I am trying to help some stray kittens. One has pus in its eyes, runny eyes. One is blind. They are wild kittens. I have tried a lot of different medications. Is there something I can make at home to use? Meds are very costly when wild cats just keep coming.
We do not have a no kill shelter in Fontana or one that will take them. I am caring for 50+ cats, none of whom are house cats. The cost for food has wiped me out. If anyone knows of someone to help with food it would be of great help. Thank you for your help.
I am right there with you. I had about maybe 25 at one time. I learned of TNR < Trap Nurture and release > It does work. After the males were fixed, which I only paid 40.00 total to have about 10 males fixed, I found 99 % of them homes. People want cats that are all ready fixed or kittens. I have 3 outside left to find homes for.. Hang in there , it does work out, please contact your local SPCA and ask about TNR. They worked out a deal with me for 40.00 for 10 it is usually about 30.00 per male cat. Aas far as food Freecycle.org is an awesome place to start people are kind on there and will help. Good luck and keep us posted. Michelle in PA
About the kitten with pus in the eyes. This is a little time consuming because you have to do it three or four times a day, but I've "cured" many many kitty eyes in my day with this:
pour boiling water into a cup that has in it a Chamomile teabag in it. (just plain chamomile!) Let it cool to just warm and use a soft cloth dipped into the tea to wash the kitten's eyes.
I would try to find a good home for the blind one. As for feeding the cats, while table scraps are the best, it'll help... I also agree with asking for cat foods on Freecycle.org.
Also, please, please, please take what Rchinaberr has to say to heart. May you be blessed for your kindnesses!
Please contact your local SPCA or Humane Society. Most have a capture and release, spay/neuter program for this type of feral colony. I understand that you are a humanitarian but as other posters have mentioned all you are doing is harm to these cats as they continue to multiply. If you are on a limited income please, please, place yourelf ahead of the cats and check out resources in your community that can and will assist you. I too rescued a feral who had just had a litter and brought all of them from NJ down to FL, spaying the mom and neutering the kittens - my way of not contributing to further feral colonies (tho all of the kittens were adopted). Good luck with your quest and I hope your community can help you.
Do not use a boric acid eyewash on the cats! When used this way, boric acid is poisonous to cats, will be extremely painful, and will cause blindness. I've learned this the hard way, and still feel bad about my mistake. I take care of strays too and know how expensive it can be. You'll probably need medical help with this one. Have you tried calling Petmeds to ask for info on what they might carry? They've been extremely helpful to me whenever I call with questions or problems.
What you are doing is admirable however, you are dealing with a feral colony of cats that will continue to multiply forever unless you can get someone to help you start a catch, spay/neuter and release program. I am not sure what your local vet situation is but perhaps you can get one of them to work with you on low cost or free spay/neuter for these cats.
I agree with the person who suggested you contact Best Friends. They are a wonderful organization and will sometimes fund projects. They might be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction.
I am a huge animal lover so please take what I am going to say in the spirit that I am offering it. As long as you continue to feed these cats without spaying/neutering them, you are only making the problem worse. Now you are giving them the means of survival without doing anything to control the population. As you can see, it quickly spirals out of control and becomes totally overwhelming. And the cats will get sick and suffer. I'm sorry but there is no easy answer -- either stop feeding them or find a way to spay/neuter them.
Please get in touch with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab,Utah. I think their site is just Bestfriends.com. or you can google it. They can probably help.
When I was a kid my mom had the same problem with one of our cats. She asked my Grandma what to do and she told her to buy boric acid at the pharmacy. Boil however much water you want and let it cool, pour into an old glass jar. Measure about 1/2 tsp. to 1 Tbsp. of the boric acid and shake well until mixed completely. Apply with cotton ball making sure to turn the cotton ball so as not to get the icky back into the eye. It won't hurt the kitties eyes even though the bottle may say not to use in eyes but it will work.
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Request: Caring for Stray Cats (08/24/2009)
I am feeding over 30 kittens and cats. I can not afford to keep feeding them.
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Request: Caring for Stray Cats
Archived on 08/24/2009
I am feeding over 30 kittens and cats. I can not afford to keep feeding them. People get them then move. I would like to find a place for them. We do not have no kill shelters here. Does anyone know what I can do? We live in Fontana, CA.
I also need help with having them fixed. I have 1 acre, they have a good home outside with shelter. Is there a grant or something I could get to care for them. I am on a fixed income now, I have been doing this for 10 years at $40.00 a week and I can no longer afford to. Please help with information or anything.
Thank you, D.D. from Fontana, CA
Feedback:
RE: Starting a No Kill Shelter
You might try finding a no-kill shelter in your area and ask if they could steer you in the right direction. Also, you might try asking friends and family for donations and get the word out that you need help. After 10 years they are dependent on you to provide food and water. I hope that you will find the help you need. Good luck. (09/05/2008)
By Jennifer
RE: Starting a No Kill Shelter
You could contact the SPCA in your area and see what they would suggest. They are a great organization and put threw a lot of pet adoptions each year. (09/05/2008)
In the San Diego area we have an organization called Feral Cat Coalition. They might help with spay/neuter issues. If these animals are breeding, you are continuing to perpetuate the problem. (09/05/2008)
By Linda
RE: Starting a No Kill Shelter
Ask your local veterinarian about it. I found an abandoned kitty, went to get her spayed and she was pregnant. So I asked my vet about cheap neuter/spaying for the kittens and she explained there is a state fund to spay/neuter them for $10.00. If your cats are not fixed this would be smart to do. The shelter thing, ask your vet they will most likely know. Best wishes. (09/06/2008)
I belong to an all volunteer group in Destin, FL called "Feline Friends". We belong to a national group, Alley Cat Allies. We promote TNR for feral cats. What that means is we trap, neuter or spay and then return the cat to its environment. We set up a feeding station and have care givers who provide food, etc. You can go to alleycat.org and find lots of helpful information. They will also help you in locating a group in your area. Good luck and God bless. (09/06/2008)
I know exactly what you mean about financially caring for strays. I have adopted 8 throw away cats in the last 8 years and am living on a very limited income. Maybe ask the local Humane Society for help with donations. Or research how to start a "no kill" foundation. Good luck to you and your kitties. Jann (09/06/2008)
By Jann W.
RE: Caring for Stray Cats
Try posting a notice of what you are doing and what you need to continue doing at your vet's office, local pet stores, laundromat, grocery, animal shelter, etc.; hopefully there are more good people like you who would be willing to help out. Some vets will spay/neuter at no charge or little charge for stray animals. Good luck and god bless you for being an angel to these homeless, helpless animals. (04/28/2009)
