Sick and sad and feline bad. You may want to skip this post forever.

Another blogger alerted us to bad news at Caboodle Ranch this morning.  I've been feeling dejected and listless since I heard.

You might remember us touring Caboodle Ranch and meeting its owner and full-time manager, Craig Grant.  Our impression was that this was a good place for otherwise-unwanted cats to be, and that it was a clean, relatively safe, and loving place for them to live out their lives.  We didn't see the infirmary.

For me, the issue is whether or not to euthanize very sick cats.  Craig does not kill any cat, no matter how sick.  I would choose otherwise if I were king.  He never made any pretense that he euthanized cats;  in fact, he made his policy clear.   He makes them as comfortable as is chemically and emotionally possible, but he doesn't kill them.  So, it is very likely that inside the infirmary were very, very sick animals.  [I didn't watch the videos, and I won't.]

So, in the fray, hundreds of cats who were happy, healthy, and enjoying life and relative freedom on 30 acres of wooded land, with heated shelters and plenty of food, have been rounded up and "rescued" to crowded cages, over-populated, under-funded shelters, and uncertain fates.  Most shelters are not no-kill.  I know for a fact that the neighboring Lake City, Florida Humane Society will accept and kill a litter of kittens on demand while you wait.  For free, if you're a resident.  Now what are the Caboodles' chances?

If Craig's history and story are to be believed, this is tragic for the cats who might have lived out long lives on the Ranch.  If PETA and the ASPCA are to be believed, it's tragic for everyone.  I have encouraged people to donate a bit to the Caboodles, and we've met the man and his cats.  Naturally I hope to see him exonerated.  I don't want to believe he is a criminal hoarder.  A hoarder doesn't build and maintain a compound like this, seeking the best food and care for his charges.  A hoarder doesn't (shouldn't?) receive seals of approval from local veterinary and animal shelters.  These charges make fools of the hard-working volunteers who saw all parts of the operation and who thought the endeavor was worthy of their time and labor.

Disclaimer:  Annie may have a different opinion, and so I'm not letting her post, just in case she disagrees with me.  As if.

I'm going to moderate comments for a while, because I'm sure Caboodle Ranch detractors are feeling joyous at their "victory" on behalf of cats.  This blog isn't going to be a forum for free speech today.  For them.  You guys can speak.  Just remember I'm sad.

We [heart] Caboodles.

We spent about an hour at Caboodle Ranch today, and now Craig Grant is my new man-crush.



Those cats are crazy about him, and it's mutual.  They are clear-eyed, healthy, inquisitive and happy.  He says he works about 14 hours a day, and has help from four other part-time volunteers.

Debbie, a volunteer

I'm going to paraphrase what he said;  that's journalism:  'I used to suffer from depression a lot.  You have a house, you're supposed to decorate it, have all the right pictures on the wall.  I had that.  I wasn't happy.  Now I'm never depressed.  You don't need that crap to be happy.  I tell you, if you find yourself happy, don't change anything.'

Choir, brother.  

Now he lives on the ranch, sleeps in a sleeping bag on the floor, surrounded with whichever cats want to sleep near or on him.



The Caboodle Ranch blog - you'll bite yourself if you don't check out these pictures.  He says currently there are about 500 cats living on the ranch.  Look for the recent Purina donation!

Caboodle Ranch website - go here to donate $1 if you've got it to spare.

It was in the low 90° neighborhood today, although it felt cooler here in the woods.  There are dozens of water features around the ranch, with spring water flowing in and out of them constantly.

You'll never see all 500 unless you happen to be around for feeding time.

Bonus fact:  There is one degree of separation between me and Stephen Colbert.  That makes 2° between me and Jon Stewart, my other man.

Craig Grant is The Enemy Within.












 

FIV+ enclosure and shelter

A popular water park

I shudder to think what happened to those tiny shoppers.

   










Catsimile



   

Cat ciao!

A semi-local reporter answers other questions I had, too.  Thanks to a commenter for pointing me toward this article.

Moochdocking™

I feel more comfortable now that I know what this is called.  First vocabulary, then understanding.

Do you geocache?  I'm "chillyrodent" and Annie is "toxicpickle."  It's a great hobby for sit-stillians and move-aroundites;  you can do it wherever you are in the world or in life.  We both have GPSs, but Annie also has an app that we use on her phone, so buying extra equipment isn't necessary.

Overheard At Our House:
It's in the low 90's ...  I know, but you get used to it.  And, it's true.  Annie is so sensitive to temperature extremes but she is adjusting fast.  [You guys are jerks - you have a pool.]  I don't think the pool is relevant.

We're hoping (hope!hope!) to get an appointment to visit Caboodle Ranch soon.  We have loved this place, and Craig, from afar, and now we want to love them up close.  We're not going to give him any cats (don't think we never considered it).  He could use small (and large) donations more than he could use more cats, but he never turns any of either away.  Consider a $$ donation of any size to this endeavor.