Call me crazy. Or maybe its just because I have a heart for poor, cold, starving kitties that walk to my window while I'm on the computer and meow at me. Yesterday I'm sitting here catching up on all your posts, when this black and white bloke walks up to our front window. Too small to be a cow, I recognize that this is the same cat we saw last week hanging around. He makes eye contact with me and meows.
Without a thought, I go to the door and he kitty head butts my legs and reaches up with his paws conveying, "Pick me up! Pick me up!" in kitty body language. He is thin but oh so affectionate. He's definitely not feral.
We put him in our cat carrier and Yumi picks up his scent. She is furious. She puts on quite the show, growling and hissing.
A few years ago there was a black and white kitty the boys nicknamed, Woc, (cow backwards) that ended up belonging to a family down the street. I headed that direction and knocked on doors, but no one claimed him yesterday. I don't think this kitty is Woc. His fur seems to be longer and he seems younger.
We brought him home for the night and set up the basement for kitty bed and breakfast. Yumi continues to growl and hiss, but they are separated for now.
He used the cat box with duel success! He's eating Yumi's Taste Of The Wild, grain free dry kibble, like there's no tomorrow. Later this morning I'll bring him to the vet for a chip check. I know chances are low he is microchipped, but its worth a try.
I suppose we'll then make flyers, but I highly doubt anyone will come forward. I really think he's a house kitty, not a feral, and perhaps someone couldn't afford to keep him any longer.
We would love to keep him but there's two big reservations, Yumi being one of them. I just don't know if she'll warm up to him. The second big problem is I'm allergic to him. He loves to head butt you, and his kitty kisses make my neck itch. I think its just dog and cat saliva that I'm allergic to. My breathing hasn't been affected. Yumi doesn't kiss or lick so she doesn't bother me.
I suppose there is a third reservation as well, the cost. I can provide shelter and food and basic vet care, but when our cats get really sick, it breaks my heart we can't spend what ever is needed. You may recall Yumi became ill a few months back, and the vet suggested surgery. We can't afford big things like this and would have to unfortunately go the euthanasia route. Yumi was blessed it turned out to be a food allergy, but I would have felt terrible if it would have been something more serious we couldn't afford to treat her for.
I know if I end up bringing this cutie pie to the shelter, his odds are grim. Shelters are being filled with surrenders these days. Is it ethical for us to keep him and do the best we can, but if something big happens, it happens?
For now I'm telling myself not to worry about these things. God's blessed us before when things have stressed me out. The basement is cozy enough for a kitty hostel. He'll be fed and loved, even though it means I need to wash up every time he kisses me. Maybe Yumi will settle down or maybe he does have a chip and a home waiting for his return?
12 comments:
See what the vet says, then make up your mind. Yumi will settle down in a couple of weeks. We have successfully introduced new cats to old ones and it really only takes a couple of weeks for the older pet to decide the new pet isn't going away and a truce must be made. LOL
Good luck. Perhaps the new kitty will learn to not get so close to you after awhile, and all will be well. They are quite smart.
Poor kitty....it does sound like he had a home at one point as affectionate as he is. Hope he gets a clean bill of health at the vets.
I can relate on the vet costs...I actually started a separate vet account for emergency pet care. I put a little bit each paycheck into it. If you can manage $10-$20 every few weeks, it does add up over time.
Another alternative that might help out kitty but give you some reprieve on the potential care costs is to contact shelters and rescues in the area that you know are no-kill and tell them just what you blog here - how you found him, you want him to have a good life but are concerned about emergency vet costs, etc., so you are concerned about keeping him yourself. If you are willing to serve as a foster home until a permanent home is found or room opens at another foster, they may be willing to work with you to place him.
I think you're a very good person taking care of animals like that, even if they weren't your own. It makes me so sad when I'm thinking someone could just leave their pets outside and not to care for longer... what does it tell us? Do such people have any heart? I'm now thinking of Garfield and all the cats having a loving and caring home and being comfortable... thinking of all of those homeless pets who have to suffer makes me so sad.
Unfortunately, right now a lot of people are hurting financially with the housing crisis putting people out on the street, job loss is at record setting highs, and the economy is in turmoil. In addition to helping with animal transports and adoption events, I monitor craigslist and local papers for a few dog breeds that I have know contacts within the breed specific rescues. It's depressing at the number of animals that people are posting, begging people to take because they can no longer afford them when the family went from two paychecks to none or are being forced to move and just can't find any place that they cane keep them. It's not always about the owners not having a heart - sometimes things truly are beyond their control and the best intentioned plans fail. It's not unheard of for people to drop off an animal in a better off neighborhood in the hopes that some one will take pity on it and take it in. Or moving and leaving the pet behind for the same reasoning - that the pet will have a better chance at getting a good home that way then taking it to the over-crowded pound.
While there's far too many people out their that see pets as disposable, this isn't the case with all of the homeless pets that are out there in greater than ever numbers right now. I even know of dogs that earned their AKC Championship that are being surrendered to the local county dog pound because the owners just can't afford them any more.
I'm sure Yumi will get used to the other cat. Sometimes it takes a while. He's a cutie!
WHY are they SOOOOO hard to say NO to ???!?
Damn little fur balls , have thier little ploy tactics down pat I tell you !
I just stumbled across your blog and was so touched by your story!
His picture is adorable, and he's lucky he found such a kind person to help him, when he is so clearly in need.
I hope you get good news on the chip. The chances might be better than you think if he's young. Most shelters, for instance, require animals to be chipped before adopting them out.
And, no, I don't think it's unethical to keep him and do your best for him. He is warm, he is fed, and he is loved. Without you, he'd be on the street, or likely euthanized in a shelter. I'd say your helping him is highly ethical and good for you. Vet costs are insane now, and I think there needs to be some better system of pet health insurance.
I hope it all works out!
Sounds like a house cat that got out of his house by accident or put out for other reasons. It is great you are giving him a warm place to stay for now. But don't feel guilty if you have to give him up to the local animal shelter. I am sure they can find him a nice new home. We have a problem in our town with feral cats, people catch them and take them to the animal shelter but they are full right now. And feral cats up here don't get new homes, they go to farms where they can live out there days outside but still have shelter and food.
I hope everything works out for you
He's absolutely adorable. I can see why you took him in. I think your right about him being a house cat, because the wild ones around here are not friendly at all. Hopefully, his owners will want him back. If he has a chip they probably will. If not, maybe they will see the posters you put up. But for now he's got a good home and is out of danger.
He's so sweet!
It may take a few days but l bet Yumi will accept the new one. It took my kittens about 3 or 4 days to accept the rescue l took in, now they sleep together. lol at the allergies, l take Singulair because l'm allergic to the kittens. I get that itchy neck problem from them but not the new cat, go figure. Maybe you'll find the owner. He is a cutie.
Dawn, we have 3 cats and 2 dogs for this very reason. We have care credit for vet emergencies...it's a low/no interest credit plan that vets take. I don't like going into debt for my pets, but it is helpful when the unexpected happens, like Bear's lyme disease. If you ask the vet, they can give you more info. I think you are doing the right thing...outside cats have a higher death rate and most shelters are overrun..the no kill shelters are refusing pets, and the ones that euthanize are euthanizing much more quickly than they used to. Things are tough all over, and the shelters are no exception. And for what it's worth, my 3 all eventually accepted each other and the dogs as well...the cats even sleep with Bear, but they are still not too sure of the puppy...he's too high energy for them!
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