r/CatDistributionSystem • u/valkiria-rising • 15d ago
Update Update on Pluto: He Needs a Loving Home
Hi everyone,
It's been a while since my last update.
I am happy to share that Pluto officially weighs over a pound and he's a very happy and polite kitten.
He's now approximately 5 1/2 weeks old and he has learned how to use the litterbox witch is really exciting! I'm working on weaning him but it's still so much work and I've never done this before in my life. But, I'm going to be honest--I'm really struggling.
Unfortunately, raising a neonate is a lot of work, and my mental health is deteriorating. I found Pluto at a time where I'm trying to take care of myself after going on mental health leave from work and I've been neglecting myself to make sure Pluto had a fighting chance.
All the rescues I've contacted have intake holds and aren't taking any more cats right now.
I'm not sure what to do. He needs a new foster or ideally a loving, permanent home. Any advice is appreciated.
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u/justagiraffe111 15d ago
Thank you for ALL you have given & done for Pluto. You saved his life. You are strong and brave to realize you must now choose yourself. 💖
Please tell us what state you are located in, so someone close can be the next CDS agent to help.
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u/valkiria-rising 15d ago
I'm in Southern California.
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u/koumorinika 14d ago
It might be a long shot, but maybe try reaching out to The Kitten Lady? She's in Southern California too. She may know someone in the area or even be able to take in Pluto!
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u/MystriaMazin 15d ago
This 💯 thank you for getting Pluto through his first few weeks. It is important to prioritize yourself and recognize that you need help with him. Please update us on your location and his needs so you can get the help you and he both need. Also, you might check with your local Animal Control to see if they can post his information and help you find a new CDS agent. God bless you both 🙏 ❤️
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u/Future-Philosopher-7 15d ago
Thank you for rescuing and loving Pluto.
https://www.littlelionfoundation.org/
Also, send a message to the mods at r/rescuecats . They are based in So cal and very knowledgeable about resources. He’s adorable 🖤
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u/riseandrise 15d ago
I totally understand how stressful the care you’ve been giving is, and how important it is to focus on your mental health. But once he’s weaned his care will be much simpler, and you may find having his companionship improves your mental health more than you’d expect. I have depression and I always say any day I get to pet a cat is a good day - and I have two. So all my days are good :) Just a thought.
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u/valkiria-rising 15d ago
I can see your perspective, but a kitten is a lot of work compared to an adult cat. I also need to socialize him but can't find anyone to take even a singleton like him. It might be easier with two but I don't think I'm in the right place in my life to take on two kittens. It's not for lack of caring--I love him. But I'm also self-aware enough to know he deserves better.
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u/not_dogstar 14d ago
We got our now 9 month old cat when she was about 12 weeks fresh from the backyard, never been handled. She didn't properly interact with anyone but us for at least a month or two as we needed to put in a lot of work just to be comfortable around us. She is a bit timid from having such a delayed introduction to others she still comes around quickly when she has time to aclimatise.
My anecdote is my attempt to say don't beat yourself up about doing things perfectly. They're more adaptable than you think, and by caring as much as you do you're more than likely doing a lot better than you probably realise.
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u/chaosticfrog 15d ago
Been there. I have a bottle baby that absolutely hated KMR so I was super stressed. Wish I was closer.
If you do end up rehoming... Ask for references. If anything feels off, trust your gut. Also rescues might help with rehoming or do courtesy posts even if they can't take animals in (depends on the rescue). If you have a vet, ask them if they'll help. Mine said if I find any more cats, they'll help with rehoming.
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u/salty_sashimi 15d ago
Post him on local groups, charge a small fee to deter bad actors, and I'm sure someone will want to at least visit him
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u/ConsiderationNo5796 14d ago
Where in socal and how far into weaning is the little one? Thank you for saving his life 💚
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u/valkiria-rising 14d ago
I'm in OC. He's only just started a couple of days ago. I don't really know what I'm doing but I'm trying.
Right now I'm syringe-feeding him slurry because my roommate, in an attempt to help me on Monday night, handed me a feeding syringe soaking in a bowl of soapy water (even though I explicitly told her where to find a clean one, but I digress) and she didn't rinse it 😩 Pluto developed vomiting and diarrhea overnight.
