Conference misery::feline_v1

    If you really wanted to know, couldn't you call the place in Hudson?
    I was told to do that for the cat that I just adopted from a couple
    in New Ipswich.  They had her a year and before that she was at an
    Animal Rescue in Lynn, MA.  I haven't called as I don't really have
    a need to.  
    
    I would think that they would have paper work on her?
    
    I feel for you having to give up your furry babies.  I would hate to
    ever have to make that decision!!!
    
    Good luck!
    Sonia

      That's terrible, what a dreadful thing to have happen.  I'm sure 
    your child is  most wonderful, but there must still be that kittylove
    void living with no cats. 
      I would call the place in Hudson, see if they still have the records
    on Punkin, places vary as to how long they retain such paperwork, but
    if you really want to know.... but what if they told you he didn't find
    a home.....or if they said he did, would it be the truth?....or just
    something they would say to make you feel better.
      What an awful thing to have your mind, I don't know if I could call
    myself if it were me, I might just pray he is happy wherever he is.
    I hope my reply isn't too depressing, but sitting here writing this
    I actually feel your dilemma. It would take a lot of courage to make
    that call.
                              Good luck,  Denise

    I really free for you.  It depends a lot on what kind of a humane
    society it is.  Some of the big city ones can only keep animals for a
    few days, but smaller ones can sometimes keep them much longer.  (My
    Sweetie had been at the shelter for a month or two before he adopted
    me.)  A year is pretty young for a cat, so if you are concerned that
    they might not of kept him long because of his age, I don't think
    he falls in that category.  I suspect how long the paperwork is kept
    also varies a lot from shelter to shelter. 
    

    I'm sorry also, for any such decision.  May your child out-grow his
    alergies, and it is possible and you get a new warm and fuzzy fur-face!
    
    We have one cat and many strays we are trying to place.  My husband for
    years had told me he was alergic to cats.  My mom's cat did bother him
    and it was part persian and siamese.  Our present cat, formerly a
    stray, does not bother him and we have been baby-sitting two strays
    till they go to their new home tonite.  They don't bother him either,
    so there is hope!
    
    On the Humane Societies:  I placed last June a 1 -2 year old female cat
    and her litter of 3 there.  I called about 3 or 4 months later or more
    to see if they were still there.  They told me they were placed and
    they don't put them to sleep.  If it was for my own good, it was very
    convincing and I do believe they were placed and don't put any to
    sleep.  I have called several times (Lancaster Humane Society)
    Lancaster, MA, to see if there are any openings for my other strays and
    they are full and financially tight.  So I do believe they keep them
    and at times, cannot take anymore.
    
    Good luck.......... things will work out.  Set your mind at ease, the
    way in which is comfortable with you.
    

    For whatever comfort it gives, I have adopted two cats from the
    local shelter.  The first a kitten but the second was specifically
    by request, an older neutered cat.  I called first to see if they
    had any and they had one that was an adult, male, neutered and declawed
    that had been turned in as a stray about five days before.  He was
    due for the needle in two days (in NJ they must keep them only seven
    days).  I took my daughter (who loves anything that crawls or walks)
    and he was ours (she named him Whiskey right at the shelter).  I
    took him to the vet right away and he said he was about five years
    old and not outside too long as he was in great condition.  Every
    effort to find his original owner was made.  He has been a great
    cat (except when he sleeps on my head about 3:00 every nite).
    
    I also went to a cat show about two weeks ago and two of the cats
    that won awards were adult strays adopted from Noah's Ark, a shelter
    that DOES NOT put them down.
    
    When anyone asks me about the possibility of getting an animal I
    always try to steer them toward adults at animal shelters.  What
    can I say, it's worked for me!
    

    Cas,
    
    I'm sure if you called the Hudson,NH shelter they'd be helpful and
    let you know.  They do keep them for as long as they can unless it
    becomes too overcrowded with new arrivals.  I also know that they run
    weekly ads in the Nashua Telegraph (Saturdays) with a photo of one of
    their adoptees under "Pet of the Week" for adoption.  They, as well as
    the Nashua Humane Society, have had very good luck in finding homes for
    both cats and dogs (kittens & puppies) by these photo ads.
    
    Anne Bennetter of Petcetera Pet Food Store in Hudson, NH assisted in
    the adoptions of cats from Hudson Shelter by displaying some live in
    her store at one time, and still has photos left with her of other
    adoptees needing homes.
    
    When did you leave your cat?  Recently?
    
    Pat, D.P., Thai, Holly, Buffy, Midnight (& Cookie)
      

    To Pat from note .6:
    Believe it or not it has been a year and I can't quite forget him.  I
    have one of those picture frames with different shaped holes for
    pictures hanging on my wall with all of my Cats on it.  I really miss
    the other two also, but as I said I know where Stinky and Shadow are
    and I am certain they are being taken care of.  I just hope and pray
    that punkin is alive and well.  Thanks so much for all of your concern.
    
                                   cas...

    For future reference, there are shelters that are "no-kill" meaning
    that they keep the cats as long as necessary to find them a new home.
    Of course, they have to limit the number of cats that they take so it
    takes a bit longer to find one to take a cat you may need to place.
      I certainly understand your feelings.  I don't think there's that
    much difference in the feelings we have for our animal friends/family
    and our human friends/family.
      Folks who have never experienced this don't understand and I think
    they're the ones who miss out.
      Nancy DC