Venting!!!!

One of the basics of introducing cats to a household is keeping them separated - in a separate room - from the other cats for a week or two or longer, depending on how introductions go. I kept both Ginger and Mojo in our smallish computer room (at separate times) for a couple weeks each. They were better than fine.

When a cats world is turned upside down by being brought into a new territory, they find it comforting to be in a small area. That way they can get to know the space, and make it smell familiar with their own scents. This is far from cruel, it's actually less stressful for the cats. Besides, you mentioned that she has a bunk bed - that means the cats have twice the amount of space that people to, since they make full use of vertical space.

Granted, the space where she's keeping them should be clean, and cat proofed, but there aren't a whole lot of people who would open their home up to someone else's pets to petsit. And, it is only for a week. If this were a permanent situation it would be different. But it's not.

Originally Posted by valanhb

One of the basics of introducing cats to a household is keeping them separated - in a separate room - from the other cats for a week or two or longer, depending on how introductions go. I kept both Ginger and Mojo in our smallish computer room (at separate times) for a couple weeks each. They were better than fine.

When a cats world is turned upside down by being brought into a new territory, they find it comforting to be in a small area. That way they can get to know the space, and make it smell familiar with their own scents. This is far from cruel, it's actually less stressful for the cats. Besides, you mentioned that she has a bunk bed - that means the cats have twice the amount of space that people to, since they make full use of vertical space.

Granted, the space where she's keeping them should be clean, and cat proofed, but there aren't a whole lot of people who would open their home up to someone else's pets to petsit. And, it is only for a week. If this were a permanent situation it would be different. But it's not.

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Well like I said, she has a larger, CLEANER, more cat-friendly basement she could be keeping them in where her other cats dont linger. I'm sorry, I just feel that its really mean to keep 2 full grown cats in a room that can barely fit 1 human. They virturally have no place to go but on the bed. Im even wondering where she fit their food and litterbox.

Originally Posted by Roimata

Thats fine....but shes keeping them in her room for a full week......not letting them out even for a moment. Thats completely different than keeping your cats locked up while you go to work.

And its not the litterboxes.....her ROOM is filthy, I wouldnt offer to clean it.....1) she would be offended. 2) She wouldnt let me. 3) I only learned about this like 2 days ago.........ect...

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That's a poor excuse... I'd want it cleaned immediately, period. How about you ask her if you can spend some time with them INSTEAD? Then you can surreptitiously clean up in there. Bring a bag in your pocket, she'll probably have a scoop in there, and you can clean the boxes. If she notices, just mention that you could smell them and can't really stand the smell so you decided to clean them out before you played with the kitties. I promise it's not as hard to get things cleaned up in there as you think it is.

Originally Posted by noludoru

That's a poor excuse... I'd want it cleaned immediately, period. How about you ask her if you can spend some time with them INSTEAD? Then you can surreptitiously clean up in there. Bring a bag in your pocket, she'll probably have a scoop in there, and you can clean the boxes. If she notices, just mention that you could smell them and can't really stand the smell so you decided to clean them out before you played with the kitties.

I promise it's not as hard to get things cleaned up in there as you think it is.

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??? Its not an excuse....you just dont waltz into someones room and clean it. Plus its not my responsilbilty, I told her about it and she doesnt see it as a problem. Im not going to be rude to her or barge into her house and start cleaning. Like I said the cats go home today or tomorrow. Your acting like its MY room and I should clean it.

I'm a kitty lover to as you are, my husband always saying wow the girls come first, it a running saying in our home ...LOL

I feel for you and understand but at least try to look at it this way she could be leaving them in her room in a cage/carrier now that would be the worst thing for them right?.

I know the room is small from what you said but I bet they are happy anyway even if it's small. Like I said it could be worst they could be caged up for 7 long days Try looking at it this way . The good thing is they are going home to there mommy soon.

Lori~
Heaven

If your friend has cats of her own, it's probably better for them to stay separated. Even if the conditions aren't particularly ideal, they're better than the stress of meeting new cats on their own territory. I guess she could swicth them but that just seems stressful too...

Zissou and I live in an apartment that's probably about as big as some of your spare rooms We do okay.

