![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The kitties have gone to their new temporary home, the Second Chance shelter. I have been lucky in that the mamacat allowed me to stroke her and rub her ears last night, and that she had no problem with my handling of her kittens, as long as she could see them. I spent a lot of time sitting next to her and handfeeding her as well, so she did not give us any trouble this morning when the shelter volunteer arrived. She was a pretty smart gal, though; she knew enough that she could just hook some tuna with her paw, so coaxing her out wasn't going to happen. However, she responded well to being petted while eating and while nursing her babies, so it didn't take long for us to get her into the carrier. Once in the carrier, however, she was launching herself at the latch until I put the kitten carrier face to face with her. Then she settled down.
I have hopes that she will be adoptable once the kittens are weaned, since she allowed the kids to pet her as well. The vet will examine her today, and eventually she will be neutered. With socialization and gentle care, she will be fine. So, YAY! There is a happy ending to this story.
Which brings me to my message of the day:
Spay or neuter your pets, and support your local no-kill animal shelters and catch-and-release programs. It stops the spread of unchecked breeding and diseases. It justs plain makes sense. When possible, choose your pets from shelters, but don't sweat it if you have purebreds. There are many things that you can do to help out your local shelters. When possible, we buy a can or two of cat food for the Second Chance cats when we pick up food for our pets. Many shelters need warm blankets and toys, as well. You can visit the websites linked below to find out what is needed at your local shelter. Most pet stores have drop-off boxes for pet food and supplies that go towards helping the shelter pets nowadays, and there is usually someone around whom you can ask about contacting shelters. I'm thankful that we'd heard about Second Chance, because although I've nursed a kitten before, I know that our cats would not accept another animal in our house. (They barely tolerate the dog.) So I am going to be crocheting catnip mice, to be sold at the local malls and pet shops, the proceeds of which go towards food and veterinary costs.
For those in western New York:
"Welcome to SECOND CHANCE SHELTERING NETWORK,INC . SECOND CHANCE is an all volunteer, no-kill, tax-exempt, 501(C)(3), animal rescue organization located in the Western New York area. We specialize in stray, orphaned, abandoned and abused companion animals (dogs and cats).
Where does the pregnant mother go to have her babies? Where does the injured cat or dog go to recuperate? Where does the orphaned puppy or kitten go to be bottle fed and hand-raised? To Second Chance, of Course! Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc. is made up of a group of deeply dedicated animal lovers who foster the animals in their homes until they are ready for adoption into pre-screened, approved homes. There is no paid staff in our organization, we all serve out of love.
NO ANIMAL LEAVES OUR ORGANIZATION UNTIL IT IS SPAYED OR NEUTERED.We Do Not Turn Our Back On An Animal In Need!"
Second Chance suggests these ways in which you can help: http://www.secondchanceshelteringnetwork.com/HOWTOHELPUS.asp
(For other states, here is a list of no-kill shelters across the country. Some of these links work, some don't. If you are reading this, however, you know how to google. ^_^)
