Do You Know Anyone Willing To Offer A Temporary Foster Home In Southeastern Arizona?

[Sidewinder]

Or where to look on the Internet, besides this website? I'm going through a bit of a crisis, and I may even sell the home I've worked on since February. If I do this, I'd like to keep the cats in some sort of foster home while I find another place. I can bring food, litter boxes, etc., and pay good cash money once I collect the cats, no worries... I may NOT have to relocate at all, but I'd like to know beforehand just in case I wind up flipping this home. In the past, I juggled two adult cats in the field while camping for a week or two, but it would be dangerous this time around for the youngsters. Worst-case scenario, I sell my home and go live with friends back on the coast, but that would mean rehoming all three cats, since my friends already have a house full of pets. I even ran a rehoming ad online to see what sort of response I'd get, but the results were discouraging.

I don't want to lose the cats, they're my only family & friends here in Arizona, and I'm trying my darnedest to hang onto 'em, but finding steady year-round work with a fake felony on my record has been difficult, despite the fact that I have a valid CDL-A in my wallet. I thought of going back over the road, but there's no way I could take the cats with me, it wouldn't be fair to any of us. I'm leery about letting a stranger or "roommate" live in my home, I don't know if I could trust that person to properly care for the cats while I'm away, and roommates in general are a monumental PITA. I've thought of flipping this home and trying my luck elsewhere in AZ, perhaps even right here in Cochise County, but that means I need to find a place to stash the cats while I find another home. There's a nice place for sale on an acre of land not far from Sierra Vista, and making the switch would free up the cash I currently need.

I should add that friends back in Coronado have asked me to come live with them, but they already have a household zoo, no way I could bring three more cats with me. Frankly, I don't want to go back there anyway, even though I was BORN there, since I was falsely charged by corrupt judicial and "law enforcement" greaseballs... the very same unlocal trash behind the Zahau murder cover-up, you can Google "Zahau" and get a clue if you don't already know about that fiasco. Meh, I'd just as soon try my luck again here in Arizona, even if that means selling my home and picking up another fixer on the cheap. I'm not wholly desperate yet, but this frustrating situation is stressing me out, 10-4? I'm ready to chuck everything, buy a boat and sail to Costa Rica... but I couldn't take the cats there, they'd probably wind up as taco meat.

So... to reiterate, does anybody know a good temporary foster home here in southeastern Arizona? If circumstances force me to flip my current home, I would rather pay a private party $500 or whatever to watch my cats while I camp out in the wilderness and carry on my search for a new home, rather than subject the cats to an overpriced and uncaring boarding kennel or shelter. I reckon it would be too dangerous for the youngsters to camp out with me in coyote land... the Stronghold and environs are thick with coyotes, taking the youngsters out there would be like ringing the dinner bell, and of course it wouldn't be fair to keep them cooped up in the car the whole time. I'm considering another online ad in my search for a temporary foster home, just figured I'd ask here first since some site members seem clued in to this sort of situation.

With luck, this whole situation blows over and we stay right where we are, but I've had company after local company act like they want to hire me, pay for the (clean) drug screens and everything, then cry off at the last minute, leaving me in the lurch. It's really frustrating, especially since I hail from a military family and I had no record for 50 years on this planet before I got into it with those corrupt C.P.D. greaseballs... liars with badges, the worst kind, aye? And they're protected by that evil scumbag D.A. out there, a real piece of work when it comes to corruption. The robed sodomites in the rigged kangaroo courts don't help much either, pffffft. Well, maybe someone here will come up with an idea about foster care, or maybe a cat lover who needs a room can watch my kittehs while I'm on the road for a few days at a time, I'm still considering a roommate for that purpose.

I'M HEADING BACK HOME TO CALL A FEW MORE TRUCKING OUTFITS, BUT I'LL CHECK BACK HERE LATER THIS WEEK... PROBABLY TOMORROW, DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS.

