Can you Help? Cat W/Paw Injury/Trouble Walking-Vet Expenses

cat

Hi. There's a gray and white cat that lives in my neighborhood who I and someone else look out for. He lives behind my neighbor's house but he's pretty much a 'stray' (or as others would say 'feral' and not friendly to people). He showed up a few weeks ago holding up his paw and limping but shortly after was walking on it. I hoped it had healed but it hadn't. Now the injury is swelled up, maybe infected, and he needs vet care. He's having trouble walking.

I've reached out to the Mayor's Alliance for Animals, to Sean Casey Animal Rescue, to a few vets, to cat rescuers and, thus far, I haven't found a way to fund this cat's care. There is no back up 'system.' He may need extensive care (medication, boarding, etc.). I feel like he deserves the help - he's a neighborhood cat and he may not have an 'owner' or guardian, but he's a good kitty and he's hung in there for awhile.

If I was in a different financial situation, I would fund it but, at the moment, I'm not.

I want to try to catch the cat but it doesn't seem like many vets want to be paid 'later' and I can't pay at time of service. In my opinion, there should be something set up where they agree to donate a certain amount of their practice to helping out situations like this - but that's another subject!

I don't know the order to do these things in but thought I'd write in case people are able to contribute towards his care... I could set up an account or a ChipIn or something, if a bunch of people contributed, that would go a long way.

Thanks!

vausmus

Subject: Injured Cat

Hi ,
I live in Park Slope. You have tired calling Friends of Animals or the ASPCA. If they are not willing to help, maybe 311 or 411 can. Please email me at [email protected]. I can probably help with a donation to help the poor kitty.

bcodsnpkslope

if you get the cat into a carrier then you can bring it to the CACC but in all likelyhood they will destroy it due to the injury or because its not a cat that is suitable for adoption.
You can try the various foster agencies by searching craigslist but alot of those people arent that helpful and some are downright NUTS.
I had a similar issue where i hit a dog that ran out on the highway and i got him to the ASPCA hospital in NYC and they worked with me to fix her up and i fostered it until i could get it a home.. hope it helps
By the way there are several trappers in park slope one on 15 st bet PPW and 9 ave... they could prolly catch him for you

MOD

I would set up that account Cat and let your neighbors know, talk to the local pet stores, maybe they would donate. Set up a flier, make it look as honest and professional as possible. Get the word out, post it on Facebook or an email blast (maybe a group like FIDO would add it their email blasts). Take a picture of the kitty.

It is worth the trouble to try. Feral or not, that cat deserves a chance.

cat

Hi thanks so much for your responses.

Vausmus, I called BideAWee which was as much as a regular vet. Humane Society is the most affordable vet but they are booked a month in advance. They suggested ASPCA or BideAWee. I was told ASPCA only did spay neuter by someone else so I didn't call there. I will call them. Thanks for your offer to help! I haven't been in touch with Friends of Animals. I didn't know they did this type thing?

I'd be concerned about CACC/ACC - I really want the cat to live. Bcodsnpkslope, thanks for sharing your experience and helping that dog! I will try calling ASPCA later. I saw the kitty this morning and had my own health issue today so I couldn't stay put. The paw looks bad -- I really want to bring him somewhere where they will go above and beyond for him.

It would be easier for me to get him in - and manage - a carrying case than a trap. I contacted an NYC Feral Cat org about someone helping me with the trap but they didn't find anyone near by yet.

(I posted here because this is the most popular board and you all are animal friendly but the cat is in Kensington/Windsor Terrace.)

Thanks Mamacita. I agree. I have some nice pics of the kitty when he was healthy. Do you think pic now or then? Great ideas! thanks. It's just I really think he needs intervention sooner rather than later - I've been trying to find out how to make this work for awhile now (then he disappears and I'm never quite sure when I'll see him). I have cats of my own so... it's a bit of navigation.

I contacted Park Slope Vet Care yesterday - I heard sometimes they will work with you on costs or paying later. They are supposed to get back to me but it sounded a bit iffy tho' they were very nice about helping me find a solution.

