Need Advice

[Sky_SilverRain]

As you may have read in "Energy Requests" I have adopted my second kitten from the local sheltar. My first kitten was very sick and died within a week! MY second one (who I've had for a week as of today) is now sick.

I called the Sheltar to let them know that my vet and I think that they are the cause of this illness. The vet said that he has dealt with them before and they don't seem to do anything about it...

Now I know that it is common for Sheltar animals to have Upper Respiratory and Kennel Cough... however; my first cat was so sick they shouldn't have had h im up for adoption!!

Is there any place I can go to file a complaint? Anything I can do to help so that more kittens and puppies have a healthier chance at life?

[*Cerridwen*]

Hi

I can't offer much in the way of advice as based in UK as I am any info which be pretty useless to you there in the US but, I just wanted to say I hope you are able to do something about this sheltar if they are the cause of your kittens illness and sorry to hear your 1st one died, I do hope your kitten gets better and hope you are able to do something about the sheltar, please update with any news.

Sorry I coldn't be much help :(

[Sky_SilverRain]

I will definatly keep an update :)

Rhiannon (my new kitten) goes to the Vet tomorrow :) Hopefully they will be able to help her more than the other one! (I switched vets)

[Rain Gnosis]

Do you have an SPCA there? Call them.

[Danustouch]

Alot of animal shelters are over run with FIV (feline AIDS) and Feline Leukemia. You might want to get her tested to rule out these two diseases. Unfortunately, the shelters have a really rough time stemming these diseases, which are communicable amongst the animals quite easily. Shelters are overcrowded, cages are often shared, as are food bowls. The ones that have a "No Kill" policy, are even more susceptible to these problems, because the sick kitties live amongst the "healthy" ones. I would follow Rain's advice, and call the SPCA, and Humane Society, however, it may be possible that it is through no fault of the shelter...it might just be the unfortunate byproduct of an overpopulation of unwanted, abandoned, or stray cats. Until all people start being responsible, and spaying/neutering their cats, this problem will continue to rise :( John and I have the most wonderful veterinarian. He makes housecalls. A while back, we were thinking of adopting yet another cat, and the Veterinarian reccomended that we didn't. He said it really bothered him to have to say that, however, the shelters and pounds around here are so overrun with disease, that we would probably wind up bringing home a sick cat, and then the rest of our cats would become ill too. He only reccomends "adoption" at this point, to people who have no other animals in their home. It's such a sad situation....

Best wishes, and prayers for your kitty..... my heart breaks for sick animals :(

[Sky_SilverRain]

Yes; I do understand that it is normal to have these problems; and I do just assume when adopting from the sheltar that the kitten (or puppy) may have some problems....

But our local sheltar is JUST PLAIN DIRTY! From spending 2 hours in there; between both kittens it is not the best run place :sadeyes:

But then again; neither is anyplace in my town

[Old Witch]

I feel for you, luckily for us our shelters are in a little better condition........but do report it......More energy sent to your kitty...........

[Danustouch]

In that case, yes...report the unsanitary conditions to the Humane Association, or SPCA, or perhaps, even PETA. There's no excuse for pounds having filthy conditions for their animals.

Here's another suggestion though. Why not call them, and ask how many volunteers they have working for them right now? And then, after you call the SPCA, or PETA, would it be possible to volunteer a little time there? Even one afternoon a week or something? I think that may be part of the problem, a lack of volunteers. At least, I think that is a part of the problem in a LOT of shelters. Shortage of volunteers to keep up with all the cleaning, and such :( I would volunteer, but frankly, I have a hard enough time with my four kitties, with air filters running constantly, hepa vaccuum, and other allergy prevention measures. If I were to work in one of the shelters or pounds, I'd be in serious health problems in no time :( Instead, we donate money and food, and sometimes toys.

[Sky_SilverRain]

I personally can not volunteer there; I do occasionally donate food and such; but with allergies it would be IMPOSSIBLE! I get horrible just walking in!!!

[Gareth]

Get PETA on the case, they'll go down the throats of that shelter and get so much bad press for them. Sometimes peta is good.

[Sky_SilverRain]

How would one go about contacting Peta? I don't necisarily want the sheltar shut down! As it is much needed; just better care for the animals!

[Danustouch]

I don't think they would actually shut the shelter down, without making sure the animals had a place to go, and that a nother, reformed shelter would be formed.

I think PETA has a website. They must have a number on there that you can call....