Need advice for the future of " One Eyed Jack"

Hello fellow cat lovers.

I am in desperate need of advice for a situation the seems to have no good options, yet I want to get some advice on the best options nonetheless.

I have been living in a small and unpleasant apartment complex for the last 19 years.
I am still here for only two reasons; low rent, and my cat friend "One Eyed Jack".
However, due to a recent fallout with some stubborn neighbors (no parking and loudness) and poor ownership, I feel I will soon have to leave this apartment, and either move back home to my elderly parents house which is three miles away, or to a different apartment.

My dilemma is how to continue my freindship with One Eyed Jack once I am gone.

Although not possible, it seems like Jack has been around here as long as I have.
Many years ago, I noticed a small scrawny one eyed cat around our neighbohood. One day, merely on a whim, I gave the poor frightened cat a morsal of food.
I kept feeding him for many years, and developed a casual friendship with him. However, I assumed he was feral.
For a few years, we never truly adopted one another. Besides, pets are not allowed here.
We remained mere aquaintances up until February of 2009. This is when Jack became my best friend.
It all started one morning in February of 09 when I walked out my door headed for work.
I was aghast to see poor Jack completely soaked in motor oil.

I felt horrible leaving Jack there on my doorstep when I was on my way to work, so I decided to plead with the school secretary to get a replacement for me so I could go back home to help Jack. I was on pins and needles as I had to teach for an hour until a replacement for me arrived.

To make a long story shorter, I got home and did not know what to do.
I called the humane society, but fortunately Jack ran away from the impounder. He told me if he took Jack, he would likely be put to sleep, so I bid him farewell.
Two days later, I took Jack to the vet. They cleaned up Jack, and tested him for AIDS.
Later that afternoon, the vet called me to tell me that Jack had AIDS. The vet therefore STRONGLY recommended that Jack be put down. I pleaded with the vet to let me take him home alive. The vet said that he would only release him to me if I promised to keep him indoors. When I picked him up, the vet again reiterated that his condition was fatal.
I knew keeping Jack indoors was not possible, but I lied to the vet to save Jack until I could figure out what to do. Jack was then neutered, and I picked him up.
Jack spent three days illegally in my apartment laying in a corner while recovering from surgery.
In the meantime, I spoke with three cat experts( none vets), and they assured me that it was highly unlikely that Jack would infect other cats since he was neutered.
Jack has been living outdoors for nearly 2 1/2 years since his diagnosis and surgery, and seems as healthy as ever. He has never been near any other cats, he just hangs around the complex. He follows me like a puppy dog when he wants my company or some food. He always knows when I come home and runs down the stairs to greet me. He is at my door nearly every morning sitting on my newspaper waiting for breakfast. I let him in illegally nearly every night for about a half an hour of love and pets. The landlord looks the other way.
This has been going on continuesly since February of 2009.
My neighbors also feed him on occasion, but I provide him with about 80% of his food, and 95% of his love.
Now however, I am afraid I must soon leave my apartment. I do not believe I have been treated well here lately, and it is time to go.

But what about Jack? Jack is an outdoor cat, and would never be happy living alone indoors if I take him. It is also unlikely I would move to a place that accepts pets, and my parents do not want a pet cat.
If I take him with me and leave him out in unfamiliar, (and likely more dangerous) surroundings for a cat, he would likely be confused, unhappy, and a victim of a car or a coyote.
I think it would best to leave him behind, and to plead with all my neighbors to take care of him collectively in my place. Then, if I am still close, I could visit him three or four times a week to give him love and food so we can still be friends.

There seems to be no good solution, but any advice would be welcome.

On an additional note, jack has scabbies, but I am afraid to bring him to the vet


Thanks.

First of all, good on you to take care of this wonderful kitty. I'm sure he lets you know every day how grateful he is.
Secondly, I would take him to the vet immediately if he has mange as he will not ever be able to fight it off because of his FIV. I would not take him to the vet you took him to before however (not only for wanting to immediately put him down, but because they told you he had AIDs instead of FIV). I would call up a few vets, let them know you have a stray cat with FIV and that you need to get him treated for mange. If they talk about putting him down, hang up the phone and call another.

If it were me, I would take him with me. If you absolutely can't take him inside for a few days, then you could kennel him in a large dog pen outside for a few days, and then let him out and since he seems quite attached, he shouldn't run away.

I would never dream of taking him back to this vet. The girls who ran the front office seemed quite nice, but I did not get good vibes from either the vet or his tech. They both seemed rather cold and unwelcoming.
I am concerned, however, that it might be a legal requirement for vets to put down cats with aids that are kept outdoors. THis is why I have stayed away from vets.
This vet did want to me to set up an appointment to get a refill on some scabbies medication. However, since I felt it was likely he could tell Jack was still outdoors and that I had been dishonest, I was afraid he might put him down this time without giving me a choice.
His lower back in scabbed and without fur, and he does scratch alot, but since he seems to be experiencing discomfort more than suffering, I have not chanced what could be a fatal visit to the vet.
I am also a pauper.

They can't force you to put a cat down and he HAS to go to a vet to get treated. My feral population is made up of mainly cat with FeLV(more deadly and highly contagious) and no one has ever suggested putting them down(for any reason other than severe illness in the case of one that I had to have put down. I had a vet happily fix a rectal prolapse on the oldest feral Mama who is FeLV+. Putting him down is your choice, not the vet's and any vet who suggests that would never see me again.

