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Cat Forum / General Topics / February 2006Stray or not?
We live in a densely populated suburban area in New England. One night several weeks ago, a tiger-striped cat jumped up on a window ledge and meowed at me. He/she kept meowing and scent-marking the window. This seemed like the behavior of a stray cat. Since it was freezing outside and I felt sorry for the poor beast, I put out a handful of Royal Canin kibble. Since then, he's stopped by every evening--in the rain, in the snow, and in the cold-always hungry. There's no collar. The cat is quite sweet and likes to be petted a little, but not too much. If I tried to get a collar on him/her with a "Is this your kitty?" note, I'd probably get clawed. The cat acts starved but doesn't look thin; however, he/she has very dense fur--the fur of an outdoor cat. In the daytime, I've walked around the neighborhood and looked to see whether I could see the cat sitting on someone's porch or looking out someone's window. No luck. But, I also don't know how far the cat might roam to get to our house. I guessed blocks, but I could be wrong. I read the thread about feeding someone else's cat. If this cat IS someone else's cat, I don't want to lure the cat away from his/her home. On the other hand, if the cat is a stray, I don't want the poor animal to starve to death in freezing temperatures. I can't bring him/her inside because I already have three housecats and a husband who says three is enough. He also thinks that cat has an owner, but probably a negligent one. Any ideas on how I can find out whether this cat belongs to someone, and how far he/she might be roaming? Per CadillacWoman: >Any ideas on how I can find out whether this cat belongs to someone, >and how far he/she might be roaming? When our daughter trims the claws on our little beast, she just flips a bedspread or something equally opaque over it and it becomes completely docile while exposes one paw after another and trims the claws. Dunno if it would work, but maybe it's worth a try to put a collar on the same way except doing it by feel under the covering. Also, one of our neighbor's cats is well-fed and healthy - a little overweight, even. But when it manages to slip into our house, it heads straight for our cats' food dish and proceeds to devour it like it's been starved for a week.  SignaturePeteCresswell technically, any pet out of control of its owner is a stray. Not being excessively thin isn't a sign of a owned cat either. S/he could be a very good hunter, or found a few food sources. if he shows up on a regular schedule, I would probably assume he's stray and call the ACO. > We live in a densely populated suburban area in New England. One night > several weeks ago, a tiger-striped cat jumped up on a window ledge and [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Any ideas on how I can find out whether this cat belongs to someone, > and how far he/she might be roaming? Are you in the UK? In the US, the authorities are not kind--if someone does not claim or adopt the kitty within 7 days, it's killed. I can't do that to this kitty. I'd rather put out kitty food for months and try to find the owner--or another owner. As Peter mentioned, the kitty might just be a mooch. A couple of years ago, I did a "starving kitty" rescue. The end result was that I looked like a moron, and it took a long time to find a new home for the homeless one, but he did find a home--and it was a good home. I'm an amatuer at this sort of thing, but I want to do the right thing. In the borning days of the third millennium, CadillacWoman wrote: >Are you in the UK? In the US, the authorities are not kind--if someone >does not claim or adopt the kitty within 7 days, it's killed. That depends on the location. Some shelters are no-kill. Call the local Humane Society or look for a cat rescue organization. -- Brian Merchant Puritanism didn't keep the puritans from sinning, it just kept them from enjoying it. --Father Joe Breighner, Country Roads Congratulastions, Cady woman, you sound like a real animal lover. We also have an outside cat that was dropped here. And we also have too many pets inside to add another. When we've tried to bring her in, she freaks, hits the glass doors to get out, etc. So she does stay out. We had her spayed & shots. In the winter, we make a bed for her of a recycle bin turned on its side and put a heating paid wrapped in a towel in there & plug it in. She stays warm there all winter. When you pick her up out of it, she feels like toasty warm. We had her 8 winters now. If you keep her, she can eliminate any mouse problem you have. We didn't ever see one till "Killer" came along and she has brought us mice, birds, bats, even a baby squirrel. Hated the bird & squirrel., but the point is, she'll earn her keep. Hope you keep her if you can't find a GOOD home. Good luck!! > Are you in the UK? In the US, the authorities are not kind--if someone > does not claim or adopt the kitty within 7 days, it's killed. I can't [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > home. I'm an amatuer at this sort of thing, but I want to do the right > thing. >We live in a densely populated suburban area in New England. One night >several weeks ago, a tiger-striped cat jumped up on a window ledge and Any way you can check around with the neighbours? Also you could call Animal Control to see if anyone is looking for it or take an ad out in the paper. I wish all outdoor cats had ID so we'd know if they were owned or not. Anna If you kept the cat, you could put up posters asking "Is this your cat?" or "lost cat found." I've never tried that. Good idea! He/she doesn't belong to anyone on our end of the street, but he could belong to any one of a hundred homes nearby. We took a photo of him, but it didn't turn out well--we'll try again. When we have a run of dry days, I'll put up photos on telephone poles around the neighborhood. >Good idea! He/she doesn't belong to anyone on our end of the street, >but he could belong to any one of a hundred homes nearby. We took a >photo of him, but it didn't turn out well--we'll try again. When we >have a run of dry days, I'll put up photos on telephone poles around >the neighborhood. Might be better to scan the photo on your computer and make a bunch of posters instead of actual photos. Kelcey Update: Today I spoke to our letter carrier who delivers mail on foot. He thinks he's seen the kitty on his route--outside on someone's porch, but he's not sure which street. He promised to watch for the kitty and let me know the street and house number. If that doesn't work out, I will do posters. They'll be in black and white, but how many tiger-stripe cats can there be in one area? We had the same situation. A gorgeous cat started showing up at our house every day for meals. His coat looked a bit raggedy, so we weren't sure if he belonged to someone. The vet suggested (and gave us) a paper collar. We wrote "Call phone number... if this is your cat" on the collar. It was a bright blue collar, an owner would not have missed it. We left it on for over a week and no one called. We got the cat neutered and he joined our household. Rhonda > Any ideas on how I can find out whether this cat belongs to someone, > and how far he/she might be roaming? > Any ideas on how I can find out whether this cat belongs to someone, > and how far he/she might be roaming? I had a similar experience & put an old brightly colored flea color on the cat with a message that he was eating at our house with our telephone number. We got a call in 2 days from a home about a mile away. His owner said he's always on the move & not to worry. He'll go home when he's ready. We continued to give him hand outs until one day he got him by a car. Gosh, it sounds as if your visitor had quite a territory. I have a collar and tried to put it on our visiting kitty--but it was too snug and the kitty wouldn't cooperate while I tried to adjust it. Our letter carrier thinks that he has seen the kitty on someone's porch in the next town. If the kitty cut through conservation land, he'd have a trip of about four blocks. The letter carrier gave me the address, and I went over this afternoon but didn't see the kitty, and there was no one home. This weekend I'll go back and try to talk to the owner, if there is one. > We continued to give him hand outs until one day he got him by a car. him by or hit by? : We live in a densely populated suburban area in New England. One night : several weeks ago, a tiger-striped cat jumped up on a window ledge and [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] : Any ideas on how I can find out whether this cat belongs to someone, : and how far he/she might be roaming? I would try to gain her trust until she lets me put a collar inquring if she belongs to someone. Most probably she does not. That she has been coming to you hungry in rain and snow is indication enough. Please continue to feed her in the meantime. It would worse to let her starve than to accidently overfeed. I would think that any owner who doesn't want others to feed his cat would at least put a visible collar on her. She is most likely homeless. If you can't take her in, please try to find someone who can. FOUND THE OWNER! On Saturday evening, I managed to put a collar on the kittty. Several hours later, his owner called. She lives about 5 blocks away. We had a long talk, and she said that the kitty is a 3-year-old neutered male whom she rescued from a feral mother. The kitty insists on being an indoor-outdoor cat--meows at the door when he wants in and out. She said that he gets his two squares a day, but she'd noticed that he was putting on weight, so she put him on a diet. However, he continued to gain weight--undoubtedly because I've been feeding him a second dinner. She said that he's always been a friendly cat and is quite good at begging handouts. I promised that from here on out, I'd limit my attention to petting him. So, mystery solved! : FOUND THE OWNER! : [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] : begging handouts. I promised that from here on out, I'd limit my : attention to petting him. So, mystery solved! I am happily surprised but surprised nonetheless. That he has an owner and the owner didn't feel the need to put a cllar even knowing he is a wanderer. I hope he will continue to visit you even without regular meals. :-) An occasional treat probably wouldn't hurt. You can coordinate that with the owner. >FOUND THE OWNER! Great! What a relief for you I'll bet. It feels good when you're worried that a cat might be lost and you find out he has a home. Little rascal knows what he's doing - doesn't like being put on a diet so he found a kind lady to supply him with some extra food! Kelcey : On Saturday evening, I managed to put a collar on the kittty. Several : hours later, his owner called. She lives about 5 blocks away. We had a [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] : begging handouts. I promised that from here on out, I'd limit my : attention to petting him. So, mystery solved! >Great! What a relief for you I'll bet. It feels good when you're worried >that a cat might be lost and you find out he has a home. Little