December, 2009 – Help by Adopting Cats

PLEASE CROSS POST
 
If you (or your friends) can adopt any of the sanctuary cats, it will save their lives. But you must act quickly. I am no longer in charge of the cats, LaBelle Animal Control is.
 
Please go to the links below, download the appropriate application, fill it out, and then fax it to the number shown.
 
For 501c3 rescue organizations: http://www.ufsheltermedicine.com/documents/TransferRequestForm.pdf

 
For adoption of cats or to reclaim your cat(s): http://www.ufsheltermedicine.com/documents/AdoptionApplication.pdf

 
Fax it to 863-675-0037.
 
Understand that the forms will need the name and phone of your vet (who will be called) and LaBelle Animal Control will call your Animal Control to make sure you are not in trouble with them. If everything is OK, LaBelle Animal Control will call you and set up an adoption appointment.
 
We are running out of time, so please act quickly. The deadline of December 8 is no longer in effect. An agreement to extend it to December 18 will be signed on Monday December 7.
 
HOWEVER, ONCE ANIMAL CONTROL GETS ALL THE FRIENDLY CATS ADOPTED AND ONLY FERALS REMAIN, ANIMAL CONTROL MAY ELECT TO CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE DECEMBER 18 (NEW) DEADLINE. IF/WHEN THEY DECIDE TO CLOSE THEY WILL EUTHANIZE ANY REMAINING CATS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE LONG TERM CARE.
 
LaBelle Animal Control has been doing a good job of getting the cats adopted and is eager to help.
 
The remaining FRIENDLY cats are mostly black or black & white. Rescue adoption groups don’t like to take these cats because they are so hard to get adopted. Yet, it is my belief that they are more lovable than any other cats with different colors. Why? I don’t know. What I do know is that many of the black or black & white cats are lovers – many were at my home before I brought them to the sanctuary over a year ago. Please, adopt these babies.
 
The remaining ferals: These are cats that will not make good pets – they don’t like humans. But, they can be given a home and can live out their lives. If you or someone you know can build them an outdoor  fully enclosed habitat that meets local Animal Control and Building and Zoning rules, please save their lives by taking and caring for them. The enclosure allows you to catch a sick cat (you can’t when they are free roaming), and allows you to catch them when they need a current rabies shot. Without an enclosure, your Animal Control people won’t approve you (they don’t want free roaming cats in their county).
 
Hendry County (and possibly other counties) allows an individual (not a corporation) to own as many cats and dogs as they want so long as there are no complaints and the animals are well cared for. Rescue adoption groups don’t want ferals because they can’t get them adopted (and can’t handle them very well while in their possession).
 
If you are thinking of taking ferals, please check with your Animal Control first and see how many cats you can own. If the number is limited, follow their rules and only adopt the maximum allowed.
 
The only other option is to take feral(s) into your home where it can be difficult to catch or treat them. It is unlikely that you will ever be able to hold them and get them to purr. Yes, some will, but it is a small percentage – maybe 5 out of 100 ferals.
 
I will be sending out a newsletter that will explain what happened in the next few weeks. I know I said I would send it out earlier, but everything is still under investigation and I am limited in what/when I can say anything. When this is over, I’ll send it.
 
In the meantime, I’m doing everything I can to get as many of the sanctuary cats re-homed or adopted. Please help.
 
Thank you.
(Posted by Maury, formerly of the 10th Life Sanctuary)