[pGJLweEw]

I befriended a stray/abandoned young female calico a week ago after she danced on the fence for days. No luck with a microchip or responses to online postings/asking neighbors, etc.

Saving a young cat has been an incredibly frustrating "care" experience - unless I want to chump up the BIG bucks for my vet, I've waited an entire week for an appt at PAWS Wellness Center vs. more than a month for the CUBE. Obviously, ALL are overwhelmed with cats/kittens.

I am willing to cover the wellness, needed antibiotics and spay - but cannot guarantee a long term home (yep, I've a VERY unhappy family at present).

Been following "foster" ads = but the abundance is making me have second thoughts. Morris Animal Rescue for a surrender vs Paws wellness/foster? Would YOU foster and gamble to a longer term commitment with an UNHAPPY household of pets- or leave it to those who have a network of fosters with success???

Asking for advice from those who care vs. a bashing. Thanks!

[Buyemae]

can you give more details about your current unhappy pet situation? I always think fostering is a good idea when it does not create too much more stress in the home environment

[q9h9pPne]

My err. I should have stated, "household." She's has a very sweet temperament, using a litter box, etc. BUT has become very vocal, somewhat destructive (jumping/scratching the door/ walls, etc.). She is distressing to others (feline) and me.

Appreciate she is going through an adjustment - but we've become on edge with this situation and fear it is not the right decision.

Bottom line, is the likes of Morris Animal Rescue in a position with a better network to do this than one independently? I hesitate since this one does not exhibit an URI/eye infection/ear mites, etc. and hate to surrender a possibly healthy kitty to a situation that might expose her. THEN AGAIN, the numbers of those locally up for adoption seems enormous!!

[valentinesdayyy]

'tis the season. I would suggest advertising her locally with fliers and at vet offices and within your personal network of people. Shelters are overwhelmed and the chances of her contracting an illness or being put to sleep are high because of the numbers.

PAWS may be able to place her at petsmart if theres room, but the best way to help is a diy adoption right now. Let me know if you have any questions on the adoption process, I can help.

[Effofqueeno]

She may be in heat and that is why she is so vocal and clawing at the walls. Animals that aren't spayed or neutered can't help but want to get out there and mate. Once she is fixed, she will calm down a lot. I also took in a stray calico about 4 years ago and had the same problem. The spay solved it immediately but I know what you mean by the vocal issues. Morris has those $40 spay certificates and a list of vets that accept them. I say, do that and then decide whether you want to foster. Good luck!

[qp0yfHOf]

Ooh yeah. If shes in heat then yeah that can be hell. Sorry about that... but I agree,spaying her will make a ton of difference.

[ARKLqAZ6]

She visited daily for a week before I finally decided to take her in; at that time, and for the first 3 days, she was very quiet and not hollering like other unspayed females.

And then... hell broke loose with her vocalization and destructiveness.

I finally have an appt today for the wellness checkup; if all is OK (inc FIP test), then I will have her spayed ASAP.

Petsmart + posting at vet offices are a great idea; will broach with the PAWS. Any other ideas for finding her a home is very much welcomed!! Craigslist is chocka-block as well as pet finder!!

I suspect she was abandoned with the student exodus (live in an area with many rentals) - and prefer finding one who is rooted in Phila and won't toss her back out.

[avaissema]

I have heard many times that Morris and most animal shelters have a very high kill rate, so I would hesitate to take her to a shelter.

Girard Vet - Girard Veterinary Clinic - offers a low cost spay / neuter. When I took a stray it was the same price as Morris charged for the certificate, so you can skip the whole certificate step.

[97dYA9L3]

Was able to get the little one to Paws Wellness Center today for a checkup and ALL tests were negative. From stem to stern, NOTHING tested positive - from feline leukemia and FIP to ear mites or parasites. Amen.

She received an overall wellness vaccination, rabies shot and worm medicine, just in case. She is now scheduled for her spay this weekend!!!

Once you get past the initial phone call for the appt (sounded a bit brusque) and the wait (request notification for a cancellation for a shorter wait) EVERYONE was superb. AND, far far less costly than my vet.

KUDOS to the PAWS Wellness Center on their 3 month anniversary, coincidentally, TODAY!!

[2CNWXAqN]

If she's a stray, you'll likely have to surrender her to ACCT - they have the contract for Animal Control, which includes taking in lost and stray animals. PAWS has a sign on its door @ 2nd and Arch that it will not accept any stray, lost or unwanted animals.

You can then request that custody be transferred to either Morris or PAWS, and you could foster her.

[mudozvonf]

Morris Animal Refuge has about a 70-80% euthanasia rate annually (yes, you read that right). Most of the other shelters won't be much better this time of year (for cats, anyway) as they are totally overwhelmed and forced to euthanize to make space. If you can foster her and look for a home, it will give her a chance at a good life. Just think--a month or two with you, and she can find a happy forever home! Maybe someone on this forum is looking for a kitty to adopt...