going to get a kitten, but cannot keep it inside. *HELP*

So we are moving to a new house, in the city, with a nice fenced in yard, a tree, a garden, a covered back porch, a good place to raise family!
. but what about a kitten?
We already plan on getting a little kitten from the local pound, we planned on getting it before we learned that the landlord doesn't allow cats in the house. What does this leave us? This leaves us with a kitten forced to live in our backyard.
. this isn't all bad because it is during the summer and we can give it plenty of attention everyday. But I just haven't heard of anybody raising a kitten, alone and outdoors.
. is this being an irresponsible owner? Should I call off getting a kitten? What do I do?

Outdoor cats do not usually thrive. I'm not a fan of keeping cats or dogs solely outdoors so I'm not the best to ask. Could you maybe talk to your shelter and see if they have an older cat, not a kitten, that was an outdoor cat already? Hopefully someone has some good advice for you.

I don't see this going well. 

How old is the kitten, what kind of fence?  You do know that cats can jump and climb fences.  Kittens can squeeze through small spaces. 

Not only can your pet get out, but other animals can get in.  What kind of wildlife is in the area? Fox and Coyote enjoy a good kitten meal.

What kind of plants are in the yard?  Many are toxic to cats and kittens, especially lilies. Kittens like to taste everything.

What are your winters like?

Could you keep the kitten on the porch?

I really appreciate the advice. I'm am just as worried as you guys...
What we might end up doing is just going and finding a house that excepts cats.


Will do my best to keep everybody updated.

I had a talk with my sis, and she suggested just keeping the kitty in our house, even if we aren't allowed to. We will just keep the litter box in my room and the food and water as well.
I think I will do some more research on it.

GraceTheCat said:

I had a talk with my sis, and she suggested just keeping the kitty in our house, even if we aren't allowed to. We will just keep the litter box in my room and the food and water as well.
I think I will do some more research on it.

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FYI Small kittens have small bladders and will need a few litter boxes in the rooms they will be in.  They don't have much time or may not remember where the box is when the need arises.

Yes, please don't put a kitten outside.

Keep the kitten inside. Your landlord will not know if you do not make an issue of it. Many of us keep more cats than we are allowed. Kittens are not that destructive if you have scratching posts and toys, and get them spayed/neutered. By all means, if you cannot keep the kitten inside, find it another good home. Kittens need to live inside. Bless you! Hope it works out. Let us know!

GraceTheCat said:

So we are moving to a new house, in the city, with a nice fenced in yard, a tree, a garden, a covered back porch, a good place to raise family!
. but what about a kitten?
We already plan on getting a little kitten from the local pound, we planned on getting it before we learned that the landlord doesn't allow cats in the house. What does this leave us? This leaves us with a kitten forced to live in our backyard.
. this isn't all bad because it is during the summer and we can give it plenty of attention everyday. But I just haven't heard of anybody raising a kitten, alone and outdoors.
. is this being an irresponsible owner? Should I call off getting a kitten? What do I do?

Click to expand...

You don't need to get a kitten. I'm sorry. 

If there is one thing you can count on is your kitten will sit in the window. Someone will see it. If it's your landlord or a neighbor who watches the property for an absent landlord you could find yourself in violation of your lease.

Open negotiations with the landlord are always advisable rather than backhanded moves that often end poorly for the cat. It's not like they can read the lease. Window time is extremely important to indoor cats.

A landlord who allows cats and someone who has proved to be a good tenant may not find said landlord counting tails.

The shelters have their fair share of pets surrendered over disputes with the landlord.

If you can move into a place that allows cats, that is always better than hiding. Do not take a kitten that has to live outside.

Not to sound like a Kill Joy but No need to Rush!  A huge percentage of people who get a 'new place' immediately get a 'new Pet' kitten or dog    it's very common where I live it's predictable. It's much better to Wait until you're settled in new home first see what your schedules are like see if you're actually going to be a long term tenants, are you ready to commit to only getting suites which are pet friendly for the next 20 years? Paying Pet Deposit is an added expense as well. Cats can live into their late teens or 20's.  You're landlord already said NO, some rescues will ask for verification from your landlord before releasing a pet to prevent needing to be rehomed for this very reason. You're a brand new tenant, if you had been renting a long time you can get away with a few things brand new you really shouldn't push it.  

