2 dilemmas

krz

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I currently have two situations going on and would appreciate some advice.

The first one is about 2 strays I have been caring for since late July. Both males, one has already been trapped and neutered. The other male avoided the trap but was beginning to let me pick him up and pet him. I was confident that I could get him fixed soon. About 2 weeks ago, he just disappeared. The neutered cat still comes to eat, but I am heartsick over not seeing this boy. I am just so afraid someone has hurt him.

My other dilemma is over a stray kitty near a good friend's home. This kitty has been around since August and while she and another neighbor are feeding this cat, neither are able to take her in. This cat has tried to adopt a family with some young children. They allow the cat on their porch, but not in the house. The parents refuse to bring her in despite pleas from the children. They also do not want a shelter on their porch. My friend is so worried about this poor kitty, especially since it will be getting colder. Although I cannot permanently keep this cat, my husband has agreed to let me bring her home with us until I can find her a forever home.

I want to rescue her, but feel so badly to disappoint these kids. But I am also afraid if I don't do something soon, she may leave too. She sits on their window sill and looks inside so I believe she was someone's pet at one time.

Should I just go and get her? I would gladly talk with the family but my friend has tried to repeatedly to no avail.
 

thembcat

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For dilemma #1. The only thing that I can think you can do is just keep leaving food out and/or ask around if anyone has seen him. Some male cats have a large territory and they tend to roam and sometime just take up residence somewhere else. Let's just pray that he's found a good home.

For the #2 problem, I would go ahead and rescue the cat. If you want to be diplomatic you can ask the people that live in the house if its okay BUT that could cause issues, I personally would go for the "wait til no one's home and whisk the kitty away to safety" route, they'd probably just think the cat gave up and went somewhere else anyways. If you go the diplomatic route, they could tell you no and if the cat did happen to go missing after that, they'd suspect you even if you had nothing to do with it.
 

feralvr

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Hi
!!

#1 - The sad and difficult side to caring for ferals/strays is that we cannot keep them safe
. It is out of our control. It is very possible that this unaltered male cat WILL come back. It is common for them to disappear for days at a time and then return to the reliable food source. He probably has gone off to roam which is what intact males will do. Hopefully he will return from his outing soon and you can trap and get him neutered


#2 - I would definitely resuce the other kitten, absolutely. Explain it to the parents of the children. Don't think about disappointing the children, the kitten has to come first, not the kids. This kitten has the opportunity to be inside of a home and cared for until such time as you can find her a forever home. I would think the children would totally understand this if you explain it to them. It IS in the best interest of this kitten's health and safety. It would be the unselfish thing for those kids to let this kitten go to you and be safe. Would be a good learning experience for the kids in thinking of the kitten instead of themselves, what is best for this little kitten. How kind of you and your husband to agree to foster this little one before the winter arrives. Right now, this kitten has no home and neither of those people will take in the kitten, so this kitten needs and wants to be rescued and taken in

 
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krz

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Thanks for the great advice!

I do think I will go to my friend's house this weekend and get the cat and bring her here where she will be safe and warm. It is a nasty day here, weather wise so she will probably want to be brought in. How can they watch her day after day looking into their windows?

My friend just told me that another concerned neighbor who also feeds this cat recently took her to the humane society to check for a chip. There was no chip and the vet said she is in good health and is around 8 years old. She was probably dumped off or just left behind from former owners. Poor baby.

As for my missing feral boy, I am praying he returns. I didn't know if 2weeks was too long for a male to roam. He was the friendlier of the two and stayed close by most of the time. My goal was to let them come inside the warehouse when colder weather came. They have a very nice feeding station and I put 2 cat shelters there. He was using the shelter at times. They are located behind a building my husband owns with a Dollar General beside it. The employees and many customers were watching over them also and feeding them too. If someone took him in and gave him a home, I would be so happy. But I can't help but worry that someone may have hurt him.

I will just keep waiting and praying for George to come back.
 

catsallaround

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I have gone on months without seeing a cat and it returning-especially a male. Currently I have a missing semi feral. Spayed and was coming everyday then every few days. Never saw her outside in road so I like to think shes still alive and just found a home that shes the only cat at and being fed outside.
 

StefanZ

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Originally Posted by KRZ

I want to rescue her, but feel so badly to disappoint these kids.
It is a false dilemma. The kids own parents had done the choice.

You can talk with the parents, try to get know why they want to have a friendly inside kitty. If they have hesitations because they arent knowleable, you will then be in a good position to explain the howabouts.
Or at least, if they will give her sufficient outside protection.
But if it doesnt help, save the kitty yes.
If they say no, you can also ask them for you taking the cat.

