Hi! New here - need advice, trouble with neighbors

[tararaboomdea]

Hi all,

I've always loved cats. All of our pets generally have lived to ripe old ages. The most we've ever had at a time is three.

My tale of woe started last September when one of three strays I was feeding walked into the house and had six kittens. My cats were not thrilled, neither was my allergic husband. I figured we'd take care of them until they were old enough to be adopted and that would be that. Five weeks later, another female had four kittens in our garage and after we got over the shock, my daughter and I decided we could do it and then we'd hand them all over to a no-kill shelter. (BTW, the third cat I was feeding was a male we named Johnny Appleseed; I'm sure he is the father of both litters.)

A little background: I take care of my 84 yo mother full-time. She's very ill (leukemia, ileostomy, severe osteoarthritis, stroke and occasionally a little dementia or maybe she's just messing with me ;-) I'm 62 and not feeling so hot myself. Just got cataracts removed, need both knees replaced, fell and broke my arm, still hurts.

Because my daily schedule is hard, I didn't spend as much time as I should have trying to find homes for them. I also became very attached to them as they are a bright spot in my life. Every time I see that commercial with the animals in cages...

The trouble with the neighbors happens when one (or more) of them gets out. The neighbors are dog lovers and their chief complaint seems to be that the sight of a cat makes their dogs crazy. A few weeks ago I received an incredibly nasty email from the "animal lover" across the street regarding "cat turds" in her garden. I replied that while I was sincerely sorry, if I had not taken them in, and had all 12 of them vaccinated, spayed and neutered at my expense she'd have a hell of a lot more cat turds to be worried about by now (and even more in the future) and she would have no one to point a finger at in blame.

This morning the neighbor next to us complained about a black cat ripping the screen on his patio and that he would trap it ("for humanitarian reasons") and bring it to a shelter. It probably was the little jerk I was missing last night. I emailed him an apology and told him I would not let them out at all anymore (I'd let them out into the backyard for two hours every morning), barring escapes.

I do not want to be a bad neighbor, and as much as I'd love to keep them all (as impractical as that is) when I've tried to adopt them out there hasn't been any interest. It is also very costly to feed them (Blue Buffalo dry, Wellness wet). The boys are getting so big you could put saddles on them. There are five black cats and five black and white.

I am also worried because I wouldn't put it past these neighbors to narc on me after smiling in my face while telling me of their great love of animals.

TL;DR: Would like to hear from people who have had success in adopting out almost year old cats and how they did it. They are all very sweet, affectionate and shiny, and have been treated like gold since birth. Would like to avoid shelter. I'm Las Vegas.

Thanks,

Tarara Boomdea

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

Hi Tarara - Welcome to TCS

I too wouldn't be able to give any of them up.  With all on your plate I can understand why you need to.  I'm no longer a young gal (although I like to think I am, LOL) so I understand fully.

In the meantime, is there a way you can create a catico so they can't get into the neighbors yard.

I wish you the best.

 

[tararaboomdea]

Hi 2Cats,

I love the idea of a catico, but I rent (there are all kinds of people I'm hiding out from, like the landlord, LOL.) Maybe I could just hammer something cheapish together with strong screens. My brother moved out here, too, and he's DIY kind of guy.

I never think of these guys as feral since they've always lived in a house - the mothers are another story, one especially. That one has bitten me pretty badly a couple of times. She's on thin ice.

I'm from NY, too. Born in Manhattan, left for Vegas ten years ago from Yorktown Heights, NY. It's nice out here, more relaxed, cheaper.

Thanks and best to you, too!

Mary (Tarara)

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

I get the hiding out from landlord. LOL You sound like my neighbor. haha.

It would be great if they could stay put.  Fingers Crossed! 

My friends moved out to Vegas in '89 and never looked back.  Every time I visit it's below 40 degrees. LOL

Good luck.  Please keep me posted.  

Hope & my gal Chestnut

 

[tararaboomdea]

 
I get the hiding out from landlord. LOL You sound like my neighbor. haha.

It would be great if they could stay put.  Fingers Crossed! 

My friends moved out to Vegas in '89 and never looked back.  Every time I visit it's below 40 degrees. LOL

Good luck.  Please keep me posted.  

Hope & my gal Chestnut

Thanks, Hope, I will 

Mary (Tarara)

 

[jkuras]

Hi. With your mom and all your physical obstacles, you do need to get homes for them. I cannot imagine the costs you have already incurred. You need to be realistic. What happens when they get sick. You need your funds for your own needs.

