Conference misery::feline_v1

    Thats absolutely terrible!  How can anyone be so cruel to a
    poor little animal.  Those people are monsters in my book, even
    though they do give the cats dried food, thats not enough.  They
    need proper care.  I wish I could help.  Can the MSPCA do anything
    about this situation?  Maybe you could even find a foster home
    for these two, they definately have to be taken away from those
    irresponsible people.
    
    Good luck.

    Ye gods... 
    
    I wish you luck with the cats. I also hope that somebody convinces your
    friend's sister to drop that bum immediately; it sounds as if she's
    already being emotionally battered (if not physically), and it will
    only get worse.
    
    Back to the cats. If you can't find another place for them, send
    me mail.
    
    -b

    Please keep us up to date.  Sounds like they need a foster home
    asap.
    

    For God's sake get them out of there.  That b**tard isn't likely
    to physically harm them is he (apart from neglect and starvation
    that is).  I wish someone would do the same to him.
    
    Good luck - let us know how you get on.

    Wait a minute!  Wasn't there a person looking for an all black kitten
    in this notes file?  I'm going to go back and find her note and
    ask her if she wants this one!  
    
    Holly
    
    

    A woman in Andover sent me mail this morning.  She wants to take
    the cats!  I just replied to her.  I really hope they have a new
    home soon!!
    
    We cannot take them until the weekend.  We want to wait until the
    sister returns from vacation.  We feel if we go there any earlier
    the boyfriend will flip out and refuse to release them.  We don't
    put anything past him.  At least with the sister there, we have
    a better chance of taking them away without the boyfriend knowing
    until they're gone.
    
    Will keep you posted - I hope to God we pull this off.
    
    /Roberta
    
    

    Good--glad there's a nice home in the offing.
    
    If it takes some bucks to help out, call or write.
    
    Jane

    Or if you need any help in any other way (like going to get the
    kittens) feel free to call!  I am sure that a lot of the noters
    would do anything they can to get these poor kittens away from this
    b*st*rd.
    
    Holly
    

    Roberta, good luck.  Let us know how everything works out. 
    

    I was so glad to read further in this note this morning that
    some loving person will take these poor cats.
    
    That guy needs to be shot in public. If that girl has any
    gray matter in the top of her head she will move out that
    door the same time the cats do.  If he treats a defenseless
    animal like that a woman will be no better off. (With a
    "doper" her life will be a living hell.)  He'd rather satisfy
    his habit then waste money on feeding those babes.
    
    Had better get off the soap box before I go too far...
    
    Thanks Roberta for being such a caring person and a GOLD STAR
    to the person taking the cats.
    
    Barbara

    If something falls through, and you need a temporary home for the
    kids, I'ld be a willing Foster Mom.  
    
    But, I wouldn't be able to keep them permanently.  
    
    Let me know if I can be of any help.
    
    purrs
    cin
    

    You guys are all so wonderful!
    
    My phone has been ringing off the hook this morning.  The woman
    in Andover sent me mail confirming taking the cats.  If for any
    reason it falls through, I have a back-up person from New Hampshire
    who's mother will take them.  Also, numerous foster homes have been
    offered as well as Holly Taylor's kind offer of having she and her
    boyfriend accompany us to their home and punch the guy out, if
    necessary.
    
    Cat lovers *are* a VERY special breed!
    
    /Roberta
    

    I, too, will be a temporary foster mom if all else fails.  Please
    don't wait until they come back - either of them.  Just go and
    get them and feed them.  Wait until he is not there.
    
    E.T. 

    Yes, stake out the house and get the cats out of there asap.
    

    My friend doesn't have a key to the house - she had to "break-in"
    through an unlocked window which is now locked.  He made it perfectly
    clear that she was not to come back, or else.
    
    The cats will be okay until Saturday; they've survived this long
    and there is food for them even though it is not their preference.
    
    We are going to get those cats come hell or high water, although
    I know it is not going to be easy.  I'll keep you all posted.
    
    

    Uh, jeez it seems like I do this too often, but...
    
    Despite the compassionate intentions, I question the wisdom of 
    discussing and advocating B&E in a corporate document.
    
    Please don't do anything DEC will be sorry for...
    
    Edd

    No one's advocating breaking and entering;  who knew the sister
    didn't have a key, after all?
    

    I just prefer erring on the conservative side...
    
    Edd
    

    
         I can see Edd's point.  As far as I'm concerned this jerk does
    not sound, hhmmm  how can I say it too stable?.  I've been around
    enough violent people in my life and they are a real threat when
    set off.  No one in this notesfile would want any harm to come to
    any of their fellow noters.  I would assume there are animal agencies
    in your area.  If you tell them how bad the abuse is and that the
    animals are in danger I'm sure they would act on that and probably
    press cruelty charges against the jerk which I yet have had no talk
    about in this topic.  In what area are these cats?  Maybe some fellow
    noters would have some connections in the vicinity where the cats
    are.  
    
