HELP! What to do with a found cat?

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

I found a cat this evening while watering my garden, and need help finding the best place to pass him/her along, since I unfortunately have an allergic roommate and will not be able to keep it more than one or two nights. :(

The cat is VERY friendly, which leads me to believe it used to be a pet at one time. It is very small and incredibly thin, so I brought it in (no protest from the cat picking it up or holding it). I gave it some chicken as I have no other food edible for a cat and it ate some, and drank some water I put down for it.

Do any of you have suggestions on a no kill shelter/animal rescue in Somerville/Cambridge I could call in the morning? I am going on a week long trip TUES, so I really need help as soon as possible. I asked my neighbor and he really had no idea. THANK YOU ALL! The cat is happily sitting in my lap for now. :)

Photo of the cat at the Tinypic link in case anyone is missing one. http://tinypic.com/r/33nf11i/7

ETA: Medford Animal Control came by to pick up "Dorothy" this afternoon, after I explained to them that Somerville Animal Control was on vacation (and I live right near the Somerville/Medford line) and I had no other options. He is going to coordinate with SAC to transport the cat to a shelter to hopefully be adopted out once she gets healthy. She is spayed already he said, so that will increase her chances! Sad to give her up, but I know she will be a great pet for someone. Thank you all for your help and advice! I really appreciate it!

Comments

[ron_newman]

call 311 right away, for starters

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Still new to Somerville and forgot about 311, that's a start!

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

The city referred me to the Animal Rescue of Boston, so I'll be calling in the morning to schedule a pick up for the cat. Sad to let it go, but it needs more care than I can give it and I know they'll take good care of it! Thanks, Ron.

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

They don't do intake on Mondays. :( I've called the city's animal control, but still waiting to hear back.

[cnoocy]

A vet will be able to check for an ID chip, at least. If it has one, that will put you in touch with the owner.

[publius513.livejournal.com]

this!

[thelauraism.livejournal.com]

What color is it? The people who live upstairs from me were looking for their cat tonight.

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

On the chance the original poster isn't still awake to answer you, I'll point out that the post has a link to a photo of the cat.

[wheeiminvisible.livejournal.com]

www.kittyconnection.net is a no-kill shelter network of foster homes (my home being one of them). You can contact them in the morning at 781-393-9995.

I second getting the cat scanned for a chip.

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

They have a wait list. :( I'm going out of town tomorrow. Animal Rescue of Boston doesn't do intake today, and I haven't been able to get through to Animal Control yet. Really worried! I would have to put the cat out after bringing it in. It's such a sweet animal.

[wheeiminvisible.livejournal.com]

Blech, I'm sorry. I'd offer to take him in, but I don't know his medical status (e.g. if he is FeLV+), and wouldn't want him to infect my foster cats with anything.

[42itous.livejournal.com]

THere's a small no-kill shelter at 2 Bradley St, but it's staffed by volunteers during the week. If you search for PawSafe in Somerville, you should be able to find a number for them. Sorry can't be more helpful, I'm running late for work!

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

Thank you, but unfortunately they do not take cats or kittens. :(

[countlibras.livejournal.com]

aww, cute kitty! I hope things turn out well.

[cassoulady.livejournal.com]

The MSPCA in Jamaica Plain is an open admission shelter, meaning, they will take in any animal. It's a much better option than leaving her on the street, particularly if she is not spayed. The shelter is closed to the public on Monday, but as an emergency measure, you can leave the animal at the hospital. Give them a call.

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Do you know if they do pick-ups at all? I don't have a car unfortunately, and am near Davis. Just frustrating, I keep getting the run around. No one at Animal Control has picked up all day. I guess last resort I can call the police dept.

[phouse02144.livejournal.com]

I've had a very sad experience with MSPCA in JP after brining in a stray... They are great with all around pet care, but for strays I'd stick to non-kill shelters...

[cassoulady.livejournal.com]

Well unfortunately, any open-admission shelter is going to have to euthanize some animals. The shelters that have to perform this task are not the bad guys here; there's an epidemic in this country of too many cats and not enough homes/spaces in shelters. Trying to find a limited admission shelter (aka "no-kill) that will take a stray cat in the summer is a noble pursuit for sure, but it's not that easy, either. The numbers just aren't in the favor of the homeless animals.

The description of the cat sounds like one that is highly adoptable, barring any illness (young, social, used to people) so while there are no garuntees, I still believe the gamble of bringing her there is better than leaving her outside, particularly if the cat is unspayed. One unspayed cat could result in 10-20 more kittens in one summer alone.

[phouse02144.livejournal.com]

I'm not blaming the shelters for doing what they have to do, but I wish I would have known that before brining in and leaving an adorable little kitten who turned out to be 'feral'. All politics aside, I felt guilty for months, and still do... i could have payed to have it spayed/neutered, if only I knew what they were going to do... :(

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

After this experience, I learned that many no-kill shelters are asking a fee to have you surrender and animal (which is understandable).

The cat I gave up is spayed the guy from Medford Animal Control said, so hopefully that will increase her chances of being adopted. She is very friendly and loving. Wish I had the resources to get her healthy and keep her, but I know someone will give her a good home!

[cassoulady.livejournal.com]

They do not do pick-ups. Can you borrow a carrrier and take the T or a cab?

[unchatfou.livejournal.com]

I actually do not have a T-pass this month and am extremely short on time because I'm preparing for a trip and have to be out the door very early tomorrow. Horrible timing, I know! I just couldn't leave him/her out there, but I'm running out of time here.

[justjess.livejournal.com]

If you have a shelter ready to take her tomorrow, I can pick her up and take her for tonight and bring her to the shelter tomorrow. But my housemate isn't going to say yes unless it's already been arranged with a shelter and all I have to do is bring her in and they'll take her without a hassle. It's the best I could get him to agree to. :/