Kitten rescue in central Florida
June 22, 2014 7:40 AM Subscribe
My friend and I found two abandoned kittens when we walked her dog last week. We saved them from the street, but neither of us can keep them (she: single mom who can't afford two cats; me: in Hoboken, NJ and already have two cats). She's willing to foster, but can only do so for the rest of the week as she's leaving for six weeks a week from today. They're great - playful and affectionate with each other and they turn on their motors as soon as you pick them up. She got an offer to make them barn cats, but they seem too sweet and gentle for that. They've been to the vet and are about 12 weeks old. They're being spayed tomorrow and will soon be ready for a home.
My friend called a local rescue organization, but they don't have any foster homes available. Does anyone have any experience with a good rescue near Merritt Island, FL?
I'm not the OP, but "barn cat" usually refer to cats that live in horse (or other livestock) barns which are used to keep mouse populations at bay. They tend to spend their whole lives outside and don't get the kind of human contact that a lot of cats need/want.
Also, if you can find a rescue group in NJ, would you be willing/able to fly back with the kittens yourself? I"m originally from the South but currently live in the Northeast, and there seem to be a lot more stray animals in the Southern states, so you might have better luck getting the cats fostered/adopted up north.
Another possibility: sometimes shelters will do courtesy listings on petfinder for animals not at their shelters. Maybe you could try that? Those kittens are so adorable, it seems like it shouldn't take much to find them a good home.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:11 AM on June 22, 2014
Also, if you can find a rescue group in NJ, would you be willing/able to fly back with the kittens yourself? I"m originally from the South but currently live in the Northeast, and there seem to be a lot more stray animals in the Southern states, so you might have better luck getting the cats fostered/adopted up north.
Another possibility: sometimes shelters will do courtesy listings on petfinder for animals not at their shelters. Maybe you could try that? Those kittens are so adorable, it seems like it shouldn't take much to find them a good home.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:11 AM on June 22, 2014
Oh, here's another idea. I've known some Florida vets which keep adoptable cats/kittens in their offices to help them find good homes. Maybe you could call around to vets in the area and see if any of them do that? Unfortunately, the vet I'm personally familiar with is in the panhandle, about 4 hours from where your friend lives.
Also, I searched petfinder for shelters near your friend. Here is the listing for that. This is a listing of shelters near Hoboken, NJ. Not all of these are cat specific, but they might be a good start.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:19 AM on June 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, I searched petfinder for shelters near your friend. Here is the listing for that. This is a listing of shelters near Hoboken, NJ. Not all of these are cat specific, but they might be a good start.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:19 AM on June 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
This is a ridiculous long shot, and I understand if a mod deletes it, but I have been wanting to adopt two littermates ever since I got my new job in February. Solution: I'll take them, no questions, right now. Difficulty level: I live in Chicago.
So.
If anyone who reads this happens to have a road trip planned from that area of Florida to Chicago in the next week, and is willing to transport the kittens, I will pay the costs associated with feeding/caring for two cats on a long car ride (carriers, food, litter, etc.).
posted by tzikeh at 8:35 AM on June 22, 2014 [44 favorites]
So.
If anyone who reads this happens to have a road trip planned from that area of Florida to Chicago in the next week, and is willing to transport the kittens, I will pay the costs associated with feeding/caring for two cats on a long car ride (carriers, food, litter, etc.).
posted by tzikeh at 8:35 AM on June 22, 2014 [44 favorites]
Did you try the Central Brevard Humane Society? They have a Merritt Island Adoption Center.
I'm not that familiar with them beyond their thrift shops and their weekly newsletter (I am a member but don't do volunteer work.) But they seem to be a pretty active bunch.
Good luck!
posted by danabanana at 9:09 AM on June 22, 2014
I'm not that familiar with them beyond their thrift shops and their weekly newsletter (I am a member but don't do volunteer work.) But they seem to be a pretty active bunch.
Good luck!
posted by danabanana at 9:09 AM on June 22, 2014
If anyone who reads this happens to have a road trip planned from that area of Florida to Chicago in the next week, and is willing to transport the kittens, I will pay the costs associated with feeding/caring for two cats on a long car ride (carriers, food, litter, etc.).
If you're feeling especially committed to this idea, there are other options too.
posted by mykescipark at 9:34 AM on June 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you're feeling especially committed to this idea, there are other options too.
posted by mykescipark at 9:34 AM on June 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Seconding Central Brevard Humane Society. Both of my cats came from there. They are a no-kill shelter. Here is a list of other area pet rescues.
posted by Kitty Stardust at 10:16 AM on June 22, 2014
posted by Kitty Stardust at 10:16 AM on June 22, 2014
I'm not the OP, but "barn cat" usually refer to cats that live in horse (or other livestock) barns which are used to keep mouse populations at bay. They tend to spend their whole lives outside and don't get the kind of human contact that a lot of cats need/want.
Having grown up in barns this is categorically untrue. Barn cats have great lives and get plenty of human contact. There are humans in barns more hours per day than there are humans in most houses. Plus they like to sit on the horses and cows backs and knead them which they can do in an unlimited fashion..
