Cat abuse/neglect by Kensington Kitties

Wow. This is very interesting and disturbing. We adopted Mia (see my Poopy Cat thread) from Kitty Kind in 2005. I have felt there was something sketchy about them ever since I learned that they lied about her age (not that it really mattered to me, but they said she was 2 when she was really more like 5-7 according to the vet when I took her in a few month later). When we adopted, we were not able to speak to her foster parent, who was "unavailable". Given the myriad of litterbox issues that she's had over the past 4 years, I wonder what she went through as a foster kitty. She also has a chronic upper-respiratory problem which is worse in the winter. Fortunately, my other cat (who I adopted as a stray and is much healthier both physically and emotionally) hasn't caught it.

Anyway, thank for posting. I still maintain that cats don't really suffer from the heat as long as they're properly hydrated, but Marcia Kess sounds like a horror (and a hoarder).

Antigone wrote,

“I still maintain that cats don't really suffer from the heat as long as they're properly hydrated”

The problem is, many cats do not drink water (even water that is flowing) and get all of their water from their food. My guess is that animal rescues use mostly dry cat food which is cheaper then wet. So some, if not many cats may become dangerously dehydrated under the best animal rescue conditions. Having said that, I don’t know what the alternative is aside from better funding and better oversight of animal rescue operations and individuals.

About three years ago I rescued a kitten that was very, very ill. I found him in Bay Ridge and I called every city agency and rescue I could find. None of them came out and they all told me that they were full and that this one was on me. Now, we have two cats, so bringing in a sick third into a railroad apartment is not a good idea because he could infect the other cats with a serious illness.

Animal Control (I think that is the name of the city organization) came out and left because I had brought the cat into my office, out of the rain, and fed him. Apparently, the operator I spoke with was not able to pass on my note that I had taken the cat inside nor did she pass on my phone number. So they claim to have driven by, seen no cat, and left. I took the day off of work, took him to the vet, spent $900, quarantined him in our kitchen for two weeks, and now we have an awesome third cat.

My parents adopted a dog a few years back from a dog rescue. The people who had the dog were not funded or equipped to do the work they do. They truly had no idea how significant his health problems were. The dog ended up having a long list of health issues – chronic skin problems, he couldn’t process protein (the dog required a non protein diet), a malformed lower jaw which made eating difficult and he was completely deaf. We had the option to return him, but how could we? He was the sweetest dog we ever owned and he needed a home. He died about 18 months after we adopted him. I don’t blame the family who rescued him. They were known as a rescue family, always had several dogs, and were not able to properly care for the animals. But what is the alternative, putting the dog back in the woods where he was found starving to death?

So, the situation stinks. Animal rescues have no money and are overburdened and many shelters just put them down. I do wish that NYC allocated more resources to animal rescue and a city wide neutering and spaying program. Such programs and initiatives would have so many benefits. For example, there are many children in my school who would volunteer at such a program and how many of them would have an interest sparked in becoming a veterinarian or following a related career choice - surely many.

Excellent post pokersloper. You are of course correct. Most cats don't drink much water - my male cat happens to be an anomaly in that regard and is a water fanatic (splashes around in his water bowl and drinks copious amounts) so I forget from time to time that most cats are not like that.

I feel for your situation, having had my own experience with a difficult cat. I contribute money regularly to animal rescue organizations and yet it isn't enough. The no-kill shelters don't want to take on an animal with problems; they want animals that are adoptable.

Having said that, I do think that animal hoarders are freaks. I guess it's a form of OCD. I'm not talking about people with 10-15 animals and the ability to care for them. I have a friend in Iowa with 13 cats and 1 dog; she does TNR work there and many of her animals are indoor-outdoor (she live in a semi-rural area). But I shudder when I read stuff like the links posted above, about garbage bags filled with dozens of rotting animal corpses.

I was recently at a wonderful animal shelter north of Chicago called Orphans of the Storm. They don't turn anyone away. It was sad b/c my mom said that it was a lot more crowded than the last time she visited - probably b/c of the recession. Some of the animals were in cages but most of the cats had free range. There were lots of things for climbing and the cats were so affectionate! I didn't dare look at the dogs because it would have broken my heart. I came out of there covered in cat hair - it's a wonder I didn't leave with another cat, but my situation with Poopy Mia, Wimpy Raoul and Crazy Louie doesn't allow for another animal at present.

antigone,

Thanks. My wife and I also give money every year to a no kill shelter called Barc. Now I am thinking we need to investigate the group a bit more to make sure there are no issues (to be clear, I have no reason to believe such issues exist, but the information in this thread is really eye opening and a bit scary).

