Evolution of a Victimized Cat

A small town Iowa rescue was alerted to a group of cats in dire need of rescue.  The person requesting assistance had discovered that a relative had cats living in her shed and wanted help with rehoming them.  A lot of people have stray cats residing in their barns, garages, sheds, or outbuildings.  These cats are often feral and will usually take off if you try to catch them.  If you eliminate their feeding source, they will often relocate.  But this was not the usual "cats living in the shed" problem.

The person who owned the property was a cat breeder.  She had decided to retire from breeding, and the family thought she sold or gave away the cats that she had.  A family member discovered the cats living in cages in the shed, and was shocked.  She knew that something had to be done.  She made a phone call to a local small town animal rescuer who agreed to come evaluate the situation.

The rescuers arrived to find this...

and this...

and this...

The rescuer immediately sent out calls for assistance.  Cats are never an easy placement.  It is so easy for people to get a "free to good home kitten" that shelters often sit full of healthy, completely vetted cats for quite some time.  We all know that, and we are all often at capacity.  So a call for help is heartbreaking when no one responds.  It is difficult to say "no" to a request for help, and it is difficult to hear "no" when you make a request.

With these photos, people responded.  Who wouldn't?  To leave these cats in this condition would be as awful as being the one who put them there in the first place.  Five state licensed rescue groups stepped up to take in a total of 12 cats, most of them were American Bobtails, all of them are now part of the "Dirty Dozen".

With committments at hand, and volunteers at the ready, the rescue operation took place.  The cats were gently removed from their wire kennels and loaded into cat carriers to be taken to their individual rescue groups. 

This one went to HEART: The Hardin Eldora Animal Rescue Team

These four peanuts are now at my clinic.  They were thin and covered in fleas.  They hiss and spit, but should adjust to their new conditions very quickly.  We will take it very slowly and show them to love and trust. http://www.jewellanimalhospital.petfinder.com/

The rescue groups met their cats, and called their own individual veterinarians.  They made appointments for their new kitties to have wellness checks, spays and neuters, and vaccines all around.  We call it the kitty cocktail!  If they are in need of additional veterinary care, it is being provided by and at the expense of each individual rescue group. 

Here is one rescue group's photographic montage of their new friend...

"Here is just a little 2 min time frame of allowing a cat a chance, and not assuming they are not adoptable and to the death chamber they go.  Good Morning, oh not feeling so social yet?"

Agape Fosters

"Let's see... how about a soft touch and little stroke, and this kit is bones : ( Yep lifting the butt a little : )"

"Oh this feels nice, guess I'll try to stand a little to get more of it : )"

"Up a little more but not much eye contact!"

"Ahhh, I guess I can trust you. ♥ beautiful feline, worth saving, now he just needs to eat eat eat.  He is thin thin thin!  Welcome my friend, may you find refuge here until just the right home comes forward : )"

If you would like to donate to the care of these twelve cats and kittens, make your donations to AGAPE Fosters.  Please earmark your donation for "The Dirty Dozen" and the total will be divided amongst the 5 groups as donations toward the veterinary care of these rescued cats.

Agape Fosters
20744 W Avenue
Reinbeck, IA 50669

Agape Fosters is a State Licensed, 501 C3 Non Profit Charitable Organization committed to assisting and placing homeless animals into loving, responsible, lifelong, indoor homes.

Paypal donations can be made to Immydog@msn.com and will also be divided amongst the rescue groups involved.

Huge thanks go out to all of the people who got involved in this rescue, to really make a difference in the lives of these 12 cats! None of them got paid for their time or effort,  and no lives were lost.



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