I'm new to cat ownership...need advice

I'm sorry I'm not sure if this is the proper place but I need some help! I live in Florida in an apartment community. There are a TON of cats roaming around. Well when I moved in, a cool looking tuxedo cat showed up at my front door trying to get in. I started to get the feeling he may have lived here before. I have a 4 year old boy who grew an attachment to this cat. It was so weird he would say "meow!" and this cat would come running. Every morning when we left to go to school he'd greet us at the door.

Well I started feeding him and and upstairs neighbor reported me (it actually says "don't feed the cats" in the lease). Anyway, I stopped and the neighbor still was angry and even kicked it right in front of my son and I while we were outside playing with him one day. Let's just say she's gone now. So, that was the tradeoff, the manager let me take that cat (and a friend of his who always traveled with him) and she left

So, the huge problem I'm having is with my son. He has a few disabilities. He has been chasing them non stop when he's here and awake. I've tried EVERYTHING and he won't stop. Its been a daily argument for the last 2 months! So the poor cats are being terrorized and I feel bad for even having brought them in. They sit by the door I guess trying to escape. One has several times. Anyway, what can I do? I asked the few people I know if they want two great cats. I don't want to take them to a shelter because most kill. I'd let them go but I'm too scared something bad would happen to them. Help!

I'm assuming you have "help" dealing with your son's disabilities?  If so, you really need to talk to the people helping you about what your son saw.  I think they can best help you to help your son through this.  It's common for kids who saw abuse to repeat the abuse, so it isn't that your child is bad...he's just needing a little help.  Good on you for taking the cats in and doing your best to look out for everyone involved.

Wow that's very insightful. I never imagined that maybe that experience might have something to do with it. My son does have many doctors working to help with his issues but I don't think I even thought to bring up that event to see if that makes any difference. We go again on Friday so I'll make sure I bring it up, thanks!

No problem!  Please let us know how things go and what else we can do to help.  Obviously you're a great mom and look out for all family members (kitties included), so maybe you can try distraction and once your son is calm, show him how to play with kitties?

Thank you, I will

one thing that's important to consider it that the cats might be better off outside where they had started off rather than trapped inside being terrorized. if you live in a suburban or more rural area this is a decent temporary option. you could build a shelter for them outside and provide for them that way until your son gets help.

I actually definitely agree that therapy or other professional services would help. witnessing animal abuse is traumatizing and can have lasting effects on any person, especially a child with disabilities.

however, in the case that you live in an urban area where there is more risk of a cat being injured maybe it is best to keep them inside. if that's what you want to do, try to distract your son when possible to get his attention away from the cats. you could also keep them in a separate area of the home so there's no chance of interaction.

anyways, I know this post is a little old, I just wanted to add that option of letting them go outdoors. I hope things improve, keep us updated!