No sign of Gizmo today

Shell- Any sign of Giz. today?

For me, the real concern is that the declawed cat is apparently intact. Which means he may be much more likely to get into fights and get really badly hurt. Its a problem, if she speaks to the owners and suggests that they are being irresponsible, then the cat disappears, then they will blame her. And the cat could be in danger. Personally, I think that the failure to neuter the cat is just as bad as the misguided decision to declaw. After all, the problems of declawing are not well known in the general public, so I forgive people for making that mistake. But not spaying or neutering? How can they miss those information bulletins?

This is the first I've heard of Gizmo, so I don't think I know enough to add anything useful that's not already said, but I do hope that it all works out for the best.

I would just like to add, Shell, that from what I know of you through this site, you seem like a very kind-hearted, level-headed person, so I have faith that you'll do whatever is right.

We have declawed cats who like to go outside, too. But we take them out on a leash and harness. We have those retractable leashes, about 20 ft long fully extended, so they can run and leap if they feel the desire to do so, and aren't rudely jerked back to earth as they hit the end of the leash. The cats who like to go out (not all of them like it) get to do so usually 2 or 3 times a week, for 15-30 minutes at a time. On hot days, we take them out at dusk so they don't get overheated. It is so much fun to watch them chase fireflies!

Thanks everyone. I can see both sides of this and that is one thing that is just eating me up inside. I want to do the best thing for ALL involved, but I feel it's a "damned if I do, damned if I don't" situation.

Honestly, I haven't talked to the owners. I don't believe they'd even listen to what I have to say. They are just different kinds of people and ones that are not very friendly to say the least. I know in my heart that they don't love Gizmo and that he's more of a inconvience to them than anything else.

As for his skinniness, I have never seen a cat so skinny. In those pictures, you really can not see it. When I feel his back, I can feel every little bump and the knots of his vertebras. His sides are sunken in and he just might weigh about 5 pounds even though he's a fairly bigger boned kitty. I don't know for a fact, but I am assuming that they've thrown him outside to fend for himself which is rather hard to do since he doesn't have any claws in the front.

I'm really sorry to get everyone in an uproar about this. It truly wasn't my intention. There is something deep inside me that wants to help him...I've never felt this way about a animal before (even with my three cats that I've rescued). I'm one of those people who goes by their gut feelings and usually I'm not wrong when it comes to those.

Obviously I've stirred something up here on the boards and I'm feeling rather guilty. I was looking for support and some helpful suggestions. Maybe I shouldn't have even said anything...I dunno.

Once again, I'm sorry for upsetting people and thank you for all of your suggestions & concerns.

I wouldnt take a cat away, either, in fear of retaliation against the owners. There is an outside cat who belongs to my neighbor acroos from us. We had some weeds sprayed, and I saw her outside, so I mentioned to her that they might want to keep him inside for a few days. But, I didnt want to mention how it wasnot good for him to be outside. At one time, I did think of taking him and bringing him inside, but thought it was not right to do. He is such a friendly cat, and we call him Tigger's boyfriend, just because she "calls" for him when she sees him outside. He sits next to our arcadia door sometimes, too. I have thought of leaving some food out for him, though.

I dont who you are, but Personally, I dont think it's right to tell anyone what to do with their animals. If they are declawed and their owners want to let their animals outside, that is their choice. It also doesnt make them irresponsible owners. HOnestly, think of how you would feel if the tables were reversed/

Shell,

Can you leave him some kitten food out for him?

I hope everything turns out well. If you think the kitty is being neglected you should be able to call animal control. They investigate things like that. But I hope you find him so you can at least feed him.

Do the owners know how you feel? If they don't, call the animal control or the humane society, like mzjazz2u suggested. You can tell them you wish to remain anonyomous. Are their others in your neighborhood who knows what is going on?

i think u should just go give gizmo a new home...