MEH, IT'LL ALL BE THE SAME IN A HUNDRED YEARS... LESS AGGRAVATION TOO, WHICH IS A PLUS.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Have you asked your Vet if they know of people who foster? How about the local shelters in your area. I'm sure they have fosters lined up, but don't know if they will share their names. They might if you were to offer a donation to their cause. There is a place in Tempe that helps people and their pets short term, but I don't know that this qualifies. It's called Lost Our Homes. Might be worth a discussion with them and the drive if they are willing to help.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

OK...found some starting points...

Temporary Cat Fostering - "Cat Temps"
How to Find a Foster Parent for My Cat
Temporary Care

Those were the three that stuck out, but they may be able to refer you further! Best of luck, and let us know how things go!

 

[kashmir64]

I wish I could help, but if I bring home another animal I will be homeless, even though my names on the deed. Besides, Samai would hurt them...bad.
Also, you would probably not get Tiger back.

I really wish I knew somebody south that could help.

 

[Sidewinder]

Well, now I'm considering going back on the road, something I didn't wanna do because it keeps me away from my cats, ya know? I'd have to find someone trustworthy to live in my home and care for the cats while I'm gone, tweakin' crackerheads are VERBOTEN, LOL. Meh, maybe something will still come through, I spend time each day looking for suitable local work, something I can handle doing as I normally don't fare well with the public, I'm more likely to backhand the first person to give me some lip, LOL. I have quite a few apps out, so I'm hoping for the best... I really don't wanna go through the hassle of relocating again, and I'm otherwise established here in Benson, I like this little burg but I need to find steady work, since I'm not retired. Wish I were, but I'm not, that's just the way it is...

Perhaps I was too hasty in posting this thread, with luck I can simply delete it later... ideally, if I DID go back over the road, I'd hook up with a smaller outfit that just runs out & back, that way I wouldn't be away as long. I went ahead and borrowed a little money from a family member, that'll stretch out the process and give me a little more time, I didn't wanna do this since I've been debt-free for over a decade, but I guess that's the way it goes in this Brave New World, pfffffft. Anyway, thanks for the replies & suggestions, I'll keep searching on this end and hopefully find something soon. I just hate the thought of being separated from my cats, who are not only like my kids but also my closest friends (in Arizona, LOL).

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Nah, don't delete the thread...just let us know when the situation is resolved. We keep threads like this because SOMEONE will be facing a similar situation, find this thread, and the information and links may be JUST what they need! We all teach each other here.

 

[Sidewinder]

Roger that, I have a line on a possible job so I may not need to worry about it, but there's still a background check involved and I never know if the fake felony will crop up and ruin my chances.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

 

[Sidewinder]

Just an update: I received a reply to the ad I ran, and some couple wants to adopt Phoenix & Tiger. They have a decent home on acreage, lots of room to roam, but they DO have a dog... the dog is reportedly mellow and remains outdoors, but the cats will probably be terrified at first (it's a Great Pyrenees). The guy is a contractor, so it's not likely the couple will be moving from the area, which means stability for the cats if I do let 'em go. There's a greenhouse built directly onto the country home, so the cats would have a chance to explore the home and greenhouse while they grew accustomed to their new digs, prior to dealing with the dog.

Like most of you here, I don't really want to give up my cats, but I have to seriously consider this option in light of my situation. The fake felony has been killing me in my job search, though more companies are running my background check as I write this post. It may turn out that the only way to keep this home of mine (which I own free & clear, paid cash for it) is to go back on the road, and that would also mean having a roommate to watch the cats while I'm gone... not a prospect I particularly like. Might be fairer to the cats if they were rehomed, that way they'd have loving owners present every night.

Another factor to consider: if things keep on the way they've been going for me, I might take up my friend's offer to live near the beach, even though I swore off the Socialist Republik Of Kalifornia... and if I chose this route, I could probably take Crackhead with me, since one cat would probably fit into a house full of animals better than all three cats. I don't relish the idea of being anywhere near the lying greaseballs who falsely charged me, but I suppose I could avoid 'em like the plague that they are, and my friend's house IS two blocks from the beach in Coronado.

