Conference misery::feline_v1

    Sometimes it takes a while for the male to calm down- it can take
    weeks for the hormones to disappear. 
    
    I know it is aggravating but it isn't the cat's fault. He is only
    doing what nature tells him to do; it's just too bad the owner
    waited so long to have him neutered. I feel sorry for both cats.
              
    I have neutered my two adult stray males, one calmed down immediately
    but he wasn't a problem to begin with; the other one took a good
    3-4 weeks before he decided he didn't want to climb on my females. I was
    beginning to wonder if he would ever quit- and he finally did.
                                        
                         
    

    
    How'bout keeping Cocoa inside for a while and let the stray pray
    somewhere else.
    
    BC

    RE:.1
    
    I believe you misunderstood the situation.  My male cat (Cocoa)
    was neutered two wks ago at 6 mo of age.  Everytime he goes out
    SOMEONE elses (or stray) mangy male rides my male Cocoa.  Has
    nothing to do with Cocoa's hormones, I don't think.  Why does
    the stray male ride my male?  Is there such a thing as homo
    cats?
    
    Bj
    

    I think the stray is trying to assert it's dominance over your cat.
    Since your cat's hormones have changed, he has probably become less
    agressive. This is noticed by the other cat and the other cat is
    trying to take advantage of this fact to assert himself at your
    cat's expense. There is little you can do except to capture the
    other cat and relocate it (another neighborhood or the termination
    farm). If it really doesn't belong to someone it may be reasonable
    to have it destroyed (assuming it continues to be a nuisance).
    
    The Doctah

    
    	You may want to call your vet and ask about this, but I 
    	think there is a hormonal `reaction' that takes place right
    	after a male cat is nuetered which makes him smell like a 
    	female in heat (to another whole male cat). It should go 
    	away, but for your own peace of mind, I'm sure your vet 
    	would love to talk to you about it. Let us know what he
    	says...
    
    	Sherry
    

    Just talked with my vet and she said Cocoa's neutering had
    nothing to do with it (that he does NOT give out any different
    odor) and that a lot of male cats try to pull this.  I agree
    with the gentleman who said the mangy male was trying to
    express his dominance.
    
    The vet said either keep Cocoa in or relocate the mangy cat
    but I have doubts whether we could even get our hands on
    him without having our faces torn open.  Don't know what
    we'll do.  Just know to keep Cocoa in would be next to
    impossible.  He LIVES to go out.  He's in all day while we
    work and before he says hi to us he's out the door.  We
    have to go out to the yard then he's all lovins'!
    
    Thanks for your words anyhow!
    
    Bj
    

    Can you catch the other cat in a Hav-A-hart trap and then bring it
    to a shelter?       You're right- I did misunderstand which one
    was neutered, but I don't think the situation is totally unusual -
    but certainly not one I'd want with my pets either- however, I've seen dogs,
    cats, horses and cows (I don't mean bulls) all mount animals of the
    same sex.   I think dominance is the reason. Maybe the best thing to 
    do- if no one owns the other cat, is to trap it. See if your local 
    humane society will help you.
    Where do you live. I know you have stated it in earlier notes, but
    I have forgotten.

    I live in Marlboro (route 20).  Would a vet have one of these
    traps or would I have to purchase?
    

    Try your local shelter or animal control officer.  I believe they
    use these types of traps to relocate other pests .  You can probably
    borrow one.  If you have no luck, let me know and I'll try in
    the Braintree area.  Perhaps I can borrow one from there.
      Nancy DC
    

    you can try borrowing one from the Framingham Animal Humane Society -
    you can call Carol at 877-0408 or Linda at 877-1216. They will
    probably lend you one but they probably won't be able to take the
    cat since their shelter is already full.
    Pat
    

    Also, try your local Taylor Rental for a Hav-a-hart trap. I rented 
    one a few years ago (about $7 a week at the time, I think) to trap 
    a family of woodchucks that were keeping my garden mowed and it 
    worked like a charm. I caught not only the mother woodchuck and all 
    5 of her children (who by this time were old enough to be on their 
    own), but also a cat and a skunk. 

    As for the people who have suggested "relocating" the cat, I'm not 
    sure what they have in mind, but I hope it is *not* dumping it in 
    some other neighborhood. (Unless they're saying they want it in 
    *theirs*.) This is not in the cat's best interest and just perpetuates 
    the problem, not to mention it's being entirely unfair to the people 
    on the receiving end.

    If this "mangy cat" doesn't belong to anyone and isn't being taken 
    care of, maybe the best thing to do is try to find a shelter that 
    will take it or have it put to sleep.

    If the cat really does have owners maybe you could give them a 
    surprise Christmas present and quietly have the cat neutered (I'm 
    assuming it isn't already), which could solve his problem with
    Cocoa.

    It's too bad this has become *your* problem. 

    Linda

    another suggestion as to where to borrow - is to call the local
    dog or animal control officer.
    




                                               
                                               

    RE : .4
    I can't believe a cat-lover could suggest destroying a cat for this
    reason. Or am I just being over-sensitive??

    There are some who believe that euthanasia is the most
    merciful option for a homeless pet, who stands little
    or no chance of ever finding a home.  They feel this
    is better than being doomed to a cage in a shelter for
    months or more.  It's a tough issue, but the fact re-
    mains that there are simply not enough homes for the
    numbers of animals being produced.
    
    Donna

    I too hope "relocating" (ref. note 4) does not mean to another
    neighborhood, but rather to a shelter or vet. "Dumping" is
    cruel and ignorant any time of the year but especially in the 
    winter. Probably it was just the wording used in 
    the note which made the content sound a bit questionable, and
    the author was misunderstood.
    
    

    Re: .15

    That's a good point -- "relocating" means different things to 
    different people. When not explained, misunderstandings can occur. 
    I didn't mean to jump on anyone (in .11), but having been stuck 
    with a fair number of "dumpees" in the past, I felt moved to say 
    something.

    One obvious solution I overlooked is "relocating" the cat to a 
    good home where it would be wanted and cared for properly. From 
    the sounds of the base note, though, it doesn't sound like this cat 
    would be a good adoption candidate. Unless you can find someone who's 
    into hardship cases. 

    Stranger things have happened, though.

    Linda