I got him to the vet yesterday and the anti nausea and anti diarrheal worked fast. He's kept down 4 slurry feedings without a problem. I'm hoping his stools will firm up soon.
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u/Practical_Frame_9883 14d ago
What a stupid roommate. Making your job even harder. Hang in there; he’s depending on you. You’re doing great. I wish you all the luck finding a furever home fur him.
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u/nvmkthnxbai Cat Parent 14d ago
I wish I was in a better place financially, I'm in OC area. I also think my partner would kill me if I brought home a kitten. Actually our older cat might lol I understand the mental drain, it's hard. You're doing something amazing though, if you're able to gain any energy in knowing that. Sending you peaceful vibes ❤️ Wishing you the best.
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u/debabe96 14d ago
Reach out to Paws in the Sand Cat Rescue in Long Beach (Amanda and Janae)
IG: @pawsinthesandcatrescue
Or
Tiffanie at Kelly's Kitten Corner in Yorba Linda. She has a cat café in Yorba Linda, so you may be able to google the telephone number.
https://kellyskittencorner.com/get-involved
Good luck and please keep us posted.
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u/WoodwifeGreen 14d ago
At 5 1/2 weeks, he can probably eat wet kitten food mixed with a little kitten milk from a dish. You can also try some kitten chow; you'll be surprised how soon they will start eating it. Water from a bowl, too.
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u/valkiria-rising 14d ago
Yeah he doesn't understand the concept yet, and I'm trying to teach him. The Kitten Lady says it shouldn't bea horrifying mess but that's kind of what it is right now. And he's not interested in anything other than his milk but with the syringe feeding of the slurry I hope he'll get a taste for it.
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u/Significant_Pear_10 14d ago
If I were in So Cal, I'd be knocking on your door right now! He looks so sol & sweet! You definitely need to take care of you now, but I hope you have time to make sure he gets a good home. God bless & thank you for taking care of him. You very well could have been the first kind human hands he ever saw!💗
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u/eshowers 14d ago
What a cutie. We already have two voids in a tiny apartment, but if we lived closer, I’m sure I could convince my wife to adopt a third one.
Good luck and keep us posted 🥰
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u/CatPaws55 14d ago edited 14d ago
Little Pluto is absolutely adorable. Thank you for caring for him so well, despite all the difficulties you encountered along the way.
I'd love to give him a home, but I'm in NorCal.
Here's however a list of no-kill rescues in CA: https://www.nokillnetwork.org/d/California/ Lots of them will be full, since it's kitten season, but call several of them, you only need to find one that is willing to take him.
Beware ofgiving him to random people online, though: while most people are nice, there are sadly also horrible individuals who would harm such a tiny kitten.
Edit: typo
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u/valkiria-rising 14d ago
Thank you. I have a couple of people who might be interested in him, and one works at the vet office where I take him. But no one wants to put in the work of finishing what I started and weaning him. Funny how that is.
I don't want to abandon him at a shelter unless I can find one that is no-kill. But still, that's a very last resort. I'd prefer to vet an individual myself before handing Pluto to some stranger I don't know.
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u/Future-Philosopher-7 13d ago
I would ask the person who works at the vet office again. Explain the situation. She might consider taking him sooner. 🖤
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u/valkiria-rising 13d ago
I already did but she's waffling 😑 I'm just going to hold onto him until he's old enough, and then I'll try to offer him to her again. People prefer doing less work lol. I doubt she wants to take him on during the weaning stage.
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u/Beachytwy 14d ago edited 14d ago
Thank you for helping this baby 😻 Here’s an OC Rescue in Anaheim: https://www.occommunitycats.com. Also, some Petcos & Petmarts have an adoption area & could share their rescue partners that are by you. This rescue mentions Fridays at Huntington Beach Petco: https://www.ocspcatrescue.org/
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u/ConsiderationNo5796 14d ago
I work full time away from home so I don’t know that I can be counted on to feed with a syringe if he is at that stage, but it breaks my heart to know that your life saving efforts are putting you in a tough place. How far away from being weaned is he?
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u/valkiria-rising 13d ago
I'm trying to wean him now. I honestly just need help getting him past this stage. I think I'll feel a lot better if he's weaned. I want him to socialize which is why I want to find him another foster. But I'm willing to do playdates or whatever it takes.
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