My cat is having kittens....updated photos post #150, p. 10

[jmpurdy]

Uh, excuse me, but it was YOU responded to a previous posting of mine (at 1:46 should you need a reference point) with the following statement:

"Surely you cannot believe it is responsible to allow the overpopulation situation to continue. Do you realize how many thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized each year that are healthy and just as beautiful as these kittens? Maybe some shelters are careful and screen owners. Why shouldn't they? They've seen what I've seen."

Hardly a response to the OP. So, thanks for your permission--but I'm not "attacking" you.

This thing of posters who try to make valid points and get some kind of extreme response is ridiculous. I live on a farm and there isn't one of my cats that was "my choice"; all were DUMPED OFF. However, I have chosen to give them a home. They've been spayed or neutered (by my choice), they are well fed, they've had their shots, and with the exception of the barn cat, have had regular vet checkups. Even the barn cat is vaccinated. Just that vaccine alone cost me $45 off the net, and I had to search (and search and search)to find it because it contains FLV.

Farmers CANNOT AFFORD to "be responsible" for every stray that wanders onto their property because someone else decided that pet ownership wasn't right for them, and won't take the time and effort necessary to rehome them. Most farming families appreciate the assistance that, esp. the large animal vets provide when they make a farm call, in caring for strays that at least get fed by a farmer and can find a place to crawl in out of the weather.

It's a shame, but throwing verbal stones at people who do the best they can under the circumstances is outrageous.

To the OP, best on the babies.

You are taking this way too personally. I'm not talking about your care. I don't need your diatribe about how well you care for your pets. You said the OP's cats were well cared for even though not spayed/neutered. It is personal opinion whether one cares properly for their pets. However, it is a fact: no spay/neuter = more kittens in an already overpopulated society. "Farmers CANNOT AFFORD to "be responsible" for every stray that wanders onto their property because someone else decided that pet ownership wasn't right for them, and won't take the time and effort necessary to rehome them" Your previous statement in quotes. How can you think that the farmers who do not spay/neuter these strays are any less responsible? It isn't logical. Cats aren't just dumped off at farms you know. It happens in neighborhoods across the country and thousands of us find a stray who is injured, starving or already pregnant or worse: dead on the road. Save your anger. It's a wasted effort on me.

 

[fkj2]

SORRY...but that is no excuse...barn cat...farm cat...country cat whatever, if you feed and take them in the least you could do is fix them so no more are born! We all love to see kittens playing in the yard, whatever...it is still wrong to continue to let more unwanted animals to be born...perhaps the vet that sees them on a regular basis could give you a break and get them fixed for a reduced rate! It's just not good pet ownership to keep letting them breed!

The vet most likely to see them on a regular basis would probably be a large animal vet, who attends livestock. There are a few vets who offer a mixed animal service and in my area, I can think of only one.

Because the "money" is now in small animal practice, fewer vets are practicing large animal medicine. Agriculture as an economy is suffering, and why so many farmers/ranchers have grown so knowledgeable about tending their livestock. Large animal vets' time is at a premium, and many of their "offices" are Bowie trucks not well equipped for small animal surgery.

Perhaps the solution, then, is not to take strays in or feed them. That would stop unwanted animals from being born too, and eliminate anyone's belief that if the stray is fed it should be spayed/neutered.

 

[fkj2]

How can you think that the farmers who do not spay/neuter these strays are any less responsible? It isn't logical. Cats aren't just dumped off at farms you know. It happens in neighborhoods across the country and thousands of us find a stray who is injured, starving or already pregnant or worse: dead on the road. Save your anger. It's a wasted effort on me.

I'm aware of the excessive pet population, quite aware. I haven't read one posting that offers to send the OP money to assist with the cost of spaying/neutering the drop-offs and their prodigy. Now, for those of you who think she's an irresponsible pet owner for not having the cats spayed or neutered and want to contribute a minimum of $35 for the surgery, that would add some credibility to your position. That's the cost of a farm program run by a local shelter, but only available to farmers with 50 acres. Other than that, it's usually $70 for a spay. So if someone drops a cat set to deliver, and she has 5 female kittens, the total bill will run a farmer about $420, just for the spay of the mom and the babies. (Of course, less if it's the farm program. But not everyone farms 50 acres.) Any medications will be extra. How many of you who have chastized the OP for not spaying/neutering have an extra $420 to lay out--for a discounted program. A traditional vet and the tab will be $600+.

I think farmers do the best they can with what financial resources they have, exactly what I said before.

Oh, and it's not my anger wasted on you.

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm aware of the excessive pet population, quite aware. I haven't read one posting that offers to send the OP money to assist with the cost of spaying/neutering the drop-offs and their prodigy. Now, for those of you who think she's an irresponsible pet owner for not having the cats spayed or neutered and want to contribute a minimum of $35 for the surgery, that would add some credibility to your position. That's the cost of a farm program run by a local shelter, but only available to farmers with 50 acres. Other than that, it's usually $70 for a spay. So if someone drops a cat set to deliver, and she has 5 female kittens, the total bill will run a farmer about $420, just for the spay of the mom and the babies. (Of course, less if it's the farm program. But not everyone farms 50 acres.) Any medications will be extra. How many of you who have chastized the OP for not spaying/neutering have an extra $420 to lay out--for a discounted program. A traditional vet and the tab will be $600+.

I think farmers do the best they can with what financial resources they have, exactly what I said before.

Oh, and it's not my anger wasted on you.

Nope, but I will fix the ones that show up at my house and if I don't have the financial means to do so I will take them to a shelter where they will be either fixed and adopted out, or humanely euthanized. It's what I feel is the responsible thing to do.

 

[fkj2]

Nope, but I will fix the ones that show up at my house and if I don't have the financial means to do so I will take them to a shelter where they will be either fixed and adopted out, or humanely euthanized. It's what I feel is the responsible thing to do.

And I believe there's nothing wrong with that. At the risk of continuing my "diatribe" from previous posts, I have a stray right now that I'm feeding on a daily basis, with the intent of one day doing just that, since I have a "farm contract" with the shelter that requires it.

The sorrowful thing is, right now, the shelters are full.

 

[jmpurdy]

Nope, but I will fix the ones that show up at my house and if I don't have the financial means to do so I will take them to a shelter where they will be either fixed and adopted out, or humanely euthanized. It's what I feel is the responsible thing to do.

Now this is a sensible pro-active attitude.

 

[MichelleVW]

Now this is a sensible pro-active attitude.

I try and practice what I preach!! I just hope no more cats show up here because 4 in the house is enough!!! But I just can't let them stay outside with all the coyotes and loose dogs that run in my neighborhood!

 

[skater]

There are TONS of kids in foster homes, I hope none of you flamers are breeding your own. After all, small humans create a much larger carbon footprint than even a dozen cats.


Seriously. Guess I shouldn't laugh though as this will be next.

 

[PoppyGirl]

OP, do you name the kittens before you give them away? Maybe we could come up with names!

Please continue to post pictures! There is a wonderful 'ignore' button I use frequently when people clog up threads with their debates!

Once my kids name them, they aren't "available" for adoption. Someone on another thread helped me name my new calf "Cindy Moo Who"--I'd love to have suggestions!

Someone mentioned that the kittens are "unwanted." Ummm...I don't think that's entirely correct. We do want our kittens.

Someone else mentioned the cost for spay/neuter...well, while we are on THAT subject....I have looked into it. Our farm vet offered us a discounted rate of $90/male and $160/female. There's one program in our area that allows TWO pets per household per year at $25 each for cats. Last year for every gallon of milk that we produced which cost us $1.15 to produce, we were paid $1. I'll probably get flamed again, but the reality is that most farmers tend to see animals in a more "animals are for a purpose" light than others do. My DH, generous as he is, thinks it is RIDICULOUS to spend that much money on a farm cat. And to be honest, it isn't really feasible for most farmers to spend that kind of money.

And I will say one more thing, I don't know of ANY rescue or shelter that would adopt a cat/kitten out to be an outdoor animal. They just won't do it. We practically had to give away our firstborn son to get our dog.

