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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

2611.0. "Is stealing this cat wrong??" by CPDW::MCDONOUGH () Fri Jun 23 1989 18:23

      I am a basically honest person, but I think there MAY be some
    circumstances where "stealing" may be not only justifiable, but the
    thing that SHOULD be done!
    
      Here's the story:
      I opened the door to my barn last evening to discover that my
    neighbor's cat had been locked in there all day. He must have been in
    the barn when we closed the door in the morning, and he couldn't get
    out. He was no worse off, but when he saw me he bolted about half-way
    up the stairs to the second floor, and I guess he realized then that I
    would do him no harm so he stopped to check me out. I began to talk to
    him in a low, soothing tone, and he immediately started to answer me.
    So I slowly walked over to him, and he came toward me, and I reached
    over to pet him....and became very angry immediately!!
      His poor little head is covered with small bumps, and he has scabs on
    his neck and back!! I am almost 100% sure these are due to a terrible
    flea infestation, and he is probably allergic to them and has been
    scratching them, thus causing the scabs. He has obviously never been
    groomed, or if he has, not properly. He doesn't seem to be on a regular
    feeding schedule either, and in addition to all of this, he has a
    sneeze/stuffy nose that is probably FUS or something similar. I am
    absolutely appalled that these people have let this animal's condition
    get to this point from stupid neglect!!
      I got a bowl of dry food and a bowl of water and took them to the
    barn, and he dove in like he'd never seen anything this good before. I
    was upset that I couldn't pick him up and cuddle him, but with his
    problems, I was worried about getting something and transferring it to
    my other two cats, so I sadly left him for the evening and let him
    enjoy his meal.
      I have been agonizing about what to do, and the LAST thing I would do
    is confront these people. It would do no good anyway, and would most
    likely cause hard feelings and a neighborhood war. I thought about the
    SPCA, but with 100 kittens coming into the Worcester shelter every
    week, he'd be euthanized immediately if they took him, so that's out!
    The third and most attractive alternative for me is the one that I
    think would be the best for the cat. I am thinking of stealing him and
    getting him fixed up. All of my cats are totally indoor cats, so he
    would never bee seen by these rotten neighbors. They pay no attention
    to him, and he roams the neighborhood--including walking in a VERY busy
    street--and is susceptable to all sorts of danger. If he disappears his
    owners will probably not even look for him...they'll probably think he
    was hit by a car or something.
    
      If I see him this weekend the MINIMUM I'm gonna do is trap him in the
    barn again and get the can of flea powder. If that works out, I may
    just get one of my carriers and get him into it and take him to the vet
    to have him straightened out and neutered if he isn't already. (I doubt
    that he is, since people who'd neglect an animal like this one has been
    typically don't have sense enough to neuter either.
    
      I KNOW it's wrong to steal, but am I not at least PARTIALLY justified
    in this case??? What would YOU do in my place???
    
      Oh yeah, I forgot to describe him. He(she?) is a medium sized
    lon-haired COAL-BLACK, friendly, talkative and loving baby, with large,
    yellow eyes...probably 3-4 years old.
    
    John McD
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2611.1STOR06::DALEYFri Jun 23 1989 18:459
    In the case as you described, I think the best thing to 
    do is to help the little guy. This is a situation
    of animal neglect and you are very kind to intervene.
    He'd most likely die if he isn't helped- by car or
    infections and it sounds like his owners don't care anyway.
    And I DON'T consider it stealing - it is an act of 
    compassion.
    
    Pat
2611.2FSHQA2::RWAXMANA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendFri Jun 23 1989 18:561
    Ditto to .1
2611.3GO FOR IT!!!!!HPSTEK::BOURGAULTFri Jun 23 1989 19:135
    
    Double ditto.  This poor thing needs you and you are there.
    
    GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
2611.4Go for itATSE::BLOCKThis Area Zoned for TwilightFri Jun 23 1989 19:4313
	Unless the cat has an id tag, I would just adopt him.  He sounds
	like a stray; treat him that way!  In the unlikely event that 
	your neighbor comes looking for him, you could express surprise 
	that he was theirs, since he had been so badly neglected, you
	couldn't imagine that he belonged to anyone!

