A found abandoned cat

gaiterogato

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So I've sort of adopted an abandoned cat. Here's a description of the situation:

I had neighbors about a year ago who moved out. They moved out, but left their cat (I'm VERY angry about that). Well, fortunately for this cat, there was a little girl down the street who wanted to be a vet when she grew up, and was feeding the poor thing.

I guess she hasn't been feeding it lately, because I saw it yesterday (I had named it "Boots" a while ago, because it had white hind legs, while the rest of it was a beautiful grey). I called Boots to me, and it (I'm unsure if it's a male for female) came right to me. I went to pet it (as I did often) and found that it was emaciated. It couldn't even meow, only let out a poor hoarse squeak.

So I invited it onto my porch, and poured a bowl of my housecat's food (an adopted feral, caught her with a cage trap when she was a kitten, along with her sister who I gave away) and a bowl of fresh water. I was afraid I wouldn't see the cat again, as it had been a month since the last time I saw it.

However, when I came home today, there was Boots, in front of my house, waiting for me! So I stroked the cat again (I made sure to wash up afterwards, I'm not sure if the cat is diseased and I don't want to infect my housecat/housecow) and brought out more food and water. This time, it was able to meow clearly and it was looking a bit more healthy.

This cat is skinny (emaciated, really), grey and white, and its short fur is matted in places. I don't think the cat is injured at all, but may be diseased. I know I have to take this cat to a vet. I don't think I'll be able to use a cage trap, but I'll have to catch it somehow.

So does anyone have any advice for me? I know this cat needs to go to a vet, but I want to fatten it up a bit because I don't know if it can handle the stress of going to a vet in its weakened condition. What cat foods would you recommend for Boots in his/her emaciated condition? Most importantly: Despite the fact that he/she is tame, it's still a bit skittish and I'm not sure I'll be able to get it into a cat carrier, and I don't think I'll be able to use a trap, either. Is there any financial help I can find, being that I'm relatively poor? Once the cat is in good health (May Saint Francis smile on this poor thing) what humane shelters do you recommend, since it's nearly impossible to find a home for an adult cat regardless of how well-behaved it is?

Thank you very much in advance for ANY advice you can give me on this, as I've never done this with an adult cat in poor shape. My housecat (Housecow) was captured as a kitten in good health, so she wasn't difficult.

Oh, I suppose I should mention that I live just north of Los Angeles.
 

hissy

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If the cat is hungry enough, you should be able to trap it there on your porch. One of the reasons that cats don't go into traps is the wire feels unnatural under their paws. You can lay a thin layer of cat litter once the trap has been placed, to cover the wire up.

There is no one that I know of that can financially help you. If you look up rescue centers in your area and talk to them, they may just ask you to surrender the cat over to them, but then you lose any control you might have in this cat's future.

Speaking from experience, I wouldn't wait for the cat to get "fattened up." I would trap immediately and get the cat to the vet to be tested and spayed and or neutered.

It is an admirable thing you have undertaken. Most rescue operations are so busy this time of year that there isn't much room for new cats.

Possible Rescue Help
 

gailc

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My vet's office taught me a trick to get an unco-operating cat in the carrier. Place it so the entry door is facing up. (think of a box of cereal). The place the cat in that way-it works well for for mine. Mine also gives me a break for bringing in a stray/rescue cat-I would pay for medicine's only-no "office visit' fee. Is there a local humane society you could contact to see if they would know a vet like that??
 
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gaiterogato

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Thanks for the advice! I'm looking around at vet offices. I came home to find Boots on my porch, waiting for me, so apparently Boots sees me as more than just a food dispenser. I felt around on Boots real good, and found that she's not as bad as I thought, that or she's fattening up REALLY quickly. She's still really skinny, but isn't just skin and bones.

Oh, and she was purring when I offered her some turkey.

That just gave me a good warm feeling. I'd best start calling vets tomorrow. I'll contact the local humane society tomorrow as well, see if they have any advice to offer me. Thanks a lot, everyone!
 
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gaiterogato

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Now this is just getting daft:

Apparently, the owners DIDN'T move away as I had thought. The owners live down the street, and just ignore their cat. Should I be contacting the ASPCA about this? This raises all kinds of legal issues:
1. The HOA forbids free-roaming pets.
2. Can I legally take this cat to a vet?
3. Can I avoid actually talking to these people while gaining some amount of legal "control" over this cat? I want to get her into a safe home by springtime, because that's when the predators come out (hawks, owls, coyotes).

In other news:

The cat is getting stronger, and putting on weight already (After three days!). She has a BIG mouth! Her fur, so ill-groomed, has formed what looks like armor plating. I'd like to get her taken to a groomer, but they'd have to shave her, and it's too cold outside for that. I can't take her into my home, so that's right out. I'm HOPING that with getting solid meals, she'll be in better condition to take care of herself, and thus begin grooming herself properly again.
 

catsknowme

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Hey, Gaitero! I'm really interested in your situation. As far as feeding Boots, you might try giving it some kitten chow, and also some hard boiled egg; this is what my vet has had me do for some of my rescues. You are very wise to consider the legal issues. Have you visited the Ask An Animal Control Officer forum on this site? Regarding neutering,No, you can't get the cat neutered if you are not the owner (violation of CA Food & Agriculture Code 31763(b)(1). However, the OWNERS are in violation of CA Penal Code 597(b), if they deprive any animal under their ownership (or are in charge of the care of),necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter and are guilty of a crime punishable as a misdemeanor or felony. (I'm sure Boots situation qualifies). Hissy is right that a rescue group may just want to get the cat themselves, although typically in So. Cal. they are all overbooked. I would call the L.A. Animal Control and also the L.A. District Atty. and see what they recommend. Be sure to ask them about the definition of pet ownership; it may be that according to local statutes the cat is considered abandoned. Also ask about obtaining veterinary care, excluding neutering. You don't have to commit to anything, just get the info. You could also check out www.alleycat.org get links to rescue groups re. financial assistance. Meanwhile, keep feeding & loving Boots. I think that the main thing is to care for the cat while protecting yourself from any liability. And if you have any more legal ques, send me a private message,my husband is an atty. here in CA, and I will see if he can offer any advice. I will light a candle for Boots & you, also.
 

catsknowme

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Hello, again, Gaitero! I forgot to mention in my last reply, try to get a videotape or at least some pics documenting Boot's condition. As she begins to thrive in your care, it may be more difficult to prove the neglect that she is suffering from. If you have a baby scale around, you could try to weigh her, also. When you talk to the humane society and/or the vets, ask them for advice on how to document the cat's condition. Animal welfare law is quite archaic, there's lots of advancement that needs to be done. Bless you for your good works helping this cat!
Originally Posted by GaiteroGato

So I've sort of adopted an abandoned cat. Here's a description of the situation:

I had neighbors about a year ago who moved out. They moved out, but left their cat (I'm VERY angry about that). Well, fortunately for this cat, there was a little girl down the street who wanted to be a vet when she grew up, and was feeding the poor thing.

I guess she hasn't been feeding it lately, because I saw it yesterday (I had named it "Boots" a while ago, because it had white hind legs, while the rest of it was a beautiful grey). I called Boots to me, and it (I'm unsure if it's a male for female) came right to me. I went to pet it (as I did often) and found that it was emaciated. It couldn't even meow, only let out a poor hoarse squeak.

So I invited it onto my porch, and poured a bowl of my housecat's food (an adopted feral, caught her with a cage trap when she was a kitten, along with her sister who I gave away) and a bowl of fresh water. I was afraid I wouldn't see the cat again, as it had been a month since the last time I saw it.

However, when I came home today, there was Boots, in front of my house, waiting for me! So I stroked the cat again (I made sure to wash up afterwards, I'm not sure if the cat is diseased and I don't want to infect my housecat/housecow) and brought out more food and water. This time, it was able to meow clearly and it was looking a bit more healthy.

This cat is skinny (emaciated, really), grey and white, and its short fur is matted in places. I don't think the cat is injured at all, but may be diseased. I know I have to take this cat to a vet. I don't think I'll be able to use a cage trap, but I'll have to catch it somehow.

So does anyone have any advice for me? I know this cat needs to go to a vet, but I want to fatten it up a bit because I don't know if it can handle the stress of going to a vet in its weakened condition. What cat foods would you recommend for Boots in his/her emaciated condition? Most importantly: Despite the fact that he/she is tame, it's still a bit skittish and I'm not sure I'll be able to get it into a cat carrier, and I don't think I'll be able to use a trap, either. Is there any financial help I can find, being that I'm relatively poor? Once the cat is in good health (May Saint Francis smile on this poor thing) what humane shelters do you recommend, since it's nearly impossible to find a home for an adult cat regardless of how well-behaved it is?

Thank you very much in advance for ANY advice you can give me on this, as I've never done this with an adult cat in poor shape. My housecat (Housecow) was captured as a kitten in good health, so she wasn't difficult.

Oh, I suppose I should mention that I live just north of Los Angeles.
 
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