I Have Such Disappointing News

Originally posted by LDG
His whole theory up to now (and hasn't been a problem) is that he's the alpha cat and he'll set the behavior rules. (LOL!)

Poor Gary. He's not really under the illusion that he's in charge of anything - but it really "struck" him last night! (Bad pun - sorry!)

Click to expand...

Too funny!

As others have said, you must remember the amount of space you have and the behavioural aspect this will have on the cats involved. Especially now introducing the new ones. There is a limit to most things, and you wouldn't want it to come to a full blown WWF knockdown with the cats (and humans)!

Just to give everyone some peace of mind...Gary and I aren't animal horders! LOL! (I know no one thinks that, but just making sure...)

It's one thing if we're traumatized - but it's another if the cats are. If it's too much, someone's going.

I never thought you were a hoarder Laurie, I hope I did not give you that impression. It doesn't matter that the ferals were just kittens when it comes to colonizing, it is in their genetic code to lash out at newcomers, and your lead cat will always be dominant and show the traits of being a leader. This can lead to problems in the future. Out in the wild, they at least have avenues of escape to get completely away from each other, and they have that natural tendency to want to do so.

I am not criticizing you, I am just trying to get you to understand that the true nature of a feral is always in play no matter how tame he or she appears. You violate that personal space issue to many times and you could be in for a world of hurt. That's all...and just like you are finding out, once you open your life to ferals, they start coming to you in big feline tidal waves- no end in sight.

Sorry Laurie, I've just caught up on this post. Those people must have known they weren't allowed cats - it would have been in their lease - which they signed? Maybe they thought they could get away with it.

Those poor babies!

BTW, I'm a Laurie too!

Hissy - I had hoped I made it clear that no one gave me that impression - I was just reassuring those who read this thread and don't know me...

I also don't feel critized. I ALWAYS benefit from your knowledge and experience. I NEED you to tell me these things. Let's not forget - my first experience with a cat was in January! My first experience with a feral was in July! I'm certainly no expert, and I have so much to learn. So PLEASE keep it coming! It is because of people like ALL of you and places like this that people like me end up rescuing cats to begin with. And the best part is that I have the opportunity to not make mistakes that wind up with anyone hurt or even traumatized in some way.

And THAT'S why I'm so disappointed about what happened with Julius and Spooky to begin with. Because something we did caused them to be traumatized. I sure don't want to compound the problem!

Hi Laurie! Welcome! You can bet your boots that if in the future we even try to adopt out any of the ferals we care for that we're taking Sabra's advice!!!!

...and it IS maddening, isn't it!

We made arrangements to board Juli at the Vet's facility until he comes here for fostering or goes to a shelter.

We pick him up tomorrow morning. We told the people who have him NOT to put him in the crate. We'll do that.

Oh Laurie, you have a heart of gold...that's all I can say...and my prayers are with you and the furbabies! keep us posted!

Laurie, I think "criticize" and "animal hoarder" are the LAST things we would ever say about you! You just have a huge heart. It's a shame you are not in a position to do everything you want to do for ferals, but my guess is that you will some day. I think you're really dedicated. I know it must break your heart to have to choose who can stay and who has to leave, who must go outside, and who may come in. You're a very kind person. God bless you for caring about His creatures!

Thank you for your kind words!!!!

And yes, THESE DECISIONS SUCK.

We didn't get to pick up Juli Tuesday. We left NUMEROUS messages. We really started imagining the worst. Gary said today that if we hadn't heard from them by this evening, we were calling the authorities in the morning.

They, fortunately, called late this afternoon. We're supposed to pick up Juli tomorrow afternoon. I'm so scared about what kind of condition he'll be in! I just so hope my imagination is too much.

BTW - Spooky is still spooked by the other cats, but she does let them get near her now. Before, when they were even like a foot away, she'd leap out at them, hissing and swipe at them.

