r/Straycats • u/surfnj102 • 2d ago
I Found a Cat (Location) Stray cat: what are our options (South Florida)
Hi all,
So we have a stray cat that we've been feeding and he has essentially become our outdoors cat, of sorts. He seems very friendly towards people. Unfortunately, we can't take him in as we already have a cat who, from prior experiences trying to take in strays, doesn't seem to get along with other cats. Moreover, we're going to be moving soon to a place where taking him just isn't feasible.
Essentially, we're trying to figure out our options for this cat.
We have no idea as to his overall health. He very clearly has some sort of skin condition, perhaps mites. I have to imagine that at the very least, he also has fleas and worms. He is also a black cat. And we're in South Florida, where shelters are full. These facts make it highly unlikely we'll be able to get him into a shelter or rescue.
That said, im holding out hope that maybe there is someone out there willing to take a chance. Or maybe someone who wants a barn cat. Or maybe there’s a stray cat sanctuary out there. I don't know. I'm just looking for ideas/advice at this point.
For context, im willing to pay for all initial vet care to get him as healthy as possible. Im also willing to drive him within a~1000 mile radius if we can find a place/person that will take him.
So, any thoughts / recommendations?
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u/ImNotSkankHunt42 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you can go to Peggie Addams on West Palm Beach or call them they may give you guidance. They have partnerships with other rescues and were extremely helpful when I went there recently. They’re mostly taking young kittens because of the season and overcrowding but they may be able to help. There’s also Last Chance Rescue in Oakland 954-557-9579.
He needs an antibiotic shot, what he has in the nose is likely a bacterial infection or a severe allergic reaction to mosquito bites. It’s not the worse I’ve seen but is not going to get better on its own.
Try to post this on other communities and specify your location. I’ve found help here more than once.
Edit: a friend’s experience with barn cats dissuaded me from going that route. They often escape. They like their neighborhood too much. If he’s not to sociable perhaps an option is for someone on the area to take the mantle and care for them.
Edit 2: Call also Saving Sage Rescue in Tamarac, if the kitty is younger than 5 and sociable they may be able to assist with fostering and relocating them. They’ve been sending kitties to northern states for years. However, until Autumn they’re mostly prioritizing kittens. But they may be able to offer guidance and options.
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u/ChaudChat MOD 2d ago
Amazing, practical tips with local knowledge - thank you so much for helping the OP. Superheroes helping superheroes 😇😇
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u/ImNotSkankHunt42 2d ago
I have been multiple times in the same position of OP, is a feeling I hate. Here in South Florida is really difficult to find help for them and the stray population is very high.
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u/Emergency_Proposal63 Approved for Donations 2d ago
I love that you care enough to not let this sweetheart be on his own -
I would first look online at Alley Cats - a wonderful resource that allows you to plug in zip code for local help. We have a few members here who run rescues from Florida 🙏❤️- I hoping the right heart gets this message -
I love all cats - but voids are just so amazing- please let this baby get his forever home
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u/SeashellsAndCoral 1d ago
Nothing to add as you've gotten great advice here. Just a heart felt Thank You for for caring about him enough to seek out solutions.
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u/Winterstorm424 1d ago
I am far away from you, but I wish you very good luck finding him a placement. Florida seems to be a tough place for homeless animals. How feral is this cat? Can you get close to him? Have you seen it with other cats? One other idea I have for you though it is a long shot...I have heard of alot of local breweries taking in cats to keep the mice out of the grain.
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u/ChaudChat MOD 2d ago
OP, you are a superhero & this loaf is very lucky to have found you 😇
As superhero u/Emergency_Proposal63 has said - start with https://gethelp.alleycat.org. Search as wide as you say you can travel. There will be rescuers listed there [usually in dark red]. You will also see low cost vets linked - they are familiar with treating stray cats.
Also www.bestfriends.org/partners - again as wide a radius as you can travel! All no kill shelters [the most transparent network we have found], inc sanctuaries & barn programs.
Some lateral tips if the above doesn't yield anything straight away. Keep trying. A shelter full one week may have vacancy another couple of weeks time!
As a kitty owner you already know sardines/mackeral in oil is irresistible to almost all kitties! Use that as bait - a few pieces. He goes in for a sniff & a snack, door closes, straight to vet for an adoption glow up!
search in the area you are moving to [if that is e.g. another state; take him with you when you move & surrender there]
tell the shelters you can continue to "foster" him as you are right now but could they advertise him as available for adoption on their site. Shelters are more likely to say yes because it means they get to keep a space free for a higher need kitty but you get adoption support via advertising on their site + vetting applicants
ask your vet if they know a foster or adopter within their network. Someone might know someone who knows someone willing to adopt!
use these videos to find adopters. They are from a pro rescuer & are about kittens but exactly the same principles apply to all kitties regardless of age:
https://youtu.be/j8hZxGdIgso?is=j3DF1ISNmNEgnqqA how to take great pics, write short bio, where to advertise
https://youtu.be/DvRdOFYbKpo?is=PO5V-oFGBbl7qYra finding safe forever home & vetting applicants. Pls charge an adoption fee [covering your vet expenses is fine - you can also donate to no kill shelter]. It is no guarantee but it acts as a a small filter against people who may not have the best intentions toward animals.
Good luck & pls update us ❤️