Not Sure Where to Post This: Questions About Possible Neglect

Hi, 

I share a house with a married couple who has a misbehaving cat. The wife leaves her care up to the husband, who does as little as possible for her. 

Because the cat won't pee in the box all the time (this mostly is due to his not keeping it, however, she does do this regardless, at times too.) I think they relegated her to the basement, which was a construction zone complete with insulation fibers and all kind of other junk for almost two years. We have no reached two and a half years here and the basement now has a room and bath but the area between the new room and the laundry machines (which is a hallway and a stairway which is still a construction zone) is where the cat is allowed. She has peed in several areas and no one has cleaned it up for months. She vomited on the stairs several times and no one has cleaned it for the same amount of time. Occasionally, she gets the dust brushed off of her because I will do it, and she is often fed (or at least given a few handfuls to tide her over until SOMEONE hopefully cares for her) but that doesn't usually happen so I eventually just fill up a big bowl for her and frequently change her water - no one does that either, and there's always filth in it. 

I normally wouldn't hesitate to just feed and water her (even scoop her box) without waiting on them except that they have asked me not to care for her by the husband "because it hurts (the wife's) feelings. It turns (the cats') heart away from (the wife)." and that "(the wife's) feelings are more important". Yet, her "love" for her animal doesn't spur her on to care for the cat, it just spurs her on to keep relegating the duties to her neglectful (and I am convinced, due to other observed issues in the house, abusive) husband. Most recently, no one cared for her for a week, in which I kept changing her water and throwing handfuls of food into the bowl. Finally, I told the wife that if I see this go one for days and days I am just going to feed her, and that I am not doing it to be offensive to her, but I am just going to do it. The cat's bowls? They are also from me, as the husband broke her water bowl and didn't see fir to replace it - with anything. On day three when I noticed they never gave her any more water (or a bowl) I went and bought two new ones and gifted them to them. 

Normally, I would not tip toe around this at all but I rent here and if I rip their heads off I will be out on the street, too. But my concern is, when I do move (which I am actively looking to do) what will happen to her? Then NO ONE will care for her, just like it would have been if I wasn't down here. 

Her bed is always filthy, too. When they aren't home, I wash that, too. 

I want to offer re-homing but due to the wife's weird attachment (that doesn't manifest in actual love or care) I doubt she'll do it. Also, the fact that the cat pees all over will not make re-homing easy if possible at all. Is this the best she can hope for? My little daydream was to buy some property and take her with me, but my funds are limited so I am not sure that will happen when we need it to. But honestly, even if I did, I doubt she'd give the cat to me. In her mind, it'd be saying I am better than her in some way, and she definitely couldn't handle that - and that would be more important that he pet's well being. 

Advice? I really want to call animal control on them, but like I said, the guy is a moron, and I still live here. I wouldn't want him to hurt the cat because there's no longer an audience once I leave...

This is such a difficult and sad situation.  The reality is:  someone needs to remove this poor cat from this environment as soon as possible, no matter what the so called owners think.  They obviously have no awareness of the kitty as a living being apart from themselves.  The fact that they won't let you help is so terrible that I can't even find words to describe how upsetting and infuriating I find it.   

Do you ever have friends over and can you have your friend call animal control, thus saving you from being the "culprit?"   If so, I'd set that up immediately.  This cat is suffering badly.

I understand your problem about not wanting to lose your living situation before you are ready so I'd suggest you make arrangements to move as soon as you can and either take the cat with you, or call animal control on your way out.   If you are able and willing to adopt her, one way to do this would be to call animal control and then adopt her so everything is above board.  

In the meantime, bless you for giving this poor little creature as much care and love as you are.   Please continue to do everything you can until she can be rescued.  And do not despair about the litter box issues.  Although it does make it more difficult for a cat to find a home, litter box issues can be resolved with patience.  If by any chance you can take her with you, just be reassured the litter box problems may not be as bad as you fear.

Bottom line is a cat cannot permanently live in a basement. Animal abuse!

Plz save her the I am sure she will die down there without you. The litterbox problem is likely a cry for help. If it was me she would leave with me when I left and I would leave while they'er gone. Leave a huge bowl of food / water in basement bet they won't miss her for days...God bless you for helping her

Hi,

I thought of similar things but I have to be careful I do this as on the up and up as possible. However, I have a limit. If it's crossed, I may default to taking her when I leave whichever way. But hopefully I can do it like Margd suggested. 

Good luck please keep us posted...I for one would have left and took her without a second thought. But you r right they do need to be brought to the attention of the authorities because they will probably just get another kitten and who will help it then. Keep us updated as to your progress we will be anxious to hear your update.

Margd,

Thank you for your input. Do you know if animal control defaults to putting animals down after a while, though? My concern is if I do it this way - if for some reason animal control denies me from adopting her, if she would be euthanized in their custody after a certain amount of time?

They also leave her in the dark. I "turn the sun on" for her every day when I check on her. The wife perpetually turns it off, and I keep turning it back on.  If she brings it up I will tell her I'll pay the extra two cents a month to keep the cat from growing a third eye. 

I am going to start documenting her feeding and watering and when people come down here to care for her and what they do, as well as photograph the area where the mess is. By the time I leave, I should have a pretty good record of what goes on. 

Thank you. If you think of anything else, please feel free to share. 

I will ty!

Sorry this was a double post I wasn't sure how to delete.

@kittyquestions   Yes, you do have to be aware that calling animal control can mean the cat will be PTS after a very short period of time.    It is a sad fact that sometimes shelters and rescues are so worried about adopting out to the wrong people, that they turn down some who would make an excellent family for the cat.  I'm not saying this would happen to you, but it does sometimes happen.  If you are worried, try calling a no-kill rescue - at least this way, the kitty will still have a chance to be adopted.  With shelter or rescue group, you can always offer to foster the cat in case you have any concerns about managing yourself.  

Good luck with your efforts.  You are really an angel to this poor kitty and I hope you are successful in quickly rescuing her.  Please let us know how it goes.  I am really worried about this little one.

@Margd- thanks I will give updates. I was afraid of what you said, because I had a feeling that could happen - exactly what you said - shelters, etc. being concerned with the wrong people, and denying the right ones. 

Keeping track of what they are and are not doing around here and still caring for her myself, too. Will keep going.