I have avoided this, but enough is enough. I need help.
On May 25th, 2022 I contacted HELP Humane for guidance. We noticed a local feral female had kittens under our shed, and because of my love and experience with this shelter, I called them first. I reached Michelle, explained the situation, and asked if she had any guidance. She mentioned needing to speak to her boss, Cyndi, but that they might be able to help rehome the kittens. I offered my willingness to foster them if they would offer them a spot, and Michelle was eager to speak to her boss over the matter. The next day I was told the plan was a go, that HELP would take them once they were of age to be spayed/neutered and ready for adoption, IF I would be willing to domesticate them and make them adoptable, so I was encouraged to get to trapping the feral kittens for the shelter, and their mother for TNR. I went straight to work, was lent a feral trap to aid in my efforts. After almost a week of baiting traps constantly in the rain, I had successfully trapped ALL 6 kittens, but their feral mother was far more tentative and cautious. Throughout the trapping process Michelle would call to check up on the process, and would give me advice for more successful trapping.
Domesticating them I thought would be the most difficult obstacle. But two weeks into caring for them, the kittens starting showing symptoms of ringworm. I was in constant communication with Michelle before this, but shortly after informing Michelle of this, she became difficult to contact. Even on the direct cell line she provided me. Luckily, I spoke with her long enough to be encouraged to treat the feral kittens with medicated lime-sulfur dip (Every 5 days for 4-6 weeks). No medication was offered, in fact when I called several times over the next several weeks for VET care for the kittens, I was promised calls right back, only to be constantly and clearly blown off. Doing sulfur dips on feral kittens was grueling process, but we trudged on knowing it was the right thing to do, and knowing time was precious. The cost of everything came out of our pocket, despite promises from HELP prior to this (with the exception of 1 bag of kitten food and canned cat food batch). We did what we promised and agreed to, and far more.
I successfully cured the ringworm outbreak, and began blowing up Michelles cell when the kittens were ready for homes, stressing they were getting older by the day, and that they needed to be taken as soon as possible. But my calls were being ignored.
After being blown off for several weeks, I finally got Michelle to answer the phone after I called the main business line. Michelle was finally honest, I was sobbing on the phone, my father was in the ICU, and I was a wreck over the cats and the extra stress... She said she spoke with her boss, and because of the length of recovery, the kittens were now 3 months old, and considered "UNADOPTABLE" adult cats. She made it clear HELP wasn't willing to help anymore, because they couldn't house anymore adult cats in their shelter. So, we are now abandoned with the cats completely. (I have 4 of my own, so now there are 10 cats in my house, 5 of which are unneutered males in a bedroom)
Also none of the original avenues are available to us anymore. We can't call Animal Control because the kittens have been under out care for months. And Wayside Waifs will charge us a substantial amount to "surrender" the cats.
Let me be clear about something. I understand. I do. I get why they had to make this choice, space and funds are limited, but I am devastated. What sort of shelter abandons animals with those who foster for them after making a commitment? I am out of options, am far more limited on options as an individual than a connected agency such as HELP. I have ZERO resources. I practically begged Michelle sobbing, to not go back on her promise, but she made it clear her boss had made the call and wouldn't budge on it.... so here we are. I tried to be sit, and wait for them to do the right thing, but nothing has been done.
What about these babies????? what are they supposed to do now???
I have call logs. audio conversations. Text messages.
And borrowed equipment that I can't returned until the cats have been successfully rehomed. Please help. read more