Contact your local newspaper. Maybe they will do a short story sbout this and encourage people to adopt? I have seen that before from shelters.

Do you have any kind hearted vets near you? Maybe they would agree to give a discount to anyone who adopts from you?

Joyce

 

[tararaboomdea]

Hi. With your mom and all your physical obstacles, you do need to get homes for them. I cannot imagine the costs you have already incurred. You need to be realistic. What happens when they get sick. You need your funds for your own needs.

Contact your local newspaper. Maybe they will do a short story sbout this and encourage people to adopt? I have seen that before from shelters.

Do you have any kind hearted vets near you? Maybe they would agree to give a discount to anyone who adopts from you?

Joyce

Hi Joyce,

I thought about maybe calling some news outlet, but I'm afraid of calling to much attention to myself (and possibly coming to our landlord's/neighbors attention.) Las Vegas is a surprisingly small town.

As far as my relatively minor (in comparison to other people) ailments go, I feel tremendously better actually being able to see. I didn't realize how bad my vision was until it was fixed - xfand I am so happy. However, the house is a lot dirtier than I thought (hee, hee). Thank goodness my health insurance is good.

If I could get some time off to get my knee fixed, I'd be thrilled. Unfortunately, as much as my mother has improved lately, I don't see that happening. We'll see, I'm trying to figure that out.

My vet is quite nice and very reasonable cost-wise. I've asked her to tell people who have lost or want another pet to get in touch - nothing yet. I've even had cards printed up. I'm like a lunatic in a doctor's waiting room. I hit everyone up to adopt one or two of the cats. No luck yet.

As far as the costs go, you called it - they have been substantial. They've broken the blinds, peed on the cellular shades, shredded the carpet at every bedroom door frame, sprayed an electrical outlet and shorted it out (should have checked each kitten for flaming a$$hole), crapped all over the rugs (when they were younger) and have done the usual damage to the furniture. I really don't care - it's just stuff (and no, I'm not rich, I just figure I'll find some way to fix everything or replace it.)

Mostly, I just hope that someday this will be just a funny memory with all of them ending up in good and loving homes.

Cheers,

Tarara Boomdea

 

[jkuras]

Hi Tarara:  You have an awfully big heart.  I am a bit older than you, and I do have a line of limits.  My emotions cannot take what you have had to deal with.  I have never had to  keep a low profile.  I could not live like that.  I need to be out there.

I am not rich either but I can take care of one not so healthy cat.  I know that no one would have adopted him if they found out he would need more vet care and was not 100% healthy.  So he has a forever home with me.  Til the end.

He adorable disposition makes it so easy to love him.  He is part Siamese and the part of him that is Siamese demands attention.  When he is bored,  he wants to play and uses his tunnels to run out and attack me. So cute.  At night, he will not leave the  bed until I do. He sleeps on top of my pillow and spreads out leaving me almost no room.  I have to adjust his legs and body at times.  He just acts like a toy, and I move him around until my head can rest somewhere on my own pillow.  He doesn't want to sleep on his own pillow which is an expensive soft pillow.

He is so easy to love.  He jumps up on my computer table as I am writing and lays down to be with me.  I had to put a rug on the table so he could lay on something soft.  I want his world to be soft and loving.

I will keep reading your posts.  Maybe your Landlord will have a heart and help you?  Is your relationship with him so distant and uncommunicative?

Joyce

 

[tararaboomdea]

Hi Joyce,

Like your good guy, you can't help but love this bunch. What else could I do? They're the best - affectionate, lovable, sweet and shiny

It was so wonderful for you to adopt a cat with health problems. So many people wouldn't. That is lovely.

Ahhh, landlords. We've had one terrific one - the rest were quite nuts. The RE market here in Las Vegas provokes extreme nuttiness. Because of LL's having to sell, we've had to move several times.

The way I figure it is sometimes uncomfortable sleep is part of the deal with cats. I've gone to sleep with one on top of me, and several on each side. I think it's sweet of them to want to be so near. Even if it keeps you up, it's worth it to assure them that you're with them and that you care about them. I'm lucky that my schedule allows me to pay that price.

Cheers,

Tarara B.

 

[tararaboomdea]

Got a message from my next door neighbor - he couldn't have been nicer. He says he's going to fix the screen that was ripped (probably by one of my little nut jobs) and he said that the yard is the cat's to explore. He just wants to be sure his dogs don't go after him.