She's also comfortably venturing out of the bedroom to look around. She's eating in the kitchen - not "with" the other cats, but near them. We took the water bowl out of the bedroom, and she comes out here to drink. She's starting to get really comfortable. She's played with one of those ball in the ring things with Munchie on the other side of it, and actually looked like she was having fun playing with Shelly's feet under the door. Little by little!

Here's two pics:

"Before"
It's fuzzy because the shutter stayed open for a sec or two because the room was completely dark. Spooky's curled up, asleep. Sheldon and Lazlo are just tucked in, staring at her. Poor girl! LOL!

"After"

When everyone decided she was just going to continue sleeping! Shelly left for his new spot (sleeping on Gary's coat).

Spooky woke up a couple of times, so knew Lazlo was there. She doesn't look to uncomfortable about it, does she? LOL!

Aww that was such a sweet photo! I am glad that she is getting better!

I hope Juli will be okay when you go to pick him up - my heart goes out to him! WHen you get him, give him the scritches that he so needs!

Cute picture

I am glad that things are getting better for you and Spooky, and I hope that everything goes ok when you collect Juli.


Marie

The B&*%^ called this morning and said "something important has come up, come pick him up right away."

Gary went because I was in the middle of something.

He was left in a crate on top of a pile of garbage. No one was home. We had asked them specifically NOT to crate Juli (because they'd terrorized and hurt Spooky).

He was covered in urine and feces and I will NOT post the pics. He had no water, had food encrusted in his tail, and was panting.

Gary called me almost in tears. He was FURIOUS. He took Juli to the Vet (Juli will need to be shaved, not washed). He came home to get the camera and we both went back there to take pics. He called the police and the ASPCA. We are going to press charges, because we want these people to be banned from owning animals. Thank God New Jersey has strict laws - even for neglect. The best we can hope for is a stiff fine and a three year ban, but I'll be happy with that.

I cried harder than I've cried in a long, long time.

Needless to say, apart from Boog, whose new mum was found through the strict screening process of Maine Coon Rescue, we will NEVER adopt out a cat without seeing the home first. I now have NO embarassment about saying we need to see your home and your lease and everything else. Sometimes they ARE better off with us, even if it is 15 degrees outside.

I am so ashamed this happened. I am also angry.

And the WORST of it is, we took the pics of Juli, and he just rolled over for pets. He just wanted to be loved. And despite his HORRID state, he purred and purred and purred.

That is just so heartbreaking. I hope that the DA will go ahead with the charges. I really dont understand how people want pets and not take care for them. Do they actually ban you from having pets if you are convicted of animal abuse/neglect? That is such a good idea.
Poor Juli, he must have been so happy to see you which is why he purred and purred and wanted his scritches. Aww, give that love scritches and cuddles from me.

Laurie, That's infuriating and disgusting! What in the world did they do to get him in that condition? Surely they knew you wouldn't keep quiet about it. Or are they that stupid? Why would they go out of their way to get a pet? The whole thing is maddening and puzzling!
I'm glad you called the authorities. Poor little Julius; no wonder he was so happy to see you!

Poor Julius!

How can a person want cats and then do this to them?? I'm glad that New Jersey has strict laws & though the fine may never do justice at least it's something.

From this point on Julius and Spooky will be loved and cared for, and this incident will only be a fleeting memory.

((((Hugs for all of you!))))

I am really having a hard time getting over this. Gary remains furious.

Yes, it is a criminal offense. Unfortunately, the longest ban (no matter how horrible the neglect or cruelty, and surely this is "slight" compared to some stories I've read) is only three years. They don't ban people from owning pets for life. But they should.

However, fines are imposed. If they aren't paid, they can do jail time. I don't know that I want these two to go to jail, but I sure do want them to know that what they did is not OK and they should not be pet owners.

That is terrible! I don't see how people can be so cruel. I don't think jail is such a bad thing for people like that. At least you know you can prevent them from owning animals for a few years. And your furkids are now safe at home with you.

I don't know how I missed this latest turn of events. I'm sitting in my office crying after reading about what happened. My mind is numb and my heart is aching. I am so glad you were able to rescue him from that hellhole.