A Plea for Help

Hello. My name is William W. Cairns (aka Charles S. Wilson), and the author of The House On Telegraph Hill.  Long before I thought of telling my story; an account of the abuse I underwent as a child, and the struggles it has caused me ever since, I've had an ongoing interest...a preoccupation with homeless cats. As a matter of fact it is this interest, this concern for these suffering critters, that pushed me into  completing my book.

My concern for homeless animals began several years ago when I witnessed a stray cat struck by a car. The poor critter then crawled up, and over the curb in its struggle to survive. I was directly behind the van that had run over it and witnessed the terrible event.  The poor critter's hind quarters had been crushed, and by the time I'd gotten it to the veterinarian clinic it had died. The poor critter suffered an exceedingly painful death for sure. The cat had been roaming the streets, and should've been home and cared for. It wasn't long after that I began attracting stray cats to my property in order to give them a safe place to stay, a safe haven. I was trying to avoid another tragedy. Before long I found myself providing food and shelter to any, and all stray cats that came down my street.  Suddenly I had quite a collection of furry critters that needed caring for, and that meant plenty of food, heat, and everything else needed during the fridgid winter months. That's when I realized the cost of food, and a warm shelter for more than a dozen cats were a bit out of my ball park; caring for that many animals does not come cheap for me.

At the present time the cats on my property have only my sparsely heated garage to obtain food and warmth, and that's about it. This is what I call my sanctuary even though it wouldn't really qualify as one. However, in my neighborhood I believe my place is all there is for these lost critters to find refuge. My garage really doesn't have a permanent heat source other than a couple of electric blankets and a small space heater. That's all I can afford. I pray that they'll make it through this coming frigid winter.

Here in Michigan it can get well below zero during the cold winter months, and these critters are certainly not suited for that kind of punishment. Last winter I had one cat succumb to the unbearable cold, and that was very sad indeed. I could'nt provide enough heat to keep it alive, and it should've never happened. I suppose I should've never started this operation to begin with, but I have, and now find myself financially overtaken by the costs of everything needed to care for them. I simply cannot ignore them so must find a way to ease their suffering.

When my book was first published I expected it to reach the top of the New York Best Seller List within a few weeks after publication! However, in all of my naivety (stupidity) I had no idea that was not going to happen. My book was published in September of 2007, and has failed to bring in any capital for one major reason: I haven't had the exposure needed to bring it to the attention of the reading public. The reason for this is that the publisher has left it up to me to promote the book myself.  Marketing takes plenty of money of which I don't have. In spite of having my own website for marketing purposes a couple of years now there's been almost nothing in the way of sales. Now I find myself struggling to provide for my homeless critters with the hopes that I don't end up joining them.

With the rising costs of cat food, heat, and veterinarian care I'm now finding it difficult to provide much of anything for my friends behind my house. I hope the day never comes when I look out my back window in the middle ofwinter only to see a multitude of hungry faces staring back at me begging for food of which I can no longer provide, can no longer afford. There they'll wait to be fed only to eventually be turned away by the hunger that gnaws deep within their bellies. Then they'll start wandering the streets for sure, lost and looking for food and shelter, and certainly bewildered as to why I'd cut them off.  It's then that I'll hope and pray that someone will provide for them as I had.

I've been retired for five years now, and living on a small fixed income. The cats tend to multiply for sure, and I'm thankful that I've found someone who works for an animal rescue organization nearby. With her I've been able to keep things under some degree of control. She takes as many kittens as she has room for, and finds them homes. Along with that we try to trap the adults for purposes of neutering and spaying. We then return them to my property knowing that they'll be out of the "production line." All of this costs money, and of course, much of it comes out of my pocket.

At the present time I am providing for 14-16 cats outside on my property. and eight (8) inside. I try to provide decent canned and dry food (Friskies and Nine Lives), along with bowls of milk.  Those items cost money, and for me; a bit too much. In the winter I try and provide special warm treats such as roasted chicken and warm milk. I try to give them a reason to survive when it gets terribly cold, sub-zero. 

I know there are those of you who know exactly what I'm talking about; trying to provide for animals that you never planned on keeping but somehow they made that decision for you. It's then that you've become a care giver finding it difficult to turn your back on them. They do kind of grow on you, and before you know it they've gotten into your heart. They suffer as we do, and need to be cared for.

This coming winter, once again, I'll be faced with a major expense; providing enough warmth during the long frigid months. That alone, for me, is financially crippling. So, with the winter approaching, I find myself doing what I've always tried to avoid; ask for donations. I feel cheap in doing so but it's really not for me, it's for my homeless animals. If I do receive money for their care you can believe that every single dollar will go to the welfare of stray (feral) cats, and nothing else! We desperately need your help, and I pray that you find it in your heart in helping me provide for their care.

I took out a Home Equity Loan five years ago that has just about dwindled down to nothing, cashed out. Sometime during the middle of next year (2012) I will be approaching bankruptcy, and my furry friends will be left homeles, and in serious trouble.

My original plan was to write a book, take the royalties, and build a large sprawling sanctuary. That would've solved my problem of providing for stray cats. That was a major reason for writing my book. I felt that I would've had enough from the royalties to at least build a small heated shelter of some kind. After that I eventually planned on a sprawling sanctuary somewhere where all strays would be wecome. However, and sadly, things never worked out that way.

At the present time all of my outside cats are living in my garage with bundles of clothing and clean rags stuffed into large cardboard and plywood boxes. These are all donations provided by my close neighbors. I know it won't be enough to ease their suffering when the weather turns frigid. What I wanted to do with the garage was to insulate it then install a small gas furnace. That setup surely would've provided the necessary warmth for the fridgid winter months. It never happened because of a lack of funds. Now I stand begging for help with the winter right around the corner.

I am asking that you please find it in your heart to donate whatever you can afford to help me provide decent care for these homeless critters. One way of donating is to purchase my book. Another way is to send whatever you can to the post office box listed below. Please make your check out to me; William W. Cairns. Whatever way you choose, thank you for your kindness, your understanding, and may God bless you.

P.S. Comments are welcome either on my website or by postal mail. Thank you.

William W. Cairns

P.O. Box # 2231

Dearborn, Michigan 48123