Tales & Tails of New York

(Picture Above:  "Missy" -- Rescued with her sister, "Sissy" as kittens, both cats have been in a foster home since last September without any offers for adoption. This despite both cats being healthy, spayed, young and extremely affectionate).

MissKean Writes: How old is Ruby?  Her age might also be holding people back, since there are so, so many cats needing homes who are younger.  I have to admit that the last time my son and I went to AC&C to adopt a cat, we had in mind choosing one no older that two or three.  We came home with a five year old, however, who wrapped his front legs around each of our necks when we took him out of his cage.  He is still a hugger.

Reply:  According to our vet, Ruby is not more than six years old (apparently, she was a kitten when her owner was murdered).   She is in good health, her teeth are good and she has a very sweet and loving personality.

I honestly can't say why we don't have an adoptive home for Ruby yet.  Despite her very unusual and sad story, we just haven't gotten any adoption offers or inquiries.

I am very concerned that if we don't have an adoptive home by summer, Ruby might have to come to me when her foster people return to Australia.  I can't imagine Ruby doing well here because of the other animals I have.  Ruby has never been around dogs and her exposure to other cats has been very limited. 

A couple of my foster cats are extremely hard on new cats -- especially when those cats are timid or easily spooked.

Those who read this blog regularly will probably note that it's been a while since I've written of any newly rescued cats.

The reason for that is we just can't seem to find adoptive homes for the cats we already have.

At this point, I would even be reluctant to send any rescued cats to foster homes as I cannot guarantee a potential cat foster when the cat would actually be adopted.  (We have a total of six cats in fosters other than myself and all of them have been in foster for many months.)

Most dog fosters involve a couple of months of foster care before the animals are adopted.  Cat fosters seem to be forever.

Meanwhile, as long as an animal IS in foster care, the organization is responsible for all medical care and expenses and to treat any problems that come up.

That doesn't include food and litter costs for the almost dozen cats I am currently fostering.

Lately, our vet bills alone have been consistently over $1,200 a month and that is for animals rescued months or even years ago -- it's not for new rescues!

All of this is very very discouraging, indeed.

It makes me almost afraid to take on new rescues because I don't know what is waiting around the bend.

At least as far as cats are concerned, it is rarely, if ever these days an adoptive home. -- PCA

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