OK I'm not sure how to handle this one

fastnoc

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I have been caring for ferals around here for a few years now. Thankfully crazy cat lady moved and took her herd with her. I was up to using 8 cans of cat food per day. It's not the cat's fault their owners are stupid. but they were left to roam our complex, so I felt the need to feed them.... Anyway, she moved and they're all gone.

I'm left with two ferals. one is a young male that I haven't been able to get close to yet. I'm going to trap and neuter him when i can....

Over the last few weeks this kitten has been coming by. she's tiny and very petite. I would say she's 2 to 3 months old. She gets really excited when she sees me, and over the last couple weeks i worked my way closer to her, now I can pet her.

there's also a  large brown lab that lvies around here. I called the office because he's left to roam all over and he terrorizes the cats. now that there's a kitten here it's critical. The dog has a collar, so it's not a stray and i've actually seem him lying at the door of a neighbor on another block. repeatedly. He's even licensed.

I'm very worried now. This morning at 5am i had to sit outside for 45 minutes because the kitten came to eat, and the dog lumbered over as she was eating. She's VERY skinny, i can feel her spine from head to tail. I check her hydration though and that's ok. plus I feed her wet food so she gets liquid. But today I had to fend off this dog. he's big. waist high, and not neutered. I'm not at all afraid of dogs, and he thought we were playing. but I put myself between him and my car where the kitten ran under to hide. he would try to go around every angle and I could stay between them He got frustrated and half heartedly charged me but it didn't scare me because his posture was all playful.

After 30 minutes he ran away.... so i sat down, and this terrified kitten ran out from under the car, jumped on my lap and burried her head in the crook of my arm.I sat there an petted her, and she's a terrible drooler, which is totally cute :)

I have a heated cat house for her. it has two entries so she cant get stuck. it's getting colder so i think she'll start sleeping here. But the dog terrorizes her.

Listen, I'm an animal lover, not a cat lover only. if I call the pound they'll come take him and kill him after a while.

Today a printed out a note, foldeed it up, caught the dog and stapled the note to the top of his collar. this is what I wrote:
Please keep your dog from wandering around the complex bothering people.

I contemplated calling the pound, but figured I’d try this first. This is the only time.

Last night was terrible. Halloween and he’s a nice dog, so he wanted to visit everyone. But not everyone likes dogs, especially un-neutered large males.

Don’t visit your own deficiencies on those that live around you. Keep your dog at home where he belongs.
but  i highly doubt this will work.

So what do I do? i can't just up and call the pound, and I can't bear the thought of this little kitten getting turned into a pull toy.

How should I approach this?
 

duckdodgers

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I think you did a good thing leaving the note on him.  Whether or not it does any good is another issue entirely, but at least you are giving them a chance and warning them of things to come.  I would ask around and see if you can find out who owns him and try to speak to them directly.  I'd also contact the apartment manager to see if they have any recommendations (most places have regulations against having a dog off leash).  If all else fails, I would call animal control.  At that point the owners will have had ample warning, and that could be a wake up call for them.  Were I the one calling I would also ensure that I were contacted in the event that the owners do not claim him as animals who are not claimed are generally euthanized or put up for adoption.  It is possible that they would not care enough about him to pick him up after he was impounded.
 

I also love large and friendly dogs, but not everyone does including other people and animals.  Other people should not have to deal with someone else's lack of responsibility
 
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ritz

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I agree with DuckDodgers.  In some counties/cities, it is illegal to let an in-tack animal roam.  And, I'm surprised this isn't part of the rental agreement.  I'd try working with the property manager, asking him/her to put a notice on the buildings/mail boxes reminding that all dogs/cats must be leased/kept inside--and as a PSA, providing telephone number/referrals for low-cost s/n facilities.
 
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fastnoc

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I think i know who owns him, but I will be honest, I'm not very good at these situations, and I lose my cool with ignorant people... it happens quickly. It would be best to avoid any direct contact which is why i dind't put my number or email address on the letter.

however, I did talk to the landlord (this is a complex of duplexes, not apartments, but it's spead out over multiple blocks). She told me (well the office manager) that it doesn't live here. There's a phone number on a tag on the dog's neck. they have called him and he refuses to come get the dog.

She must also be an animal lover because she doesn't want to get the dog euthanized just like me. So she hasn't called animal control yet.

Not sure... I've seen this dog sleeping at the door of the same place many nights. But the dog is friendly, and the landlord said the kids have named him. So it could just be that he's sitting there waiting for the kids.
 

ritz

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Wow, that's a tough one.

This is a long shot, but maybe try introducing the dog to the cat; perhaps the dog doesn't know any better?

Any DOG rescue groups in the area?
 

feralvr

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OH that poor kitten. I think I would try to get the kitten to a rescue or foster network. Since the kitten is so young and friendly to you (which means he would be friendly to others too :)), then I would try to find the little one a home. That dog could potentially kill that kitten. Good luck and hope things will work out and the dog's owner will wake up and come to get his dog. OR if not...... well then the dog is a stray. :sigh:
 
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fastnoc

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well i'm still working on things.

I hate to say this, but if push comes to shove I'll call the pound on the dog. he's licensed. his owner will be fined and forced to come get him. But if they pick up this poor little kitten I think we all know how it will end.

I spend way too much time helping these feral cats here to get through the cold winters, and blazing hot summers to let this happen.

ugh, i just hate it.

I can't do much with the kitten, she's still feral, and I JUST got her to the point I can pick her up. She's nowhere near domesticated enough to adopt out, and I can't bring her in. I stay with my mother who has bad health, and I take care of things for her. I brought my 2 cats, but she's allergic so they stay in my bedroom/office only. That's just not a good way to introduce a feral kitten.

So it's a tough one. The dang thing is so cute too. gray tabby with her back legs completely white, all the way to her tail (i think it goes up that high) i'll try to get some pictures.
 

sevenwonders

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Yes, she is cute! 


Great idea putting the note on his collar -

hopefully the owner will get the message.

Please keep us posted!
 
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