I suspect most of you have been following Vanessa's threads on trying to find an affordable place to have an 9-month old tom neutered. While people have offered to send some money to help, she is reluctant to give out her mailing address - and I don't fault her on that. I suspect she'll trust me enough though.

If you would like to send a couple of bucks to help her get this tom neutered, send them to me. I'll forward all funds received to her. If it comes to more than the vet bill for the tom, perhaps she can have her female done as well. If it more than covers that as well, well, Christmas is coming.

If you want to write a check make it out to me, I'll turn it into cash for her. Anonymous cash donations can be made.

I will certainly also make a contribution.

And Vanessa - don't consider this charity - just people trying to help out someone who needs it.

Ken Scharabok 1645 West Blue Creek Road Waverly, TN 37185

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 01, 2001

Answers

Ken, when you go to town today be sure to pick up one of those great big mailboxes, I think this is going to be overwelming.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 01, 2001.

Ken , if you do receive too much money how about holding onto it until someone else is in need .Kinda like a emergency fund .What do you think ?

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), December 01, 2001.

I'd rather not. Whatever is received will go to Vanessa for neutering the tom, and perhaps the female. If anything is left over, she has three children and a related teenager staying with them and Christmas is coming. Thought for a couple of days about this so it doesn't set a precedence. It is a one-time deal as far as I'm concerned. Besides, what is sent may not even pay for the two cats.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 01, 2001.

Okay Ken, count me in. I usually give a yearly donaton to the humane society anyway, so helping another cat or cats somewhere else and helping reduce unwanted kittens is a good gesture.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), December 01, 2001.

Even if you could only afford a dollar or two that would really help. I think that is a very nice idea Ken! Thanks for taking charge of it for us!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), December 01, 2001.

Aww man Ken I like the idea of an internet/countrysider slush fund!!!

-- bj pepper in C. MS. (pepper.pepper@excite.com), December 01, 2001.

I just hooked up and read this. I said, Wow! I can't believe people can be so nice. Didn't want to have to take money from anyone. But, I guess I had better get it done soon or wind up with not just a smelly house, but a bunch of kittens too. I can't stop saying it, wow! You can't imagine how overwhelmed I am right now. "Yes, there is a Santa Claus afterall." I don't want anyone to think I am trying to pull one over on anyone, so I will send the receipt from the vet to Ken after its done. If there is enough, I'll get both cats fixed. WOW!!!!!!!

-- Vanessa (tvhayes@aeneas.net), December 01, 2001.

Just had my kitty done last week. It cost me 65.00!!! I still have a few dollars left from my vet expense account so I will pass it on to Vanessa.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), December 01, 2001.

YEAH!!! Guess what guys! I have been calling around in my area for days now, and I just talked to a vet between Humboldt and Trenton that is really cheap. He charges $31 for the shots per cat, $30 to neuter a tom cat and $50 to do a female. He will be out of town for a few days, but he said he could do it when he gets back. So with the donations, I should be able to get both cats fixed! He says he gets a lot of cats. I can see why. That is the cheapest in this end of the state. I'm so happy today.

-- Vanessa (tvhayes@aeneas.net), December 01, 2001.

Just an FYI: We have a local spay/neuter clinic thru the Humane Society. They will neuter a cat for $19 and spay for $24. Let your fingers do the walking...maybe something like this is available fairly near to you! Good Luck! (Momma to 26 strays and dumped off cats....yes, all neutered and spayed!..I hate suprises! ;}

-- Susan in SC (baamaid@goatweb.com), December 01, 2001.

Ken, You are a true gentleman, thank you for letting us all have a chance to help Vanessa and her cats as well as her family. I hope there will be enough to spay and neuter both cats as well as Christmas presents and Christmas dinner. That's what life is all about: helping each other! Meryy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), December 01, 2001.

Ken, I think that's a wonderful idea. If you get a flood of donations, why not send what's left over to the Humane Society or an animal shelter?

-- Katherine in KY (KyKatherine@Yahoo.com), December 02, 2001.

What a wonderful idea, Ken, my contribution is in the mail, and I agree, Vanessa can surely us any left over money with Christmas coming!!!

Sure is nice to help "play" Santa Claus!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), December 02, 2001.

Hi Ken im in merry christmas Vanessa Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), December 02, 2001.

Me too..it'll be in the mail tomorrow.

-- Cat (catcrazy@somewhere.com), December 02, 2001.

Bless your heart Ken, what a kind and generous offer. It sure depicts the true meaning of caring and the Holdiay season:):)

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 02, 2001.

Great idea Ken! My contribution is going in tomorrow's mail. Merry Christmas Vanessa.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), December 02, 2001.

Our donation just went in the mailbox...in a addressed envelope, of course! LOL! Being silly! I hope this makes Vanessa's Christmas a little better and her home more pleasant. Merry Christmas and God bless!

-- Ardie/Wi (ardie54965@hotmail.com), December 03, 2001.

I was so busy this morning, I forgot all about this. But my contribution should be going out tomorrow -- in the box waiting for pickup right now.

-- Joy F (S.Central Wisc) (CatFlunky@excite.com), December 03, 2001.