	I suspect that if you treat this animal well, he will decide that 
	your place is home of his own volition.  It's not stealing if he
	runs away...

	Beverly

2611.5go for it!PARITY::DENISEAnd may the traffic be with youFri Jun 23 1989 20:367
    I've done it before in a similar situation and I would gladly do it
    again.  Especially considering the kitty made a clear indication that
    he would rather be with me than them.
    
    He was never missed by the others......
    
                                              Denise
2611.6Bravo!CSCOA3::PEDDIGREE_CWhy Thank QueFri Jun 23 1989 20:4713
    Bravo for you!!!  People neglect things and then wonder why they
    get lost, stolen, or go away never to return. I believe the same
    theory holds for abused children, although you can't steal them.
    
    Follow your heart, but a word of caution or a prediction.  They
    might just go out and get another cat and treat is just as badly.
     Is there any way you could talk to these people?  I know this is
    just about impossible and I don't know if I could do it, but it
    might be worth a try.
    
    I just don't understand how people can be so mean.  
    
    Cyndi  
2611.7CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Sat Jun 24 1989 00:3217
    Do it.  But, should you put flea powder on him if he has open sores?
    Maybe a trip to the vet is the first thing on the schedule.
    
    I'm in somewhat of the same boat, by the way.  It is slightly
    different in that the cat is not quite so badly neglected, but I
    know it is a difficult situation for you.  You want to help the cat,
    but it feels peculiar to be taking someone else's cat.  What I've
    done is put out food (they only feed him when they remember, and some-
    times leave for days), and I started letting him into my house when
    it rained.  Now he thinks he lives with me and S&H.  I haven't dared to
    put an id collar on him yet, though, or take him in to be neutered.  
    If I do the latter, I'd have to keep him indoors for a few days,
    wouldn't I, gang?  I am worried about that working, since he is
    half indoors and half-outdoors.  (No flames, I don't believe in
    outdoor cats, either, but this is a compromise due to my not actually 
    having room for a third cat, and the peculiarity of this situation.)
    
2611.8FSHQA2::RWAXMANA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendSun Jun 25 1989 00:267
    Karen, When I finally decided to take T.K. in for neutering, he
    wasn't used to people or the inside of a house.  I kept him in for
    one night (the anesthetic had a calming affect and he slept right
    through) and let him go out the next morning.  He was fine.
    
    It would be great if you could help this cat!
    
2611.9No question - do it!CPDW::BIRSEMon Jun 26 1989 12:2819
    Go for it.
    
    My family and I did the same thing about 10 years ago.  Our 
    neighbors cat was thrown out of 2nd story windows.  Forced to 
    eat dog food and was extremely abused.  Boona was quite old 
    and started "hanging around" our house.  My dad started feeding
    him and we started bringing him in and finally he was part of
    our family.
    
    The neighbors were mad at first but they soon understood why we
    did it.  He lived 7 happy years with us and as my dad pulled out
    to go to work one AM (I was at college) Boona died right there.
    
    I'll never regret what we did.
    
    Enjoy! your new addition.
    
    Deb
    
2611.10adopt him!SUCCES::PEAKEMon Jun 26 1989 13:0213
    Take him. I heard that a lot of places don't make people
    have cat licenses (like they do dog licenses) because, 
    a cat being so independent you can't really 'own' a cat.
    
    I guess that means no one really owns him, but you can
    SURE adopt him.
    
    What a lucky cat having been found by such a caring person
    as yourself!
    
    lp
    
    
2611.11It's looking better for him now...CPDW::MCDONOUGHMon Jun 26 1989 15:5815
      O.K.....Here's where I am at this point...
    
