Well … Spring has sprung and it is “kitten season”. We have many kittens currently for adoption – or who will soon be available for adoption. I am sure that you will always, especially over the next few months, be able to find kittens for adoption at Bobbi and the Strays. We are always extremely happy when a kitten gets adopted into a great home.
But sadly, for most, that is not usually the case. Many kittens die at a very young age due to diseases and the other dangers of living outside on the streets. Millions of cats (and dogs) are born each year to live and die homeless – or are caught but then euthanized because there is just too many of them and not enough homes.
The really frustrating part of this is that most of these litters could have been prevented. Over 17,000 dogs and cats were euthanized in our own city last year. Even with more people choosing to adopt rather than buy, there is simply not enough homes for all the animals. While ten thousand humans are born everyday, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. The only way to keep the pet population under control is to spay and neueter.
Spaying or neutering one dog saves 67,000 lives in six years if two survive each litter. Spaying or neutering one cat saves 420,000 lives in seven years if two survive from each litter.
So many well-meaning people have been feeding stray cats for months, or even years, and then seem surprised when kittens appear. It then turns into a never-ending vicious cycle… So if you encounter a stray cat – what should you do?
Simply feeding a stray cat and letting it go on its way is not doing much of a kindness to the cat – or the cat population in general. If you don’t help the poor creatures, chances are, nobody else will, and before you know it a small problem will mushroom into a big one – in your neighborhood - in your yard.
If you are able to catch the cat, and/or kittens, adopt and care for it – wonderful. Of course even in-door cats with homes should be spayed or neutered. It is the best thing you can do for their health. Please click HERE to find out the top 10 reasons why you should spay/neuter your pet.
If you catch it but are unable to give the cat, or kittens, a home yourself, please try to find a home elsewhere. Bobbi and the Strays may even be able to help if you are able to keep the cat (even a dog, kitten, puppy) in your own home while a permanent home is being sought. We can then help get the word out that this animal needs a home. (Please note that Bobbi and the Strays is not equipped to handle feral cats. We are a “no kill” rescue group and currently only have temporary space.)
You can also call animal shelters and rescue groups in your area until you find one that will accept the cat. Be persistent and patient, realizing that all shelters and rescue groups are overwhelmed by the enormity of the stray dog and cat overpopulation problem.
No one wants to admit that they may be contributing to the plight of homeless animals - certainly not the kind-hearted animal lover who always leaves food out for the neighborhood strays. Streets, shelters, and alleys are filled with too many “unwanted animals” whose only crime was being born in the first place. PLEASE do not allow the cycle to continue.
If you are unable to easily catch and find the cat a home or simply cannot face the reality that some shelters who would accept the cat may have no choice but to humanely euthanize it, and you feel you must then leave the cat outside - then at the very least please GET THE CAT SPAYED OR NEUTERED and bring an end to the miserable cycle known as the “kitten factory”.
Several groups can help you “Trap, Neuter, & Release” (TNR). They will provide information on low-cost or even free spay/neuter clinics and may even assist you with catching feral cats and kittens. Please click here for information on local spay/neuter clinics and TNR programs.
You can even help spay & neuter homeless puppies, dogs, cats, and kittens by becoming a Bobbi and the Strays Pet Guardian and sponsoring our spay/neuter program. This very important program will help all of the animals that come into our care - and help keep more strays off of the streets and out of shelters too! Please click HERE to find out more about this very important program.
And if you already have pets of your own, it is much better for their heath to have them spayed and neutered. It also helps keep unwanted animals off of the streets and out of shelters too! Please click here for great reasons to spay and neuter your pets. At the bottom of that page - there is a link to some great resources for free or low-cost spay and neuter programs too.
A kindness is NEVER wasted, although it can be misplaced. Please make sure YOUR kindness is in the proper place. : - )
