Complaint Review: Feline Feral retreat - Humble Texas

Feral Feline Retreat is a 501C3 not for profit rescue organization.  As such, there is no "owner".  There is a board.  And there are volunteers who work the adoptions and foster the animals.

This is a dog and cat foster rescue group that takes in abandoned and homeless animals off the streets, fosters them, spays/neuters them and cares for them until they are ready, then adopts pets from Petsmart for a fee that does not always even cover the vet bills, much less food and supplies.  There is no selling of pets and no profit made.  The group relies on tax-deductible contributions/donations to make up for the short-fall between the adoption fees received and the cost of vetting and caring for these pets.

The group also has leased some land to provide a place for some feral cats to live. Sometimes dogs are kept there in fenced areas with shelter temporarily.  But are checked on multiple times per day.  This is all allowed per the lease agreement.  This property is in the country and is unrestricted as well.

Harris county authorities have paid a visit to the property as has other animal welfare organizations and were pleased with the care and shelters provided for the animals.  I have visited the property several times.  The cats look very happy and content.  Some have even become somewhat friendly.  Volunteers and minimally paid young men do visit the property to feed the cats, refresh the water and clean up the shelters.  I am not sure what skills the person who wrote the report expects or what she is talking about.  

Whoever wrote this had better re-think because this is libel and she can be sued.  This rip off site seems to allow anyone to make any comments about anyone without fact checking.  The lack of specifics in the report should tell you this is bogusand probably written by someone who didn't get what they wanted because the group places the welfare of the animals above all else.

I have adopted two cats from Feral Feline Retreat. One in December, 2009 and the other, in July, 2011. The second was a blind kitten that Sharon Smith rescued. The kitten, maybe 3 weeks old, was abandoned by its mom, probably because the kitten was defective. The kitten was dehydrated and had infection in its eye sockets. Sharon took it to a vet who helps her, and the vet kept the kitten for 3 weeks, until it was healthy enough to be adopted. I now have an happy, well-adjusted 6 1/2 year old blind cat who runs my household. Recently, one of my kitties developed the horrible male problem of spritzing urine around my house to mark his territory. I tried everything.

He had no medical issues. I tried expensive pheromones to calm him down. He refused to take tranquilizers. I tried to convert him to an outdoor kitty, but he would come back in the house and spray even more. He's ruined spots on my hardwood floors, antique furniture and expensive rugs. I contacted Sharon Smith, and she agreed to accept him at her retreat (an acre in the woods, with food and shelter where her rescued feral cats live). Because of this kind and loving lady, my cat has a chance at a good life with other kitties now. My brother and sister-in-law also adopted their two cats from Sharon. All the cats we've adopted from Feral Feline Retreat have been neutered, and are clean and healthy.

My brother died recently, and their two kitties are loving solace for my SIL. I was impressed with the home Sharon has made for these feral cats, many who are mothers that Sharon caught with their litters. She found homes for the kittens and has provided a safe place for the now neutered moms to live. Since I've had dealings with Sharon on and off for 8 or 9 years now, I can attest to the dedication and caring this woman puts into this organization. I was offended by this report. Rather than criticize this organization, please donate to it. It's hard to keep a 501(c)3 afloat in these times, and the kitties need the help.