Thursday, October 21, 2010

This needs to be said......

Please spay or neuter your pets!!!!
 I can't stress this strongly enough.
We purchased our home almost 18 years ago.  It is in a rural setting and we have a small barn.  Well, it has been like a magnet for those wishing to "dump" their cat.  Over the years I can't tell you how many cats have been dropped off in front of the barn.   Like they are supposed to just fend for themselves and somehow make a home and feed themselves.....makes me angry.  I'd like to catch just one of the jerks that does this.
There are four stray cats now living in the barn across the road from my house.  Some jerk dropped off a pregnant mother cat and she had a litter.  My husband crosses the road twice daily with food and milk for them.  We called all of the shelters in the area and they say it's an epidemic.  So, today my sweet hubby drove 45 minutes each way today to get the safe trap so we could collect them one at a time.  The orange tabby was in it within 30 minutes.  My hubby got back in the truck to make the 45 min. each way drive, AGAIN, to drop the cat off to be neutered.  At our expense.  We are going to do all 4 of the cats and allow them to be outside cats, living in the barn across the road, having meals delivered twice a day.
Not bad for being strays, eh?!
But then, we love our animals.  As I type this, one of my inside cats is sleeping on MY bed with the electric blanket on low.......because that's how she likes it!
We now have 3 cats in, 4 cats out.....some chickens and a rabbit.
That's enough for now.
Guess I'd best get sewing dollies faster, we have more mouths to feed!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I can understand your frustration. We have a neighbor who has cats and does not get them fixed and lets them wander and thinks it is funny and cute they are always having kittens - very annoying and irresponsible.

Maritza said...

here in Puerto Rico happens with the dogs. I also live in a rural section and people think they can leave stray dogs especially females
all over the street. I feel sorry for them but i already have 2 dogs.I have a neighbor that leaves the house for 3 or more days and leave their dog wondering around so anybody can feed him. People are so selfish and irresponsible. They thing animals dont suffre like we do.. lets leaave them in the street with no food and water...then will see if they like it.....

Ahl Cooped Up said...

I have a stray cat that adopted us, and a dog that was dumped out on the side of the road as a puppy.
The dog is now 13 and the Cat 6.
I also have a cat that I adopted from a shelter.
Why do people have to be so irresponsible with annimals is beyond me!
We had a litter of kittens land here too. I did find homes for them.
Your Hubby is so wonderful to help the helpless little animals.

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Maureen, I agree with you on the spay and neuter of pets. I have a neighbor...attorney at that, who feeds all the stray cats. He leaves out a baby bath tub of cat food. We are getting more and more cats..feral cats! We also get skunks, raccoons, and any other wild animal in the area. My 2yr old grandson can't even play in my yard for all the cat poop! This man has 3 or 4 outside cats but doesn't take them to the vet. I have talked to authorities but live in the county and there are no laws governing this situation. I don't think feeding strays and not spaying or neutering is a good practice. So many of the ferals are sick. It is heart breaking. You and your hubby are good people to take the proper care of the strays. I would but there are so many it is impossible. Such a tragedy when the animals are not healthy. The sad thing is this man doesn't see what he is doing wrong. Sorry to vent at you but I am so sick of the mess. I am afraid my 3 dachshunds will get a disease from one of the strays leaving their little piles in my flower beds. I have to take my dogs to the river to walk because they can't play in our yard. I can't stay ahead of the poop! Thanks for listening and if you or anyone has any suggestions please feel free to email me. Wow, glad to get that off my chest.

Suzanne said...

I have two rescued cats. One was left on a country road and the other was found under the hood of a car trying to keep warm on the coldest day of the year. I have gotten way more from them than they have from me. I love them like they were my babies. How selfish and ignorant it is of people to abandoned thier responsibilities by dumping these sweet little creatures off on someone else. BUT... how fortunate for ME that I have them in my care where they are warm, loved, fed, and vetted.

Anonymous said...

Hi Maureen, You are right, barns must be cat magnets...all of my friends that live in the country and have barns, have the same issue! Sad, isn't it? We don't have a barn but do have two kitties that have adopted us! I guess I'm a ham for a hungry animal! I agree, everyone should get their animals fixed! That is just a part of being a responsible pet owner! And if they can't keep their cat for whatever reason, it's not the responsibility of every barn owner to do so!

itssewpretty said...

I completely agree with you about animal responsibility. I have 3 "rescued" cats and one is crippled. They are neutered and stay inside, so I feel that I have done my part. I so wish others would be as responsible. LOVE your patterns!!

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Bless you for your kindness from a fellow animal lover! ~*~ Lisa

Carol ann Vintage Rose said...

Maureen, you are going to Cat Heaven no doubt about it, there's a big warm electric blanket waiting for you haha.......I have four inside and at one time had three starving strays outside,(found good homes for all) can't tell you how many babies I have taken to the vet to have neutered and injuries fixed, so I too will see you on that warm blanket. Cheers Carol ann

vicki said...

I so agree with you! I have around 50 barn cats and 8 inside cats. All but about 10 ferals that I haven't been able to catch yet are fixed. I live in MN and the outside kitties have a heated room in the barn. I volunteer for an organization that does low cost spay/neuters for people that can't afford it. Call your Humane Society or go online and look for low cost spay/neuter in your area.
Blessed are the purr in heart!