Shell , I am all the way with you . I would take him if I would be you . I have made a big mistake once , I never would do again and that is why I would take him to a better home . And I know what kind of people you talking about . My husband has to deal with so many of them on a dayly base , he is a cop . So you go girl

Shell, do you think they would be open to a conversation like . . .

"I know you must be really busy with the kids and all, but I've really fallen in love with your adorable kitty. Do you know if he's had his shots?"

If they say, "Yes, he's had his shots", then you've opened the door to more conversation about cat care, and you can mention that "he looks very thin. Has the vet said anything about that?" If they say, "No, what shots?" then say "Oh, cats need annual shots. I'm taking our cats in tomorrow and I can take Gizmo in too. It's really no trouble at all and I would pay for it etc etc"

y'know what I mean? Just sort of gauge what you say, by how receptive you think they might be to the idea of offloading the responsibility onto you, or another person.

Or something like,

"my friend Amy was over and just went head over heals for Gizmo. We were wondering if he was your cat or if he was a stray because he spends a lot of time at our house."

then see their reaction. If they seem relieved to have one less responsibility, then keep offering to take more and more responsibility for Gizmo.

Or depending on the age of the kids, have a heart to heart with the kids. Show them the proper ways to take care of a cat (without overtly criticizing the parents) and encourage the kids to be Gizmo's advocate. When you talk with the kids maybe you can get a picture if the family would rather not have the pet as a responsibility anymore. Maybe they would be open to "sharing" Gizmo, etc.

Just a few ideas to think about. The bond between a human and an animal can be so strong, as you are experiencing now. I see so many people when a kitty is missing and want to prevent the same loss if I can. An intentional re-homing — even if for what you believe is a good cause — can be devastating to both humans and animals. You don't really know for sure that Gizmo is neglected do you? Maybe you're absolutely right in that the parents have been irresponsible, but if the kids are bonded to Gizmo, where would they be if they came home and they believed their kitty went missing or was dead?

Shell, this is a hard situation!
I once "stole" a cat that seemed lost, was almost hit by a car and he was also ill, but so very friendly and affectionate. The vet asked if I could keep him untill everything opened again (unfortunately I found him on wednesday or thursday before Easter, and here everything is closed because of the holidays untill Tuesday after Easter). After thinking it through I felt sorry for the owners if he wasn´t lost after all, so 2 days later I brought him back and came everyday and left food and water, and he alway came to me. I was very worried about him since maybe his owners didn´t realize his illness, or even didn´t care (he went to the litterbox every 2 minutes stayed there a while, sometimes very long, but there was only a few drops of pee each time.) Finally I decited to write a note to the owners and ask them to contact me, and fasten the note to his collar (he had a collar, but no name or tel.no.), then I could also see if somebody took the note or not. But after that I never saw him again, so I never knew and wasn´t able to help him more. I still have his photo on the fridge though!

Originally posted by Maui
Maybe you're absolutely right in that the parents have been irresponsible, but if the kids are bonded to Gizmo, where would they be if they came home and they believed their kitty went missing or was dead?

Click to expand...

The children would learn a very valuable lesson that cats should be kept inside for their safety! Would you prefer they find it's body on the side of the road or witness it being hit or attacked by a dog? This poor kitty is outside and declawed. He can be poisoned, hit by a car, mauled by a dog, or tortured by some nut case. This poor kitty needs to be kept inside and provided vet care, and neutered at the very least. It deserves the best home possible. Just because a child loves an animal doesn't mean it is a healthy environment for that animal.

I find it odd that the cat is declawed but not neutered.

Shell, you poor girl. You must be so confused with everyone's view on this matter.

Just do what feels right to you. Listen to your heart.
We are not there in your shoes to experience first hand what is going on with Gizmo.

I pray that he reappears for you.

I like Maui's suggestion:
"my friend Amy was over and just went head over heals for Gizmo. We were wondering if he was your cat or if he was a stray because he spends a lot of time at our house."

then see their reaction. If they seem relieved to have one less responsibility, then keep offering to take more and more responsibility for Gizmo.
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Good luck!

Laurie