Im not sure what is tactically best. If the worst happens, and you got thrice no: they dont want to take care of the cat either as inside or outside kitty, and they wont allow you to take care of the cat - it will be difficult to take the cat away. Then they will KNOW it was you.

Anyway, your problem is to how to do it best, NOT to think about the children. This is their parents job.
Yours is the kitty.

Good luck!
 

misstorri

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One of my Toms disappeared for over a month one time and showed up again out of the blue super skinny. He hasnt been far from home since! I've tried to catch him numerous times but the one time he did go in the trap he somehow got out! Im praying yours shows up! Males have huge territorys.

As for your friends stray, I would definitly take her if you can. The children already know their parents are the reason she is not able to live in their house. To deny a cat a home b/c of a family who cant keep her isnt fair to that sweet little baby!

Good luck on both of your situations!
 

feralvr

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Well, that kitten sounds healthy according to that vet and that was nice of one of the neighbors to take her to the vet to check for a chip. Hope you are able to get that baby to your house this weekend
and

Hoping George comes home to you soon too
. It is a worry and I did have a feral disappear on me last Spring never to return
. But I also had a feral at one time go missing for over a month and show up again. So who knows, I just hope your George is alright
 
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krz

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Thank you, I am still praying George will come back. I just am so afraid that someone may have hurt him. It is a fear, I know the food bowls are empty in the morning, and we still see Fred just about everyday. If he comes back, I will just bring him into the warehouse and let him stay there, hopefully, Fred will come inside too.

Well, I went to check on my friend's stray cat this morning and she ran right over to us to eat. I wanted to do what was best for the cat, but also did not feel right about just taking her. I went over to the house and spoke with the dad. I asked him if the cat belonged to them and he said no, and he did not want a cat at all. There was no way the cat would ever be allowed inside and he was very stressed that the cat would not leave his porch.

I told him I would be happy to take her and do my best to find her a good home. He seemed relieved but did not want me to take her with the kids around. He told me to call him tomorrow. I think I will be getting her and bringing her here in the next day ot two.

I feel better talking with him. I explained she wants to have a home and that would be best for her. He agreed. My friend is thrilled too as she is going through some medical issues and this poor kitty was just stressing her out.

I hope I can find her a god home, but she will sty here as long as she needs to.
 

feralvr

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AWWW This is wonderful news and good for you talking with that guy. That way they will know what happenned to the kitten, that it is going to find a new, loving home. You are so wonderful what you are doing for this kitten
. Please keep updating


More vibes for George.....

p.s. I have a feral named Fred too
. I call him Freddie, though
 
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krz

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Well, a surprising thing just happened. I called the family this morning about the stray cat that has been hanging around their house. I thought for sure that I would be picking her up today.

They have decided to keep her and let her come onto the house. Part of me is so happy for the cat as she seemed to have "adopted" them. The other part of me is a little skeptical because last weekend he did not want any pets. Perhaps his wife and children persuaded him to change his mind. My friend lives directly across the street and will keep a close eye on her.

I did tell him that if things did not work out to please call me and I would be happy to come and take her. I do hope he is sincere in wanting to give her a good home.

I was looking forward to bringing her here, but hopefully this will work out for her.

Still no sign of George, I just cannot give up hoping he will return. Fred comes by every morning to eat, and then goes off, there are a few houses with a lot of overgrown brush, I think that is where he goes.
 

feralvr

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I am so surprised to hear that this family now want to keep the kitten indoors. I am a bit skeptical and as you, hope that they are sincere. I am sure your friend will keep you updated and will call you if the kitten is outside again. I hope for the best for this little kitty


More vibes for George. So sorry he is still gone
.
 

misstorri

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Im so glad you asked the father, but I'm upset b/c it sounds like the children are going to be left w/o an awnser as to where the cat disappeared to! How sad! Im so happy she's gonna be safe though, she sounds like a sweetheart! Maybe you could post her pic around the neighborhood. Someone might have lost her. In any case I hope she finds a home soon! Good Luck!
 
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krz

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Some good news!! The family did indeed adopt her. They took her to the vet for a thorough check up and then brought her into their home. Her name is Samantha and now she looks outside the window from inside her home.

I was a little disappointed not to bring her here, but she seemed to have chosen them and I could not be happier they have given her a good home.

Sadly, it has been a month since we have seen George. Fred still comes around to eat, but no sign of George.
 

feralvr

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for Samantha. I love happy endings like this. And this is one less thing you have to worry about now
.

Sorry about George
..... and
to you for caring for these poor kitties
 
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