Stray or not?

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jwr4@webtv.net - 11 Nov 2003 02:44 GMT

At what point would any of you take a stray to a shelter?
In the past week or two a b/w cat has been coming around. I have
asked around the neighborhood and although several folks have b/w cats,
they all claim they either keep their cats inside or was inside when I
asked if they had a b/w cat.
The cat seems to be well-fed and is very friendly. Perhaps I made a
mistake by feeding it when I first saw him/her. The cat shows up and
disappears throughout the day, then goes for the night.
Evidently he/she has someplace to go after leaving. Cold weather is
coming and if this is a cat someone dropped off on the side of the road
I hate to think of it being out in the cold, but if he/she does belong
to someone, I don't want to take it to a shelter because someone will be
missing their cat.
I know some folks think it's a sin to allow cats to run lose, but
most cat owners in this area do just that.
Should I just quit feeding this cat when it comes around?

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Cheryl - 11 Nov 2003 03:24 GMT

> At what point would any of you take a stray to a shelter?
> In the past week or two a b/w cat has been coming around. I have
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> but most cat owners in this area do just that.
> Should I just quit feeding this cat when it comes around?

Does it have a collar? If not, can you possibly get a "break-away"
collar (they're fairly cheap at the pet store) and attach a note with
your number? I wouldn't take it to a shelter as most have pretty
strict guidelines for euthenasia within a certain amount of time if
not reclaimed.

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Judy - 11 Nov 2003 03:59 GMT

> > At what point would any of you take a stray to a shelter?
> > In the past week or two a b/w cat has been coming around. I have
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> collar (they're fairly cheap at the pet store) and attach a note with
> your number?

I was about to suggest the same thing. :c)

Judy & Matilda

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Sherry - 11 Nov 2003 04:03 GMT

>Does it have a collar? If not, can you possibly get a "break-away"
>collar (they're fairly cheap at the pet store) and attach a note with
>your number? I wouldn't take it to a shelter as most have pretty
>strict guidelines for euthenasia within a certain amount of time if
>not reclaimed.

That's a great idea, Cheryl. I've read stories on the groups where this has
actually worked in locating the owner of a suspected stray.

Sherry

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Cheryl - 12 Nov 2003 00:31 GMT

>> Does it have a collar? If not, can you possibly get a "break-away"
>> collar (they're fairly cheap at the pet store) and attach a note
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Sherry

:) That's where I got it from. Ideas perpetuate. I'd also say I

would continue to feed the stray since it depends on her for food even
if it is owned. If it is fat, that is another story but if it truely
is hungry, I wouldn't stop feeding it. If it seems to be crossing a
busy road to get to the food, I would, though.

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Kalyahna - 15 Nov 2003 02:30 GMT

> > At what point would any of you take a stray to a shelter?
> > Evidently he/she has someplace to go after leaving. Cold
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> strict guidelines for euthenasia within a certain amount of time if
> not reclaimed.

If the collar idea doesn't work, you should at least call your local
shelter. Cats can wander pretty far, and there's always a chance that
someone outside of your neighborhood is missing this cat. Shelters often
have listings of missing pets which they check whenever a stray is brought
into the facility. If you're concerned about euthanasia, ask about their
policy when you call. Some shelters still have time-limit policies even for
animals considered adoptable, but not all of them. I work at a shelter that
euthanizes for things that make an animal unadoptable with our resources
(aggression, severe illness, etc). Considering how crammed full of cats we
are (and will be until January, most likely), I would still bring in the
stray. If he's as friendly as you say, the chances of euthanasia are
miniscule.

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M.C. Mullen - 11 Nov 2003 04:01 GMT

| I know some folks think it's a sin to allow cats to run lose, but
| most cat owners in this area do just that.
| Should I just quit feeding this cat when it comes around?

It's never fair to feed someone else's cat.
You take it away from the owner and it gets overfed too.

I suggest that you *do* go to the shelter. - But to get a cat for yourself!

Carola

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simon - 17 Nov 2003 16:38 GMT

I don't know what to say about this.

> At what point would any of you take a stray to a shelter?
> In the past week or two a b/w cat has been coming around. I have
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> most cat owners in this area do just that.
> Should I just quit feeding this cat when it comes around?

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Daz - 19 Nov 2003 22:45 GMT

> I don't know what to say about this.

Neither did I, that's why I didn't post anything ... :o)

Daz

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