Conference misery::feline_v1

    BRAVO!  BRAVO!  Hurray to you and people like you who care enough!
    
    If you haven't checked, please call information to see if there
    is a chapter of "FRIENDS OF ANIMALS".  They will send you a certificate
    to present to the vet for a reduction in the going price for spaying
    and neutering.  It's not much (I think $25.00) but anything helps.
    Also, I think it has to be a "participating" vet but check for the
    details.  We have this organization here in NJ/NY and I believe
    the national president is Cleveland Amory, the author.
    
    

    THANKS, for the BRAVO........
    
    I have 3 certificates for spaying, and used one one the female this
    morning.  I have these from donations of our FELLOW FELINERS, I just
    wanted to let who know, that work is in process.  But that in my area
    BERLIN/HUDSON, MA  -- there needs to be more, vets get paid an awful
    lot and they HAVE TO HAVE THEIR MONEY RIGHT AWAY.  If we go to the
    doctors or hospital we can pay in payments, they don't alow this.  I
    don't understand why.  People stiff doctors too, most people pay
    anything to help their fuzzy babies and I don't believe vets would be
    stiffed that regularly.  I don't feel -- from them, that their is much
    HUMANE help, when someone like myself and others as you, are so willing
    to give so much, that we can't be met half way.  
    
    Tis a voice of love for these fuzzy guys, but we need more help, in a
    home for adoption for fuzzy creatures big & small.........
    
    

    Carol, I share your beef.  When dealing with strays and ferals,
    you can't make an appt. with a vet; you have to catch as cats can,
    and then act when the cat is in captivity.  I have been that route
    with my vet... tell them I'm trying to help, don't have a lot of
    funds to work with, and what can they do for me.  Well, they will
    allow me to drop off the cat as long as I call them first to let
    them know the cat is on its way, but they still charge me full price
    and boarding charges if the cat has to stay over until surgery day.
    I realize that vets have to earn a living too but this attitude
    is something that has had me thinking about finding a new vet. 
    I bring them five cats of my own and only get a discount on office
    visits when bringing in more than one animal.  I like the vets
    themselves, but not their overall method of working the books.
    
    I know what you need right now is money for vet care and I wish
    I had it to give.  What I *can* help with is food... I have tons of
    sample packages I can send you which is given to me free by a friend
    who works in a feed store.  This is good stuff too, not supermarket
    food.  Let me know if you need it, and we can make arrangements
    on how to get it over to you.
    
    Keep up the good work!!  It's difficult, but worth it in the end.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    Carol, you are doing a great job.  I understand your frustration
    with the Humane Societies.  I know that they are very busy. When
    I called them for help or even questions, I found them to be snooty.
    Even just getting a hav-a-heart trap was impossible.  I did find
    my vets at the Countryside Vet Clinic in Chelmsford to be helpful.
    I didn't ask for any financial help when I brought Abbey in because
    I intended to keep her.  The following week, I brought her mother
    in to be spayed and she ws pregnant.  Dr. Jacobs kept her for 2
    weeks and Nelly had the kittens there.  I was charged nothing for
    this service.  I was very surprised.  By the time Abbey, Nelly and
    the kittens were all cared for, spayed(not the kittens), vaccinated...
    It cost us about $500.  With as many cats as you have to care for,
    I think your vet should be more sympathetic.  Is there another vet
    in the area that you could work with?
    
    					Good Luck,
    					Mary

    
    
    	Carol-
    
    	I too have been in the same situation.  Strays hanging around
    	getting pregeant, starving etc.  The cats were too wild to touch.
    	You couldn't get 10 feet near them.  They came around to eat when
    	no one was outside.  I called  the Vet and asked for
    	tranquilizers to put in their food so we could get them to the
    	Vet.  He said he couldn't give medication till he saw the cat..I
    	said I need medication to get them to you.....and around and
    	around we went.  Here were wild cats that were abondoned and
    	breeding, sickly etc.  It was a sin.  The Humane Society only
    	had one hav-a-heart trap and wanted $40.00 a day for it's use
    	(money would be returned when trap was though).  Well we needed
    	the trap on the weekend since everyone worked and they always
    	had it rented-out.  Needless to say all good intentions did not
    	workout well.  Cats were feed, but that's not enough.  Eventually
    	alot of them just drifted off to who knows where. A few were
    	saved and given homes, but it was a long hard road with no
    	major help from the professionals (Vets/Humane Society).
    
    	So I guess you just do the best you can, even thought it's not
    	always enough.  A TRULY VERY SAD SITUATION!
                       

    Glad to know that my experience isn't just in my head!  Gee it's really
    hard to understand.  I really feel like yelling at them!! I was going
    to see if I could get a tranquilizer for BRIGHT EYES and HAIR LIP, I'll
    ask tomorrow anyways.  I've only deal with this vet (Lancaster Vetenary
    Hospital) once before with a dog I had.  I usually deal with Marlboro
    Animal Hospital (they don't take FRIENDS OF ANIMAL Certificates) so I
    have to deal with Lancaster.  I feel they are very nice, but I get a
    feeling that since they are FERAL cats, with F.O.A. certificates, that
    they are treated like they are on WELFARE!!!!!!!!  Not knocking
    Welfare, but you and I know people don't get treated the same if YOU
    pay or someone else pays.  They money is FROM ME and the donations I
    have received.   Just don't understand why when there is $$$$ rolling
    in, some can't just give of themselves more?
    
