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