Female cat...has all her claws...no collar. She has been around the neighborhood for weeks. I am allergic to cats (and we just bought our kids pet gerbils) so I won't bring her in the house. I don't mind if she is around outside the house, but I don't want her to become dependent on us. If I stop my daughter from feeding her, will the cat move on or do I have to chase her away? I know the sounds mean...(I feel sick just writing this) but I am truly trying to do what is best. Any suggestions other that "Bring her in the house and deal with the allergy" are welcome.
2006-09-28 02:05:32 · 30 answers · asked by Michigan Dad 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I love cats! If the weather is is good, like never really cold where you live it would be fine as a outdoor cat, as long as you keep feeding and providing her with water. There are a lot of strays out there and the cat population is way to high. She will keep on beading since she is not fixed so this will add to the the problem of overpopulation. The best thing to do which is humane is to bring her to the humane society where they will have her spayed given shots and then put her up for adoption. That way she has a better chance of finding a good home. Don't just stop feeding her that would be cruel. Look in your yellow pages for a Humane Society nearest you. You may have to travel a bit but it would be worth it so you wont have to feel "SICK" ! You are a good person by being concerned about the cat
2006-09-28 02:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cats are very territorial. Male cats travel 10 times farther than female cats do, so chances are her original home is very close to you. Place a sign in your yard saying stray cat found. Hopefully the owner will see the sign and stop by. Explain you are allergic to cats, but she has been at your home for days.
You would appreciate if maybe they could keep her at home.
Just be nice and friendly about it....
Most cats do very well outside unless there is an extreme blizzard. They have great survival skills, yet they do have the possibility of getting "Cat diseases" if they have not be vaccinated.
Try the sign in the yard and one at the enterance to your neighborhood for a week or so. Please go ahead and feed her until you deside to take her to a shelter. (YOUR DAUGHTER WILL LOVE YOU FOR THAT PART ANYWAY.)
2006-09-28 02:49:58 · answer #2 · answered by together420yrs 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We had this exact scenario. We fed a stray for a year before she would trust us-just built her a shelter in the back yard. After a year she suddenly came right up to us rubbing on our legs. Because of allergies and a big dog we could not keep her. Our solution was to take her to the humane society with the directions that if they were unable to find a home for her to contact us and we would try. I emphasized that the cat was not to be put down unless it was too ill to save. I am happy to report that the cat found a loving home with an older couple and lived a happy life. Some shelters are no-kill facilities. Another option are cat rescue volunteer agencies. They are incredible people who will foster the cats and find them a new home. I work on the outskirts of our city where people will often drop off unwanted animals. One year two of us found homes for 9 kittens and a mom through one of the cat rescue agencies. I donated some money to help with their costs as they always have a vet who will give low cost health care before the animals are adopted out. Best of luck. Your daughter will remember how you deal with this. Sounds like she is a real animal lover.
2006-09-28 02:44:10 · answer #3 · answered by june.johnston 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aww Poor Kitty. I recently took in a stray kitty and I also volunteer at a shelter and we trap stray kitties and find them loving homes. Depending on where you live there are usually shelters like the one I volunteer at . Try looking it up on the internet for your area and you can usually call one of these places and they will come trap it for you. All you do is put some tuna in the end of the trap and put a blanket over the cage and they will usually smell it and walk right in if its hungry enough. you should do this right away. this cat needs a home and food and water. most people think that cats can survive on their own but usually only if they were born in the wild. if this was once a house cat and someone has abandoned it then chances of surviving are slim. They usually die a horrific death of either starving slowly or being eaten by other predators. Please help this kitty... if you let me know where abouts you are I have no problem helping you find a shelter.
2006-09-28 04:54:33 · answer #4 · answered by Confused 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My family just went through something similar. Only there was a mother cat and her five kittens, who looked really unhealthy. But it turned out our they were our neighbors and they didn't feed them or let them inside so my mother went over to them and told them to look after their own cats. They called Animal Control and they took them away. It's a terrible situation, I feel so bad for the cats, they didn't do anything.
I suggest you go see if you can find an owner, maybe knock on some doors around the neighborhood. If that doesn't work, you could always call animal control, or take them to animal control yourself. Or if you are sure there is no owner, and that you don't want to risk her being put to sleep, you could ask a friend if they wanted a cat. Of course they'd have to get her caught up on her shots, but at least she'd be alive and healthy. With someone else to feed her. :0)
2006-09-28 02:09:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You have a couple options. One is to find the cat a good home. You could even offer to help with shots and spaying. Or take care of this up front. It will make it easier to find her a home.
Another option is to keep her as an outdoor cat. You still need to get her spayed and get her shots. Maybe you have a garage or shed you could offer for shelter or get an igloo. While trying to find her a home you would be keeping her as an outdoor cat.
Please don't just stop feeding her or chase her away. You won't feel right about it and you will be sending a bad message to your daughter.
2006-09-28 02:32:03 · answer #6 · answered by peggy j 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Take her to an animal shelter. Keep feeding her so she stays around and is tamer, and she'll be easier to catch and transport. Borrow a cat carrier from someone to do that. If you let her run feral she'll have kittens under your porch or something. It would be so much nicer for your child to have a real pet instead of gerbils - repulsive things - but if there's allergies and you don't want to deal with the doctor for them, there isn't much choice. But, by taking care of the cat the right way, it's a good chance to teach your daughter that it's important to take care of animals even if you can't keep them.
Good luck!
2006-09-28 02:15:07 · answer #7 · answered by Nightlight 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
its a cat once you feed it its yours, you can call the animal control and try to get them to come and get it, you can also run a free to good home ad in the paper. or you got a mouser that is outside and build it a box to sleep in and just dont let it in the house... good luck, oh yeah and the cat will get use to being outside just dont ever bring it in.. in the winter go buy some hay and put it in the box you built for it and if you choice this route make sure that the hole in the box is just big enough for kitty
2006-09-28 03:16:15 · answer #8 · answered by ama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you stop feeding it it will probably go away within a few days, or you can adopt it and keep it as an outdoor cat, but keep in mind, if its constantly around your house, your kids will be petting it holding it, touching it, and when they come in side the scent, dander and hair will be on them. Dont be mean to the cat, maybe ask around at your work or something to see if somebody may want a cat if it seems friendly. Otherwise its probably just a wanderer and if you stop feeding it, it will go away within a few days. Cats can naturally fend for them self so unless it looks deathly ill or anorexic-ly thin I wouldnt worry and let your kids know to please not bother the cat, attention will only draw it in.
Ok and AVOID calling animal control, city or county run "animal contol" are kill places, call a HUMANE SOCIETY (no0kill shelter)or aspca in your area if you are wanting to go that route!
2006-09-28 02:35:20 · answer #9 · answered by ChrissyLicious 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Bring the cat to a shelter if you cannot find it a home, it stands a better chance in a shelter/rescue than outside.
The cat may also be microchipped, my cats are and don't wear collars, they are indoor but if they slipped out, Id hope someone would bring them in, and they'd be scanned for the chip.
Shelters are also the first place someone will check for a missing pet.
2006-09-28 02:10:27 · answer #10 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