What to Do

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:54 pm

Well, we seem to have a homeless kitty hanging around our garage. I first saw her at the end of last week when Tigger had her cornered and was talking at her. Later I heard a bit of catterwalling. Yesterday Geoff saw her run into the garage, and gave her a bowl of food. Tonight she was out by the wood pile. We gave her some more food and she turns out to be very friendly. But in rough shape...back legs have little to no fur like she has washed/tugged it all out, her butt looks inflamed so she'd probably got a belly full of parasites. We just went through all that with Molly. And of course just recently got Molly. And just recently lost Cocoa.

I am thinking I should call the Humane Society and take her in to them to be checked out. Geoff says, if they can find her a home, great. Otherwise maybe we'll take her. But then the girl's great Aunt has kittens and Erin wants one of the black and white ones. So Geoff would rather get that one...which of course does not come with any health guarantee and knowing how the children of that family are raised, I don't hold out a lot of hope for the kittens.

I'm a sucker and in a lot of ways want to keep it. But then Tigs has already had territorial issues with it. Molly is still adjusting/Tigs is still adjusting to her. I'd just hate to see her not get a home and be a shelter cat for way too long (if you know what I mean).

She is pretty. Black and gold calico type (no white), and got double front paws.
Katy

Jean · Post by **Jean** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:20 pm

Katy,

Well feeding her means she'll probably stick around! LOL

I know my humane society won't take strays, only animals that you own and surrender. Here it's the city pound that takes them.

My head says you should call and find out where to take her. Of course, my heart says keep her. I have three cats, only one planned. Three is almost too many, but I love them all.

Good luck, Jean

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:08 pm

I slightly agree 3 is too many. Molly was a stray kitten that got taken in by the shelter. Part of me so wants to adopt her.

Katy

m · Post by m » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:30 pm

Can you take her to a sympathetic vet? Or maybe the vet knows someone who rescues. If she goes to the humane society, won't they put her down almost immediately? I couldn't stand to see a cat suffering so I'd probably take her in. Then again, I stop for injured wildlife all the time and seriously worry I will turn into A Cat Lady.
m

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:32 pm

Boy, it's soooo hard not to just take in strays. It breaks my heart. There are some really nice animals out there that people have dumped off. It's so sad.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Love, Shirley

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:32 pm

When I worked at the Humane society I used to wish I could have people who abandoned or mistreated animals one night in my kennels.....

It's hard to know what to do. I guess followyour heart. Love Oma

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:49 am

UGH. The Humane Society will take her, but they are over capacity, and need to know when I'm bringing her in and can't hold the spot. They are only open until 5, so of course I can't get there in time from work (when you figure this cat is outdoors and who knows if it will be right there when I get home! She sounded so negative about taking it, that now I really don't want to take it there. There is an animal rescue league in the area, but they have a bad rep in my book as they sued a family friend (respected in the community) a few years back for "neglecting" his ponies. One of the ponies was at least 20 years old (I remember when he got it for his daughter who was a good friend of mine) and the other was the son of the first and wasn't more than a year (or whatever the gestation period on a pony is) younger than the first. Well, the younger one died while in custody of the animal rescue league! Needless to say after that, all charges were dropped. But it doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth.

Maybe I can talk Geoff into letting me keep this one. He did say the over the weekend that maybe it was God's replacement for Cocoa. I know he is worried about the parasite/health issues because of his kids. And I certainly don't have the extra energy to be doing that much laundry again with my current health issues. But this cat is way to sweet to die. If it were mean tempered I'd feel differently, but it only took me about 2 minutes of gently talking to it and a bowl of kibbles and it was snuggling up and purring. This morning it was outside crying...I think asking where we were.

Katy

Peggy · Post by **Peggy** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:06 am

Well my gut says she was sent to you. For everything there is a reason....

Love
Peg

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:59 am

Sounds like you may have yourself a new "baby". They can really pull on those heartstrings.

Love, Shirley

Sally · Post by **Sally** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 10:23 am

My first thought when I read you letter, Katy, was "here comes Cocoa" again.

My gut agrees with Peg's gut. Take her in.

Love,

Sally

Post by **tex** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:26 pm

Ok Katy,

Here's a brand new cat smilie to help you make up your mind. (This is how the new cat feels when you are near).

Tex

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:58 pm

Love it Tex!

In fact I made an appointment with the vet for tomorrow, so assuming I can corral her in the am, I will drop her off on the way to work and they will check her out during the day then I'll talk to the vet, make a decision, and probably assuming she is healthy/treatable, pick her up after work.

I'm a sucker for cats. Timing isn't great though because we leave Saturday morning for vacation, but I guess I can keep her in a bedroom while we are gone. That way too she won't be trying to get adjusted to the other cats/them to her so much while we are gone....That could result in WWIII.
Katy