A dillema here

I have been wrestling with this for a long time now. Everyday, I ride the train to work, and it goes under this bridge in a dismal part of the city. Under the bridge live about 4 homeless men and a cat and from what I can tell, two kittens. From my limited observation, they seem to be well taken care of, given the limited means the men can provide.

Half of me (my emotional side) wants to sneak over at night and take the cats away to another place, far away from this depressing place. I am unable to take them in, but know of a farm 100 miles away that takes cats. On the other hand (my moral side), I ask myself, what right do I have to invade someone's space, even though they are homeless and take what could probably be one of the few things in this world that make these men happy? Who am I to deem whether or not a homeless person is a suitable owner or caretaker of a cat?

Could my "re-locating" them to a "safer" place be even more harmful than allowing them to stay in the location they are currently in? With it becoming gradually colder, I'm assuming the men will be in a shelter on some of the harshest nights, but I wonder about the cats as well. I realize that homelessness is an inevitable part of society and it pains me to see someone without a place to go to. It pains me even more, though to see a homeless animal.

personally, i would leave well alone. this mans emotional attatchment for the cats could be the only thing keeping him going.

why not offer to 'sponsor' the cats instead by giving him gift baskets full of cat food every now and then.

I am very opposed to trying to take those cats away from the man. Maybe offer to help get them neutered, or drop off food as previously suggested.

There are plenty of totally uncared for cats out there. I'm sure there are others with no one to help out. But please don't try to take that man's cats away!

Also, being city cats, they are wise to cars, but not coyotes. Just like my barn cats would never survive in the city, they probably wouldn't survive very easily in the country. I do have several adopted ferals that were rehomed, but it is a challenge.

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

I am very opposed to trying to take those cats away from the man. Maybe offer to help get them neutered, or drop off food as previously suggested.

There are plenty of totally uncared for cats out there. I'm sure there are others with no one to help out. But please don't try to take that man's cats away!

Also, being city cats, they are wise to cars, but not coyotes. Just like my barn cats would never survive in the city, they probably wouldn't survive very easily in the country. I do have several adopted ferals that were rehomed, but it is a challenge.

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exactly!

there are cats out there with no-one that need to be rescued.

i like the idea of trying to help get them spayed/neutered.

Thanks Beckiboo and MK..No, I won't take them..I know it may seem like the "right" thing to do, but I know deep down inside, it's not. The sponsoring is a great idea, and I will do that.

Originally Posted by Gil

Thanks Beckiboo and MK..No, I won't take them..I know it may seem like the "right" thing to do, but I know deep down inside, it's not. The sponsoring is a great idea, and I will do that.

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sometimes you just need other people to confirm that your doing the right thing.

my mum goes on a dog forum and i know theres debates about whether or not people should 'rescue' homeless peoples dogs.

Those cats prob mean the world to those men and if they are like some of the homeless ppl I have encountered, they prob care for those kitties better than they do themselves! Leave them there!!

You obviously care VERY much about animals.But, as others have said........the cat/s most likely are the only thing keeping the homeless man going.
I agree with giving a gift basket for the cat.But, maybe you can do one better?! Maybe take any extra blankets that you have or go to the Goodwill and pick up some and take it the homeless man.I'm sure that would be VERY appreciated.Maybe some bread,lunch meat also.
(My Brother WAS homeless due to drug use.He had nothing to keep him warm not even shoes on his feet.A "professional street woman" felt so sorry for him, that she gave him a pair of her shoes.You wouldn't believe how happy he was just to get those. I should add, that he was missing for over 4 months......so we didn't know where he was at to help him.He IS in rehab now.)

Such a very touching story! Perhaps you could call one of your local churches & see if they have some other men who'd be interested in going out there with you - if you're not sure of which church to call, the Methodist is supposed to be very non-judgmental and not pushy, so you don't have to worry about the men feeling "imposed upon". Bless you for being so caring about those homeless people and their cats
BTW, good job on taking the train! I wish that more areas offered decent, coordinated public transportation.

Your hearts in the right place, but i'd leave them with them as well because at least their all giving each other unconditional love

It would be an idea to offer to get the cats spayed and neutered though, along with handing over some food as well for the cats.

Originally Posted by CyberKitten

Those cats prob mean the world to those men and if they are like some of the homeless ppl I have encountered, they prob care for those kitties better than they do themselves! Leave them there!!

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I will cyberkitten.. Thanks

Originally Posted by crittermom

You obviously care VERY much about animals.But, as others have said........the cat/s most likely are the only thing keeping the homeless man going.
I agree with giving a gift basket for the cat.But, maybe you can do one better?! Maybe take any extra blankets that you have or go to the Goodwill and pick up some and take it the homeless man.I'm sure that would be VERY appreciated.Maybe some bread,lunch meat also.
(My Brother WAS homeless due to drug use.He had nothing to keep him warm not even shoes on his feet.A "professional street woman" felt so sorry for him, that she gave him a pair of her shoes.You wouldn't believe how happy he was just to get those. I should add, that he was missing for over 4 months......so we didn't know where he was at to help him.He IS in rehab now.)

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Thanks Crittermom, especially for those suggestions. I'm also glad your brother is on the path to getting his life back together as well.

Originally Posted by catsknowme

Such a very touching story!

Perhaps you could call one of your local churches & see if they have some other men who'd be interested in going out there with you - if you're not sure of which church to call, the Methodist is supposed to be very non-judgmental and not pushy, so you don't have to worry about the men feeling "imposed upon". Bless you for being so caring about those homeless people and their cats

BTW, good job on taking the train!

I wish that more areas offered decent, coordinated public transportation.

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Thanks, Catsknowme

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Your hearts in the right place, but i'd leave them with them as well because at least their all giving each other unconditional love

It would be an idea to offer to get the cats spayed and neutered though, along with handing over some food as well for the cats.

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I will leave them with their owners, Rosie..

I was thinking last night about this, and just because someone is down on their luck or homeless in no way detracts from their ability to love or care for an animal.