I don't think I mentioned this but when we brought Oscar home from my parents house, he wouldn't come out from under the bed. I found this site and was instructed that it would be best to keep him in a small room with litterbox, food and water and let him out a few times during the day to slowly get him adapted. We kept in in our laundry room which is, at MOST, 8'x8'. He eventually came out altogether on his own but if we were to get another kitten I certainly would NOT let him out of the same room until he was properly introduced to Oscar and the rest of the apartment. I really don't think its cruel. Her cats shouldn't have to give up their domain for a friend's cats for a week. It just wouldn't be fair.

Like I said I never mentioned mixing in the cats....but im talking about how she has a much larger, cat-friendly, cleaner space they could be in that her cats dont go too, but she doesnt want to do that.

It sounds like it's out of your control, the other members have all mentioned that things should be okay for the cats, I wouldn't worry about it anymore.

Originally Posted by Roimata

Plus its not my responsilbilty

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IMO that sums it up for many things on this issue.

As heart breaking as it is for a person, if there really isn't anything that can be done or willing to be done, then the person it bothers needs to find a way to let it go unless they want to take on that responsibility themselves.

I have worked in a catery and as wonderful as I saw those kitties taken care of as far as basic needs (must have the cage cleaned top to bottom, all linens changed, all food dishes washed and sanitized before refilling) it only took me about 10 minutes or so to do everything I needed to do and back in the 2 feet by 2 feet "hotel" they went.

I'm sure they would have rather a small room to that small "hotel" and wouldn't have cared that it was not clean to a human.

I'm glad that the week is over and the love and compansion you have for them. Maybe next time you can volunteer if they go out of town. They may decide after seeing the difference in the care that you would be a better match. Even if you don't know the lady personally (I can't tell in this thread) she might appreciate a new care taker for her pets as she may not have any other options open to her.

I apologize if this seems harsh but I have been heartbroken many times over the care of pets and yet I could not or was not willing to deal with the possible problems it might cause if I were to say something or turn them in. I stewed about it until it made my life miserable and yet I was the one that made it that way by not stepping in. So unfortunately because most cases it truely was a situation where I could not do anything because I could not take on the responsibility myself of taking the pet, I had to learn to walk away and just hope that there would be a solution in sight. I'm not saying it was the best thing or the right thing to do, but it was something that I personally had to do or a heart attack would surely be in my future.

Actually, it may be more responsible of her to keep them separate from her own cats -- there are so many things they could all catch from each other! As long as your friend's messiness doesn't extend to leaving chocolate or other dangerous food around, and as long as there's no rat poison on the floor... gosh, the cats don't care whether she hangs up her clothes!

It's great that you care so much... but all in all, it sounds like these cats have got it good.

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Gosh, the cats don't care whether she hangs up her clothes!

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Haha! I'm lucky about that too... My apartment is clean but disastrously messy (ie, no food or trash laying around, but stacks of homework and tornadoes of clothes)

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

If your friend has cats of her own, it's probably better for them to stay separated. Even if the conditions aren't particularly ideal, they're better than the stress of meeting new cats on their own territory. I guess she could swicth them but that just seems stressful too...

Zissou and I live in an apartment that's probably about as big as some of your spare rooms

We do okay.

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Omg lol...sorry but people keep saying this. Ive said it 345804958 times. Im NOT suggesting that she mixes the cats..............I AM saying that I wish she would of moved them to her laundry room/basement that is more cat friendly, clean, and spacious..where her other cats DONT roam. Her room is way to small and dirty for 2 grown cats.

and its not about "cats dont care if she hangs up her clothes", she has pop cans, old food, dirty dishes all over her floor........thats discusting conditions for a cat to be in.

I see a lot of wisdom in the posts in this thread from experienced cat owners explaining cat behaviour and their comfort levels. Unfortunately you don't seem convinced so perhaps it is best to agree to disagree on your part and use this as a learning experience. After all TCS IS a learning/teaching site.

lol theres nothing I can do. So far all im hearing is "dont worry, its fine, they arnt harmed".....I know this lol, but im venting because I wish she would move them to a cleaner and larger enviornment. Oh well.

Originally Posted by Bonnie1965

A bit off topic, but if I were a cat, your home is on my list as one I want to live in

Even your "spare" room is sure to be kitty-friendly

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Awwwww And if you turned up on my doorstep as a stray i'd have a cosy bed waiting for you