DILEMMA

I have a very sick colony cat. He was ill for about three days before we noticed and gave him some penicillin as a precaution; just yesterday he started having trouble breathing and this morning, a lot of trouble breathing. 

Having asthma myself and living on a very humid island, I know just how difficult and serious not being able to breathe is and this poor little one is going through that right now. Because of his illness he hasn't been eating so he's quite weak and that condition is not helping the situation. His breathing is so labored he has trouble eating and can't even meow. Laying down causes more difficulty breathing so he tries to sit up but he's weak from not having eaten for the last three days. I have kept him in; he's very frightened, sensing that he is sick he doesn't want to be alone.


I'm guessing most people would simply hope for the best and put him outside; maybe he'll improve. I live on someone else's cat colony and this animal is not my responsibility. I know the people will not be interested in paying a exorbitant vet fee... I did phone a nearby vet, she was polite enough... She could come out immediately for $150!!!  Or I could take him in for a $48 initial visit fee and pay for whatever x-rays and meds he will need. Yes, she was kind indeed - I could talk to the colony's owners and see if they'd pay for all this. 


What do you think?  Think they'd go for it?


I have phoned Cat Action and I'm waiting to hear from them. Its not yet 8 am on a Saturday so I hope to hear something very soon. 


My issue with Vets is the fact that although there are some who are willing to work with Community Animal Care Society's like Cat Action, there are so many others who seem to be Vets solely for the purpose of making money!  Honestly, with the fees they charge and the claims they make that the treatments, equipment and meds are just SOOO expensive that they have no choice but to charge you your most vital body parts for basic medical care for your pet or other animals in extreme need, can't they look past the dollar $ sign just long enough to help an animal in distress that could lose its life to their greed!!!  This person I talked with at the Vet Clinic asked after the cats' symptoms and quoted a price list to me! 


Yes, well I understand that they are in business and have to make a living like everyone else and that nothing is cheap or free, but does that negate every bit of our sense of humanity to such an extent that we make a conscious 'choice' to only care if we are paid for it?  What kind of humanity is that?  Would you do the same if a sick child were brought to you?  So why, then, is an animals' life always worth so much less than a humans?  We, supposedly being the questionable 'higher' species, doesn't that make us even more responsible for the care of those who have no voice at all?  


What would you do in a situation like this? 


Catspaw

About The Nova Scotia Kitty...

My contact for this cat was in Nova Scotia over the weekend visiting her friend that has been helping this cat, but like any feline worthy of the name of Cat, he was nowhere to be found. So she couldn't bring him back with her to the island to his new home. Well, maybe next weekend!

Honestly, you'd think he suspected something...











His new owner, on PEI, phoned Saturday wondering about him. Seems the family is anxious to have him join their little farm. My contacts friend will keep a lookout for him and when they visit again next weekend, hopefully he will be around and ready to be re-homed.

All is well.

Catspaw

Cat Action Team of PEI

Thought I'd give you the web address of Cat Action Team PEI so anyone who has questions or perhaps has cats that need help, can go to the site to see where they can get the aid they need.


http://www.cats-pei.ca/  Click on Cat Action Team of PEI if the actual site doesn't come up immediately.


If we all work together, we can help all the destitute cats on the island. I have looked and I am sure there is one for dogs also but I haven't found it yet.


Catspaw

Stray Cat Strut ~ Again.

Two skin and bone females have been discarded at the dairy or they have found their own way here. This one came in without hesitation yesterday evening so hungry she could barely eat! She could not decide what she wanted more, food or affection and I couldn't give her enough of both. 


My cats were not at all pleased to have her in 'their' house but they know its what happens around here and if they misbehave, outside they go to cool their paws for awhile. 

This morning there were two! The dark kitten brought her sibling, another female, light grey in color. In this pic, she got the flash in her eyes. Both are half starved and very wanting for affection and attention. Either they've been on their own for awhile or their former owners threw them out, denying even their basic needs of food and shelter and they have not been able to find another kind caregiver since. I can feel every bone in their little bodies, they are so thin!


If there is anyone out their interested in giving these two a home on Prince Edward Island, Canada, where I live, I'm posting an ad on Kijiji for them.


Catspaw

Coming February 2nd, the story of Winkin, Blinkin and Nod

Presenting Winkin, Blinkin and Nod. Three rescued, 4 week old, throwaway kittens that were tossed from a moving car one day just before Christmas 2010 and their story of heroic rescue.

Catspaw