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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Evolution of a Victimized Cat

A small town Iowa rescue was alerted to a group of cats in dire need of rescue.  The person requesting assistance had discovered that a relative had cats living in her shed and wanted help with rehoming them.  A lot of people have stray cats residing in their barns, garages, sheds, or outbuildings.  These cats are often feral and will usually take off if you try to catch them.  If you eliminate their feeding source, they will often relocate.  But this was not the usual "cats living in the shed" problem.

The person who owned the property was a cat breeder.  She had decided to retire from breeding, and the family thought she sold or gave away the cats that she had.  A family member discovered the cats living in cages in the shed, and was shocked.  She knew that something had to be done.  She made a phone call to a local small town animal rescuer who agreed to come evaluate the situation.

The rescuers arrived to find this...

and this...

and this...



The rescuer immediately sent out calls for assistance.  Cats are never an easy placement.  It is so easy for people to get a "free to good home kitten" that shelters often sit full of healthy, completely vetted cats for quite some time.  We all know that, and we are all often at capacity.  So a call for help is heartbreaking when no one responds.  It is difficult to say "no" to a request for help, and it is difficult to hear "no" when you make a request.

With these photos, people responded.  Who wouldn't?  To leave these cats in this condition would be as awful as being the one who put them there in the first place.  Five state licensed rescue groups stepped up to take in a total of 12 cats, most of them were American Bobtails, all of them are now part of the "Dirty Dozen".

With committments at hand, and volunteers at the ready, the rescue operation took place.  The cats were gently removed from their wire kennels and loaded into cat carriers to be taken to their individual rescue groups. 





These four peanuts are now at my clinic.  They were thin and covered in fleas.  They hiss and spit, but should adjust to their new conditions very quickly.  We will take it very slowly and show them to love and trust. http://www.jewellanimalhospital.petfinder.com/


The rescue groups met their cats, and called their own individual veterinarians.  They made appointments for their new kitties to have wellness checks, spays and neuters, and vaccines all around.  We call it the kitty cocktail!  If they are in need of additional veterinary care, it is being provided by and at the expense of each individual rescue group. 

Here is one rescue group's photographic montage of their new friend...


"Here is just a little 2 min time frame of allowing a cat a chance, and not assuming they are not adoptable and to the death chamber they go.  Good Morning, oh not feeling so social yet?"


"Let's see... how about a soft touch and little stroke, and this kit is bones : ( Yep lifting the butt a little : )"

"Oh this feels nice, guess I'll try to stand a little to get more of it : )"
"Up a little more but not much eye contact!"

"Ahhh, I guess I can trust you. ♥ beautiful feline, worth saving, now he just needs to eat eat eat.  He is thin thin thin!  Welcome my friend, may you find refuge here until just the right home comes forward : )"


If you would like to donate to the care of these twelve cats and kittens, make your donations to AGAPE Fosters.  Please earmark your donation for "The Dirty Dozen" and the total will be divided amongst the 5 groups as donations toward the veterinary care of these rescued cats.

Agape Fosters
20744 W Avenue
Reinbeck, IA 50669

Agape Fosters is a State Licensed, 501 C3 Non Profit Charitable Organization committed to assisting and placing homeless animals into loving, responsible, lifelong, indoor homes.

Paypal donations can be made to Immydog@msn.com and will also be divided amongst the rescue groups involved.

Huge thanks go out to all of the people who got involved in this rescue, to really make a difference in the lives of these 12 cats! None of them got paid for their time or effort,  and no lives were lost.



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7 comments:

ameow2002 said...

Awesome blog...as always! Wonder how many feathers you will ruffle with this one? I am sure some will say these cats didn't deserve to live. Just like they felt the ones from Story City didn't deserve to live either! Fortunately we don't all feel this way! These cats are well on their way to a brighter tomorrow thanks to true animal welfare professionals who have learned the true value of life...all life!

Tammy Hartwig said...

Dr. Deppe ~ By now it is common knowledge that many more than 12 could have been saved. Having stated that, these 12 are truly blessed! Thank you for all you did (and tried to do)! Every life regardless of species found living in such conditions, deserves a chance at a much better life. Thanks again and if "the dirty dozen" could speak, they would thank you too.

Anonymous said...

A little time, a lot of patience, a trusting hand will turn many animals around.
This ran smooth, people gave their word and honored it. Yes no one was completely overwhelmed, Lisa and I have the most to Vet, she's a little ahead of me with the game on that : ) Many of us are 1-3 people involved with our Rescue, we don't have a staff of 20+ paid employees like many Shelters do. But the big difference was they all lived and all I believe are able to be rehomed in or out, most or all will be inside pets.
Thus quote fits a cat so well, especially when they are seized upon even for their own good!

Most cats do not approach humans recklessly. The possibility of concealed weapons (needles), clods or sticks, tends to make them reserved. Homeless cats in particular - with some justification, unfortunately - consider humans their natural enemies. Much ceremony must be observed, and a number of diplomatic feelers put out before establishing a state of truce.
Agape Fosters

Laurie said...

OMG! Thanks for all you do! Much Love!

Anonymous said...

А! Qu'est-ce qu'un post-Nice. J'aime beaucoup la lecture de ces types ou des articles. Je peux t attendre de voir ce que les autres ont à dire.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Hola, Interesante, no va a continuar con este artнculo?.