It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

CKhalvashi

Currently trying to deal with a malnourished cat that's appeared from nowhere.

The local vet has been useless (and is only open very limited hours), apparently a reference number from RSPCA is required (who have been equally useless, their emergency line is only open from 9:30am to 5pm) and I've tried with a neighbour to pick it up and deposit it to a surgery at which point it's just run off.

It has some food and a blanket outside, which it's chosen to not use and instead prefers being under a bush. I'm not sure what else there is to do.

amber03

Do you have fb, if so can you post on your local site and ask if anybody knows of any organisations or rescues nearby that can help. I help with a dog rescue group , at the moment we are dealing with a lot of “dumped” pets. Sadly a sign of the times. A lot of rescues are full but they might be able to advise or point you in the right direction for some help.

CKhalvashi

amber03 said:

Do you have fb, if so can you post on your local site and ask if anybody knows of any organisations or rescues nearby that can help. I help with a dog rescue group , at the moment we are dealing with a lot of “dumped” pets. Sadly a sign of the times. A lot of rescues are full but they might be able to advise or point you in the right direction for some help.

2 neighbours have already done this. I will try again if nothing happens soon.

I'm also away for part of next month so may sadly not be able to deal with this properly.

Brambling

Look on the Cat Protection web site they should list your local branch, they may have a live (humane) trap to help catch it if it isn't tame enough to catch. They may also be able to help to find a owner or re home

CKhalvashi

Brambling said:

Look on the Cat Protection web site they should list your local branch, they may have a live (humane) trap to help catch it if it isn't tame enough to catch. They may also be able to help to find a owner or re home

As I'm aware, someone should be coming to do a chip scan tomorrow and we will go from there.

I've just spoken to a friend (but abroad) who has stated people are dumping cats in her village now, probably coming from the city. It wouldn't surprise me if someone has done the same here, especially as we are close to a train station.

ladyholly

Rescues are being inundated with calls for help with cats and dogs. Between lock down dogs being given up and now the cost of living many are really struggling both with the number of animals and the costs of caring for them. If you are looking for a new companion please consider a rescue or if you can afford it donations to one.

KxMx

It's not just dogs, I am a CP volunteer and our branch has a huge waiting list of cats to come in, we even had to close that waiting list for a time recently as the numbers went so high.

People are struggling with the cost of living and the consequences of charities like us not being able to neuter as  many cats in lockdown.
2nd or 3rd generation of kittens being born now to those cats. 

Rehoming even is a challenge and we are actually needing to advertise kittens- and I know of another branch who had to advertise a pair for a week before they found a home - unheard of. 

JIL

My parents would love to rehome a small dog, but its impossible to find one. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

The energy price cap is such a worry. It's not just ourselves we worry about is it? It's the effect on our families.
The bigger picture is surely the small businesses, how will they light and heat their office and shops. We are seeing it already with lots closing, it will surely have a knock on effect.

The only time I remember feeling like I do now, not totally grasping the reality of what's to come was I think in the 90s when the interest rate skyrocketed and immediate action was taken. 
I'm sure we will get through it but theres some hardship to come.

ladyholly

JIL get  your parents to register interest with all the small rescues within a reasonable distance of their home and I am sure something will come up. The other alternative I can think of is offer to foster small dogs and one will come to be a failed foster. We had a fostered collie (gone many years now) who was deemed unadoptable because of his behaviour but with training he became the best behaved dog we have ever had. If they have had dogs before and know what they are doing rescues will bite their hand off - fosterers are hard to come by.

KxMx

The advice above spot on.

Our Adoption officer is happy to keep people on file and contact them about any potential cat matches, some people want a certain colour or age, others an  indoor cat as occasionally we need to rehome as indoor only due to medical needs.

The advantage for us is if a cat goes to someone who has previously left their details, the cat doesn't need to be advertised and is usually homed quicker, meaning a space available sooner for a cat waiting to come in. 

I'd also recommend, if you aren't already, checking the individual rescue websites and facebook pages on regular basis.