                                                                  Kim

    
    Remember that note about the guy who put the cat in the micro?  Well
    what's to prevent this guy from doing something just as cruel for
    revenge?  If you pressure the guy into giving you the cats he might
    do something to them out of spite.
    
    So instead of storming up to him and making demands, why doesn't
    everyone just wait until Saturday?  I too am upset about their
    treatment, but realize that you can't just demand things from a
    person like him and expect to get your way because you're right
    and he's wrong.  Please don't do anything to risk the cats' lives.
    
    Sharon
    Not in Reading, UK
    

    My friend talked to her sister last night who agreed that the cats
    should go to a better home and will release them on Sunday.  However,
    this is what she says *now*; who knows what the boyfriend is going
    to do or say to influence her.
    
    Will keep you posted.
    

    Keep your chin up - what you are trying to do is wonderful.  I know
    the waiting is awful, but concentrate on the fact that when you
    get them their new owner will make up for what they have had to
    put up with so far.
    
    Hope that all goes well on Sunday, will be thinking of you.
    
    Regards
    
    Kate
    UK

IF and only if the sister refuses to release the cats, I would suggest THEN
that a CALM warning be issued that the animal abuse will be reported to the
local authorities - that there are fines and possible jail sentences for
animal abuse and that it would be better for all concerned to release the
cats.  If the cats are not released, its time to report the man.period.
No second warning, just go to the authorities.  This man sounds very dicey.

THEN, I would suggest your friend contact the local center for battered
women, get a name and a telephone number for the sister to contact and
give it to her.  This has all the classic symptoms of an abusive relationship
and your description of the interaction between the woman and her boyfriend
leaves me the impression she is AFRAID of him.  If this is true, there is
help available now days....someone should let her know.

    Re.23    Ditto.
    
                         kim

    yes, be really careful that you don't set him off so he hurts the
    cats.
    

I know all of you have good intentions; however, the sister has always
    had abusive boyfriends; apparently, she is one of those women who
    complains and complains ("I'm going to leave him," etc...) but never
    practices what she preaches.  She would never report him to the
    authorities so forget that tactic.  As far as getting the local
    authorities involved...easier said than done, as he is friendly
    with most of the local policemen (all around his age).  The MSPCA
    will most likely not respond in the timeframe we would like them
    to, and meanwhile, the poor cats go on suffering.  We will get them
    on Sunday - I am certain of it.
    
    The woman who is adopting them (I am not posting her name due to
    this guys unpredictability, and the last thing I want to do is get
    her directly involved) is a saint.  We have been keeping in touch
    off line, and she said to call her at anytime, day or night, and
    she will meet us to get the cats.  Rest assured that these kitties
    are going to a wonderful and loving home.  We're also going to try
    to confiscate all of the litter and food my friend bought to give
    to this woman -- it's only right!
    
    Gotta get back to work now.  If anyone can post a phone number of
    a local agency that can get involved RIGHT AWAY if we run into any
    problems on Sunday, please send me mail at the above node.
    
    Thanks,
    Roberta
    

   > MSPCA
   > will most likely not respond in the timeframe we would like them
   > to, and meanwhile, the poor cats go on suffering.  
    
Either things are REALLY different back east or this is an incorrect
statement.  Our SPCA representatives respond very quickly to reports of
abuse...within a day.  If you have reason to fear that the man will refuse to
let you have the cats, GO WITH AN MSPCA representative to get them.  If he
knows the local police or sheriff, then he knows that it is in his best
interests to cooperate and the MSPCA representative can have uniformed help
if need be..

Of course, I'm living in another part of the country and it may not be
like this where you live.  However, I would seriously consider getting
some kind of official help, from what you've said, this man sounds dangerous.
It begins to confuse me as to why you are so reluctant to call in the
law...friendly or not, the local police have laws to uphold and risk losing
their jobs if they refuse to comply.  The SPCA has the right to request
legal backup to remove animals in an abusive situation.

    The trouble with going to the spca etc. first is that then you get
    tangled up in owership questions of the cats, perhaps.  Why not
    call them for advice and see what the person there suggests?  he
    or she will probably be able to tell you what invoking them involves.
    

    When I did volunteer work for the Framingham Animal Humane Society
    a few months back, they were the ones who told me that the only
    organization that can intervene in an abusive situation is the MSPCA
    (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
    They also added that the MSPCA takes their sweet time responding
    to cruelty cases.  But just to be certain, I will contact the FAHS
    President tonight for confirmation as well as a phone number where
    action can be taken, pronto, if it comes down to that.
    
    At this point, the sister is cooperating, so we are not taking further
    action unless we don't get the cats this weekend.  The boyfriend
    has never, to our knowledge, harmed the cats in a physical way.
    If the MSPCA or any authority needs to be contacted, we will do
    it.
                                                         

    
    
    	After reading all 29 replies, it is now Monday morning and I'm
    dying to find out how you made out getting the cats on Sunday.
     - Please say all went well with this situation.
    
