Homeless kitty

[JulieM]

Is there anyone is south Florida interested (or know someone who might be interested) in a beautiful cat that needs a home? He's a lovely, green eyed cat, 5 years old, kind of small, and has been neutered and de-clawed. A boat pulled into the slip next to my boat for a couple of weeks, and they left without their cat, and that was 2 years ago. He's really, really sweet, loving, gentle, and adores sitting in your lap and sleeping with you at night. He also loves the outdoors so ideally his new home would have a pretty safe yard with some kind of escape such as a space under the house or porch. I've been caring for this little guy for two years but my husband has asthma so I can't keep him and he can't come inside, which makes him sad.

I thought I'd found him a home with a young couple that moved into one of the apartments at the property where I live. He bonded with them and their other two cats, but they moved a month ago and left him behind because their new landlord wouldn't let them have three cats. So once again, he was abandoned and I thought it would break his heart! I had no idea how sensitive a cat could be. He hardly ate for two weeks and was so distraught. He's finally over it now but I'm trying hard now to find him a permanent family that will love him. He gets along amazingly well with other cats and dogs, as long as the dog doesn't chase him. He was raised with dogs so I guess that's why.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[ErinM]

Oh Julie!!!

That makes me so sad. :( I wish with all my heart that I could take the little guy (I'm going through some pet withdrawal right now...my dog went back to WI to live with my parents until I find a permanent job/domicile, so I would give just about anything to have a pet right now. Makes me want to take him even worse, but I can't.

I hope you find a home for him...

Excuse me while I cry now...:(

[ClaraB]

I, too, wish I could take him. After being cat-less for over 2 years, our family is finally ready for another kitty :) . We're going to get one after we come back from Norway next month, and I'd love to have your little guy, but I suspect he wouldn't take being shipped to ND very well :( . I hope you find a loving home for him. Have you tried advertising in the paper? Believe it or not, it really works - when we had to give our cats away before moving here, we advertised in the paper as a last resort, and I couldn't believe how many calls we got! Your kitty has a real advantage, since he's neutered and declawed - many people want a cat, but can't afford to have those procedures done.

[beejayw1]

I have some suggestions, which may help. But I also must tell you that the fact that you've had him for two years makes him, in good part, your cat, and you're responsible for his welfare. You have demonstrated this by trying to home him, and you're going the extra mile.

So, my suggestions:

Take a good photo of him - like, REALLY good (take 2 or 3) - and make a bunch of copies. Post them at your vet's, and ask your local petcos/petsmarts/whatever else pet store there is. Ask if they have adoption days and talk to them. Include his probable age, the fact that he's neutered and declawed (those creeps who abandoned him!!! What were they thinking??) and very loving.

Here are some probably no-kill shelters/adoption centers, as well. They may be able to give you some pointers:

A Rescued Pet is Wonderful
P.O. Box 11336

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33339
Phone: 954-566-5069

Email: jono@gate.net

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Abandoned Pet Rescue
1137 NE 9th Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Phone: 954-728-9010
News
We are currently having a "Food Drive" at the shelter. Please drop off canned or bagged Adult Dog, Puppy, Adult Cat, and Kitten food. We are also in need of: Bleach, Laundry Detergent, Cat Litter, towels, sheets, blankets and cleaning supplies. So if you can spare it, we can use it! We also accept financial support. Just a SMALL donation will help a LARGE amount of unwanted pets. Mail your tax deductable donation to : APR PO Box 11666, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33339.

Who We Are
Abandoned Pet Rescue is a non-profit organization, dedicated to rescuing and fostering abandoned pets and then placing them in loving homes. Founded in 1996, APR gives medical attention to injured and sick animals, educates the public about animal care, and reduces the feral cat population in South Florida through a rescue, neuter, re-release program.

Adopting a friend
Our shelter is open 7 days a week from 12pm to 3pm for adoptions. All dogs are spayed/neutered, heartworm checked, vaccinated and microchiped. All cats are spayed/neutered, checked for feline aids & leukemia, and are vaccinated. Canine adoption fee ranges from $90.00 - $135.00. The feline adoption fee is $60.00.

