Cat neighbor problems need advice.

Hi Everyone

So this friend of mine, also a neighbor about a block away is so sweet and loving. However, she is in very dire financial straights. She already has a dog, and is barely taking care of it, she neglects for heartworm and vet visits. Now she called tonight, she just is SO HAPPY she just got a cat.

Our Landlord (same apt complex) only allows 1 pet. She has been in trouble for 2 pets before and if caught again will be evicted. Her husband is laid off from work due to injury, and they are really living on about $600 a month. Should I say something? I am almost certain the cat won't be properly vetted, cared for etc due to her financial situation........ I hate to think a fur baby will suffer because of the stupidity of somebody not realizing their financial limits and how on earth they will take care of a pet, when they can hardly feed themselves?? Just frustrated-- Any thoughts..?

It is not great but all you could do IMO is find if cat is fixed and if not look into what is offered in your area.  

I would talk to her first.  Not argue, but talk.  And maybe try to point out, in a non judgmental way the state of her inability to properly care for her dog and get the vet care required for him, how can she take on a cat, it's after all twice the vet bill she can't pay?  And also calmly remind her that if she is caught, they will be evicted and seeing as how they will probably have no place to go with 2 pets, which means the animals will be left behind which means animal control will get them and they will most likely be taken to a shelter and put down in 3 days or less.  Offer to help her find another home for the kitty.  If she turns a deaf ear, there isn't much else you can do without sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong.  Anything you do will get them in trouble even worse and it will most likely send the animals to a shelter.

catsallaround said:

 
 It is not great but all you could do IMO is find if cat is fixed and if not look into what is offered in your area.  

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The cat is fixed.

I did talk to her, I shared my concerns and she turned a deaf ear so I dropped it.

.Let her be it is not ideal but I highly doubt you saying something will change anything.  She is an adult and knows the rules that are there for all.   She also knows her situation.  Maybe there is more to it then you know.  Maybe it is actually a long term foster with medical paid or something like that. 

If the cat or dog is sick you can always call AC to report ill animal.  Not taking a healthy animal to the vet IMO is not the end of the world.

Pets do not  need a lot of money for food/litter but when they have vet  issues it strains you fast.  I have had my share of that.  Then again I believe main thing is a decent pain free life rather then getting to be really old and strung along on this and that medicine.  Quality of quantity ANY day.

I do not think she will give up the cat. Look now to see what is available far as medical help(since cat is spayed) and WHEN SHE ASKS your opinion or gets over the newness and worries help her find solution.  Until she is ready I think she will just shut you out or avoid asking you for help for having told her so from the start.  Most places have a clinic for public in shelter.  If not look into rescue groups who may know of a more reasonable vet.

I would just stress that the cat be kept inside to limit possible issues but would think with a 1 pet limit common sense would make her do that anyways.

Its hard to just ignore it and say it's her problem especially when there are helpless animals involved. If you have mentioned it to her and she is being stubborn/ignorant about it there is really nothing else you can do. You've done your part now just sit back and wait until she calls you crying that they have been evicted.

it looks like you've gotten good suggestions from everyone.

i tend to be a very proactive person, and what i might do if it were me is to make a basic/general contingency type plan. i'd make a plan of what i would do for the cat (and dog) to help them find new (good, financially stable) homes, should the need ever arise. that way, if the cat (and dog) ever need your help you'll already have a plan of what to do. i always think it's better to be prepared, easier.

mickNsnicks2mom said:

 
it looks like you've gotten good suggestions from everyone.

i tend to be a very proactive person, and what i might do if it were me is to make a basic/general contingency type plan. i'd make a plan of what i would do for the cat (and dog) to help them find new (good, financially stable) homes, should the need ever arise. that way, if the cat (and dog) ever need your help you'll already have a plan of what to do. i always think it's better to be prepared, easier.

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I agree being prepared is good, but how do you do that? How do you find a good home in advance, should the need arise? People's situations change, someone who could take in an animal now might not be able to so in a year...

To the OP, there's not much you can do about it right now, other than advise. It's her choice to take in another animal, even if it's a bad decision. It's also her choice to listen to you or not, it's up to her.

SwampWitch said:

 
I agree being prepared is good, but how do you do that? How do you find a good home in advance, should the need arise? People's situations change, someone who could take in an animal now might not be able to so in a year...

To the OP, there's not much you can do about it right now, other than advise. It's her choice to take in another animal, even if it's a bad decision. It's also her choice to listen to you or not, it's up to her.

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oh, i agree that it's not really likely to find a good home in advance.

what i might plan would be something like this: 1) either foster the cat (and dog), trying to set up a foster situation with a shelter or rescue/or take in and care for them and work on finding new furever homes for them both. 2) make a list of shelter/rescue organizations in the general area and contacts at them. 3) decide where i might house the cat (and dog) until they're adopted. and 4) knowing myself well, i would consider (ahead of time) if i could reasonably afford to care for/adopt two more furbabies -- because i'm a softie for animals, and i'd more than likely grow to love them both pretty quickly. steps 2 thru 4 could be done in advance.

that's just what i might do.

mickNsnicks2mom said:

 
oh, i agree that it's not really likely to find a good home in advance.

what i might plan would be something like this: 1) either foster the cat (and dog), trying to set up a foster situation with a shelter or rescue/or take in and care for them and work on finding new furever homes for them both. 2) make a list of shelter/rescue organizations in the general area and contacts at them. 3) decide where i might house the cat (and dog) until they're adopted. and 4) knowing myself well, i would consider (ahead of time) if i could reasonably afford to care for/adopt two more furbabies -- because i'm a softie for animals, and i'd more than likely grow to love them both pretty quickly. steps 2 thru 4 could be done in advance.

that's just what i might do.

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I'm not willing to risk eviction, I know 1 pet is my limit- legally and financially. BUt I do have a list of rescuses for her, just such a small little area not many exist.

Nebula said:

 
I'm not willing to risk eviction, I know 1 pet is my limit- legally and financially. BUt I do have a list of rescuses for her, just such a small little area not many exist.

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i really was just posting an example of a plan i might put together if it was me (in my situation). i would not suggest anything that would risk eviction for you.

that's great that you've put together a list of rescues for kitty, in case the need arises!