So I've been mulling over all these options while continuing my job search here in AZ... it's frustrating to deal with this fake felony, to meet folks who WANT to hire me yet can't because of the phony charges. And frankly, I'm more inclined to take my friend's offer than to work for peanuts part-time at WallyWorld, 10-4? WTH, it's still a job of sorts, living with my friend and his elderly mom (91), doing all the prep work, cooking and cleanup... that's the reason he asked me, to lighten the load on his elderly mom, and I took very good care of my own beloved mom before she passed away.

Of course, if I went back there I could kiss my home ownership goodbye, which is NOT a pleasant thought. These past three years have been the only time in my life when I've actually owned a home free & clear, knowing that I'm lord and master of my own domain, ya know? Not living by somebody else's leave... so there's that to consider as well. Honestly, I'm hoping something crops up for me here pronto, that way I can simply go on living here in AZ, where the cost of living is quite low and the personal freedom is definitely greater.

However, to vacillate a bit further, if I DID go back there to live in CA, I could buy a small boat and sail again, something I miss from the past. I spent decades sailing out of Coronado & San Diego, a lifetime of extreme small craft sailing, it's what I do best, aye? I don't miss anything else about CA, but I miss the sailing... and perhaps the proximity of what few friends I have left there, though I talk to 'em regularly by phone. So I've been mulling over the sailing as well, despite knowing I could never realistically afford a home in that socialist state.

I only run all this past you good folks to get your input on this particular situation. Would you go ahead and rehome Phoenix & Tiger, knowing that they'll probably lead long, comfortable lives in a country home with all kinds of acreage? I'm talking multiple acres here, not fractions of an acre... plenty of room for the kittehs, once they got used to the dog. Say I sold this home of mine and bought another fixer in AZ... wouldn't it be easier to just take Crackhead with me, as opposed to three cats? Of course it would...

I love Phoenix & Tiger, even though I've only had 'em since May 3 of this year... and I'd certainly miss 'em, but I've taken good care of 'em, and I suppose I could view the whole episode as a job of foster care well done. I'm sure they'd miss me for awhile, but in due time they'd grow accustomed to their new owners, yeah? And what likelihood is there that I'll find another offer like this, to take both youngsters off my hands and take good care of 'em in the future? Again, I only bring all this up because of my peculiar situation with the fake felony... a millstone around my neck despite the fact that NOTHING EVER HAPPENED, it was all lies on paper from the same crooked cops & D.A. behind the Zahau murder cover-up, go figure.

Anyway, I haven't put my home on the market yet, but I may wind up doing this, whether I stay in AZ or return to CA... ugh. Maybe something will still come through in time... that's the problem with karma, it doesn't work fast enough, LOL. Otherwise, I've enjoyed my time in AZ, the wilderness areas are beautiful and I reckon I can live without the ocean... but the temptation is great for that reason alone, you understand. If my life is gonna be a freakin' train wreck, why NOT let it be a train wreck on the BEACH? That's my current dilemma, the soul-searching question I've been agonizing over for the past week or two...

ENOUGH SAID FOR NOW, MY BRAIN IS FRIED FROM THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THIS B.S.

It'll all be the same in a hundred years, and none of it will matter anymore...

CHEERS!!!

 

[kashmir64]

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck. I don't think I could give up my home to live in someone else's, but that's me. I also wouldn't give up my cats to someone who was going to let them roam outdoors, again, just me. I lived in Phx. for 38 years and anywhere there is someplace with land, there are a lot of predators. Mostly of the flying kind, but also cougar and coyote.
I would take Tiger in a heartbeat if Samai wouldn't kill him. But I know she would try.
Personally, I would rather go on the road and have a good competent roommate than go anywhere near California.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Should you decide to go the roommate route, you might find this article helpful:
CHOOSING A PET-FRIENDLY ROOMMATE • The Catnip Times. It give some concrete things to discuss with potential roommates, questions to ask, etc.