Come Visit Us!
We are located at 1137 NE 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Directions from I95: Go East on Sunrise Blvd. Turn left on Flagler Drive. Stay on Flagler until you get to the stop sign. Take a right at the Stop (NE 9th Avenue). We we are the 3rd business on the right.

- - - - - -
Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Div.
1870 SW 39 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: 954-359-1313 ext.229

(This organization may euthanize unwanted pets; call and ask)
- - - - - - -
Cats Exclusive Inc
6350 West Atlantic Blvd

Margate, FL 33063
Phone: (954) 975-8349

Email: snap@catsexclusive.org

We Are
Please vist our web site: www.catsexclusive.org

Adopting a friend
Come Visit Us!
From I-95: Go west on Atlantic Blvd. Shelter is just west of State Rd 441 on the South side of Atlantic. 6350 West Atlantic Blvd.

- - - - -

Finally, if someone out of state wants to adopt him, I would be willing to be part of a shuttle group that relays him from FL to ND. I could pick him up in western CT or eastern NY and drive him to western NY.

[ErinM]

Well, if a whole lot of things fell into place for me, meaning that I got a job real soon and moved to my new location or apartment, I would take him. But I can't say for sure when that will happen, and I'm sure a home will be found for him before that. Keep me in mind though. I can't make any firm committments, but my interest in there.

Hopefully he'd get along with a shih tzu. Hopefully the shih tzu would get a long with him, come to think of it. Seeing as how the cat's declawed, that would be a blessing for him.

Barring that, I do like all of the info that Diana posted!

Good luck Julie!

[JulieM]

Thanks everyone for your kindness, suggestions and support! It makes me more hopeful that I'll be able to find him a good home. I will make a poster right away with some good pictures and a writeup and see what happens. I thought you might like to see a picture of the little guy.

http://www.colonyproductions.com/sailawayhome/Tiger/alertsm.jpg

Because of your encouragement, I made a little web page for him if you'd like to see more pictures:

http://www.colonyproductions.com/sailawayhome/Tiger/Tiger.htm

I can't fathom the thought of putting him in any kind of adoption shelter because he'd be so terrified. I think the people that abandoned him here had abused him because he's terrified of rope (isn't that strange for a cat--maybe they tied him up!), and he used to duck whenever you tried to pet him. He's gotten over that thank goodness but he's still afraid of rope.

Thanks again everyone, I'll let you know what happens!:)
Julie

[aggie94]

Oh, Julie - he's precious!!! If I had the means to get him from you, I'd offer to take him. He seems like such a sweetie - he reminds me of our cat Sara in a lot of those photos, especially the one where he's looking for a belly rub. :)

[mochadelsol]

Those are the cutest pictures:) You are very sweet to take Tiger in, and I can see you have given him alot of love. Keep up the great effort, I know you'll find a good home. Best of luck.

[ErinM]

Aww....now I really want him (sorry, still can't though :( ) He reminds me of a cat I had when I was a kid. I named him Shadow and he was the BEST CAT IN THE WORLD. Always came when he was called, was well known and very friendly with many in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it was that friendliness and tendency to get himself caught in places that may have ultimately done him in...one day he just didn't come home. I still miss that cat and its been more than 20 years :o :(


He seems like such a nice kitty....maybe this IS my cat reincarnated...hmmmm...

[401krep]

That's exactly the kind of cat my co-worker is looking for, but we live in Maryland and I'm sure she wouldn't travel to FL to get him. Wish I could be of more help. Sorry!

Vanessa

[wallycat]

I've just been telling DH that's the kind of "meow" I want when Wally passes. We keep thinking it will be any moment, but the old guy is hanging on (which pleases DH to no end). He's at least 17+ with thyroid and inflammatory bowel issues....

Oh I wish I could take him.....but after the incident we saw Wally go through with Latte (who now has a new home), I don't think it wise.
But he's soooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by JulieM
I can't fathom the thought of putting him in any kind of adoption shelter because he'd be so terrified.

