I see so much sadness in the mornings, some more than others. I am used to seeing the cats at each of my 14 locations. There is an average of 3 cats at each - one has about six, that's the one that I rescued Peanut Butter and Jelly recently, where it made eight. The other spot where there are eight is Pennsylvania and Fourth. At all the others, there are about three. So, lets see, the ones I actually see, that are waiting for me in full view - 3+3+3+3+6+2+5+2+3+8+1+1+1+3+3 (well, that's 15 spots???) - I believe that totals 47 cats. Remember, when I rescue cats, new ones move in. Most of who I am seeing now need to be spayed and neutered. I am hardened to the pain that this would cause the normal person, because I know I am giving it sustenance to get through another day. I know that with the shelters I provide, and the soft dry towels I replace, they have some measure of comfort.
I've been driving down Parsells every day, where two of my locations are, and a few blocks from my first stop there has been a black and white female. It is my intention to get this girl, she let me touch her two days ago, but I haven't seen her since. So, before, and after my rounds, I drive down this street trying to spot her. This morning, I pulled over to see if I could spot her, and I saw another cat, mostly white with some black sitting in a driveway. I immediately got bowls and placed food and water out under the tree next to this driveway. The kitty came down and started to eat. I looked again and spotted another kitty sitting in the driveway, same spot as the white and black kitty had been, and it started to walk to the bowls, but limping. I then spotted another cat cross the street at the same time. That's three cats right in front of my nose. Homeless. And who is feeding them? This one with the limp, it is not using its paw at all, he is hobbling on three legs.
There are so many things that I wish. I wish that someone would say to me:
- Janine, I will help you trap a cat, once a week, so that we can get two cats spayed and neutered each week - I know you need the moral support.
- Janine, I will take in one of your most neediest cats from the street, and foster it and help to find it a home.
- Janine, I will donate money to pay for a cat to be spayed and neutered.
- Janine, I will help you with your shelters, I will help you make them as comfortable as possible for the cats that need them.
I wish we had a sanctuary where we could bring all the kitties - get them spayed and neutered, and adopt them out into good homes. We just don't have a resource like that here in Rochester. Sure, we have Lollipop, where abused and abandoned animals go - but in most cases, are euthanized because there aren't enough people to adopt them. We have Verona Street, where they are euthanized. We have Scottsville Animal Hospital, that can only take in so many. Otherwise, we have nothing but abandoned houses, abandoned buildings, under cars, under porches, where these animals seek out shelter to survive.
I also wish each individual in a house across America would provide food and shelter and spay/neuter for these animals, but the chances of that happening are slim. Its more likely that the cities could help alleviate with this problem than individuals will. Its very possible. We just need a government that will care about it. Even homeless people don't have enough shelters. And the mentally disturbed. They have no where to go - the state facilities have all closed up. Here we are, in 2015, and we still have these problems and no true solutions. Its time to make a difference, but I need your help!
Have a nice day.
"I always wondered why somebody didn't do
something about that,
then I realized I am somebody."
That is also my wish list for you and the kittys, while I make a meager contribution to help these cats, it requires all of the above to establish order and decrease the numbers, permanently. I was looking at Real Estate in Hawaii, and their is one Realtor that has made it their personal mission, and expense, to TNR the homeless population of cats in certain neighbourhoods, not only are they animal lovers, they see the benefit of tidying up the neighbour hoods in a resposible way, and, it adds to the curb appeal of housing they are selling. How about Rochester city getting behind our Ghetto, and your feeding area (real estate) and helping to do this ? Your genuine supporters who stay with you and the cats, have no other agenda, other than the welfare of the cats. When one door closes, another opens. p.s., know any Realtors that might consider it ?
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Janine - where do you take your cats for spay/neuter? Do they give you a break on the cost in light of your efforts? They should... Jackie
ReplyDeleteI have 6 large shelters and 2 small shelters all made up and ready to delver when you are. I also have a supply of larger styrofoam coolers that are too big to fit into Sterlite containers to make shelters for winter, but they would provide shelter from the elements in the summer. Ready when you are and can make more!
ReplyDeleteThose large styrofoam coolers could still be used for winter shellters as long as they are weighted down or tucked away out of the wind as some of Janines places are. I got some that were also too big for Sterilite totes but fit perfectly into a Rubbermaid Roughneck tote- did you try that? Unfortunately cost $14.99 each but will last forever!
ReplyDeleteAlso a suggestion- the hole cut should be as small as possible- to save heat loss and keep out larger animals- 6" round or 5"x 6-7" high or so, and nearer to the corner rather than the middle of a wall of the box. Just what I have read and seen in feral box construction so what I have stuck to- makes sense to me. Carole R.