Need some sincere advice folks...

Hi...I have been a pet owner my entire life...I have also been very active, too much my friends and neighbors tell me, in taking home strays, caring for them, taking them to the vet, getting them well, and making them part of the family...well...

I had just been relocated and I was able to bring all of my family with me...8 dogs and 9 cats...I had tried desperately to find suitable houing in the ft lauderdale/weston area of so. florida...eventually renting a super expensive townhouse with a great backyard that accepted pets...(well, not 17, but who's counting)...well...

of course the home owners association became aware and before I knew it, I had 15 very angry people at my (rented) front door with a letter stating their intent of seeking legal action to remove us from their nieghborhood, and shortly after I was contacted by the owner who said that she was so sorry, but had no choice but to give me 3 days to get out if I wanted to save my family - animal services had been called (not the humane society by any stretch of the imagination - a definite seek and destroy operation)...well...

having used all of my financil resources in making the move to florida (from the caribbean) - I was now faced with being homeless with my 'family' - I did the only thing I could think of - I got on-line and during my final 3 days, and the only solution that appeared was a 'communal' living arrangement in the mountains of east tennessee, that would allow me and my family safe shelter - at least we would still be together, right?...well...

we loaded up in the minivan - you got it - sardines on wheels - and made the trip safely, only to arrive at a less than promised situation...

the owner of this property seems glad to have me here - I'm working for room and board by renovating his home and business spaces...my pets, however, have been forced to stay in his campground - primitive - living in the mud and their only shelter is an abandoned rv - where we all (including me) now sleep...the owner could care less...his only comment is for me not to let them loose, #1 because he doesn't want my pets disturbing his nazi youth campers, and #2 the highway is know as the pet killer, and he even showed me his graveyard of deceased pets, almost with pride - he has a new tractor that he loves to play on, so whenever he sees a 'hit' animal he simply gets out his backhoe and adds another hole to the graveyard.!

My babies have never suffered a day in their lives...it's something I've been so proud of...now I don't know what to think or do...should I find them homes, should I bring them to the 'ound' as the owner up here keeps telling me...should I try to find another arrangement and move on, continuing to put my pets welfare over that of my own life and safety...my heart is broken, I feel completely defeated, so anyone who wants to post a reply just to beat me up even more, please just save it...I just need some sincere, sound advice...I only want to be responsible to my babies...Lamby - 16 y/o poodle, Nala - 8 y/o german shepherd, Chi-chi - 5 y/o lab mix, Holly 4 y/o golden retriever, Lucy - 4 y/o lhasa apso, Carmen - 2 y/o long haired dachs. mix, Evita - 1 y/o dal./lab mix, Marcus - 8 mos. chow/terrier mix, Pepe - 2 y/o yellow tiger, Carole - 2 y/o sealpoint, Marita 2 y/o calico, Sila Maria - 1 y/o blk & white kitty, and Maximo - 6 mos. yellow tabby....these are my sweet babies - all are spayed (except marcus, maximo and sila) and except for the mud, they are all beautiful...

I don't think anybody can make you get out in *3 days*. I think 30 days is typical and customary.

Thanks Lori, your advice had made me feel so much better now...

I'm sorry, I don't think I read your initial message all the way through the first time. You've already moved to TN? Did you read your lease at the

Hello. I really feel bad for you, it sounds like you are in a jam. I guess the big question here is, how much money do you have? The obvious answer to your problem is to buy a small place. If you don't have any money, rehoming some of your animals might be the best of a bad situation. And then move and join the legal economy.

In America, hard experience has shown me that the proper term for people who work in the underground economy is victim. I doubt your business owner is paying any social security for you, or unemployment insurance, or workers' comp, or any of that. And you are doing dangerous work. The rate of injury for construction workers is extremely high, compared to most other jobs. What's going to happen to your animal family if you, oh, fall off the roof, or get blood poisoning from a cut, or lose a limb to a power tool, or something like that?

Please don't get mad and think I am dumping on you. Obviously you are working hard and doing your best. But it sounds like you are in an unsafe situation that can only be remedied by moving on. jdoee

My heart goes out to you, I wish I had some sound advice, but I don't. I do believe there is a no kill sanctuary for cats in TN, but I'm not coming up with the name, maybe someone else here knows. I know it would be heartbreaking to give up any of your babies, but at least you would know they were being cared for. The dogs probably present a bigger problem though, in terms of prospective housing. I have 6 cats and one dog and I'm faced with moving into a much smaller space as a result of a divorce, but I'm determined to keep us together. I'm sure I could find a much nicer place to live in without the animals, but to me it just wouldn't be worth it. So, I can certainly sympathize with your situation.

Guys, I live in the mountains of East Tn and am confused about exactly where a 'nazi youth'camping facilities is around here? Maybe that discription was 'edited' for dramatic content , I dunno.

Yes, there is a sanctuary for cat here. AngelWings. I can't think of the URL right off hand but I'm pretty sure a search on any search engine can get it for you.

Kim in TN