For those of you who are enjoying the pictures, I'll try and post some more in a few days. You should here them mewing when I go outside...their little voices are so sweet.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Once my kids name them, they aren't "available" for adoption.

The cost for spay/neuter...well, while we are on THAT subject....I have looked into it. Our farm vet offered us a discounted rate of $90/male and $160/female.

Ironicly, both of the above are two big reasons for not wanting to continue to provide opportunity to breed any excess animals!!!!!!

If you can't afford to spay them, then just how does it begin to make sense to create MORE kitties (and more and more, exponentially after just a few months time) that can't afford to be spayed/neutered.

Does anybody here have the numbers of how many cat's can result from two unspayed/neutered animals over just two or three years time.
I think the numbers would be eye-opening!

I would bet a huge amount of money that for every "given away", unspayed/neutered kitten given away by people like the OP, that there are now dozens, if not hundreds, of stray hungry cats out there, ending up being euthanized at shelters.....

Just where do you think all those poor cats/kittens come from?????

Sorry, but they are not coming from the person who has a spayed/neutered pet that is allowed indoors. They are originating with people like the OP....

Don't know how folks find it so easy to deny the truth....

 

[Lintasare]

Wow I cannot believe some of the responses on this thread. The OP was trying to convey a happy event and she gets flamed.

For all of you who say she should have her cats fixed...how is she supposed to keep mice, rats and other vermin out of the feed grain and her house? You can't use any kind of pesticide or poison...unless you want sick livestock and children.

And for those of you who say she should adopt from a shelter, how many shelters and rescuse groups would adopt to her? Her cats are not indoor animals and that would eliminate her from consideration from almost all adoption groups.

These are working animals we are talking about here...they have a specific job function. Would you castrate your best bull or stud horse just to control the number of calves or foals running around?

These cats are not neglected like many barn cats I have encountered in my life...my mom comes from a farming family so I have been on many farms. They are properly fed from the looks of mama cat, have shelter and see a vet on a regular basis. For farm cats they have the good life.

As for her giving away kittens to families that want them. I would say it's the adoptive families responsibility to spay or neuter the kitty. Not hers.

To the OP...keep posting pics. I love kitties.

 

[Thumbs18]

Why can't everyone just leave the OP ALONE?! If she doesn't want to spay her cats then it really isnt any of your business unless it starts to mate with your cats. Leave her alone. OP one eyed Jack is so cute

 

[Lintasare]

Why can't everyone just leave the OP ALONE?! If she doesn't want to spay her cats then it really isnt any of your business unless it starts to mate with your cats. Leave her alone. OP one eyed Jack is so cute

Exactly.

And if I lived closer to MD I would totally take One Eyed Jack off your hands.

 

[fkj2]

Just where do you think all those poor cats/kittens come from?????

They are coming from truly irresponsible pet owners who either can't afford them or for whom they have become inconvenient, or have been foreclosed upon and have dumped them. And yet, it's the OP who's been slammed with this spay/neuter issue.

They are originating with people like the OP....

Don't know how folks find it so easy to deny the truth....

Here's the truth: People who have cats and dump them are the ones who were and should be responsible, not the person who had cats dumped at their address and who elects to feed them rather than let them starve to death. That's the option: feed them or let them starve...to...death. That's the option you all are giving the OP unless you start opening your own wallets and offer her money to help her.

OP, you are correct about the "animals have a purpose" perception. It's clear that you've investigated a spay/neuter option. I give you credit for feeding them. That isn't cheap either. But if you can't afford to spay and neuter every single cat that someone else drops, you need to have that "safe sex" talk with your kitties.

 

[browneyes106]

Wow I cannot believe some of the responses on this thread. The OP was trying to convey a happy event and she gets flamed.

For all of you who say she should have her cats fixed...how is she supposed to keep mice, rats and other vermin out of the feed grain and her house? You can't use any kind of pesticide or poison...unless you want sick livestock and children.

