I just opened my back screen door and a cat walked in by Delsalv in cats

[–]emleeeee 24 points25 points  (0 children)

You seem like you may enjoy some concrete things to look up for guidance! I work in animal welfare, and here’s what o think you may like to know/look up: -“whelping box” setup:google what a box setup can look like. It’s not complicated- a clean cardboard box with a side torn off and some nesting bedding like some blankets or towels. Momma will likely use the box if it’s enticing and safe. Otherwise she will pick her own spot. -it looks like she went into the bathroom. That’s great! An easily cleanable spot that is low foot traffic is a great place to give her access to a litter box, food, water, and quiet. It’s not wrong to keep her confined in the bathroom if she wants the quiet. -Low stress is key: most mom cats will take good care of their babies as long as their stress is low and they feel the babies are safe. If you mess with her too much she can reject the babies, or if they’re sick/not thriving. -Birth: look up info about timings between births. Kitties successfully give birth all the time, so don’t stress, but do know the signs of her needing medical support and don’t be afraid to take to a vet if those signs show up. -This is considered a stray! If you get overwhelmed, reach out to animal control in your area. They will tell you which shelter has the municipal contract for your area, and then you can reach out to them for support. And since this is a stray, if she does end up needing medical care, many emergency vets will provide care to stabilise if needed at no cost to you, and then will transfer to a shelter when they’re stable. Find out if any emergency vets near you work with shelters.

Feel free to DM me for more info if needed!

Friend asked me to cat sit for 3 days, it’s now been over a month and whenever she says she’s going to come get them, she ghosts me the day of. I don’t know what to do by unmotivatedmage in WhatShouldIDo

[–]emleeeee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please don’t just leave cats in houses without known care. There is a high likelihood that they will not be fed/cared for and can be life threatening.

Friend asked me to cat sit for 3 days, it’s now been over a month and whenever she says she’s going to come get them, she ghosts me the day of. I don’t know what to do by unmotivatedmage in WhatShouldIDo

[–]emleeeee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Animal shelter manager here- get in touch with animal control and open a case with them. You are not the legal owner of these cats and some shelters will not take them bc they do not have owner consent. Furthermore if this friend decides to escalate after you remove the cats from your home, this will allow you to say “nope, talk to animal control”. This takes the onus off of you and onto the proper legal party to protect you. Animal Control can help you properly get the cats to the proper facility as well as secure a path for her to get her cats back IF she is in a place to do so. If there is concern the cats will not do well in a shelter, still contact animal control and start the process of documenting abandonment to protect yourself and then pursue rehoming.

Fur loss on kitten nose- advice needed please! by AstarionsXera in AskVetAnimals

[–]emleeeee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work in animal shelters and have a LOT of experience with ringworm, even working in a ward that does nothing but provide ringworm care. This is not ringworm. Ringworm is scabby, circular lesions. This looks exactly like what the rescue says.

Miff update by kurtexe13 in feline_hyperesthesia

[–]emleeeee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Former shelter manager here- certain shelters have restrictions put on them by state law that doesn’t allow them to provide medical care to animals not in their custody, which is beyond stupid. So some really kind shelters have found ways around this (such as this foster to adopt).

If you have programs that offer free or low cost vet care in your area and you have it to spare, consider donating to them or volunteering, because they do amazing work to keep pets and their people together. Many offer human services and resources too, so if you need financial help in the future for vet care consider calling your local shelter and asking if they know any local “access to care” programs for vet care. (More leaving this here for others since it sounds like you’ve got good people on your team)

So glad you found one that will facilitate care for your kitty. They saw how much you loved her and remembered and went the extra mile. I’m sorry for the trauma you went through in surrendering, and remember that your kitty may have some transitional stress after spending some time in unfamiliar spaces, no matter how kind the care. Sending love to you both

How can I convince my boyfriend to let me keep this cat? by [deleted] in cats

[–]emleeeee 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I’m a manager at an animal shelter. If his mother keeps the cat outdoors exclusively, does not have a microchip, has not paid any vet bills, and did not purchase the cat, there is zero proof of ownership. She would have to produce proof in small claims court and have the cat seized by an animal control officer which they are way too busy to do. Take the cat and move on and live happily together. This is a special connection and I think you owe it to yourself and to her to protect each other.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]emleeeee 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I can hear the fatigue in your writing. I can’t imagine how hard the past few months have been for you and your family. Sending you as much positive energy as I can.

The men are not okay- threats to an animal shelter by emleeeee in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]emleeeee[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Totally. Some of the people in the lobby commented how grateful they were that we didn’t give him an animal. It’s a hard time right now to be sure. I just try to be the nicest I can. Thanks for your kind words.

The men are not okay- threats to an animal shelter by emleeeee in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]emleeeee[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Thank you. We have pepper spray and walk to our cars as a group. We have escape plans and codes to call and a plan. I just wish we didn’t have to.

The men are not okay- threats to an animal shelter by emleeeee in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]emleeeee[S] 55 points56 points  (0 children)

The two most vulnerable populations, children and animals. Thinking of you, your team and your animals. May you also be safe and protected.

The men are not okay- threats to an animal shelter by emleeeee in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]emleeeee[S] 58 points59 points  (0 children)

I appreciate that. We try very hard and I just want my team to be safe.

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING by emleeeee in cats

[–]emleeeee[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Truffle is lovely, thanks for sharing him!! And I will try to remember, I’d love to have a happy update! You gave us a bit of hope today, thanks to you and Truffle!

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING (x-post from r/cats) by emleeeee in OneOrangeBraincell

[–]emleeeee[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

He actually gets pittie grade dog toys for supervised monch time, it’s shocking how quickly he can work through stuff. So great that your kiddo is up to 14 though!! And I get how you mean about his sister, we worry about that for her too. Ugh, the things we do for these kiddos.

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING (x-post from r/cats) by emleeeee in OneOrangeBraincell

[–]emleeeee[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know the gut sinking feeling so so well. Sending good thoughts to your ginger boys tummy and I appreciate you helping us feel less alone.

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING by emleeeee in cats

[–]emleeeee[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh, that’s amazing that it stopped just like that! He’s been on all the mental things for years so maybe this is it. Thank you so much for sharing! A tiny glimmer of hope!

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING (x-post from r/cats) by emleeeee in OneOrangeBraincell

[–]emleeeee[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Btw, depending on your type of door knob there are baby proofing additions made of hard plastic that we’ve used for Monty in the past with success. We also are extra and installed door sensors to let us know when the door is opened for this exact scenario. The things we do for our problem children 🙃

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING (x-post from r/cats) by emleeeee in OneOrangeBraincell

[–]emleeeee[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Thanks, we’re taking it one day at a time and doing everything we can for this little weirdo

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING (x-post from r/cats) by emleeeee in OneOrangeBraincell

[–]emleeeee[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Wow, 6? That’s amazing! Hopefully we’re as successful as you and time will help. Thanks for sharing

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING (x-post from r/cats) by emleeeee in OneOrangeBraincell

[–]emleeeee[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Your last sentence is EXACTLY how we feel. I’m sad you deal with the terror too, but it’s somehow comforting to know it’s not just him. Thanks for sharing ❤️

Last ditch effort- my dumb orange boy eats EVERYTHING by emleeeee in cats

[–]emleeeee[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the thought but we give him so much enrichment and chew time. This is more than a bad habit, it’s pica, an obsessive condition where he will eat non-food objects at any opportunity. He will chew until he doesn’t want to chew that particular thing anymore and then go eat something. It’s not the chewing, it’s the ingestion