Austin Improv

You know, the kind that work with seven rescue groups and drive around trapping and neutering and feeding strays and are kind of obsessed and weird but do save a lot of feline lives, bless their pointy little heads?

Without going into the gory details, one of the many semi-feral cats on my street (in east Austin) really needs some help, and I'm just not equipped to do it for various reasons (including my cat-eating dog)

Sadly, I have gotten used to the harsh reality that these cats live and die a tough life and that's just the way it is, and I have adopted a more hardened attitude toward them than I used to have. But this one is practically holding a sign reading "I need someone to help me, please do something." And I really don't think it is at death's door so I don't want to scoop it up to have it euthanized. It seems quite alert, clear-eyed, not too terribly fearful. But having some medical issues for sure.

Anyway, I would like to find someone else to take on the problem I mean help it. I could help some with $$ for vet care if needed. I'm trying rescue groups, emailing friends etc but thought I'd check here too. You can email me at csperber (that at sign thing) io (that period thing) com

(If you ARE that crazy cat person I promise I will just say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I apologize for calling you weird.)

You should call Animal Trustees of Austin.
http://www.animaltrustees.org/ATA/site/index.asp

They will let you borrow a live trap if the cat doesn't get close to people. I've done it a few times for some ferals in my neighborhood. They will spay/neuter for free if you can't afford to pay them. I just kept the feral cats in my garage for 1-4 days until they were good to be outside. They've been healthy, happy, feral, and not spitting out babies for the last 3 years.

ATA is a good group, but the cat went downhill fast. I ended up getting a friend to bring their cat carrier over last night, we lured it in and brought it to Town Lake Animal Center. I'm pretty sure it was past the point of no return but at least it got a last supper of tuna, fresh water, and a painless exit.

Someday I'll do the trap, neuter, release thing and be the Malthus of McKinley Heights. Good for you for doing that -- makes a difference.