And for those of you who say she should adopt from a shelter, how many shelters and rescuse groups would adopt to her? Her cats are not indoor animals and that would eliminate her from consideration from almost all adoption groups.

These are working animals we are talking about here...they have a specific job function. Would you castrate your best bull or stud horse just to control the number of calves or foals running around?

These cats are not neglected like many barn cats I have encountered in my life...my mom comes from a farming family so I have been on many farms. They are properly fed from the looks of mama cat, have shelter and see a vet on a regular basis. For farm cats they have the good life.

As for her giving away kittens to families that want them. I would say it's the adoptive families responsibility to spay or neuter the kitty. Not hers.

To the OP...keep posting pics. I love kitties.

Well said. I just finished reading this thread. I also side with the OP. I grew up in rural northern New Mexico and several relatives and family friends had barn cats whether they had a farm or not. The reality is that in some rural areas mice and rats reproduce like crazy. Lots of cats are very much needed in certain areas to protect homes and livestock. Like another poster mentioned barn cat populations are regulated by other predators. My aunt and uncle who have a ranch currently have 10 adult cats. By the end of the summer they will likely have 24-30 cats in total. But over the fall and winter some of kittens or cats will likely be killed by coyotes or other predators. Barn cats populations in some rural areas never really get out of control. My aunt has said that usually a barn cat will live 3-5 years at most. Some of the female barn cats don't spend 10 years having litters of kittens.

 

[jmpurdy]

They are coming from truly irresponsible pet owners who either can't afford them or for whom they have become inconvenient, or have been foreclosed upon and have dumped them. And yet, it's the OP who's been slammed with this spay/neuter issue.



Here's the truth: People who have cats and dump them are the ones who were and should be responsible, not the person who had cats dumped at their address and who elects to feed them rather than let them starve to death. That's the option: feed them or let them starve...to...death. That's the option you all are giving the OP unless you start opening your own wallets and offer her money to help her.

OP, you are correct about the "animals have a purpose" perception. It's clear that you've investigated a spay/neuter option. I give you credit for feeding them. That isn't cheap either. But if you can't afford to spay and neuter every single cat that someone else drops, you need to have that "safe sex" talk with your kitties.

You are so incorrect, I will just pass over your denial and post this as someone asked:

Facts and Figures fom the NJ Department of Health & Senior Services:

•Approximately 52 million dogs and 57 million cats live in U.S. homes.


•One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.


•Seven puppies and kittens are born for every one human.


•More than 12 million dogs and cats are euthanized in pounds and shelters across the country every year. Millions more are abandoned in rural and urban areas. The fact is there are simply not enough homes for them.


•As many as 25% of dogs entering shelters across the country each year are purebreds.


•Approximately 61% of dogs entering shelters across the country will be euthanized.


•About 75% of all cats entering shelters across the country will be euthanized.

If someone cannot afford to properly care for them, take them to the local MSPCA. They will not deny anyone. Yes, they may be humanely euthanized, but it's far better than the alternative. By feeding them and allowing them to procreate and closing your eyes to what happens after you give them away is irresponsible. Flame away. And while you are at it, compare apples to apples and not cats vs. livestock. Livestock doesn't have 6 babies at a time.

 

[fkj2]

You are so incorrect,...

...If someone cannot afford to properly care for them, take them to the local MSPCA. They will not deny anyone. Yes, they may be humanely euthanized, but it's far better than the alternative. By feeding them and allowing them to procreate and closing your eyes to what happens after you give them away is irresponsible. Flame away. And while you are at it, compare apples to apples and not cats vs. livestock. Livestock doesn't have 6 babies at a time.

I'm personally not interested in your stats at all. I don't need stats to know there are too many planned/unwanted cats and dogs. As far as having to have the latest "trend" dog or cat, well, not something I'd personally do but that, too, is not an issue I'd condemn someone for. Just not my business. And how did you get the impression she "closes her eyes to what happens to them after she gives them away?" This is about the unwarranted attacks on the OP who has been flamed because her cat(s) was not neutered or spayed, such as the case may be. It is, despite so many opinions, her choice to manage her farm as she sees fit, as long as she is feeding and caring for the cats.

