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