 

[Sidewinder]

Just an update, I've made my decision and I'm selling my current home, I feel as if I've exhausted all local options in my job search, and I don't want to commute any great distance for work. The home offered to young Tiger & Phoenix is a good one, I'll be taking them to it on Saturday... gives me a little more time with the kittehs. I'm also going to try and rehome Crackhead, but if I can't find a good home for him I will probably take him with me.

Meanwhile, I'll be packing up my belongings and preparing for another move, traveling lighter this time and only taking select items with me. Where I wind up depends upon my listings search, but I know I want to stay in Arizona... and not in any big city either, I'm done with city life after all those years in the Socialist Republik of Kalifornia. I don't mind moving on, though I've otherwise enjoyed my time here in this burg... it's not a bad little town, I just need to find steady work I can handle.

Hey, Kashmir64, there's an inexpensive place listed on acreage in Snowflake, be kinda funny if we wound up as neighbors... I do miss the White Mountains, but I've got my eye on Page and Lake Powell too, sometimes cheap homes hit the market there, and there's boating on the lake so I wouldn't miss the ocean. As another option, I might simply relocate elsewhere in this county, closer to Sierra Vista, I just don't know yet. I plan to throw my stuff into storage for a bit and go camping to clear my head.

Anyway, I'm off to list my home with the realtor, it's imperative for me to free up some cash pronto, I don't like borrowing money from family members, I'd just as soon relocate and try again elsewhere with another fixer. So that's what I'm gonna do, and I'll streamline my life a bit more as I do it. The pool table has been fun, but it's a PITA to move, so I'll simply sling it with the house, targeting some bachelor bailing out of Kalifornia as the new home owner. If I ever get my life in order again, I'll buy another table.

I appreciate your comments and advice, you site members who replied here, I'm just tired of this frustrating situation with the fake felony. It may turn out that I eventually hit the road again as a trucker, which leaves no room for pets, it's no fair to the animals, ya know? Some drivers do it, but it's a safety issue for me, too much dangerous distraction... if I go that route again, I'll be the only carbon-based life form in the truck. Hopefully I find some other solution, I've already seen the country and I'd rather live a settled life in one location.

GOTTA GO, THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR ADVICE... CHEERS!!!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Let us know how things turn out.

 

[Sidewinder]

Oh, I'll be using library or campground Wi-Fi while camping, maybe the occasional coffee shop even though I don't really drink coffee anymore. Camping itself is no imposition for me, just a bit dangerous for cats, which is why I'll try to rehome Crackhead before I leave. Maybe he'll go with me, I don't know, depends upon my listings search. When I camp, I live large in the wilderness, I'll have cords of wood delivered to my site if necessary... done it before, and with stocked coolers life is enjoyable in the field. I really like living in Arizona compared to Kalifornia, I just gotta find a permanent home here, along with steady work since I'm not retired. Oh, well, at least I'll have the money from fixing up this home, I paid cash for it, same way I'll pay cash for my next home, I don't like being in debt. CHEERS!!!

 

[kashmir64]

Hey, Kashmir64, there's an inexpensive place listed on acreage in Snowflake, be kinda funny if we wound up as neighbors...

Not without Tiger.
Seriously though, unless you're part of the 'cult' (Mormon community), you aren't finding work up here. Show Low maybe, but not Snowflake. They won't hire you unless you are part of them.

For anyone reading this: I have nothing against the Mormon religion. But in this town, it is a cult. The pastor of the temple dictates to the principals of the schools on policies and what should and shouldn't be taught. The education board may dictate which subject, but the pastor dictates to what degree should be taught. And they only hire you if you go to the Temple or know the pastor.

 

[Sidewinder]

Haha, I hear ya, I dealt with "The Mormon Factor" for two years in Show Low... I probably won't go back to the White Mountains, though I miss sailing on the lake and riding dirt bikes on Rim Road 300, an excellent venue with amazing scenery and wildlife. One time, a big ol' cow elk crossed the road ahead of me, turned back into the road and ran ahead of me for about 30 yards before diving back into the forest in the direction whence she came. Startled both of us, and I backed off the throttle pronto, no future in tangling with an elk... it'd be Elk, 1, Dirt Biker, 0!!! I used to see herds of deer as well, they'd all freeze for a moment, then go bounding off into the forest. Oh, yeah, I miss feeding the water fowl at the lake too, there'd be at least 100 birds paddling around the dock as I tossed the bread, cereal, whatever...