rascal knows >what he's doing - doesn't like being put on a diet so he found a kind lady to >supply him with some extra food! He was getting extra food before being put on diet. His human put him on diet after he started putting on weight from extra food. At least that is the way I read the earlier post. >He was getting extra food before being put on diet. His human put him on diet after he >started putting on weight from extra food. At least that is the way I read the earlier >post. If you reread her last post, you'll see it says she was feeding him a second dinner. Kelcey > FOUND THE OWNER! > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > begging handouts. I promised that from here on out, I'd limit my > attention to petting him. So, mystery solved! I'm glad to hear that. Good news indeed. I just had a different experience. Found the owner of a stray and they didn't seem thrilled to have it back. They were fearful of it killing the new baby. Anyway, I left it with them and lo and behold it showed up again. After taking it back three times. I decided that if it came back I would let it stay in the shed for 21 days and if the owners did not call or come over for it. I would consider it abandoned and try to find a home for it. I ended up taking it to the Humane Society and within a week they killed it. Damn! I would have kept him if I'd known they were going to do that. Stone Some pic's http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos The Humane Society isn't always humane. That's why I fund local no-kill shelters that are truly no-kill. Some shelters say they're no-kill, but after a period of time if a cat isn't adopted, they transfer it to a kill-shelter, and it's killed. The bottom line is that if you want good things done, you've got to do them yourself. >The Humane Society isn't always humane. That's why I fund local no-kill >shelters that are truly no-kill. Some shelters say they're no-kill, but >after a period of time if a cat isn't adopted, they transfer it to a >kill-shelter, and it's killed. The bottom line is that if you want good >things done, you've got to do them yourself. As long as people do not get in over their heads and the animals start suffering like some of these people they show on Animal Cops on Anial Planet. > The Humane Society isn't always humane. That's why I fund local no-kill > shelters that are truly no-kill. Some shelters say they're no-kill, but > after a period of time if a cat isn't adopted, they transfer it to a > kill-shelter, and it's killed. The bottom line is that if you want good > things done, you've got to do them yourself. Yeah, If there is a next time I'll have my friend in the next county take the animal to the shelter over there. I'm bummed that I had a hand in that cats death. The intent was to find it a home, not a lethal injection and a furnace inside of a week. I would have just let him live in the shed under the lamp and kept him fed had I known. I was thinking of donating to the Humane Society here but am rethinking that. I have to take one of my cats to the vet today. She's been throwing up too often and she bends her spine up kind of like a hump. Not a defensive posture. Have to find out what's going on there. Stone Some pic's http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos Yeah, I know you felt bad, but you were aware that might happen, weren't you? I used to volunteer at a shelter in Denver. They received 100 animals a day and could only keep about 10, so most were euthanized the day they arrived. I heard the story of one guy being so mad at his dog that he turned him in to the shelter with plans "adopt" him the next day. He got there and the dog had already been euthanized. They just don't have room for the crazy number of unwanted animals. Rhonda > I ended up taking it to the Humane > Society and within a week they killed it. Damn! I would have kept him if I'd > known they were going to do that. I was told that they only euthanized them if they were really sick. This fellow was pretty healthy and spry. I do feel bad, a bit PO'd also. But, it's done. There is another stray here and there's no way I'm taking it to them. If I have to, I'll put a cat door in the shed/barn for it and then try to find it a home for as long as it takes. Right now it's living in one of my firewood racks. It let me get within 6' of it last night. Once it lets it's guard down, I'll get it to the vet. It looks mal nourished, I've been leaving food out in front of the shed door for now. It's suppose to get well below zero this weekend, I should be able to lure it into the shed and let it find the heated kitty condo with food and water. We'll see how it goes. Stone Some pic's http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos > Yeah, I know you felt bad, but you were aware that might happen, weren't > you? [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >> Society and within a week they killed it. Damn! I would have kept him if I'd >> known they were going to do that. That's horrible that they told you they wouldn't euthanize and they did. Sounds like someone didn't know what they were talking about. The guy who was in charge of the incoming animals at the Denver shelter said he would never make any promises to people. He said little old ladies would come in crying and it would tear his heart out, but he couldn't promise. He did say though that in his head he had made up his mind to keep that one out for awhile... Good luck with your new stray. I'm glad you can help it. Rhonda > I was told that they only euthanized them if they were really sick. This > fellow was pretty healthy and spry. I do feel bad, a bit PO'd also. But, [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > >> known they were going to do that. > > Thanks Rhonda, We've got heavy snow warnings out for tonight, maybe a foot of snow, I left the door open just enough for it to get in and put some food right in the doorway. It's 1:30 AM and I see a single set of tracks leading into the shed. I'm going out to close the door and the cat and I will get acquainted in the morning. I'll have to call the vet and get it in to see him, it's pretty scrawny looking. Stone Some pic's http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos > That's horrible that they told you they wouldn't euthanize and they did. > Sounds like someone didn't know what they were talking about. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Rhonda He probably didn't know. I didn't know that shelters euthanize most of the animals they take in until I took in a stray cat and started reading this newsgroup. People, educated people, just don't know the facts of surplus pets in America because it's not well publicised. How long did you volunteer at the shelter? It's something I've wanted to do, but my husband said "no way," figuring that I'd adopt all the cats rather than let them be euthanized. Per (general usage): >that shelters euthanize most Is it just me, or do anybody else get weirded out by terms like "euthanize" or "put to sleep"? I don't think I have a big problem with killing animals - done it myself - sometimes face-to-face and generally without misgivings. But to trivialize it with other words..... I dunno... If somebody's gonna kill something, I feel better if they come right out and say it... SignaturePeteCresswell I know what you're saying. But to me, there is a difference between "kill" and "euthanize." Hunters kill. Shelter volunteers euthanize. Hunters have a choice of kill or don't kill, but shelters don't have that choice--they've got x amount of space and x number of animals and x number of homes waiting. But as you say, at the end of the day, dead is dead. Per CadillacWoman: >I know what you're saying. But to me, there is a difference between >"kill" and "euthanize." Hunters kill. Shelter volunteers euthanize. >Hunters have a choice of kill or don't kill, but shelters don't have >that choice--they've got x amount of space and x number of animals and >x number of homes waiting. But as you say, at the end of the day, dead >is dead. I thought about it a little more, and I think for me it's something to do with respect. It's a living being and I'm taking it's life. I'm not picking an apple or digging up a potato. It's better all around if I own up to that and not try to trivialize it. Kind of like a word of thanks to the chicken when one eats it. SignaturePeteCresswell Per (PeteCresswell): >a word of thanks to the chicken A *silent* word..... don't want to get myself certified and committed over this... SignaturePeteCresswell >Per (general usage): >>that shelters euthanize most [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >But to trivialize it with other words..... I dunno... If somebody's gonna kill >something, I feel better if they come right out and say it... I know what you mean. Every time I hear them use the term "Humanely euthanize" like on the Animal Cops on Animal Planet I am like "Why not just say kill??" That is what a person is doing!!! >>Per (general usage): >>>that shelters euthanize most [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I know what you mean. Every time I hear them use the term "Humanely > euthanize" like on the Animal Cops on Animal Planet I am like "Why not > just say kill??" That is what a person is doing!!! You hate euphemisms? Do you never say "go to the bathroom", when you really mean urinate? Do you never say "make love", when you really mean f*ck? Besides, the word "kill" covers everything from violent premeditated murder of your children to pulling weeds. Why is it so hard to imagine people wanting to use more specific terms? It's not semi-lying spin like changing the department of war to the department of defense. Or a defensive weapon with first strike capability. Per Patrick I. McCurry: >You hate euphemisms? >Do you never say "go to the bathroom", when you really mean urinate? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >murder of your children to pulling weeds. Why is it so hard to >imagine people wanting to use more specific terms? The word "hate" does not appear in my OP. I made no reference to not being able to imagine people wanting to use "more specific" terms. SignaturePeteCresswell > Per Patrick I. McCurry: >>You hate euphemisms? [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > The word "hate" does not appear in my OP. snip > PeteCresswell Strange, you don't like it when someone jumps on your post. And yet you failed to either read or perhaps comprehend my OP in the thread before jumping on the post you did read. Patrick is right on, on this. Stone Per Patrick I. McCurry: >It's not semi-lying spin like changing the department of war to the >department of defense. Or a defensive weapon with first strike >capability. The reason I get a little weirded out when people say they're "putting to sleep" an animal when they are actually killing it is something in that vein. If the animal needs to be killed, so be it - kill the thing in as humane a way as you can.... but don't tell me - or, more importantly, yourself - that you're 'Putting it to sleep'. A perfectly human and understandable path to take, for sure. But for myself, killing something that thinks and feels is serious business and I think I should keep that in mind. Not that I have a big problem with it: I eat meat/poultry/fish, I've clubbed rats to death with a 2x4 face-to-face, and I've hunted for sport. But accepting what I've done for what it is is bound to have a certain restraining effect on my future actions. SignaturePeteCresswell > Per (general usage): >>that shelters euthanize most > > Is it just me, or do anybody else get weirded out by terms like > "euthanize" or > "put to sleep"? Put to sleep bothers me. What is it that surgeons do before they operate? Put it to unconsciousness? I couldn't take the day-to-day stuff, I volunteered in the evenings taking pets to nursing homes. We still had to go through the orientation and hear all of the facts. I only volunteered a couple of months before I moved. Out here, I volunteered for awhile with a rabbit rescue group. We worked with the Humane Society, but were not part of their staff. That could be tough sometimes too, walking through all of the kitties begging for attention just to get back to the rabbit room. I know I'd be in trouble too if I was working there. We have a full house just from strays that we've come across! Rhonda > How long did you volunteer at the shelter? It's something I've wanted > to do, but my husband said "no way," figuring that I'd adopt all the > cats rather than let them be euthanized. > He probably didn't know. I didn't know that shelters euthanize most of > the animals they take in until I took in a stray cat and started [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > to do, but my husband said "no way," figuring that I'd adopt all the > cats rather than let them be euthanized. _____________________________________________ I started as a volunteer for one of our local shelters, and in time also now serve on the Board of Directors. It is a "No-Kill" shelter, so that helped emotionally. Yes... its hard to not take them all home!! Animals are my great love and are the light of my heart. At a shelter, you see everything from people forced to give up a beloved pet, to products of inconvenience and neglect, to severe abuse, and it can be heartbreaking... but they need us! I almost didn't make it as a volunteer... but somehow my thinking changed... from "how horrible", to "how great it is that this place is here where these little ones can find sanctuary and veterinary care... loved and tended to in a clean loving environment until someone comes and pays to adopt them..!! You still love each of them, but somehow you are able to become stronger and put aside your personal angst for the benefit of all of them... knowing they need your help, not for you to give up an dgo home. If all the great volunteers bailed on them, where would they be?? They have a home with us untiil they are adopted. It can be done! And, because we have such good exposure and PR, and people know of our efforts, our adoption rate is wonderful. We also work with PetsMart stores, who assist in adopting out little homeless ones. They even provided us with grant money to spay and neuter many, many of our incoming cats and dogs, something we do anyway, but every dollar helps an animal shelter! About working in a shelter that euthanizes... I'm sure no one "wants" to do that... but policies *can* be changed! Go to Board Meetings... most are open to the public until they go into Executive Session. Raise your concerns and express your wishes to be a No-Kill shelter. Don't listen to the rationalizations for euthanizing, and don't give up. Always be polite though, and think and speak diplomatically, not confrontationally. Be an excellent volunteer and set an example for others... you will increase in numbers... Get other people interested and involved... Get on the Board of Directors and have a voice... Goodness can cause goodness! An alternative to making a change in an established organization, is to start your own non-profit animal sanctuary/shelter. With enough support, you can do it! It can start with you! For inspiration, here is a WONDERFUL place that takes in otherwise "unadoptable" animals that Kill shelters wouldn't even consider keeping around... Its called "Home for Life". http://www.homeforlife.org/index.htm >FOUND THE OWNER! That's good to hear. >gain weight--undoubtedly because I've been feeding him a second dinner. > She said that he's always been a friendly cat and is quite good at >begging handouts. I promised that from here on out, I'd limit my >attention to petting him. So, mystery solved! He's going to be disappointed about not getting the second dinner anymore; now he'll have to find someone else to convince he's lost and hungry - I think cats are smarter than we think! Anna >>gain weight--undoubtedly because I've been feeding him a second dinner. >> She said that he's always been a friendly cat and is quite good at [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Anna Maybe just give him a couple small bites to wean him slowly from what you been feeding him instead of going cold turkey?? >>>gain weight--undoubtedly because I've been feeding him a second >>>dinner. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >>He's going to be disappointed about not getting the second dinner >>anymore; now he'll have to find someone else to convince he's lost and >>hungry - I think cats are smarter than we think! >> >>Anna > > Maybe just give him a couple small bites to wean him slowly from what > you been feeding him instead of going cold turkey?? I've got a similar but opposite problem. I "have" a cat that demands to be an outside/stray cat. She was born in my mother's yard and lived with us for years. When I moved out, I felt sad, but consoled myself with the idea of my mother taking care of Cricket. Well, while visiting for thanksgiving, who should run up skinny and nigh orgasmic to hear my voice but Cricket. I find that dear old mom had removed the cat door and has only periodically thought about her promise. Of course, I take my kitty back to my apartment despite the complex pet limit. At least until I can figure something out. After keeping her inside for a week or two I let her out experimentally. On her second outing she disappears. Within a few days I hear that she found her way back "home." She is also far too whiley to keep a collar on for for more than a few hours. The smartest cat I ever saw. Now the only thing I can do is take catfood to my mother and give Cricket some attention. (While leaving some food outside in case my mom forgets.) Recently, during a cold snap falling to the teens F, I spent the night at the house just to keep Cricket inside and warm. My mom spends the weekends and some weekdays with her jerk boyfriend. (I'm afraid that his callousness has rubbed off on her.) I know that there isn't anything else that I can do, but I just needed to vent. With my constant feeding and her experience, she at least stays a normal weight and flealess. >Of course, I take my kitty back to my apartment despite the complex >pet limit. At least until I can figure something out. >After keeping her inside for a week or two I let her out >experimentally. On her second outing she disappears. Within a few >days I hear that she found her way back "home." Take her back to your apartment again but don't let her out. She'll learn to adjust. >Now the only thing I can do is take catfood to my mother and give >Cricket some attention. (While leaving some food outside in case my >mom forgets.) Recently, during a cold snap falling to the teens F, I >spent the night at the house just to keep Cricket inside and warm. >My mom spends the weekends and some weekdays with her jerk boyfriend. >(I'm afraid that his callousness has rubbed off on her.) >I know that there isn't anything else that I can do, but I just >needed to vent. Yes, there is, take your cat back to your apartment. Kelcey >>Of course, I take my kitty back to my apartment despite the complex >>pet limit. At least until I can figure something out. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Take her back to your apartment again but don't let her out. She'll > learn to adjust. I doubt it. She is exceedingly smart, stubborn, and NOT an inside only cat. >>Now the only thing I can do is take catfood to my mother and give >>Cricket some attention. (While leaving some food outside in case my [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Kelcey If I lived alone I wouldn't hesitate to try at least one more time. The problem is that that risks eviction for my two flatmates as well as myself. I can't ask them to risk homelessness and lease breaking penalities. The poor kitty depends on your mother for its very life, and your mother can't be bothered to feed the poor creature or bring it in when the weather is freezing? Perhaps your mother is becoming senile, but as you've surmised, you can't depend on your her to do the right thing. Try to keep kitty in your apartment, which after a while will become normal. If kitty doesn't get along with your other pets, perhaps you could rehome her with a friend or coworker. Good luck. I admire you for trying to do the right thing by this poor kitty. > The poor kitty depends on your mother for its very life, and your > mother can't be bothered to feed the poor creature or bring it in when [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > could rehome her with a friend or coworker. Good luck. I admire you for > trying to do the right thing by this poor kitty. My mom is only 52 and physically and mentally fit, just a little callous and entering her pre-retirement"me" phase. She recently bought a sportscar too. It did tick me off that she couldn't hold off on staying at her boyfriend's until after the cold snap. Especially since she removed the catdoor. Within a few days I'll check to see if any of my mom's neighbors could look after Cricket if I pay for the food. That way she wouldn't feel the need to run away and attempt many road crossings. I'm mainly worried about her alone in our rare but intense weather events. >My mom is only 52 and physically and mentally fit, just a little >callous and entering her pre-retirement"me" phase. She recently [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >I'm mainly worried about her alone in our rare but intense weather >events. Does the cat have someplace in the yard where it can get out of the weather such as an old dog house? If there is a garage there what are chances of putting a cat door in it?? >Does the cat have someplace in the yard where it can get out of the weather such as an old >dog house? If there is a garage there what are chances of putting a cat door in it?? Good idea, and adding hay or other types of bedding can help too. Kelcey >Within a few days I'll check to see if any of my mom's neighbors >could look after Cricket if I pay for the food. That way she >wouldn't feel the need to run away and attempt many road crossings. >I'm mainly worried about her alone in our rare but intense weather >events. That would be great if they would give her a home. Hope they say yes. NanCe Good idea. He's been by the past couple of nights. I petted him thoroughly and gave him a couple of cat treats and told him to go home to his mommy.
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