| We were informed of a posting on Craig's
list about a lot of tame, abandoned cats at a house in Nampa. A neighbor had
spotted all of the cats and taken food and water over for
them. The residents of the house had moved out quickly because of a
foreclosure on the property. The neighbor had contacted all of the
shelters that she could think of and, of course, they were all full,
including us. All of our foster homes were full, and we have a long waiting list of new cats to help.
With the overpopulation of cats here in the Treasure Valley, it seems we
all operate at maximum. For no-kill shelters like us it means we
have to ask people to wait or turn cats away, for conventional shelters
it means that decisions have to be made as to which cats are the most
adoptable, and the least adoptable are humanely euthanized. There
just aren't enough resources or space for all of them. A volunteer that helps IHS had gone
down there and also reported that the majority of the cats were very
friendly and not afraid of people. We weren't sure what we could do to
help, but we wanted to go check out the situation. We hoped
that with patience the cats could be cared for where they were and taken
to shelters gradually as space for them opened up. We went there with the attitude that we could
help provide food and warm shelter. Then we'll see what we could do as
we get room for more cats. |
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We went down there on Christmas Eve. We had a little trouble
finding the place, when we got there we found that people weren't exaggerating.
The cats were running out to greet us, happy to see us, and
yes, there were a lot of them! Some acted like they would hop
right in the car to go home with us if we would let them! A few
were a little more shy, but still not really afraid of us.
To their previous owner's credit, they were all fat and happy and looked
like they had been well cared for. Unfortunately, the signs of
abandonment were starting to set in. The house, already in
bad shape (probably should have been torn down years ago), was
becoming a giant litter box. The cats were beginning
to get fleas and worms.
Fortunately, there are medications like de-wormers and Frontline, that quickly cure these health problems.
As more time passes the house is going to become more unhealthy.
It is important to get the cats out of there soon. |
The house is in very bad shape. Cats are all over the place!
How many? 20, 30, 40, 50? It's hard to count them, they're running
around everywhere! |
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 As
You can see, they were well-fed, and considering how sweet they are, we know
they were loved. |
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We went there just to see what was going on, and to leave
some food and water. The cats themselves made us change our minds.
They were so sweet and craving attention. It was sad that they had
been abandoned in the middle of winter. We decided that, if we could
muster up extra foster homes,
extra help, and extra funds, we would start
taking these cats and finding them new homes. Our normal
operations already stretched to the limit, this was going to have to be
above and beyond what we already are doing.
So, on our
first visit, Christmas Eve, after a little pep talk to ourselves, we ended up leaving with seven cats.
They were so friendly, coming right up to see us, that all we had to do
was guide them into carriers. We cringed when we
calculated costs for vaccines, testing and fixing these cats. We will
not be able to help these cats without extra help. We began
putting out an SOS to see if anyone would help. |
 We don't know if the family owned all of these cats or took care of strays.
This is what happens when you don't spay and neuter your pets, or strays that you are
caring for. We can tell almost all of these cats are related. |
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The response we received was amazing!
Many people have stepped forward to foster the cats. Many have donated food,
supplies like Frontline and given money donations! Others are helping
by providing the
cats in the house with food and water and stopping by to check on them. We still have many
cats to go so please spread the word. We still need lots of
donations and need at least 10 more foster homes by Jan. 23rd.Other
shelters and rescue groups in the valley are pitching in to help by
spreading the word and with such things as
spay/neuter clinics and supplies.
This has become a team effort!
Thank you everybody! |
Line up the carriers and open the doors, the cats were ready to get out
of there. On our second visit, we removed
another 7. We estimated there may be 15 to 25 more. |
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 As we walked through the house some of the cats would walk with us as if
they were showing us around. |
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All of these kitties are now in cleaner, forever, loving
homes |
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This pretty girl (now named Cinder Chestnut) was happy to get in a warmer and cleaner environment.
And glad she didn't have to wonder where or when her next meal would
come. |
This is Half Pint Chestnut getting
tested for FIV and Leukemia. He was a trooper but didn't like the
pink bandage. Thank you Orchard Animal Clinic,
you rock! |
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Bubba is now enjoying a new life with fresh air and
loving family. |
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 A few of the cats turned out to be good
at entering the traps, eating the can food, and then exiting the traps
without setting them off! |
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 Currently in Foster and Ready for adoption!
Val Kilmer
Chestnut
Smokey Chestnut
Star
Chestnut
Sawyer Chestnut
Chester Chestnut
Cats Who Have Been
Adopted!
Christian Slater Chestnut
Half Pint Chestnut
Big Boy Floyd Chestnut
Nolanie Chestnut
Bubba Chestnut
Halle Berry Chestnut
Adora Chestnut
Butter Chestnut
Bissy Chestnut
Tom Cat Chestnut
Edgar Klu Tu Chestnut
Shadow Chestnut
Figaro Chestnut
Gray Boy Chestnut
Socks Chestnut
Pewter Chestnut
Sara Chestnut
Lucy Chestnut
Sweetpea Chestnut
Cinder Chestnut
Sugar "BooBoo" Chestnut
Parker Chestnut
Daisy "Mina" Chestnut
Ben Chestnut
This is my ham "Sawyer Chestnut". He was very hissy,
growly and wild for a couple of months. We were going to find him a barn
home but a few days before he was to go, he decided he didn't want to be a wild
child anymore. He wanted to be a spoiled indoor kitty. He's a
sweetie to me but still hisses at others and occasionally me too. He still
needs to trust people and will be with us for a good while but some
day.......... he is going to own the right family. He's very much like my
Smokey and he's going to train a family to spoil him.
June 5, 2009 - We still have 5 of these wonderful, one of a
kind sweet kitties. There's nothing like the Chestnut cats! These pictures are them enjoying
life to the fullest in foster. They are happy kitties.
 
Smokey and Val Chestnut (they
would love to stay together)
Sawyer, Val and Smokey Chestnut
  
Chester Chestnut
Star Chestnut
Sawyer Chestnut
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