I'm not worried about Tiger & Phoenix, I've found a good home for them... the couple are settled too, not going anywhere, and they have acreage for the kittehs to roam during daylight hours. Once the cats know their new home, that is, they'll have to stay inside for awhile to get used to their new digs. The people sound very cool, and my life is such a mess right now that I need to lighten the stress load, 10-4? I'm also thinking that I may have to hit the road again, and that's no life for a cat. I'm worried about rehoming Crackhead, since he's kind of a "special needs" cat... but hopefully someone comes through and gives him a good home. Moi, I believe I'll throw my stuff in storage, go camping in the wilderness to clear my head, then resume my search for a permanent home here in Arizona.

 

[Sidewinder]

I was just checking listings, and there was a large trailer on 4 acres outside Sierra Vista for $35K, probably get it for less... this is why I love Arizona! That one will go fast, I'm sure, but there are other fixers available. I had an idea to ask some friends if I can camp on their property while I relocate, they have 7 1/2 acres on the west side of town. If I did that, Crackhead could come with me if I haven't found a home for him yet... it'd be much safer than camping out below Cochise Stronghold, an area thick with coyotes. So we'll see, with luck things work out in my favor, maybe even allow me to keep Crackhead, and take the other kittehs back if that situation doesn't work out. Depends upon the work situation in S.V., but it's a much larger town at roughly 40K population.

 

[kashmir64]

That's not too far from Tucson...or is it? Maybe you could commute.

 

[1 bruce 1]

I just wanted to add something when it comes to the dog.
Do the people have any other animals at all? We have experience with owning dogs from the livestock guard type, and whatever animals (or children) the owners consider part of the family, the dog(s) will recognize this and protect them to the death. They may find the dog is now their new personal body guard and nanny. There's a reason people put these dogs with newborn goat kids, calves, etc., and all the dogs do is mother and protect them. Not all of them act this way, but in our experience most of them still have that instinct. Just hopefully easing your mind with this one.
Are the new owners going to keep in touch with you to let you know how things are going?
Best of luck in your new adventures

 

[Sidewinder]

Well, I have to tell y'all that I've had a change of heart, as well as a change in plans. I was lying awake last night, enjoying some quality time with the kittehs, when I realized that I was allowing negative factors to distort my thinking... I've been frustrated and stressed out over this ridiculous fake felony, the way it has kept me from good paying jobs even when the companies wanted to hire me.

Meh, this battle against evil corruption isn't over yet, it's just getting started... in my vertical skateboarding days, my friends called me "Bulldog" for a reason, LOL. I'd never quit trying to pull a maneuver on the lip of a tall ramp or the coping of a pool, not until I actually pulled it off, you see. This situation with the fake felony hanging around my neck like a millstone is no different...

It took some quality time with the kittehs for me to come to my senses. Phoenix, Tiger & I have reached a point in our relationship where they love and trust me, and as I looked into their eyes last night I swore to never let 'em go... no way I rehome them, they're going with me to my next home down by Sierra Vista, and that's all there is to it. I even formed a plan to make it all happen.

This home I've been fixing up is sweet, and it has a million-dollar view of Cochise Stronghold, but I'm willing to flip it in order to extend my job search in Sierra Vista for another six months. I can turn a decent profit by selling this home, then buy another fixer down in S.V. and make a cool home out of it, no worries. In fact, I might wind up with more land too, which would suit me fine. Acreage is one's best neighbor, LOL.

I've seen two recent listings for homes in that area with acreage: one home on four acres, another on just over an acre with green grass, mature walnut trees, etc. These are fixer homes, but who cares? So was the home I'm about to flip, and it looks good now, particularly on the inside. But no big deal, I'll take the next home and make it just as good, just as comfortable as my current home. I can do that...