Also rafters and pigeons. Let me see a house cat who regularly gets to stalk pigeons in an intricate truss roof. Barn cats have a great life.
posted by fshgrl at 11:09 AM on June 22, 2014 [6 favorites]
Having grown up in barns this is categorically untrue. Barn cats have great lives and get plenty of human contact. There are humans in barns more hours per day than there are humans in most houses. Plus they like to sit on the horses and cows backs and knead them which they can do in an unlimited fashion..
Also rafters and pigeons. Let me see a house cat who regularly gets to stalk pigeons in an intricate truss roof. Barn cats have a great life.
posted by fshgrl at 11:09 AM on June 22, 2014 [6 favorites]
If you find yourself still needing transportation north in a monthish, send me a message, as I will be on my way out of Florida around that time.
posted by wierdo at 11:23 AM on June 22, 2014
posted by wierdo at 11:23 AM on June 22, 2014
Chiming in to second that you might want to get more information on the barn before you turn this down-- some of the schmoopiest cuddlebuckets I've known were barn cats. There's a big difference between a busy riding stable full of animal lovers and and an isolated horror movie barn..
posted by Erasmouse at 11:30 AM on June 22, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by Erasmouse at 11:30 AM on June 22, 2014 [5 favorites]
It really depends on what the person means by "barn cat." Lots of folks have abandoned storage sheds or outbuildings on their property and they keep cats there. Sometimes it's a few cats, othertimes it's a whole colony. They feed them but otherwise don't offer much attention. But if they mean "barn cat who lives in a horse barn with lots of people coming and going" that would be a different story.
Otherwise: make an ADORABLE Facebook page with lots of photos. Ask everyone to share and see if that attracts an offer.
Good luck!
posted by barnone at 1:21 PM on June 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Otherwise: make an ADORABLE Facebook page with lots of photos. Ask everyone to share and see if that attracts an offer.
Good luck!
posted by barnone at 1:21 PM on June 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Another vote for "barn cats". The tortie cat at my barn (who was a rescue) enjoys plenty of stalking practice (thanks to the chickens roaming the property), interaction with people and other animals, food, pets and attention. She radiates confidence and contentment when she jumps up on the fence to request a scratch behind the ears. Those two little ones in the picture are just the right age to learn how to be good mousers.
posted by Cookbooks and Chaos at 11:26 PM on June 22, 2014
posted by Cookbooks and Chaos at 11:26 PM on June 22, 2014
Response by poster: Thanks so much for all of the input. I'll make sure that she's been in touch with Central Brevard Humane Society, talk to her about the other rescues and ask her to find out more about the barn cat opportunity. I definitely heard "feral cat colony" and not the potential for a fun life that included human contact and love.
Tzikeh - I would love it if you could have these kitties! They really are super sweet. I'm going to ask if her travels will take her through Chicago.
posted by Wet Hen at 4:00 AM on June 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
Tzikeh - I would love it if you could have these kitties! They really are super sweet. I'm going to ask if her travels will take her through Chicago.
posted by Wet Hen at 4:00 AM on June 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
So a quick update - it looks like these kittens are going to be making their way to Chicago next week. Keep all MetaFingers crossed, and I'll post photos of them in their new forever home when they get here....
Man I just love MetaFilter so much
posted by tzikeh at 2:38 PM on June 24, 2014 [14 favorites]
Man I just love MetaFilter so much
posted by tzikeh at 2:38 PM on June 24, 2014 [14 favorites]
Response by poster: I've definitely got my fingers crossed that all works out. I can't wait to see pictures of them in their new home and hear how much you adore them. :) Seconding the love of MetaFilter and its people.
posted by Wet Hen at 6:41 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by Wet Hen at 6:41 PM on June 25, 2014
Best answer: As promised: kitten pics in their new home.
I guess now I finally have a reason to learn the settings for my iPad and iPhone cameras, because wow, those pictures suck, and file sizes are ludicrous.
You can also see a brief video of them at my tumblr.
posted by tzikeh at 8:47 PM on July 1, 2014 [10 favorites]
I guess now I finally have a reason to learn the settings for my iPad and iPhone cameras, because wow, those pictures suck, and file sizes are ludicrous.
You can also see a brief video of them at my tumblr.
posted by tzikeh at 8:47 PM on July 1, 2014 [10 favorites]
Response by poster: YAY! Happy to see them so happy in their new home. I'm so glad it all worked out so perfectly. They *do* love their mousies.
posted by Wet Hen at 2:18 AM on July 2, 2014
posted by Wet Hen at 2:18 AM on July 2, 2014
My goodness, what a luxurious home they have indeed! I love everything about this story.
posted by mykescipark at 4:53 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by mykescipark at 4:53 PM on July 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Wow - nobody's ever referred to my place as luxurious before.
or did you mean the kitty condo ;)
posted by tzikeh at 8:00 PM on July 4, 2014
or did you mean the kitty condo ;)
posted by tzikeh at 8:00 PM on July 4, 2014
OMG this is awesome! What a great story and those kitties have such a great new home! Glad everything worked out for everyone! Yay!
posted by danabanana at 4:46 PM on July 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by danabanana at 4:46 PM on July 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
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They're also sisters and very happy, healthy fat cats who like the horses and the people. They'd hate being indoor cats.
posted by kinetic at 8:01 AM on June 22, 2014 [2 favorites]