Yesterday, one of my neighbours drove over a cat. Appalled at this wanton act of cruelty, someone who lives in the same compound as myself complained to the driver. the driver merely shrugged and said it's only a cat. (We are living in a country where animals have NO rights, animal rights being a western concept, and cats are viewed with disdain by people here)
It turned out that this cat had a kitten. the kitten is extremely young, (the eyes are no longer blue, but it still has the fluffy baby kitten fur. I'd say it's about 6 weeks old. It followed me everywhere. not being a cat person, i didn't realise the poor kitten was hungry! Luckily the witness mentioned above is a cat person. the problem is... we are volunteers who are in this country for only a short time. (Until 2008) I think it is terrible to be kind to be cruel... form attachments with the kitten, only to abandon it when out term of service is up.
What would you advise, given the above situation?
thanks.
2007-01-24 08:15:14 · 20 answers · asked by Balaboo 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
No such thing as animal control enforcement in this African country.
2007-01-24 08:24:05 · update #1
again, no such thing as pet stores here.
2007-01-24 08:24:59 · update #2
Nor animal shelters, only for horses.
2007-01-24 08:25:35 · update #3
I would take in the kitten untill I could find a loving home.
2007-01-24 09:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by offlights 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for being concerned.
I would definitely work out a plan with the witness to see which one of you could take the cat in temporarily. While you are caring for the kitten, you could put an ad on petfinder.com that explains her sob story and then maybe someone will adopt her up sooner than usual.
Realize that while this kitten is in a home with humans, it is being "socialized" and learning manners so that when someone else takes it in, the cat will adjust much better and the new owners won't regret their decision to take the cat. However, if the cat is not "socialized", it will probably be doomed to possible mistreatment from impatient people, if not turned loose into an area in which you happen to have a local "cat killer".
And while I agree with the idea behind "no-kill" shelters, realize that most cats in such shelters will never be adopted and therefore, they live their lives in cages. The best bet is to place the cat into a good home yourself.
Good luck.
2007-01-24 08:25:19 · answer #2 · answered by monicat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usggest you take in the cat and start asking people if they want a cat ASAP. I feel so awful for this baby! I am a cat lover, I have 3. Please keep this kitty until you can find a home, have your friends try also. The only way you would be cruel is if you took it in only to turn it out on the street again. Being a foster aprent to this kitten until he finds a permanent home is a very noble thing to do, not bad. I wish you luck with your situation. Also, maybe find a shelter in your area and see if they can help, maybe put up posters or something.
Please keep me posted!
2007-01-24 08:25:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're really kind!
Take it in because it won'r survive if it is that young. Feed it little bits of wet cat food and water and keep him safe and warm 2008 is a long time really, who knows what might happen between now and then. Take him in to give him a chance and in the meanwhile you have a year to find some nice friend or neighbour to adopt him for you.
Its mum died so don't let him die too, you'll have sorted something out by 2008.
2007-01-25 02:45:10 · answer #4 · answered by Esquire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give the kitten a bath with eucalyptus soap (this soap is an all natural product that kills fleas and tics) then take it to a pet shop. Pet shops will take kittens provided that they have first been given a flea bath. People that spend money on a kitten are usually animal lovers and chances are good that the kitten will end up in a loving home. Good luck with this!
2007-01-24 08:23:28 · answer #5 · answered by ceegt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, I shudder at any wanton cruelty and have had to put a badly injured animal down. But you can save this kitten with TLC. Give it milk as best you can, it'll soon get the message and be off on its own in no time. By-the-way, don't worry,you won't be abandoning it, have you seen the film 'Born Free' ? It applies. Thank you for caring.
2007-01-24 09:11:21 · answer #6 · answered by adrose2001@btinternet.com 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do non of the locals have cats, or are they all wild? If some people keep them maybe you could offer them the kitten.
You or a friend who likes cats could raise it and take it home at the end of your time there. (It's what I would do with or without quarantine restrictions) You would have to make sure that it had anti-rabies shots and that you had relevant paper-work for the country you live in.
2007-01-24 09:01:50 · answer #7 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there no one you can take the kitten to like a cat portection leauge or something? If i were there i'd have the kitten, but unfortunatly....
What about the person who told you about it being hungry, the witness cat-person. Could they not take the kitten in?
Other than that i wouldn't have any ideas. I do hope you can help the poor thing. :-(
2007-01-24 08:26:11 · answer #8 · answered by Joanna C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it really is sad that people have no respect for animals, espcally cats! it's horrible....take the kitten in feed the poor thing and take it to a animal shelter were they do not put the animals to sleep if they are not bought within a time frame. take it to a pet co or pets mart they work really hard to find the animals good homes. ask around for people who may want a cat post up signs on telephone poles...
2007-01-24 08:20:56 · answer #9 · answered by CRAZY 8 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if you could bring it home with you... maybe you should look into quarantine arrangements. Also, perhaps you could take care of the cat and then pass it on to another couple of volunteers when you go home. Lots of people would be glad of the company.
All in all not an ideal situation. Your only other choice is to kill it humanely. And that's not much of a solution.
2007-01-25 06:44:04 · answer #10 · answered by Mango M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could you look into taking the cat with you? The cat would have to go into quarantine to move country but if you really like it and you are worried about it's well being, perhaps this is the answer?
Alternatively, have you made any friend out there who you think could adopt it?
2007-01-28 04:16:56 · answer #11 · answered by the cat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