Did I Do The Right Thing?, Rescuing kitty Options

[Forever Jake]

Sometimes I wonder if our furbabies that have passed on before us have a way of sending other animals to grab our attention.....

This morning, as Todd (my fiance) was leaving to go to work, he saw a kitty. He then saw lights--from a truck--and thought for sure the little one was going to get hit. The kitty stayed over on the other side of the road until the truck passed, she backed up so not to get hit, and then she RAN over to his car... I heard his car in the driveway and saw Todd with a cat next to him, and, my first thought was, "Oh, no.. he hit a cat." I ran out of the house, barefoot, and there is Todd, with this small, very affectionate kitty loving him. She was so skinny. I, of course, pick her up, and I got the loving head butt, and nails in my shoulder from kneeding. Problem is, we can't have any more animals a this time, it is 5am, and there is a kitty in desperate need. I put her down to check her out, and she ran for a puddle, and started to drink. Todd had to go to work, and got back in the car. The cat literally RAN BEHIND THE CAR, following him, and I called out for her. She turned, then saw a car coming and took off. So, now here I am, at 5am, looking for kitty. She went into the woods and wouldn't come out, wouldn't answer, nothing. Todd is calling my cell phone, feeling like garbage, like he turned his back on her--now I will mention we think she is pregnant--what do we do? Relaizing that I am in shorts and a t-shirt, no shoes, and very cold, I came in the house to get warmer clothes on and shoes, and go out to look for kitty. No luck. Todd gets to work, calls me, I am upset. Can't find her, don't know what to do, what can I do if I find her? We seriously cannot have anymore animals...so, I wait for a little bit, ask the neighbors if they own a 6-9 month old female kitty, and if not, could they or do they know of someone who could take her if I find her? Of course, no one wants to say yes...
I came back inside, and was working on a research paper for class, when I see something out the window--kitty wandering in the road, and a car going like you-know-what toward her. I ran out of the house, into the road, and got kitty safely, yeah, maybe I was crazy, and I got a horn blown at me and the one finger salute, but kitty was alive and happy to be with me. Now the fun begins. The boys can't be around her, because we know nothing about her, so I call Todd--cat is in the house-- she is SKINNY, and VERY HUNGRY..so I open a can of tuna, get her some water, and she is just of course all over me, loving me, purring, "talking", so Todd says to call our vet and see what they think, or if they could take her and adopt her out, so I call..no luck. I didn't want to take her somewhere that would euthanize her, so I finally, after trying to find a way to kepp her if we could, called a friend of the family, who has a feed store, that adopt cats out to good homes. They agreed to take her, and hold onto her first for a week or two, to see if anyone claimed her--she is so loving, and wants your constant attnetion. IF then, no one claimed her, they would put her up for adoption. She followed me everywhere in the house, even jumped up on our bed, curled up, looked at me and meow/purred.

I took her down to the store, and she did NOT want to be out of my arms. Now I am home, and I feel terrible. I know that right now, with all that is going on and how our boys are, we really can't take another kitty in, but she adored me, and didn't want me to let her go. I don't know what to do. If she is someone elses baby, I would feel bad for taking her, but, I know that there are so many cats and dogs, hamsters, etc, that never know love, and right now I feel torn in two. I even told Todd that I wondered if Jake somehow sent her to us, knowing that we would love her..I mean, she RAN UP TO HIS CAR and then, RAN BEHIND THE CAR following Todd...anyone have any ideas? Maybe I am crazy, but i just feel so bad for that little kitty. Thanks for listening.

Sandi

[joywarrior]

Hi. I feel in my heart that the right choice for you to do is to go get that kitty back into your home again as soon as you can. It looks to me like Jake did send that kitty to you for loving care. My elderly cat died early this morning. I have other cats. I am having terrible grief for my cat who died. That is why I came to this site today, and I am new here. I now have eight cats, all rescued from very harmfull cir%%stances, all needed me. Help me, too, if you can. And trust your heart, trust your own intuition. It sounds to me that you are saying that you feel that the kitty needs you and your husband and was sent to you for loving care. My cat who passed on is Marmalade. Gratefully, Maureen

[Forever Jake]

Maureen,

I am so very sorry for the loss of Marmalade. This site has been so very helpful and comforting to me since I lost Jake. Jake just showed up at our house one day, out of the blue, very skinny and hungry, hungry not only for food, but for love and affection. He had our hearts from the moment we saw him.

I went to the office this afternoon, and my friends say the same thing that you do, and that I want to do. When Todd comes home, we are going to talk about it. Kitty is pregnant---and, our friend says that she would like to keep her (she has a name already--"Grace"--because it is by the grace of God that she wasn't hit in the road) for a week or two to see if anyone claims her, and if not, if Todd and I want her, she is ours. Our friend also thinks that maybe someone just dumped her off knowing that she is pregnant, because they didn't want the responsibility--and that was why Grace was running after the car....but, to be fair, if she is some little kids kitty, I would want them to have the chance to find her if she happened to slip outside or something.