    	Keeping my fingers crossed....                            
    
    -Dee
    

    I was wondering the same thing.
    
    How is "everyone" who went on the cat caper?
    
    Good news or bad, tell us what happened.
    
    (Roberta, I hope you have just had a real busy Monday morning!)
    
    Barbara

    Yes, I have read all the replies and am now waiting for the info
    as to how it went yesterday.
    
    Please let us all know.
    
    Sandi (Lightning's & DejaVu's mom)
    
    

    Roberta - if you need the tel # of the MSPCA Hotline
    it is listed in Note # 1141. 
    
    Pat
    

    
    
    
    Update pllleeaase????
    
    
    kim

    Sorry I didn't get a chance to write in sooner, but it has been
    really busy here in the office.
    
    We did not get the cats on Sunday due to the fact that the boyfriend
    was home all day.  When he found out that we had found the cats
    a home he freaked (not on the cats - on his girlfriend).  Anyway,
    my friend was able to get one of the cats last night - the one that
    won't eat the dry food.  She was reluctant to give them both up
    at once, afraid of what her boyfriend might do, but the issue is
    still being actively pursued.  We are 95% sure we will get the other
    kitty.
    
    Anyway, the black one was the one taken, and surprisingly, she was
    not as skinny as I pictured her to be, but was VERY skittish.  When
    I talked to the new mom this morning, she said kitty hid behind
    the washing machine but was able to be coaxed out for dinner.  After
    awhile, she had kitty purring in her lap, but the slightest noise
    causes her to flee.  But we all know kitty will come around now
    that she is in a good and loving home.  
    
    Needless to say, last night was quite a hectic time.  And to top
    it all off, Chauncey disappeared AGAIN on Sunday.  When he didn't
    come home for dinner all Sunday night and Monday morning, I was
    frantic, especially because he now wears a collar and tags so I couldn't
    imagine what had happened.  When I got home from work last night
    there was a note on my door from my neighbor (a VERY nice person)
    which said, "I know where your cat is, come over."  So I knock on
    his door and he tells me that Chauncey is locked in the vacant
    townhouse next door to him!!  Apparently, he was working on his
    basement and heard loud meows.  So he went outside and there was
    Chauncey peering out of the window next door.  Every Sunday, there
    is an open house at our townhouse development due to the fact that
    they are newly built.  Well, they must have been showing that unit,
    and Mr. nosey decided to take a look around for himself and got
    locked inside.  My neighbor spent half the day trying to get someone
    over to unlock the door and finally reached the realtor who sold
    us the units.  When I got back from taking the other kitty to the
    new owner, Chauncey was in my neighbors house pigging out.
    
    Do they EVER learn?  I told Chauncey not to attend any more open
    houses until he can afford to buy one!
    

    Hey, Elaine - what happened to your reply??  I am sitting here
    anxiously awaiting your response.
    
    /Roberta
    

    Oh, I can see it - but here it is again - I said that maybe you
    ought to consider not letting him out any more.  I'm not sure
    you will like the reply, but he has had lots of problems - 
    his future problems may not have happy endings as this last
    one did.

    Well, he usually only goes out when I get up in the morning, goes
    in before I leave for work, goes out again when I get home, and
    out on weekends if I am home to keep an eye out.
    
    This particular time I thought twice before letting him go since
    I was going to be at my parents all day for mothers day.  The beautiful
    weather we had made me change my mind.  I realize having an
    indoor/outdoor cat is taking a chance, and yes, I have been very
    lucky.  I grew up in a houseful of indoor/outdoor cats so I have
    a hard time adjusting to the indoor-only controversy.  My mom never
    lost a single one to outdoor accidents.  But I'm not saying it can't
    happen...it does every single day.
    

    Be sure and let us know how it goes with the kitty that is still
    with that awful guy.  My concern is that the poor thing will probably
    be lonely without the other kitty.  Why was the guy so upset with
    his girlfriend anyway?  I'm sure that the reason was not that he
    was going to miss the cats.  He sounds really weird!

    The boyfriend is a very moody person and the only reason he won't
    release the cat is out of spite to his girlfriend as well as her
    sister.  Unfortunately, when you are dealing with family, things
    aren't always as easy to resolve as they may seem.
    
    My friend is a very strong and determined person.  I know she will
    keep the subject active and alive with her sister, but we still
    don't know how this situation is going to turn out.  I can assure
    you all that the black kitty we took did not look like he/she was
    physically abused in any way.  One thing we do know about this black
    cat is that it was more or less a loner, i.e.:  did not care if
    the other cat was around or not.  But if the new mom feels it is
    necessary, which I am sure she will, another cat will be added.
    

    
    
    
    	Anything happening with the cat that is still with the not so
    mentally healthy fellow?  Just wondering....
    
    

    They still have the other cat which appears to be doing okay.
    
    No further efforts have been made to take it away.