I'm going to toss the best stuff I want to keep in temporary storage, just so it's out of the way during the initial rehab effort in my next home. Right before I leave this home I'm flipping, I'll put the two younger cats into a 'cats only' boarding kennel, I found one that looks pretty good and it's not that expensive. I might also board them with a private party, I'm working on that angle... but there are several boarding kennels in Sierra Vista.

Now, like me, Crackhead is a veteran campaigner in the field... he has already camped with me for extended periods, including a month spent in the 300' Sitka Spruce forest in Bruceport, overlooking Willapa Bay in coastal Washington. He also camped with me and Sage below Cochise Stronghold, but that's NOT where we'll be going... you see, I talked to that friend with the 7 1/2-acre spread on the west side of Benson, and I'll be camping right there in his yard, LOL.

So, I flip the home, then check the listings daily until I find our new place... as a cash buyer, I'll ask the realtor to expedite the process and close early, no long escrow period. I'm talking to that realtor today, I have an appointment and we're listing my current home this afternoon. Of course, I'll be checking listings the whole time as I wait for the money to get wired into my account, maybe there'll be a decent home available pronto...

What's more important to me as a cat lover born in the "Year of the Tiger"---the love and trust of my three cats, or hanging onto this current home of mine? Why, it's no contest, the cats win hands down. I don't give a damn about the home, even though it's a sweet bachelor pad... whatever home I buy, I'll make it a good comfortable home for me and my Three Amigos!!! A home is what one makes of it, and I'm proficient at setting up primo pads... enough said.

The 8' pool table? "FUGHEDDABOUTIT!!!" It's a great selling point for this home I'm about to flip, along with the killer view... but I've had three years of fun out of that table, and I'll recoup every penny of its cost when I flip this property. So no worries, it's more important for me and my furry little friends to stay together in the long run, and that's all there is to it. I've been dwelling too hard on negative factors lately, time to bust out that Infantry attitude, LOL.

Look at the bright side, I'll be debt-free with $60K or so in my pocket, and all my most prized possessions with me... I can always set up the home theater again elsewhere, sit in the same comfy leather sofa with my cats, sleep on the same comfy queen-sized Denver Mattress with Tiger & Crackhead, etc., etc. I'm not gonna cry in my beer over "losing" a home, I'm gonna find another home for $30-40K, fix it up nicely and keep looking for steady work.

So p!$$ on the evil and corrupt D.A. who protects lying greaseball cops in Dago, I'll make it here in Arizona one way or another, I just have to ditch the negative vibes and focus on the positives in my life. I have my health, I have my cats, I ain't broke yet... what's NOT to like? Heck, the kittehs & I might soon have some primo acreage, room to roam, trees to enjoy while slinging my Pawleys Island Hammock, the whole nine yards.

And camping for a couple of weeks is no great imposition, particularly at this time of year when temps are cooling off, LOL. I've spent a lifetime in the field, and I can sleep virtually anywhere... I slept on roots in the mud during 'Jungle Training' in Panama, a nice comfy tent with several sleeping pads under my bag will be like the Ritz-Carlton, 10-4? Besides, I'm an expert at glamping, I'll burn steaks & seafood and drink heaps of craft beer under the stars, LOL.

Uh-oh, almost time for my appointment, I had better cut this short and drive the few short blocks to the realtor's office... as a former soldier, I like to be punctual. If you're not punctual in the Aaaaaarrrgghhmy, ya wind up knocking out a thousand push-ups, LOL. But I wanted to share this news with y'all: NO WAY THE CATS GET REHOMED, THEY'RE STUCK WITH ME FOR LIFE, YEAH??? Just the way it should be... I'd never forgive myself for letting go of Tiger, Crackhead and sweet little Phoenix.

HEY, Y'ALL CAN SHARE THE ADVENTURE AS WE RELOCATE!!! I'LL BE SURE TO POST PHOTOS, LOL... CHEERS!!!