions are just really down after seeing them tonight. What should or can I do?

I'm so sorry about the cat.
Please keep us posted. My prayers are with you & the kitties.
Suzy
The only thing that I know of in my area is animal control. I live about an hour away from the largest city that would have a program or a group who could help me. I can't call animal control b/c they would put her to sleep since she is a feral. I don't want any of them to go to the local shelter, b/c it's not a no-kill facility. I have borrowed traps from animal control before to trap other cats and kittens down there, so I know I could do that again. It's just a matter of being sure I caught all of the kittens. Plus, I don't think a vet will spay the mother if she is still nursing.
My only option is to ask this lady I know who might be able to help me with the situation. She might be able to go down there w/ me and try to trap them all, but it's going to be such an effort. It's hard to do when I'm trying to find a job and move. But- I can't NOT do anything about it. It breaks my heart. Plus, the thought of all of those kittens having kittens, etc.....it just goes on and on. I have to put a stop to it.
I wish a few of you were here and could help me! None of you happen to live in Arkansas, do you? ;)
Thanks for the support. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh- why do you think her eyes are kind of a watery black around the rims? Do you think she has an infection?
I'm in NY, so I can't help you in person, but I did a quick search on petfinder.org, to see animal welfare groups in Arkansas. There are 83! (http://www.petfinder.org ) I think you can do a search and see all the places listed in Arkansas and email them and see if someone might help you out, even if they're not in your immediate area. I have read heartwarming stories of people involved with petfinder driving long distances to help a pet who needed a home or assistance. You might also post on some of the other ivillage pet boards; someone may well be in your area or have other ideas. Keep posting; through the wonders of the internet I think you may find helpers.
Are there any local publications you could post something in to find other animal lovers who might help you out? Or possibly making an announcement or posting at a local church or YMCA, school, etc. Good luck, and please keep us posted.
Cynthia
I'd love to help you but I'm way over on the W. coast.