This is about my cat, what do you think I should do?

Question

I found this cat when it was 6 weeks old and kept it outside for 2 years ( I live in FL). My neighbors (old hags) reported me to Animal Control and fined me $500 for having an outside cat when in my association we are not allowed to have pets kept outside. So I brought my cat to work and it's a small used car dealership, my boss loved it and for 2 years my cat has been living outside at the car dealership. Now my boss is telling me that his cars are getting scatched, he ruined things, damaged stuff, etc. So now my question is, should I take him back to where I live and tell my neighbors that this isn't my cat (since it lives outside) and it's been two years. It has no collar. I will of course feed him in the back yard. But I'm afraid my old hags of neighbors will report me, but can't prove anything, but yet have the pound take him away. There are two other cats in my neighbor hood that are outside but they live inside too, they aren't constantly outside cats. What should I do?

Answer 1

Cats should be kept indoors and taken care of.

Millions of cats suffer and die because their owners give them free reign to roam the neighborhood. The vast majority of these owners aren't cruel or thoughtless; many love their animals as much as the rest of us. They just believe that cats are happiest outdoors. In fact, many cat caregivers acquired their felines by "taking in" or caring for someones cat who was allowed to stray. Please read information and watch video at link below!

Answer 2

Well I don't want to say declaw it because an older cat may start to bite or pea. Some pounds have a no-kill policy so you could check that out or put an add out for it to be adopted. Most outside cats will not get used to being inside and the old hags will see the cat and think you are keeping it outside all the time anyway so the best idea I can think of is give it to a good home or at least try to see if it will stay inside. But the cat may start to scratch your furniture and stuff.
If you do keep it inside here is a site to help if it does scratch furniture. good luck!!!

Answer 3

Ideally the cat should be kept indoors. Since you already were fined once for the cat, ( thus proving ownership) it will be a hard sell now to claim "it's not really my cat" since I've just been feeding it for the last two years. ( I've heard that line many times)
Either keep in indoors, or find someone else who can.
Outdoor cats are often the victims of "old hag" neighbors as you call them, or cars, or wildlife--don't you have gators in FL?
The neighbors will be within their rights to trap/capture the cat and take it to the shelter.
So if you LOVE the cat and don't want it impounded keep it indoors.
Also since you brought the cat to the workplace and it caused damage you are civilly liable for that as well.

Answer 4

Why can't the cat become and indoor/outdoor cat? Cats that don't spend most of their lives outdoors are less likely to get sick, and live longer overall. They get to have the perks of sleeping indoors, but can still run around and have fun outdoors. I'm not generally a fan of letting the cat go out at all, but since the cat has already become accustomed to enjoying the outdoors, then it wouldn't be fair to move him in full-time. But honestly, if you've taken responsibility for this cat, you need to either find him a home where he will be safe, or do so yourself!

Answer 5

If the cat has been there for a few years, it could be a different cat doing all of the damage. Keep the cat inside your house, or find a new home for it.

Answer 6

Keep him inside since your association allows it. He'll get used to it. Leaving a pet outside all the time is like leaving a 2 year old out by itself. They get into trouble, get into people's garbage and other toxic areas that are dangerous to them. I took in an outdoor cat many years ago and he is doing just fine. They are healthier and happier because they are being taken care of better. Even the Humane Society of the US tells you to keep your cats indoors to keep them out of danger.

Answer 7

Just let the cat in. It isn't hard to have a house cat. And if you can't do that, put and ad in the paper for someone looking for a cat and find it a good home.

Answer 8

My neighbor adopted and outdoor cat and brought it indoors. Kitty always escapes and hides under the building, loves to prowl in the night, and generally hates being closed up in a little apartment.

1. I think outdoor cats develop heavy dander, which can cause you severe allergic reactions.
2. The cat can cry and yowel all nite wanting to go outside, thus drive you crazy.
3. The cat will escape from inside to be out, and will make it difficult for you to catch her to bring it in.
4. Don't give it away it's mean and emotionally bad for kitty...not to mention your guilt.
5. Don't lie to your neighbors, talk to them...even if they are old hags, that you are doing your best to keep kitty inside, but kitty keeps escaping...cry to them with despair and act as if you are overwhelmed by the situation. Ask for "help"
6. Don't stress kitty out.

My best opinion is to put a cat door accessible from your yard and put the food INSIDE!!! Let kitty know where the food is and that she can come and go as he/she pleases. Get a cat pole and spray it with cat nip extract to entice kitty to come inside once in awhile. They're cheap..i bought mine for $20.

My final opinion is that kitty will NEVER adjust to a total indoor life, so you will have to.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Find it a home. Take it to your local ASPCA and they will take it. Its bound to find a loveing home there. Or get a new house so you can take it into your house. I think your nebiors were right to report this. Its not good haveing cats outside, they deserv a nice clean loveing home. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

Answer 10

I know this would be very hard but, bring it to the local Humane Socioty. Or if you could find a friend that would want one you could try. I have two cats and the Humane Socioty would be the best thing for your cat.

~Penguingirl