      He DOESN'T have open sores, just bumps and scabs from the fleas, so I
    caught him in the barn again Saturday evening and got the can of
    "Zodiac" powder. I also got an atibiotic that is presently being used
    to combat the upper-respiratory infections that are going around into
    him. I was surprised that he didn't try to scratch when I gave him the
    pill. I'll be doing that fro a week to ten days now. 
      He looks a little strange, since he's now "powdered" and is more grey
    than black, but he probably feels a lot better. 
      We're making sure that he has food and water, and he's VERRRRRY
    friendly, so I think it may work out fine for us both...
      
      I'll keep posting updates as they happen...
    JM
2611.12 Steal a cat?! not Possible!!AIMHI::SPINGLERTue Jun 27 1989 14:2627
    
                      Don't forget to ask the cat!!!
    
    Janice, you are not stealing that cat if he chooses to live with you!
    
    Cats are the most independant and loving pets there are, If you happen
    to treat him better than his present "custodians" and he adopts you,
    well who could refuse such an honor. ;-)) !!
    
    He sounds, from your discription to look just like my panther, If he
    turns out as beautiful and as loving as she has you will have one
    wonderful kitty.
    
    Remember there is no such thing as "stealing" when the object (poor
    choice of words when speaking of cats I know) moves in with you and
    won't go back to the origional "custiodian".  ( I can't bring myself to
    call them owners, they have obviously taken no responsibility for this
    animal.)
    
    Please tell us what his name is, and how he is doing!
    
    Bless you for being there for him when he needed you!
    
    Feline happy for you both,
    
    Sue & Panthe & Spot
    
2611.13Does he have a name yet?!ATSE::BLOCKThis Area Zoned for TwilightTue Jun 27 1989 15:3410
    Glad to hear things are going so well -- it sounds like he's pleased to
    be getting attention.

    One other thought for when/if the "owners" try to claim him -- be sure
    you save all the vet receipts; if you make them pay for your care of
    him, they'll probably decide it's not worth it!

    Beverly

2611.14Well, John, you've opened the door!CLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitWed Jun 28 1989 14:3214
    John,
    
    First of all, I am really sorry to hear about the loss of Mew...you
    must really miss her.
    
    I noticed in that note that you mentioned that God never shuts one door
    without opening another.  John, your door has been opened, hasn't it??
    
    He always manages to find the right home for the right cat at the right
    time, eh??
    
    You're not stealing him, you're doing what's right...
    
    Mary
2611.15OOPPPSSS.....AIMHI::SPINGLERWed Jun 28 1989 15:1610
                       Sorry had brain cramps :-\
    Re:.12
    
    John, I really didn't mean to change your name to janice, Trying to do
    to many things at one time I guess.
    
    Feline goofy,
    Sue, Panther & Spot(who want it to be well known that they do not make
    mistakes like that!!!
    
2611.16maybe an allergyASABET::HUDSONWed Jun 28 1989 18:0010
    Just in case the flea powder doesn't work this cat may be allergic
    to something eles.  I have a cat that is allergic to who knows what
    and I have to take her for allergy shots. (We think it might be
    a certain food)  So if the bumps don't go away you may have to take
    him to the vets.
    
    Cindy
    
    P.S.  I think your a wonderful person.  Please let us know how
    everything goes.
2611.17ALLVAX::LUBYDTN 287-3204Thu Jun 29 1989 15:5112
	John,

	I'm a little confused.  Don't you now have 2 FElV positive cats,
	one of which you just adopted (cookie)?  Or am I confusing you
	with someone else?  If you do, do you intend to keep this stray
	even if he is not FELV positive?  I'm just wondering if you are
	going to take your chances with this cat or put it up for 
	adoption.  BTW, I think that your concern over this cat is
	great but if you adopt the cat and it contracts FELV and dies,
	it will all be for nothing (well not quite but you get the point).

	Karen
2611.18CRUISE::NDCWed Jul 05 1989 18:278
    John -
      Fleas also carry Feline Infectious Anemia and tapeworms.  You
    should at least talk to the vet about both.  Your friend probably
    has lots of unwelcome friends living in his body, poor thing!
      You are doing the right thing.  No doubt Miss Mew sent this 
    little guy along to help you through a difficult time.
      Nancy DC