    Thank you for any thoughts of a donation...........I know what you mean
    by $$$ being short.  I do have some light at the end of the rainbow, I
    have a guy taking 2 and possibly 1 more later, soon.  One is a female
    and that will save more kittens.  I hope CHARLIE will survive
    recooperating, I just might try and keep her in the house, or I should
    just try the garage.
    
    The food donation sounds great!!!!!!!!!   Where do you live?  I'd be
    glad to pick it up!! I live in Berlin on the Hudson,MA line.  I work in
    HLO2 Hudson............ myself or my husband or both of us could pick
    it up, if you don't need this.  Are you sure?  Thank you in
    advance.....
    
    We'll hang in there,,,,,,,,,,,,I know I might loose more, but some will
    be saved and hopefully happy................
    
    Support means alot!
    
    

    Carole, I'd be happy to give you the food!
    
    I live in Grafton, and work in Wesboro, WFR, if you wanted to come
    by on a lunch hour or after work.  I could give you about two or
    3 dozen sample packages now, and as I receive more, forward some
    onto you.  It's a start anyway.
    
    Send me mail off-line to firm things up.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    Carol -
      I think that what you're doing is wonderful - and I KNOW first
    hand what alot of work it is.  I was back into BCH with three of
    the gang last night.
      
     It might help if you stop and realize that vets do NOT make that
    much money.  The average vet mades $40,000/year.  Not very much
    when you consider what it costs for that education.  You might feel
    that thinking about money is too mercenary, but the reality is that
    if they don't think about the money they won't be able to continue
    to do the good that they do.
    
      I understand your frustration about the prices, but if you don't
    like the prices at one place then try another.  I got frustrated with
    my vet of 10 years because he charged me premium prices for a foster-
    cat I had.  So, I found a vet that will give me bulk rates.  I suggest
    you do the same.
    
      As far as the shelters go - I don't think you understand the scope
    of the problem we're all dealing with.  Its totally out of control.
    Most of these places are doing all they can.  We all have limits and
    the reality is that if you don't know where your limits are and learn
    to live with them then you will become unable to do any good at all.
    
    Shelters have two options - Either they take in all the cats that
    come to them and use euthanasia to keep things manageable, or they
    limit the number of cats they can take and keep them til placed.
    
    The problem is NOT with the vets (most of them) or the shelters. 
    The problem is people who abandon unneutered animals or allow their
    pets to breed indiscriminately.  I have a good idea of what you're
    feeling and suspect that part of it is anger at yourself for not
    being able to do more.  Like the rest of us you are human.  All
    human's have limits.  It doesn't make you a bad person.  At least
    you're trying and that's a Helluva lot more than most people do.
    
    Yes the cats continue to suffer and die.  And its important that
    you keep everything in perspective or you'll burn yourself out.  
    Set your goals.  You want to get the cats in for shots and neutering.
    Find an agency that will work with you to do that.  In a situation
    where someone is caring for them and providing food, it is perfectly
    acceptible to get them in, get them spayed and then put them back
    outside.  Find a hospital or shelter who will work with you towards
    those ends.
    
    I KNOW its frustrating.
    I KNOW its alot of dirty work.
    I KNOW it hurts when you lose one.
    
    Please hang in there and keep trying.
      Nancy DC

    Carol -
      Another thought.  Alot of places aren't used to dealing with 
    Ferals.  You need to find a place that knows what's involved.
    Talk to Lenora Palmer (DLNVAX::PALMER).  She's working with
    Framingham Humane trapping ferals and may know of another agency
    in your area.
    
    Also, if you have been treated badly by a FOA vet then please send
    the complaint, in writing, to Friends of Animals.  The address should
    be on your certificate.  If you don't have it then contact me.  I
    went through this with another feliner over another vet.  FOA will 
    contact the vet and talk to him.  It defeats the purpose of the low
    cost spay certificate if the vet or his/her staff treat you badly
    when you try to get the cat spayed.
      Nancy DC

    Thanks, once again, Nancy.
    
    I do listen to your advise and many others.
    
    So far the improvement of Lancaster Hospital is fine to handle now. 
    We, Joe Gobini (Charlie & Blackest new Dad) will be bringing Charlie in
    to have her sutchers out today 1/30. I will be observing and will ask
    for some tranquilers (I have donations to pay) to relax Bright Eyes and 
    Hair Lip, to be spayed.  After they are done, I have some 8 month old
    kittens to figure out, if there are females. 
    
    As I get all the females done.  Then I'll see what males I can get
    neuterd.  I'm planning on speaking to a few folks up the street to, who
    might own a cat or two or three...........  to see if they are going to
    help and to inform them what I am doing.
    
    Sorry if I was "TOO" miffed for the NOTES FILE.  It does help, to get
    support and understanding.
    
    Carol......................Scruffy's Mom
    
    				Dudley Road Stray's friend.....
    
    

    re: miffed - It IS a very frustrating experience (she said from
    personal experience) even if you don't have to worry about paying
    for the costs.  So you weren't "too miffed".  I may have been a bit
    "Short" in my answer.  I just wanted you to get the story from the
    other side.  Sometimes it helps to know that stuff.  
      Keep up the good work.
       Nancy DC