I rescued a kitten!--Update version 3
I am so excited, I rescued my first needy animal! My friend and I found this tiny little emaciated kitten shivering in the cold yesterday. I think it was "beyond" a stray and entering the territory of feral. (Kind of like stray mom and dad have feral kittens) I'm not sure how old he is, but he was pretty fiesty and mobile. We looked around for a mother or ANY other kitties, but I couldn't find any, so we decided it was best to rescue the animal, get it warm and FEED it.
So after a LONG time of trying to get the kitten near us, I finally got it and stuffed it in my hoodie (No other place to put him--he was too squirmy and claw-happy to carry normally). He immediately started purring and rubbing on me and then fell asleep! He's soo precious! We took him to the little animal hospital here in Ada and he stayed there over night. I called this morning to find out how he's doing, and they said he's ok. I have an appointment at 3:45 for him to see the doctor and get fully evaluated.
So now what do I do? I can't keep him because I live in a dorm room! I've asked a lot of people if they could take care of him and so far no one's said yes :-[. What other solutions are there besides an animal shelter?
Here's him stuffed down my shirt!
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/bravecaspian/Mothra.jpg
good for you! Check out chairslist.org, maybe? they sometimes post looking for animals and you can make a free ad! I'm so happy you saved that little guy, now he will have a good chance of growing up happy and healthy!
First...good for you for rescuing your first kittie! (I stress the word FIRST). ;)
In reference to what baypuppy just posted...the vet MAY hold the kittie and try to adopt it out...but if not, they'll bill you for everyday they board it. That can get pretty expensive. Also...as she mentioned, go to petfinder.com and contact all the local rescue groups in your area. Then call or email each of them and explain your situation and ask if they have anyone available to foster him. This way you won't have to take him to a shelter. If they take him into their program they may be able to reimburse you for the vet stay(though it's doubtful).... because they will be the ones collection an adoption fee.
Good Luck!
-d
Oh Ashley, what a little darling :) Good for you for rescuing him. Pet stores might also know of fosters, so that may be something to think of too.
Good luck to the little guy :-*
If he's not noisy and the other peeps on your floor, and your roomie, are cool and can be trusted, you might be able to keep him long enough to find him a home. A friend of mine did that and Rowdy (so called because he was so laidback he put Garfield to shame--she was heavy into irony) finally went home with her roommate's mom, who fell in love.
If he's not noisy and the other peeps on your floor, and your roomie, are cool and can be trusted, you might be able to keep him long enough to find him a home. A friend of mine did that and Rowdy (so called because he was so laidback he put Garfield to shame--she was heavy into irony) finally went home with her roommate's mom, who fell in love.
This might work, but be VERY careful because if they (i.e. residential life) finds out, they might charge you a ton of money as a fine/cleaning fee (they claim that they have to tear out the carpet/clean air ducts because of 'allergies' of other students...but apparently college kids aren't dirty enough to warrant this type of thorough cleaning ::) ). The fine at my school is near $1000 if you get caught with a critter.
And "awwww" for the kitten! He (?) is sooo cute! Good job for rescuing the little guy! I hope he can find a good home soon!
Good for you! And, the lucky kitten! He is soo cute!
A heart warming time to be sure. But, now you have done it! No going back now...your work is cut out for you...and other less heart warming times ahead. It's unlikely that the dorm mothers/fathers/brothers/sisters whatever will understand and let you keep it..even for a day in some instances. Try fraternities and sororities, put up posters and describe your rescue. Try to foster some sentiment toward the school adopting the kitten as a mascot...perhaps your dorm can have a mascot.
Get to work...it may be a long hard battle to keep your kitten (yeah...it's your responsibility now) safe through the holidays.
Aww! I don't know what you should do, but what a beautiful kitten! You rock for saving it! :)
I was able to keep my cat Loden in my dorm room for 2 years without anyone knowing (except my friends of course). I had a single room though, so no roommate to deal with. We were not officially allowed to have any kind of pet, but many many people I knew broke that rule and no one was busted that I know of. I was just really lucky though. It was a pain in the ass smuggling him in and out for beginning/end of year and holiday move outs, but I don't regret a minute of it (even though as a kitten he was a terror, keeping me awake all the time by knocking EVERYTHING down and climbing on everything). I would say make sure to research the possible penalties for being caught. At my college the 1st time you were just told to get rid of the animal, 2nd time I think was a fine and/or disciplinary action, 3rd time you were kicked out of the dorm.