If you haven't already adopted the kitten then don't. If you do not have a stable indoor home for it in advance then you don't need a kitten. I understand having your heart set on it but what happens if your landlord finds out and you have to get rid of the kitten, or worse, it gets killed while outside.
Find somewhere where a kitten is allowed or don't get one.

I have kept a cat in a no-pets apartment, but that was because we had a new place lined up and the cat could not survive outside any more. She was a feral kitten that I started feeding, but she ended up getting very sick and we decided to bring her in and just hope no one noticed her for the last 6 months of our lease.

I wouldn't recommend bringing a cat into a no-pets place from the start. Much better to wait until you're in an apartment where you can take proper care of the cat without having to worry about being found out at any moment. Is there any way you or whoever you live with could get a cat as a therapy animal? It might be easier to convince a landlord to let you have a pet that way.

If not, why not volunteer at your local shelter so you can get your kitty-fix without having one at home. You could do so much to help needy cats and kittens.

@everyone
I believe that I will find a place that lets me have a kitty, or get an older cat.
Any suggestion regarding getting an older cat? It's okay to be blunt. I appreciate your wisdom, and I hope I can pass it on.

@norachan
I have considered getting the cat as a therapy animal, but we will have to see what the landlord says. Also I want to start a service that takes in kittens that were dumped, I just don't know we're to find the money to do so.

I appreciate your help. And I will keep everyone updated.

I once had to keep a 7-month old kitten outside. He couldn't come inside because i had another cat that would surely kill him. He did get to come inside sometimes, but primarily lived outside. We did surrender him to the SPCA though. His name was Miles.

GraceTheCat said:

@everyone
I believe that I will find a place that lets me have a kitty, or get an older cat.
Any suggestion regarding getting an older cat? It's okay to be blunt. I appreciate your wisdom, and I hope I can pass it on.

@norachan
I have considered getting the cat as a therapy animal, but we will have to see what the landlord says. Also I want to start a service that takes in kittens that were dumped, I just don't know we're to find the money to do so.

I appreciate your help. And I will keep everyone updated.

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If you are able to adopt an older cat that would be wonderful. Older cats are much more likely to spend a long time in a shelter as they don't get adopted as quickly as kittens. Some of them spend the rest of their days in a shelter.

 [article="30136"]Why You Should Adopt A Senior Cat​[/article]  

Once you've found a pet friendly place to live you could ask your local rescue about fostering. There are always plenty of kittens that need to be cared for and socialised before they go to their new homes. An older cat who's friendly and patient with kittens could be an invaluable asset if you're going to foster.

Running your own shelter for needy or abandoned cats is a great idea, but one that will take a lot of planning, funding and research. Getting involved with a shelter or rescue now, so that you are aware of what needs to be done and all the potential problems, is the best way to prepare for this. You'll learn a lot and help so many animals at the same time.

GraceTheCat said:

@everyone
I believe that I will find a place that lets me have a kitty, or get an older cat.
Any suggestion regarding getting an older cat? It's okay to be blunt. I appreciate your wisdom, and I hope I can pass it on.

@norachan
I have considered getting the cat as a therapy animal, but we will have to see what the landlord says. Also I want to start a service that takes in kittens that were dumped, I just don't know we're to find the money to do so.

I appreciate your help. And I will keep everyone updated.

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What about your two existing cats? I thought you wanted Gracie as a therapy animal, and your older guy needed to go to the vet.

I also would be concerned that not all outdoor cat owners care for their animals. You're exposing your cats to a lot in a situation where your landlord promotes a lack of care.

@talkingpeanut

So this is what I never told you guys....
... Grace is not my kitty. She is owned by the landlords of our current house. We live on their property, and I bonded with her so much that I called her my cat, the owners dont give her any attention or anything...I had a mental break down, and I got really depressed when I was told I couldn't keep her.
I have owned several outdoor cats, even a 15 year old kitty named innocent who had no teeth! But never a kitten. And that is why I asked for the advice and wisdom of you people.
thank you [emoji]128527[/emoji] I will keep everybody updated

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that you won't be able to keep her. It does sound like the owners care for her or they would have let you. Is Merlin theirs as well?

I think you should focus on a stable home before you bring any more animals in. You will want a place where your pets can stay and be cared for when you are away at school, etc. An indoor life is a much happier life as well.