Your ideas and feedback are all really good. Thanks.

Appreciate the responses.

tsarina

I pm'ed you, but there was no subject so maybe it didnt get thru. I can provide a big cage to put him in. We helped a similar cat near eastern parkway. Trapped, washed and cleaned the wound, and then it started to drain. I can get antibiotics to help with the infection. All this can start before you even take him to the vet. Its just first aid. I cannot foster him. Its important to get him as soon as possible. Is he touchable? or do you need a trap. I've worked with Feral cat initiative and am a registered rescuer. As I said. PM me and we can get him on the road to recovery.

tsarina

Oh yeah I reread the posts. I will be by that neighborhood this afternoon. perhaps we can put out a trap to get him then. I can get one or bring it with me.

vausmus

Subject: Injured Cat

Any place that you call, just make sure that you stress how the cat needs to be looked at. Let me know what you come up with. Some of the Vet places in Park Slope are a pain in the ass to deal with, most of them are just looking to over charge. Try some places in Bay Ridge, they seem to be a lot more affordable.

My Vet, is Dr. Silverman on 6th street and Prospect Park West. He is really nice and they see injured animals very fast and his rates are not that crazy but still a pretty penny. His number is 718-768-6125.

The address is 105 Prospect Park West

cat

Hi Tsarina, I didn't get the PM. I'm on the run right now (dealing with my own personal 'stuff' right now but I'm so worried about this cat) and writing from a UPS store! The cat is not a cat you can just pick up so it would be hard to treat him that way. I'll PM you... thank you! Someone lent me a trap awhile back which I actually still have. Just not sure what to do with him if we get him. Plus he's not always around... he goes somewhere sometimes for a couple of days at a time and I don't know where he ends up.

Vausmus, Getting him to Bay Ridge would be sort of an issue plus I'd rather know of a place to go that's recommended. I see Dr. Holloway at Silverman's office often with my cats (part of the reason I have financial issues!) but I didn't think they'd work out a plan. (I've made a lot of calls - I guess there's always one more ... I thought I'd ask Dr. Holloway directly but when I called she was on vacation. so... anyway...)

I think I've stressed the cat's condition when I call - maybe I haven't sounded urgent enough. I don't know... truthfully, so far, it becomes about the money.

Anyway, will keep you updated and contact tsarina.

Thanks!

vausmus

Ahhh, ok. I understand. I really don't know what other advice I can offer you at this point. The best thing would probably be to get in somewhere and get the cat. Layout some food and maybe he will come in the carrier and hopefully he will come and get it. I really wish I had the answer.

bcodsnpkslope

keep us updated on this issue.... if i can help i will

cat

thanks so much all of you!! Will give an update hopefully soon. Thank you!

cat

Hi, I wanted to give an update. I spoke to Dr. Holloway at Prospect Park Animal Clinic shortly after I last posted and it sounded like they could have modified the cost of treatment. (It still would have been $$ and I do think animal clinics should have some provisions for situations like this. But anyway she was very nice about it.)

She also at that time mentioned there were many things that could happen over time depending on the injury - some of them positive, like where the 'black' area was, that skin could then come off and then it might heal. She said cats are amazing healers. I felt a little better about the cat's chances after that conversation.

I went to get him a few times and he would not come 'out' (despite my having food) but I did make sure he was fed well during this time and gave him some fish oil in the food, made sure he had water, etc. It didn't seem like things were aligning for me to trap him so I decided to wait it out a bit.

Two people told me they knew of cats that had paw injuries that would go away and 'hide' for a few weeks, a month, etc. and then returned better. I didn't quite believe that could happen.

This cat definitely altered his routine while he was injured. He'd climb up on a garage and go over a fence and wasn't around during the day. Sometimes he wouldn't even come around for food.

Then one day he was around late afternoon ... and I saw the paw was no longer black but pink. Since then, it healed and now is fine!

I was so so worried and you all were a big help and I'm happy to report it turned out well!