I know exactly how you are feeling about Marmalade. Todd and I have 2 other cats--kittens, about 8-9 months old (about the same age as Grace). I couldn't bear to be around them after Jake passed. I still miss him, and it still hurts so very much that my baby is no longer with me. Anyway that I can be of help, please let me know. Our cats are our kids. I have found that loving "Bailey" and "Fritzie-Waffles" has helped, but no one will ever replace my Jake. Anytime that you need to talk, vent, or need a listening ear, please let me know. Everyone here understands how you and I both feel, and we are all here for each other. I will be praying for you. Please keep me posted.
Your friend in grief,
Sandi

[Ken Albin]

If you absolutely can not take in another cat (I would sure try to make it possible if there is any way to do it) see if there is a cat rescue group in the area that will adopt out cats, one that is no-kill. The group I work with locally has foster parents who see that the cat is well cared for. They bring the cats into Petco each weekend and we try our best to find good indoor homes for them. See if there is a group like that in your region.
Please follow up so you know that the cat has a good forever home. Here is a photo of our adopted cat #8, Luvey. She recently was adopted through our group from a woman who had collected 32 cats. Though she loved them all, she could not adequately care for them and her husband was threatening to divorce her. It broke her heart, but now at least she knows that her Luvey is in a good home and is being spoiled rotten. Good luck with your decision.

[Forever Jake]

Thank you. Luvey is adorable! Todd and I talked about it last night, and also early this morning. We both would love to have Grace; yet, are afraid that if we take in another baby at this time, we would not be able to care for them like we should. Our friend that has her right now is a no-kill place--I wouldn't take Grace to any other place, and I know that if we find that we absolutely cannot take her, that she will be found a good home.

Some people have asked Todd and I why we don't set up our own rescue place. I will admit that I have thought about it, but I have no idea what all is involved and what to do. We both love animals, and there are so many that have never known the love that they should. Thinking about Grace running behind Todd's car brings tears to my eyes. How anyone could just dump off such a beautiful animal is beyond my comprehension, and it makes me very angry! I wonder how people can be so cruel. (Sorry, had to get that out)

Thank you to everyone that has responded to this post. I will keep you all posted as to what we decide to do. I know that we are going over everything to see what we can do to take Grace in, if at all possible. One more question--if we can take her, after the 1-2 week waiting period) would it be a good idea to take something to her andthen to the boys so they can get used to each other's smell? I heard that if the cats smell something familiar, they adapt easier. Does anyone know?
This site and the people here have been so wonderful. God bless you all,
Sandi

[Kim R.]

If you decide to keep her, It will most certainly be a good ice breaker if they are already familiar with each others smell, so I think it is a wonderful idea! I think you are an absolute angel for even considering taking in another baby when you know it would put you in a crunch....you're a true gift to our animal babies! I think we are the ones that get the most out of it, though! There is no more loyal and loving animal than a rescue! I think they spend every moment of their lives trying to 'make it up' to us for saving them...I have no doubt that they know what we have done for them. I hope that this kitty finds true love with someone, she sounds like a very special kitty and from the sounds of it (with her chasing your husbands car)I think she would be a one of a kind companion for someone (although I think her true destiny is with you and Todd! no pressure )! Whatever you decide, you have already saved this little kitty, so don't feel guilty if you can't keep her. I do think Jake guided her to you, but maybe because he knew you would do just what you did...get her off the streets and into a safe, warm invironment where she would be cared for (especially if she is pregnant), and you absolutely did that, so for that alone you should feel very proud.....
Kim

[Forever Jake]

Kim,

Thank you! You have helped me feel alot better! I felt so guilty that, if we wind up not being able to take Grace, that I have failed. We are trying everything that we can possibly think of in these next 1-2 weeks. I have called around, and spoke with our vet, and found out what the cost would be to have her spayed, tested for FeLV, etc... (after babies are born and weaned), and they have a sliding scale that I qualify for, if we decide that we can take her. Todd and I both want her...the biggest issue is the fact that in the new house, there is gong to be alot of activity and noise going on with people working, and we are afraid that Grace would be too upset and lose the babies--we even have to have the boys boarded while they are working inside--so, that is what the biggest issue is--along with, being totally honest,the cost of another furkid. We aren't giving up; in fact, we have decided that we are going to pray about it.

I will keep everyone posted. Thanks again, and God bless!
Sandi

[Forever Jake]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=7][COLOR=purple] UPDATE....

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First, thank you to everyone here that responded...however, Todd and I came to the decision tonight that we are unable to take Grace in. (sniff) It breaks my heart, belileve me. Todd feels bad about it also. We tried everything we could think of. Our friend has promised us that Grace will not go anywhere unless she is going to a good, LOVING home. The only possible way that we would be able to take her is if she is still there when the workers are done working in the new house. So, I have given her to God, and putting the situation in his hands. I just keep seeing her running behind Todd's car, and my heart breaks. I pray that if someone else takes her, that they give her the love that she as well as all animals deserve.