And if someone cannot afford to care for a pet and cannot find a suitable home for it, by all means, try to have them humanely euthanized. As to cost, I don't know if you can drop a pet off without charge to be euthanized or not. I suspect not many would find easy to take their cat/dog to the clinic to be put down. I do know that even vets find that alternative distasteful because that's how I got a cat 25+ years ago; the vet couldn't put the otherwise young and healthy cat down. Oh, but there goes my diatribe again.

But I doubt that as a vet tech (if memory serves me correctly) you'd be too keen on going to work and have the veterinarian announce he was going to pay you less than what it would cost you to go to and from work, and THEN announce that he'd like you to bring in a bag or two of dog/cat food to feed the animals housed in the clinic, on top of under paying you.

That's what this flaming says to the OP: Cats stray onto your property. So, either you invest in food and spay or neuter them, or YOU take them to have them euthanized. Why should their disposal by any means be her problem either?

And no, cats and livestock are not identical. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I'd have never guessed. I wasn't aware I said they were. Did I? But let me tell you, there are plenty of horses, including some winners fresh off the track, that are auctioned in the US and trucked to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered and sold as meat in foreign countries. Overpopulation exists. As far as other breeds of livestock, it's called culling the herd. Dairy herds around the county are selling off cattle to boost the price of milk. Unless you have some knowledge of farming, I don't think the struggles are understood. The only time people pay attention is when food prices increase.

Excessive animal population of any kind is unfortunate but it exists. But why this has turned into an attack on the OP who is unable to afford a spay/neuter program is beyond me. Her family is already subsidizing the milk products we all enjoy. Why target her just because she cannot afford a spay/neuter program?

 

[Planogirl]

If so many animals are euthanized then why do so many of the shelters charge such high fees? There was a time when you could easily adopt cats or dogs and use that money for medical expenses and supplies. Many shelters in this area will charge you well over $100 for a stray cat which makes no sense at all. I realize that they wish to make money but I would expect that they would find more people to adopt if prices were lower. Just my mini-rant of the day.

I don't see the sense in attacking the OP either. It's fine to state an opinion but then just move on and be done with it for goodness sake.

 

[fkj2]

If so many animals are euthanized then why do so many of the shelters charge such high fees? There was a time when you could easily adopt cats or dogs and use that money for medical expenses and supplies. Many shelters in this area will charge you well over $100 for a stray cat which makes no sense at all. I realize that they wish to make money but I would expect that they would find more people to adopt if prices were lower. Just my mini-rant of the day.

I don't see the sense in attacking the OP either. It's fine to state an opinion but then just move on and be done with it for goodness sake.

The shelters locally will spay/neuter as soon as the animal is taken in. Nothing is adopted out with reproductive abilities as far as I know. I once fostered a dog and the shelter spayed her and I kept her afterward until they homed her. I'm going to take a guess and say that the money is used to pay the veterinarian and staff, plus any additional supplies, as well as the expense of feeding the animals until successfully adopted. Considering those expenses, there probably wouldn't be much left over.

It would also weed out those folks who might want the animal for some unwarranted purpose. When I tried to find homes for kittens last year, one of the customer reps from a pet store where I considered placing an ad advised me about interviewing potential adoptive homes. She said some people came to the pet stores and wanted kittens to feed to their snakes. Ugh!

Generally, I try to find homes through my vet's office. In fact, potential homes had to come with a vet's endorsement.

 

[MichelleVW]

If so many animals are euthanized then why do so many of the shelters charge such high fees? There was a time when you could easily adopt cats or dogs and use that money for medical expenses and supplies. Many shelters in this area will charge you well over $100 for a stray cat which makes no sense at all. I realize that they wish to make money but I would expect that they would find more people to adopt if prices were lower. Just my mini-rant of the day.

I don't see the sense in attacking the OP either. It's fine to state an opinion but then just move on and be done with it for goodness sake.

Because most places the adoption fee includes the spay. I really want to adopt from a shelter but the stray cats and the "oops" litters of puppies always seem to find me first!