You might be able to work with a shelter, housing him until a home could be found. He's so fortunate you stepped in when you did.

Meanwhile, I am going to paste your website link to a message board (as nice as this one - no nasties or weirdos) that is run by pet-lovers. There is no contact info on your website, and I'll just say it's a kitty with a sad past who has come through very well, who needs a home with someone down south, if possible. I'll field any nibbles he gets, if any (if you don't object).

ErinM: don't forget that I've offered to do part of a shuttle relay if you decide you want him... :)

[Guest]

Julie,
I can't help, but I wanted to say that you have a good heart. My mom was an animal lover and took in strays from the time she was a little girl. She would always say that you could tell a lot about people by the way they treat animals. You must be a wonderful person. Good luck in finding Tiger a new home.

[Wendy w]

Oh Julie, he's adorable. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a home for him. Keep us posted.

[luv2cook]

Oh, he's beautiful! So sad. I've got the same problem w/my guy. He's sweet as pie and as a last resort, I am putting an ad in the paper. I don't want to use a shelter. But being FeLV positive, it's going to be hard, I think. Besides my 13 y/o cousin's father not caring if the cat ate and being thrown outside, I was afraid this sweet guy would be abused or killed because he's so friendly. I'm going to be very picky about who he goes to because his life hasn't been grand...

beejay, PetsMart here and Randall's (grocery store) have no distribution policies so I couldn't put my flier up. That's why I'm putting an ad in the paper...

[JulieM]

You guys are great and your heartfelt concern is really, really touching. I imagine that we won't be able to could come up with enough people for a shuttle relay to one of your homes, but I'll keep trying down here. It won't be a truly serious problem until after Christmas so I've got about 4 months to solve this problem.

Since you guys are obviously animal lovers, I'll tell you an interesting story about Tiger. His owners pulled in beside us on their boat and were here for a few weeks. When I went aboard their boat, Tiger was terrified and ran under a table and hissed at me. He was afraid of everyone! Later I noticed he would often leave their boat, so I asked them what they will do when they leave and he hasn't returned. They said they would leave him behind, but I thought they were kidding! (They had already left Tiger's brother in the Bahamas so I should have realized they were serious.) After they left, they emailed me from their home in Texas to tell me they had left him. (The wife said he was better off with me because her boys "teased" him.) After a couple of months and I had forgotten all about it, our landlord asked us to move our boat in the neighboring slip where the other couple had been. That night, Tiger comes running aboard crying his head off! He thought they had returned! Isn't that so sad? When I went out he ran away. Imagine that he had been coming home every night hoping they would be back for him. The next night he returned, crying again. But this time he only ran to the yard when he saw me, so I put out food for him (he was so skinny), and he ate, though I couldn't get near him. Of course, each night I'd get a little closer, and now he's a real lover boy.

I hope you don't mind me sharing that story with you. I've just always thought it was interesting how he remembered exactly where his home was, even though the boat was different. Thank goodness we moved and he came "home."

I'll keep bumping this thread up for the next couple of days in case someone in South Florida might see it.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and good wishes!

[luv2cook]

too bad we could'nt form two chains for two great cats that need great homes. People have done that a lot, I hear.

We once had two cats that traveled 5 miles (at least) back to our old home where they were raised. After keeping them in the house, they got out and ran back. The third time, one didn't come back and the other stayed.

I vowed when I had my own home, my cats would NEVER go outside. I lost one to a car engine, one to my nextdoor neighbors who stole him and one because my mother was stupid and pigheaded(sorry, but true).

I just don't understand how people can just treat their pets like crap -- not care if they eat, no vet care, leave them alone all the time outside or inside whichever. Very sad. They depend on us. If they could "take care of themselves" then they wouldn't be starving animals around, would there? They'd all be taking care of themselves...grrrrrrrr

[JulieM]

Originally posted by luv2cook
Oh, he's beautiful! So sad. I've got the same problem w/my guy. He's sweet as pie and as a last resort, I am putting an ad in the paper. I don't want to use a shelter. But being FeLV positive, it's going to be hard, I think. Besides my 13 y/o cousin's father not caring if the cat ate and being thrown outside, I was afraid this sweet guy would be abused or killed because he's so friendly. I'm going to be very picky about who he goes to because his life hasn't been grand...