Do you have any friends who live off campus who could take him? He's adorable! Good luck! :)
I should have clarified in my first post, my friend and her roomie only had Rowdy in the dorm for about a week or 10 days. First time her mom came to take her home for the weekend, she saw the kitty and fell for him. I remember the conversation, after all the ooohing and ahhing and stroking and "isn't he a loves".
Terri's mom: "But Terri, surely he shouldn't be in the dorm?"
"Well, no...we ARE trying to find him a home, but no luck so far...."
"Well this is his lucky day, he's going home with me!"
So the kitten is a boy, weighs 3.3 lbs and is 6 months old. The doctor said he's very small for his age. He has worms and fleas, but the vets are treating both of those. He got his first round of vaccines, and is being tested for feline lukemia. He's such a little scaredy kitten! He peed and shivered the whole time the doctor was evaluating him :-\ (Maybe it didn't help that the doctor was this HUGE 7 foot tall baritone man of DOOM) He's really sweet though when I'm alone with him. He likes cuddling!---the cat and not the doctor lol. ::)
I called the some of the ohio no kill/rescue shelters today and none could take him. I'm going to call the rest tomorrow, put up a bunch of posters around the campus, create a facebook page and tell EVERYONE i know to tell everyone they know to look for a home!
He is so cute! If I lived closer, I'd take him in. Like BP said, make a post specifying Ohio. I know there are a few vegwebbers in Ohio. I hope he finds a home soon.
He's such a little scaredy kitten! He peed and shivered the whole time the doctor was evaluating him :-\ (Maybe it didn't help that the doctor was this HUGE 7 foot tall baritone man of DOOM) He's really sweet though when I'm alone with him. He likes cuddling!---the cat and not the doctor lol. ::)
My cat is 3 years old & he is still terrified when he goes to the vet. Last time he was there, he had a heart rate of 200. :o Just a tad high ;)
Did any shelters mention fosters for him until he can find a forever home?
(Maybe it didn't help that the doctor was this HUGE 7 foot tall baritone man of DOOM) He's really sweet though when I'm alone with him. He likes cuddling!---the cat and not the doctor lol. ::)
ha ha ha
What a sweetheart! I"m so glad you found him. Hope he finds a great home.
Off topic, but, AK--glad to see you posting and I really like your new avatar pic!
Any news on this little guy?
I would love to have him, but I live in Central MA... :(
New update!!
He's now staying at a boarding facility about 10 minutes from the university. The lady who runs it is SOOO nice! She said she would spend all day playing with him and keeping him warm and such. Her facility is really nice too. She has this HUGE yard and barn thing for the doggies to play and nice cuddly things everywhere. AND she says he can stay there for free until he gets a home.
She pointed me in the direction of a couple of professors here on campus that have helped rescue strays in the past (YES! like minded people!). One of the professors is actually thinking about adpoting another cat (!!!!wooo) Im emailing them today, I'll let you know what happends with that.
My friend Nick (he lives 1 hr and 30 minutes from me) has an apartment, and he said he would love to take in the kitty. I think I might take it to him, that way I know he goes to a good home. (This guy Nick is really cool, and he's kind of sick--he has lupus--and said he'd love something warm and furry to keep him company).
In summary, I think everything is going to work out for the little guy!! I'll take more pictures when I pick him up from boarding!
PS, thanks Yabbitgirl for the compliment. A new college friend helped me re-do the background of that picture, it used to be all "myspace-esque" but then we cut out the background and added underwater instead. There's a scuba diver next to my head! (That's my new hair too)
So glad to hear the good news AK! You are such a great person for doing that. My aunt rescues cats, but she's down here in SC...so not much help. :-\
*squeee*
that's great! I'm relieved for you that the kitty has a place to stay for a while.
I hope that wherever he ends up, you'll be able to visit him and watch him grow up!
She pointed me in the direction of a couple of professors here on campus that have helped rescue strays in the past (YES! like minded people!). One of the professors is actually thinking about adpoting another cat (!!!!wooo) Im emailing them today, I'll let you know what happends with that.
My friend Nick (he lives 1 hr and 30 minutes from me) has an apartment, and he said he would love to take in the kitty. I think I might take it to him, that way I know he goes to a good home. (This guy Nick is really cool, and he's kind of sick--he has lupus--and said he'd love something warm and furry to keep him company).
In summary, I think everything is going to work out for the little guy!! I'll take more pictures when I pick him up from boarding!
This is great! The kitten is getting you connected to professors sympathetic to your veganism...excellent! It's great that your kitten is safe from dorm mother intervention, and is close by so you can visit. Nick's might be a solution, but too far away for visits. I think you should keep this kitten in your life...at least until you graduate. I'll keep checking for the happy ending to this saga...keep us in touch.
Peace,
Steve
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