[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1547.0. "Stray Cat Infestation" by MYVAX::LSCHWARTZ () Tue Jul 12 1988 16:50

    The house next to mine is very run down.  I know someone lives there
    but I haven't actually ever seen the person.  I am very concerned
    about this house not only because of its poor condition but also
    because there are a number of cats that are living there.  Now that
    the weather is warm I see the cats outside everyday.  One of the
    cats had kittens maybe 6-8 weeks ago (judging by the size of the
    kittens).  I don't think the cats have gone to vets and I'm not
    sure if they're being fed.  I really don't like the idea of stray,
    unnneutered, cats roaming the neighborhood.  The could easily get
    hurt or abused. I took a close look at one of the kittens yesterday,
    although it looked well fed its eyes were really runny.
    
    Should I call the MSPCA?  I know what will probably happen to them
    if I do.  Do I have a right to call? Afterall they aren't my cats.      
    
    
    -Lauren
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1547.1Yes, call the MSPCAFSHQOA::RWAXMANA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendTue Jul 12 1988 17:1020
    Yes, Lauren, you have a right to call and it is NOT cruel (in my
    opinion) to humanely euthanize unwanted kittens.  It is better than
    letting them forage outside on their own or worse, remain in a home
    where they are being neglected and possibly abused.
    
    When I was growing up, the family across the street had two cats,
    a male and a female who kept mating and producing litters of unwanted
    kittens.  We would often see their kids parading up and down the street
    with kittens in their arms (and you know how kids hold kittens)
    ringing doorbells trying to find homes for them.  My mom finally
    got sick of seeing this and one day took the female to the vet,
    had her spayed, and asked the vet if he could find her a good home.
    He did.  My mom then took the male, had him neutered, and kept him
    for herself.  The family could have cared less.  Luckily, my mom
    did.
    
    Now all of you know who in my family I take after!
    
    /Roberta
    
1547.2CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Tue Jul 12 1988 19:086
    Why not try to make friends with your neighbor first, and find out
    what the state of things is?  (Holly has a chronic sinus thingy
    and her eyes run slightly all the time -- this is not neglect.)
    Maybe your neighbor is a cat person with no funds or without an
    understanding of what cats need, and you could help.
                                                           
1547.3CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Tue Jul 12 1988 19:114
    P.S. maybe your neighbor needs some help himself or herself -- an
    elderly person who can't mow their own lawn, etc. and who would
    welcome an interested neighbor to bring them out into the community.
    
1547.4VAXWRK::ROYTue Jul 12 1988 20:1714
    Seems to be this notesfile has a better track record regarding placing
    "unwanted" cats & kittens than the MSPCA -- I'd hold off on calling
    them, if you know what I mean.  I don't know about you, but I have
    a real problem with "euthanizing" (such a nicer sounding word than
    "killing").
    
    If you come to find out that your neighbors (if they exist) *do*
    care but are without funds, perhaps a humane society could pay for
    neutering the mother cat, nipping the "problem" in the bud.  The
    kittens might be easier to place via this file/DEC newsletters and
    other free advertising (shopping market bulletin boards, etc.) 
    Since it's summer, that would give your neighbor (not to throw this
    all on you) plenty of time.
    
1547.5Not so simpleMYVAX::LSCHWARTZWed Jul 13 1988 13:1311
    I wish it was as easy as talking to my neighbor and spaying a cat
    or two.  I know for sure that the neighbor is not elderly.  The
    house is in awful shape compared to the houses on the rest of the
    street.  Its the kind of house where anyone would be afraid to knock 
    on the door.  Also most of the cats (about 5) are older and any one of 
    them could have kittens, so they would all need to be caught and
    neutered.
    
    -Lauren