Bollinger County Stray Project

Report for Jan. 15 to 20

This was the "week of the cat." Several calls, all from people with 10 or more cats, came in. They were from elderly owners needing help or folks having to move and leaving the cats behind.

Think about it. How can we help these folks who don't spay the first female cats that come on the property? They multiple like, well, cats! They have over two litters a year.

In one case, the caller said there were multiple litters in 2023 from more than one cat, but only two kittens survived. After all that death, the owner still did not spay.

People often ask how I can stand it, getting those kind of calls, and sleep at night. Well, I hope the one losing sleep is the one allowing the suffering and death. I need to "move on," look for solutions to the calls, not wilt in sadness.

I did something last week that I have not done for about 10 years. I took in a beautiful house kitty that had been abandoned, thrown out of a rental unit after the residents were arrested. A neighbor notified me, asking to help the house animals during that heavy rain the day before the frigid temps arrived.

If I say no, the dog and cat left outside would be in big trouble, maybe die. If I say yes, I might end up with a dog and cat I can't get moved to another rescue. Hoping relatives would help, I took the challenge. And, before dark, I picked up the two animals. They were so thankful and accepting. The dog was so thankful she vomited all over the floor by the back seat. Hmmm. Lovely. I saw soot or dirt in her vomit, too.

The cat went home a week later. Even though I have talked to the parents of the dog's owner several times, the dog is still here. This is exactly why I normally don't take animals from people going to jail. It is because I don't know their temperaments, and they never pick them up when they say they will or "can."

They should have to pay board for situations like this, so there is urgency to get their pets home or to a relative's home, or sign them over so I can move them out of here to start a secure life.

Better yet is to stay out of trouble. Be a good citizen and pet owner.

"You are the company you keep" is a wise saying our mother would say to us.

In this case, the cat's owner's mother was so nice. She was so thankful, too. When meeting me to take the kitty back, she had two passengers; one was the owner. Mom shouted, "Thank you, Marilyn!" The other two said nothing.

Dogs held for other rescues:

• Abandoned dog after an eviction still with us. She may be expecting a litter.

Returned to owner, placed in other rescues, foster or adopted:

• Cat returned to owner.
• Five babies dumped in a box, left in a ditch in the city of Puxico. Four taken by other folks. One taken by Karen Sanders and then accepted by the Cape humane society to foster to adopt out. White, long fur, about 5 weeks old.

Dogs with erlichia, special needs or euthanized:

• None.

Lost and found animals in area:

• Several dogs that are found or missing are listed on our Facebook page and also the two Bollinger County "What's Happening" pages. Don't have FB? Then call us so we can try to match lost pets.

Miscellaneous and contact info:

We were caring for 21 dogs and pups at our home Jan. 20. If you have a stray camping out in the yard, don't wait. Call us at (573) 722-3035 or (573) 321-0050.

MARILYN NEVILLE is director of Bollinger County Stray Project.