I could swear I have you blocked.  You munged your address didn't you.

You  "lucked out"

In my opinion, what you just described is *neglect.*  Mine are indoor cats,
but I wouldn't dream of leaving *any* cat (indoor or outdoor) for more than
a day or two without having someone check on them.  You are fortunate that
nothing happened -- one could have been struck by a car, become ill, or run
into any number of difficulties.  You took a great risk by just assuming
that they would be "safe" for a month, and that does not even speak to the
fact that they were probably lonely (at least, they would be if you normally
give them some attention when you are home).  A dirty litter box is actually
low on the list of problems to be considered.

As a follow-up to your earlier message:  Mine are indoor cats precisely
because I *do* love them.  They are protected and get lots of love and
attention; they are not "prisoners."

MaryL

Photos of Duffy and Holly:      >'o'<
Duffy:  http://tinyurl.com/cslwf
Holly:  http://tinyurl.com/9t68o
Duffy and Holly together:  http://tinyurl.com/8b47e

a.shole. I would like to take them away from you.

Try realizing that you have posted enough about yourself that it would be
very, very easy to figure out where you live. Within ten seconds I knew you
were in the Indianapolis area. You tend to announce your trips, too. You
might want to close the window next time. lol

Your cats would do better at a shelter than there with you. Freak.

Oh my gawd!!  WHY???!!!

I just paid a pet sitter to come feed my crew, scoop their boxes, and play
and pet with them twice a day while I was in New Orleans for four days.  She
only charged $15 per visit, and along with all the above also took in the
mail and newspapers, and turned lights on and off inside the house to make
it look occupied.  If I had not been able to afford the cost of the pet
sitter, we would have stayed home.... period!  No way would I leave my cats
home alone for more than one night.  What if one of them had gotten ill -
and since they're outside cats, what if they had been hit by a car, mauled
by a dog, fed poison by a neighbor, etc. etc.?

Hugs,

CatNipped

I am shocked to hear you say this.  I cannot imagine leaving mine home alone
for a month.  What if they had become ill, what if one had been in a
collision with the almost no traffic that I have here?
I have left mine once, overnight in an emergency.  They were shut in with a
litterbox/ food/water and were safe.
My cats are outdoor/indoor.  I check on them, I expect them in for their
breakfast and in for their dinner every day, if they are late I go looking
for them.  They are often late because they are looking at mouse holes/rat
holes and forget the time.  My cats don't mind how long they stay there if
there is a chance of catching a mousie or a rattie  (smallish one..)

Leave them home alone for a month?  No way at all.  If I needed to go away
for a month I would board mine in a cattery,

Tweed

Why would anyone who loves his/her cats (or dogs) WANT to?
Poor kitties, they must have thought their person had
abandoned them!

I just really hope this is a Troll because I cannot bear to think
someone did that for 4 weeks!

The longest we have left the Furballs (Both current and previous) is 2
nights and that was going out late on the first day, then rushing home
the 2nd morning (not to mention starting to get worried half way
through the 1st day). We knew we were going to be out so we left huge
bowls of food both wet and dry, filled  3 litre containers  with water
and left taps running, left a completely clean litter box (and resigned
ourselves to the fact that any mess when we got back was our fault)

If I had had to leave them longer I have a friend who doesn't care much
for cats but can be relied on to fill bowls, clean litter, make sure
they don't escape and lock up afterwards whom I would use..he wouldn't
pet them much but they'd be fed and safe...or maybe he would and would
end up a slave!!!

But I wouldn't leave them that long

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs