Neutering a cat??

[MossRoad]

We live in the country and as a result our house seems to be the favorite place for people to drop off cats. In our area the local shelters are a "no kill" and they wont take stray cats. I have even found one frozen in a dumpster. (we live close to the recycling area) We have taken in 5 cats, had them all neutered and shots. They are wonderful pets. But a couple of months ago another one showed up and is really a nice cat. He is a male and has a notch cut in his ear, like they do when they neuter one. He does not chase the other two females but he does to have his testicles. One male cat we had neutered, every thing was cut off, another one still has his pouch. I guess they just cut his testicles out and left the bag. Is it possible to neuter one and not take his testicles out. Like a vasectomy?. If we keep him we will have to take him to get his shots, could a vet tell? Last year a small kitten showed up and it looked like some one had poured gasoline on his rear and set it on fire. We took it to the vet but they really didn't want to help much. We kept it for a few days, it was the nicest kitty, it begin to get infected with maggots and were eating it alive, though we were treating it. It I had to kill it, I buried it under a maple tree at my shop and named him "happy" because he bought happiness into our life for the short time he was here.

What use is an animal shelter that won't take strays??? What's their purpose? And what vet wouldn't help a burned kitten? At least they should have put it out of its misery. That kind of stuff torques me off.

Anyhow, good for you for trying at least. That's more than a lot of folks would do. :thumbsup:

As for neutering, I always thought neutering was the same as castration, and that usually means removing the testicles.

 

[Country Geek]

There is a special place in a not-so-good place in the afterlife for people who dump their pets. That is really low.

You are nice to look out after those animals.

MoKelly

If the cat has a cropped ear (the OP said it did), it's not an abandoned pet. It's a TNR'd feral.

 

[FarmWrench]

Not approved here but used around the world is to inject calcium chloride into the nuts. Permanently sterile and at least a 90% reduction in testosterone, for almost no cost. Lack of profit keeps anyone from paying for the approval trials and government hurdles.

 

[KubotaToy]

You will be surprised how bad vets will treat you when you try to do right, I live trap strays all the time at my goat barn (which unfortunately is next to a well traveled road that make s it easy to drop them off) to take them to get "fixed" but I have been counseled by a few vets about the poor condition of "my" cats. When I tell them they are dropped off strays at my barn and I am doing what I think is best for the animal, they seem to disbelieve and want to take pictures for the humane society. I quit going to them after a few times of this. Sad world we live but sometimes I can find homes for the cats and dogs I get but I have keep many. I go thru about 50 lbs of cat food a week. I did find a low cost place that does nothing but spray and neutering that does not ask questions, I help them out with by paying what I would have at the vet.

 

[Country Geek]

Not approved here but used around the world is to inject calcium chloride into the nuts. Permanently sterile and at least a 90% reduction in testosterone, for almost no cost. Lack of profit keeps anyone from paying for the approval trials and government hurdles.

There is at least one foundation that is encouraging people to make their own.

Parsemus Foundation » Calcium Chloride Sterilization HOME PAGE

 

[KiotiKowboy]

What use is an animal shelter that won't take strays??? What's their purpose?

I want to respond to this in a "generic" sense. When I say "YOU", it is directed at anyone/everyone who shares the sentiment expressed in the question.

Do YOU know that most local shelters are funded solely by donations?
Do YOU know that most workers at local shelters are volunteers?
Do YOU know that most shelters are literally overrun and overwhelmed with abused, abandoned and neglected animals?
Do YOU volunteer to help them at fund-raising events?
Do YOU volunteer to help in the shelter?
Do YOU regularly donate a meaningful amount of money?
Do YOU have the local shelter listed as a beneficiary in your estate?
Do YOU just complain that something ought to be done?

 

[TomSeller]

I want to respond to this in a "generic" sense. When I say "YOU", it is directed at anyone/everyone who shares the sentiment expressed in the question.

