Save Cats from Euthanasia - Foster for 120 days!

Baltimore County has very strict rules regarding bite wounds of unknown origin. Unfortunately, many unaltered cats come through the county's Trap-Neuter-Return clinic with such wounds, which trigger a 120-day (approximately four month) quarantine requirement. If there is no approved person to quarantine the cat, the cat is required to be put to sleep.

The reasoning for this is, without knowing which animal caused the bite, there is a greater-than-zero chance of rabies being spread. However, in the vast majority of cases, such bite wounds are obtained through regular old cats fighting with each other. Within the 120 day quarantine period, the cat is monitored for signs of rabies. When the period is up, s/he can go home or be adopted.

Needs Must Cats is in search of volunteers to take on the task of holding onto these cats, who will vary between friendly and feral, separately from other animals in their homes for the 120 day quarantine period. You will need to be responsive to and receive visits from the Animal Control Rabies Officer during this period. These visits should be by appointment.

Requirements:

• Must be located in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, or Harford County. If you are in a different surrounding county, please submit your interest as we may still be able to work with you.
• A room in which you can close the door, that can accommodate a large crate or cat tower (can be provided).
• Any cats or dogs in your home will need to be fully up-to-date on their rabies vaccines. Proof will be required up front. If you need help getting your pets updated, we can assist.

You may quarantine one or more cats depending on your space availability, but the cats will need to be housed in separate crates. Only one person, the designated caretaker, may interact with the cats during the quarantine period.

If you can help, we can help you. We'll get you large dog crates, donated food and litter and other basic supplies, and help get the cat set up for the quarantine period. When the 120 days are over and the cat is officially released from quarantine, we will either return the cat to his/her original colony or, in the case of a friendly cat, the cat can go up for adoption, which may include a less strict fostering setup, return to animal control for adoption, or transfer to another foster parent.

If you can help this DIRECT life-saving process for cats in Baltimore County, please submit your availability right away and we will get you in touch with the appropriate person at animal control to be approved, and let you know when there's a need.