Take him to a different vet, not all vets are idiotic like that. He has to be treated or you're not going to have a worry about him because he isn't going to survive. Personally I'd just take him with me when I moved. If mine weren't FeLV+ I'd take them with me if I moved but since what they have is easily transmitted to other cats that a definite no go. FIV is hard to transmit among cats so just take hm with you.

Taryn

^Exactly. No vet can force you to put him down, or do it without your permission. Ever.

If he's got mange, he IS suffering, it's constant pain and a constant source of infection which is deadly for FIV cats.

I agree that you have to get him treated for the mange. I would call around until you find a vet that seems to understand the situation, and even then, I wouldn't leave Jack alone there.

But the larger issue here is where and how Jack will live. I know you think he would be unhappy indoors, and maybe he would -- but outdoors, with impaired vision and FIV, deprived of his primary caretaker, he most likely will not last long... and he certainly won't be a happy kitty.

Bear in mind that he's neutered now, so some of his drive to be outdoors is diminished... and it will drop further as he grows older. He depends on you, he loves you, you love him... the two of you need to stay together.

Living outdoors exposes a cat to countless dangers; Jack has already lost an eye and contracted a terrible disease. Please bring him into your home and give him the security he needs -- whether he thinks so or not. :-) If you provide plenty of toys and lots of playtime, he'll come to enjoy his new indoor life. And it will almost certainly be a longer one!

Whatever you decide, bless your heart for loving and caring for this poor kitty. And good luck in finding a happier place to live.

CarolPetunia is right on all points, and I echo her recommendation. Bring your friend inside and take him with you when you move. You two need and deserve each other.

AC

Thank you all for your responses.

My biggest concern is my financial situation. I am only here because it is cheap and because of Jack. I am not sure if I could afford an apartment that would allow pets. They are probably more expensive and out of my price range.
My choices are limited since I need to find another cheap place.
Also, I do not know how I could afford long term care for Jack's appointments and medication.
The vet said he has scabbies, which I imagine is the same thing as mange based on the reponses here.
Also, if I were fortunate enough to find a place that would allow me to keep jack indoors, would he be happy being alone 70% of the time with no people or pets to keep him company?
Jack is only indoors about 30 minutes a night.

The good news is that things have become a little less stressful here, so I might be able to stay. My biggest stressor is finding a place to park at night.
If not, I am hoping I can move within five miles from here so I can continue to visit him and feed him four or five nights a week, while asking my nieghbors to play a larger roll in feeding Jack. I would then give Jack his nightly dose of love and pets outside on the stairs instead of in my apartment.

My neighbor also gives Jack love and pets, just less than I do.


My neighbors seem to feed Jack about 4-5 times a week, and they also enjoy having him around. They even said a couple years ago they would help me pay for Jack's vet visit which was $365( plus the $140 I gave up to come home from work), but they never did.
Another neighbor also fed Jack once in a while, and was kind enough to give me $100. Unfortunately, he moved out last week.

I think Jack was born with one eye, since there used to be another cat around that looked like Jack who also had one eye.

I know these are not the answers that you kind reponders want to read, but what is best for Jack might not be feasable for me, so I am looking for the best compromise.
On the surface, Jack does not appear to be suffering, but I could be wrong.

Also, I am a little worried today. Jack is nearly always on my doorstep in the morning. Today he was not there and I have not yet seen him as of 2 PM.

This is unusual.

Bless your heart for caring for Jack.

You said you've lived at your present apartment for 19 years and Jack has been there almost as long as you have. That makes Jack an old kitty, amazingly old for being an outside cat. IMO, you simply can't move and leave him behind. At his age, and since he's neutered, he may actually love having the safety and comfort of being a pampered indoor kitty. At his age, he shouldn't have to worry about where his next meal is coming from, or how he can excape the brats that covered him in oil. I obviously don't know about where you live, but around here most places will allow a cat if you pay a little bit larger security deposti. If you have to move you may want to check into that.

Jack definitely needs vet care for his scabbies/mange problem; he may not appear to be in discomfort, but he is. See if you can find a vet who will accept a payment plan.

I think you can work this out if you try; it's obvious you and Jack are meant to be together.

Maybe you could search for another apartment/flat that will allow a single, senior kitty. Certainly doesn't hurt to try. Around here, most places allow cats, especially low income apartments and houses.
If you end up moving back to your parents, would they be ok with penning him outside? That way he is not inside, but is also safe from other dangers and close to you.

I guess your best bet is to search around and see if its possible to find a cheap place that will allow you to keep Jack. If you really cannot keep him, then at least you can say you tried your hardest.

Bless your heart for looking after this old guy though. I am sure he loves you and is thankful for you. for both of you.

Originally Posted by furfaceluvr

On the surface, Jack does not appear to be suffering, but I could be wrong.

Click to expand...

Let me re-emphasize: mange/scabbies is a horribly uncomfortable disease. Imagine being itchy every day of your life, so much so that you scratch yourself raw.

I understand that you are tight for money, but don't trick yourself into thinking he's okay as he is now.