02/12/2023
Shared from another struggling cat rescue.
Shared from another rescue , so so true
💝❄️🥶 FREEZING COLD 🥶❄️💝
HELP - NOW! PLEASE !!!!!
When rescues are full, what do you do? By moaning, and expecting us to have unlimited space, please realise that we don't. When we say we are full, it means we are full. With a quarter of a million strays in the UK you can’t expect us to help them all……
If we say we are full…. It doesn't mean we have spaces and aren't helping cats in need. It means we are full. We don't overload because quite simply the cats then don't get the care they need. If a rescue says they are full, try the next one, and the next one, and the next one. You will find an entire list of rescues on Catchat.org as well as on Facebook and the internet. Most of us work full time also, we dedicate our lives to this.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP
If you spot a stray, please do not think messaging a rescue is enough. Just because you have messaged, doesn't mean we have space. You need to act. We are ALL responsible for helping the strays in our country. When you see that stray, you may be its ONLY chance.
Feed them daily, put fresh water out daily. If its not near your home, make the effort to get over to where they are, and feed them and water them. Build them waterproof shelters. Cardboard is no good, use plastic and make sure they are waterproof. Put a warm bed inside for them and check it daily to ensure it's dry.
If you spot kittens, DO NOT leave it until they are older to report them to a rescue. The younger we catch them, the quicker we can domesticate them, get them signed off by the vets, and get them into forever homes. The faster you act, the less time it takes us to get them ready for their forever homes, which in turn makes it quicker and easier for us to help the next lot who need us. Do NOT think kittens are okay to live outside. They don't deserve a life as a stray. Report as soon as you first see them.
If a stray is seriously injured or sick, you need to get it to the nearest vet. If you don't drive, ask around your family and friends, or post on a page until someone helps you. If you can't get it to a vet, you need to ring the rspca on 0300 1234999 and make sure they come and collect the cat. Wait with the cat until they arrive.
If you are feeding and sheltering strays where you live, contact all local rescues and get them on to waiting lists. If you are happy for them to live where they are, and it's a safe, nice area and they have suitable shelters etc, let the rescue know, they can at least neuter them whilst waiting for space.
CRATE A CAT- YOUR CAT WILL GET USED TO IT AND YOU WILL SAVE A LIFE!!
If you spot a cat that clearly wants you to help them, and is in horrible weather, or waiting at your door daily, please let it in. No cat should be subjected to this awful weather.
People often say "my cat won't accept it in the house", well keep it seperate. I know not everyone has a spare room, but I'm sure everyone has room for a small dog crate. These can be picked up off Facebook for very cheap. In the crate you can put a litter tray, a bed, food and water. If the cat is scared, do NOT let it back out. Cover the crate over with a blanket. They will soon calm down. Keep them safe until you have a rescue space.
People think us rescues can do it all, and we can't. By offering a crate in your house or even a spare room, you could save a life. So instead of messaging us, get the cat inside, do the first basic step of getting them in the warmth with a litter tray, bed and food. GET THE CAT SAFE AND WARM, THEN WORRY ABOUT CONTACTING RESCUES.
I'm sick of hearing people say they can't take a cat inside or have nowhere to put it. Please please use your common sense and help. I don't want to sound harsh, but we need your help. We can't fight these battles alone. Rescues cannot physically do it all.
A simple crate, or a spare room is ALL it takes. Once you've done this, contact all local rescues and just look after the cat until space is available. They won't want much. Just some food in their bowl daily and their litter changed. Most of us rescues will help you with that also!
The most important thing you can do is NEUTER your cats at 4 months old. If you can't afford to do this, do NOT let them outside, OR have females and males together. If you can't afford to neuter, contact a rescue or cats protection / rspca and they have Neutering schemes to help you. Please do NOT let them outside and think they won't get pregnant. YES your male also needs neutering, otherwise he will be the cause of kittens being born and dying on the streets.
We need you to act. And we need you to use your common sense. We can't do this alone.
EVERY RESCUE OVER THE COUNTRY IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF FOSTER HOMES. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST RESCUE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FOSTERING. WE ALL NEED AS MANY AS WE CAN GET.
IF YOU AREN'T NEAR US, PLEASE HELP YOUR LOCAL RESCUE!!!!