Kim R., thank you once again. Your words have helped me to know that we did rescue Grace (sorry, but that is what I call her), and that I didn't fail her.

Thanks again, everyone. If something changes, and we are able to take her, I will let you know. I can't help it--I love animals.

Take care, and God bless,
Sandi

[Kim R.]

Don't feel sad for Grace...she is safe and warm and has a belly full of food because of you! That is probably more than she has ever known, so she probably thinks she has hit it big already! You absolutely did rescue Grace in every sense of the word so you should feel really good about that ! In the grand scheme of things, think of what you truly accomplished by taking her off the streets. If she is pregnant, and had those kittens in the wild, they would grow up wild themselves and continue to reproduce and their offspring would reproduce, etc. You did so much more than you will ever know for not only Grace, but her (possible) kittens and the animal population in general as well. Did you know that one unspayed cat and her offspring can produce more than 420,000 offspring in her lifetime ? That is incredible to me!! (That is why in our country alone more than 5 million animals are euthanized every year...why is it so difficult for people to spay and neuter??? ) See what you have just prevented by stepping in and lending a much needed hand to a special little kitty ! I know we animal rescuers can't save them all, but we can darn sure die tryin ! I sincerely appreciate your efforts!
Kim
Just curious~what is your general location? I'm in georgia...anywhere near you?

[Forever Jake]

Kim,

Thank you so much for your encouraging words.. I am seriously thinking about rescue work for animals....

I am in New York...I used to live in Georgia, about 10 years ago!

Sandi

[joywarrior]

Hi, I am in New York state, too, Sandi. When I first saw that photo of Luvey, I smiled and said WOW, because he is so good, that cat really touched my heart, and that is a very good photo, too. Sandi, I still do believe that Grace needs you to simply go get her, after the one to two week waiting perior, and bring her home with you, and maybe keep her safely closed into a quiter separate room, or find a low-cost temporary place where you and your family, including your children, can shelter for a short time during the finishing of your house. It could be a small humble short-term place, or a camper or bus or whatever, and you could all be together. I have sure learned that that is the number one priority, the living creatures, both human and non-human. I have rescued and taken in several animals, and i am very poor in money and live alone in a very small house. I love each one of my animals, and they are happy and healthy. Maureen

[Forever Jake]

I am in the chat room until 11pm EST, if you would like to chat...

[Princess Sophie]

Hi,
I shared on another forum here earlier that we adopted another
cat on Wed. She is a Hurricane Katrina survivor and I bet if this little
darling could talk she could tell a tale that would break our hearts.
There are 1,000s of homeless animals from New Orleans and the
coast. This was the first one I saw when I went online and would
you believe the spitting image of our Sophie but she will be her
on little "personality". She has been comforting to me as she will
not leave me for a minute and sleeps right beside me at night.
She has to feel me close by. She is about 18 months old and had kittens recently but was spayed before we got her. She was in
the New Orleans pound and a no-kill rescue had taken her in. They do such good work. We had to be approved before we could adopt
her... references and all. If we were closer by they would do a
home visit. We signed if we should ever have to get rid of her
(which we never will) she goes back to them.
So I feel for your decision about deciding to take Gracie in or
not. But at least you have found her a good place for now and
she is safe.
Blessings,
Sophie's mom..Jan

[Forever Jake]

UPDATE!!

Hello, everyone! I have news about "Grace"....she is now home with her family...she snuck out sometime last Sunday night or early Monday morning, and lives up the road from us...( I never thought about asking people further up the road) and she is now happy in the arms of a ten year old little girl again!

I will be able to visit her, and, yes, she is going to have little ones, and, we have already asked if we could be told when she has them, and we will be getting one--(I am thinking a female, since "Grace" is really "Muffin")

So, I can be happy knowing that she is okay, and that we did save her from getting hit in the road. We still have no idea why she ran to Todd's car or why she ran behind the car--but we are leaving it as Jake sent her knowing that we would do the right thing.

Thank you once again everyone!

God bless,
Sandi

[Kim R.]

That is wonderful news ! Maybe you can even use this opportunity to help educate her owners about proper and responsible animal care. It sounds as though 'Muffin' has escaped at least once before if she is pregnant, and she has been lucky this far, but may not be so lucky next time, and she definitely needs to be spayed! I have found in my many years of vet tech work that sometimes even the most well meaning and loving of animal owners need to be educated on such subjects as they truly just don't know any better! As Dr. Phil (whom I adore ) always says "We do the best we can with what we know, and when we know better, we do better!" ! I hope all goes well with Muffin in her delivery and I hope your new kitty brings you much joy! How far along is Muffin? Let us know when the babies are born!~I just love happy endings !
Kim

[Ken Albin]

I love it when things work out that nicely! You did a good thing. I also think it is wonderful you are considering doing volunteer rescue work. If you do, you won't regret it. My wife and I just came in from working with cat adoptions for our loal group and we were fortunate to find good homes for seven lucky cats today. It is a great feeling to see them go off with loving families.