| Due to abuse, neglect and abandonment, | | | | organization who has a variety of |
| there are many unfortunate stray dogs | | | | services available for the asking. |
| and cats just left outside to fend for | | | | Keep the pet outside if you cannot have |
| themselves. If you run across one, what | | | | it in your house for any reason, or put |
| are you to do? Here are some thoughts on | | | | it in your garage to keep him safe and |
| helping cats. All my life, my pets have | | | | warm during cold months. Put out food |
| been strays found on the street. I | | | | and water. Dry food and a little canned |
| cannot take anymore pets now, as I | | | | is good. Put a cardboard box somewhere |
| reached my limit of three, but have | | | | dry, where he can sit in it, cats love |
| researched the issue, in case I run | | | | boxes as much as life itself, and |
| across a stray and need to help it. | | | | readily sleep in them. Catnip is always |
| Avoid going to shelters, because they | | | | a nice touch, too. Get him a flea |
| are overcrowded and the pet may be put | | | | collar, especially if you live in a warm |
| to death quickly if it is not claimed. I | | | | climate, where fleas are everywhere. |
| know this firsthand, when I took a cat | | | | Read the package for directions on how |
| in, thinking I was helping it, but when | | | | to use it, and follow them to avoid |
| calling a few days later, they said it | | | | using it wrong. |
| had been put to sleep due to not being | | | | Put up flyers on bulletin boards in your |
| claimed. They said this was normal | | | | grocery store, or online, at (big, free |
| procedure. I was heartbroken. This | | | | national bulletin board, just click on |
| happened fifteen years ago, and I still | | | | your city.) Include a photo and |
| kick myself for that situation. | | | | description, and a contact number. Tell |
| There are "no-kill" agencies, but use | | | | friends and co-workers about the kitty's |
| even those as an absolute last resort. | | | | need for a home, maybe among them you |
| Try using the site, to find a foster | | | | will find a good home there. Keep |
| home for the cat. It is a large site of | | | | trying. You are doing a big favor for a |
| many, many rescue agencies, who work | | | | creature that cannot do it for himself. |
| hard to find homes for unwanted pets. I | | | | Consider keeping the cat for yourself. I |
| got a cat that way and the experience | | | | was diagnosed as being allergic to cats |
| was pleasant. These people care about | | | | but that hasn't stopped me from having |
| the well-being of animals and if they | | | | them my entire life. My body has built |
| don't have room then ask them for | | | | an immunity to the allergens in the cat |
| referrals. A site you can also use is , | | | | dander. I no longer itch, sneeze or puff |
| which is a general cat lovers' site. | | | | up. So, if you are allergic, do what I |
| They show peoples' pets on their own | | | | did and vacuum, brush the cat with a |
| webpages, but also give you the | | | | moist brush (to remove dander), and |
| opportunity to make a page for the pet, | | | | don't bury your nose in its fur unless |
| free of charge, to find it a home. It | | | | you want a sneeze-fest afterward. Then, |
| gives great publicity for the pet, just | | | | allow your immunity to grow as you give |
| register (free) and make sure to check | | | | the scared kitty a desperately needed |
| the box saying "This pet needs a home." | | | | home. Be proud of yourself for being |
| Call your local ASPCA (American Society | | | | there for him. Don't give up, the love |
| for the Prevention of Cruelty to | | | | and happiness you recieve will be worth |
| Animals). Every city has one, and they | | | | it all in the end. And, if you do find a |
| can offer ideas. Ask them what to do, | | | | home for the kitty, he will grateful for |
| and they will give you expert advice. | | | | your effort in his own way. Thanks for |
| They are there to help you and there is | | | | making a difference, and removing one |
| no cost. They can help you to get vet | | | | more homeless pet from the street. |
| help if the cat is sick. It's a useful | | | | |