Sorry to hear you're having a similar problem. I know what you mean about being very picky! I think that's why I've avoided just putting up fliers until now. I kept hoping I'd meet someone through a friend that would be perfect but it just hasn't happened.

[JulieM]

Originally posted by luv2cook
I just don't understand how people can just treat their pets like crap -- not care if they eat, no vet care, leave them alone all the time outside or inside whichever. Very sad. They depend on us. If they could "take care of themselves" then they wouldn't be starving animals around, would there? They'd all be taking care of themselves...grrrrrrrr

Some people seem to think animals don't have feelings! And they don't feel any responsibility to their pets. It's as though their pets are just for their amusement and when they become a bother or inconvenience, they just take them to the animal shelter or leave them by the road somewhere. I don't understand it.

[luv2cook]

I don't understand it either, but part of it is a mentality - my mother had it (not as much now because since I'm allegedly an adult and can state my views) but look at farmers and their callous attitude toward their animals - what is that phrase - something like "they're animal, they belong outside." I think that's it. That's not a statement about all farmers but you get the idea (for those of you who belong or have family in farming).

Funny, dogs are pack animals and we are their pack. my collie mix was found w/a rope around his neck and had an escape/digging problem whenever we put him outside for 5 min. I guess he had been left alone and thought we were going to do that to him. He's over it now and loves the yard and no more digging! He's a doll now, too. It's amazing what the right kind of treatment can do for an animal...sigh...

[BlueMoose]

People who do that kind of thing make me so *darn* mad!:mad: All of my pets were unwanted by somebody.

I would definitely try putting an ad in the paper, though. That's how I got my dog. He was a "free to a good home" ad in the paper. To make the ad more noticable to people you could write it from Tiger's point of view. You might want to get pretty lengthy (if the cost isn't an issue) so people feel like they get to know him. And don't feel like you have to give him to anyone who comes along. You could state in the ad that you will be conducting interviews of prospective new parents. That way you can weed out people who aren't serious in the long term commitment to a cat. You could even keep in contact with them after the adoption to make sure he's doing ok.


I sure hope you find a good new (permanent) home for him soon. Keep us posted.

Bless your heart,
Chrisi

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by luv2cook
beejay, PetsMart here and Randall's (grocery store) have no distribution policies so I couldn't put my flier up. That's why I'm putting an ad in the paper...

PM and POSTED

Can you ask the local vets if they will let you put a flyer and photos up? Also, the local shelters (Did I get a list for you?) will often work with you to promote a FeLV positive cat.

If you need the list of local shelters, let me know.

[JulieM]

Just bumping this up in case someone in S. Florida might see it.:)

[luv2cook]

I share in the bump in hopes that someone in Houston or surrounding areas might see this!:)

[Kiko]

Julie,

I wish I could take him, but DH and I are very allergic to cats. :(

I will spread the word and ask friends. You are very kind and generous! Good luck :)

[dcornelius]

Oh he is beautiful and I would love to take him if I could but can't cause DD is very very allergic (stops breathing kinda thing) but I would be willing to be part of a relay team to help transport him to any one who could take him!!!

[1MegMeg]

A bump back to the first page.

[beejayw1]

I've gotten a nibble on him on a message board for pet-lovers. I'll keep you posted, but meanwhile put him on your prayer list!

[luv2cook]

what about my guy??? :(

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by luv2cook
what about my guy??? :(

Working on it, or at least on people who can work with you to help place him in a forever home.

[beejayw1]

bump

[dulcecoeur]

Oh...I feel so bad, cause that kitty looks just like my Shelby (okay, skinnier than Shelby though) :( Me and Shelby send good luck wishes...