If he's sincere (and it sounds like he is), I couldn't be happier. Nevertheless, I am going to keep them indoors, though I know they'll be very unhappy

 

Cheers to all,

Tarara

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

It sounds like your neighbor is going doing the right thing.  I'd be afraid about the dogs too.

Keep them in for a day or so and see how it goes.  He may surprise you. 

It's a step in the right direction.

 

[msaimee]

I wouldn't call attention to myself through the media, either, if I were in your shoes. Animal Control could very well show up at your door. Many boroughs and cities have laws about how many animals a resident may own, and if you're in violation, Animal Control could seize your cats. You could, however, take pictures of a few of your cats at a time and post them on social media. Many cities have an animal adoption site where people post ads looking for homes for their pets. Also put up pictures around your local supermarkets, churches, schools, etc. of a few of them, looking for a home. Then of course you'd need to meet and check out any persons responding to make sure the cats are going to a good home.  

You might want to consider switching to a less expensive brand of cat food. Purina Cat Chow is much less expensive, and has all the necessary nutrients, and cats generally like it. Start offering bowls of it along side their current food. You can buy Frontline at a third or fourth the retail price in multipacks on Ebay and Amazon. I buy the least expensive clumping litter and mix it with better quality instead of buying all good quality litter. Places like PetSmart sometimes have sales, especially when you buy in bulk, and give out 5 dollar coupons on their receipts. Walmart generally has inexpensive items. You can purchase many items like toys, cat trees, medicines, online for much cheaper than retail. The Humane Society will sometimes donate cat food to individuals who are caring for feral and stray colonies (just don't let them know how many cats you have inside your home).

You have a big heart. It's also great that you're communicating with your neighbors and educating them about what you're doing and how you're helping them as well as the cats. I've found that communication with the people on my block has been extremely helpful. Good luck and let us know how things go.  

 

[tararaboomdea]

 
I wouldn't call attention to myself through the media, either, if I were in your shoes. Animal Control could very well show up at your door. Many boroughs and cities have laws about how many animals a resident may own, and if you're in violation, Animal Control could seize your cats. You could, however, take pictures of a few of your cats at a time and post them on social media. Many cities have an animal adoption site where people post ads looking for homes for their pets. Also put up pictures around your local supermarkets, churches, schools, etc. of a few of them, looking for a home. Then of course you'd need to meet and check out any persons responding to make sure the cats are going to a good home.  

You might want to consider switching to a less expensive brand of cat food. Purina Cat Chow is much less expensive, and has all the necessary nutrients, and cats generally like it. Start offering bowls of it along side their current food. You can buy Frontline at a third or fourth the retail price in multipacks on Ebay and Amazon. I buy the least expensive clumping litter and mix it with better quality instead of buying all good quality litter. Places like PetSmart sometimes have sales, especially when you buy in bulk, and give out 5 dollar coupons on their receipts. Walmart generally has inexpensive items. You can purchase many items like toys, cat trees, medicines, online for much cheaper than retail. The Humane Society will sometimes donate cat food to individuals who are caring for feral and stray colonies (just don't let them know how many cats you have inside your home).

You have a big heart. It's also great that you're communicating with your neighbors and educating them about what you're doing and how you're helping them as well as the cats. I've found that communication with the people on my block has been extremely helpful. Good luck and let us know how things go.  

Thanks for the advice, Aimee. I think I'm going to concentrate on the schools. Never underestimate the power of a nudgy kid who wants a pet.

I've gotten some good deals on The Forklift (Amazon Warehouse Deal Finder, category Pet Supplies). Our vet also suggested Purina as a cost cutting measure.

Even if my marriage could survive these many cats till their old age, it's a given that the older they get, the higher the vet bills. I just went through with that with my oldest boy.

I'm happy that the gentleman next door was so nice about everything. I'm more worried about the woman across the street, who is really high strung. I've kept them home since I saw the message (on NextDoor website.) That email she sent me a few weeks ago was pretty wild, profanity laden. I didn't hear from her again really after I pointed out to her that if I didn't take them in, she may well have been up to her eyeballs in cats with no one to blame. I'm just going to be pleasant if I see her.

I'm most worried about the law. I think you can get a permit for up to ten cats (I forget all the requirements you have to meet, but one is a periodic home inspection. I could live with that.) Otherwise it's six. I guess I could pull a "Pink Panther" - 


- that's not my cat, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

Thanks,

Tarara