Yes, I agree with you that animal hoarders are messed up. The tough thing is what is hoarding and what is commitment? I guess some people can have many cats and take care of them well while others are just messed up.

My wife just told me that her two cats are from Kitty Kind and that the woman who fostered them had 18 cats in total. Kitty Kind came out and inspected my wife's apartment before letting her adopt them and we have never heard bad stories about the organization.

My wife volunteers occasionally to walk dogs at a shelter. I don't know how she does it, I would want to take every dog home.

I spend a lot of money on food for strays. What would be a neat program is a cat food company which would give you a nice discount on food if you have your strays seen by a vet and spayed and neutered.

Lastly, I work in Bay Ridge and some of my students have told me stories of their auntie throwing away live kittens in the trash and families who get tired of a dog and simply open up the door and put him outside. I wish the schools brought in animal rescue people and veterinarians to promote proper treatment and care for animals. Students would eat it up.

pokersloper wrote: There is that power station between 4th and 5th avenues directly across the street from the cemetary. Some mornings there is a vetinary van waiting there and once I saw a woman in a car with numerous stray cats in cardboard carry cases. I asked her about the cats and she said she was waiting to get them spayed.

Does anyone know what this is about? Who runs it, if they are good, and how to make an appointment?

I have a few strays in my backyard that I have been feeding for about a year, and I would like to trap them and take them to get spayed. But having read online about this animal abuse sickness, I don't want to try and help these cats only to doom them to a sick person or unaware group.

I know for sure Lulu'smomma has done this quite often with the "spay van" PM her and she can probably give you all the info you need (she also does TNR)
http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=400

Stacey,

Thanks for the info on the 'spay van.'


casepeople,

Thanks for your reply and the links. I wil be sure to contact the aspca when I am able to trap those stray fluffs.

Pokersloper, those stories make me sad. Our next door neighbor, whom I like a lot, recently told me that she got rid of one cat because it wasn't getting along with the other two and somebody got scratched. Basically, they just dumped the poor cat somewhere. I didn't say anything - I guess I'm a wimp - but I've lived through my share of cat vs. cat wars and dog vs. cat wars and I can't imagine doing that. Hell, I have a scar on my arm from when I was trying to separate one of my cats from the dog. I didn't hold it against the cat - it was my own fault for getting in the middle of the situation.

I think I really need to start volunteering at an animal shelter. We have 3 pets, but I feel like I'm not doing enough.

Ha! I have cat-induced asthma as well, pokersloper. I use an over-the-counter inhaler and I noticed that when I visited my mom last week and slept in a cat-free environment, I had absolutely no asthma symptoms. Now I'm back to using the inhaler, but I only get the symptoms at night.

I think Bengal cats are awesome. Never met one in person, but from what I've read, I would love to have one.

In any situation when it's boyfriend or girlfriend vs. animal, pick the animal! The cat or dog will be your friend for life. The BF or GF? Huh. Not so much. Sorry to sound like a cynic. Also, I've found that repeated exposure to animals (I'm actually more allergic to dogs than I am to cats) tends to lessen the symptoms. My daughter's also allergic and her symptoms get worse after she's been away for a few days.

caseopele wrote: The average animal loving person would be horrified to know how many pets are abandoned on the street or surrendered as strays to the shelter.

Ain't that the (depressing) truth. A few years ago the ASPCA did an ad campaign that I think sums it up the best:

"Whatever You Can Imagine, We've Seen Worse"

pokersloper wrote:

Casepeople,

I am saddened, but not surprised by the amount of pets that end up abandoned and abused. Just look at Michael Vick. My favorite team since a little kid, the Philadelphia Eagles, just signed this dog torturer to be their second string (or maybe first string) quarterback. A few years ago he was funding an operation that was breaking teeth out of the mouths of dogs, hanging dogs, ripping off their faces, etc. How can I watch the Eagles now with that jerk wearing number 7? Sure, he went to jail, but did you hear his ‘apology’? Perhaps the worse and most insincere apology in the history of apologies, yet the guy can run and throw the ball and is now held up as a role model. I don’t really blame the NFL for letting him back in the league, but I blame a group of teams that do not have the guts or interest in refusing to sign the guy.

+ 1