Do YOU know that most local shelters are funded solely by donations?
Do YOU know that most workers at local shelters are volunteers?
Do YOU know that most shelters are literally overrun and overwhelmed with abused, abandoned and neglected animals?
Do YOU volunteer to help them at fund-raising events?
Do YOU volunteer to help in the shelter?
Do YOU regularly donate a meaningful amount of money?
Do YOU have the local shelter listed as a beneficiary in your estate?
Do YOU just complain that something ought to be done?

Well said.

 

[MossRoad]

I want to respond to this in a "generic" sense. When I say "YOU", it is directed at anyone/everyone who shares the sentiment expressed in the question.

Do YOU know that most local shelters are funded solely by donations?
Do YOU know that most workers at local shelters are volunteers?
Do YOU know that most shelters are literally overrun and overwhelmed with abused, abandoned and neglected animals?
Do YOU volunteer to help them at fund-raising events?
Do YOU volunteer to help in the shelter?
Do YOU regularly donate a meaningful amount of money?
Do YOU have the local shelter listed as a beneficiary in your estate?
Do YOU just complain that something ought to be done?

I understand that's not directed at me, so no problem there.

Again, if they don't take strays, what do they take?

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I understand that's not directed at me, so no problem there.

Again, if they don't take strays, what do they take?

They do take strays, along with abused and neglected animals. They take so many, in fact, that facilities are often loaded beyond belief. Bear in mind, the workers must care for these animals 365 days a year. When animals are sick, workers often spend the night or take the animals home with them.

When people walk in wanting to surrender an animal, they often have some ill-conceived notion that they are the only customer that needs to be served. Shelters often maintain a waiting list and will intake animals as fast as they can cycle them. Sometimes this takes weeks, or longer. Many of those trying to surrender an animal seem irritated the shelter sometimes requests an intake fee.

I'm sorry if I seem to be a little harsh on this issue. My wife and I have worked for the last 7 years with our local pet rescue. It is VERY time consuming and can literally overtake your life. I have NO patience for the monsters who mistreat these animals. I have Very Little patience for those who complain but do absolutely nothing to help. I have watched my wife collapse in tears from the hours of stress in trying to keep the shelter solvent. Our little shelter spends over $5K per month in just vet bills. Add on utilities, food, insurance, facility maintenance and dozens of other expenses and you begin to see this is not a small amount of money. We spent about $250K last year, and we are just hanging on. The city doesn't give a dxmn, as they will just kill whatever they take - unless we get there in time to save them. I just want people to understand the scope of the problem, the cost involved and the dedication of those in the trenches. Complaining is cheap .........

 

[John White]

I am sure that is a problem every where with animal shelters. No money, over worked. Plus in my area they always seem to be bickering with the dog pound. I have tried to get help from them before (locating a vet at reduced price) but no help. When I try and explain that we are seniors and on a very limited income, that doesn't seem to matter. When I tell them that I might have to start shooting the strays that show up, then they say they will call the law on me. I don't take pleasure in killing any cat. All the cats we have taken in are cared for. One cat we have had for 7 years and she rides with me every day in my work truck, like a dog. ( posted a story about her on here before) It gets very cold here at night and my wife was really worried about them. She took Styrofoam boxes (like steaks and shrimp come in) Cut small holes and placed warm bedding in them. One old cat that will not mingle with the other cats, I have a heating pad in her box. I took a old very small chest freezer from the scrap yard, took out the compressor, cut a hole into the box, put shelves with warm bedding and took a 40watt bulb and put it inside a large tin can (like a coffee can) and hung it from the lid inside. It keeps it the inside above freezing when it is below 0 outside. They stay inside there too when it gets real cold. ( went out one night to see that all cats are accounted for before going to bed and give them all a pat on the head,. Raised freezer door to reach in and pat the cat and didn't remember having a cat that color, jumped back, and a sleepy eyed little coon popped his head up.)