advice please

i take in strays and cats in crisis. today my neighbor told me that i am being mean to them because they are in cages however one at a time i let them out to roam my home as they see fit and then after an hour or so i put them back. they all have clean litter and their food dishes and each of them has their own cage. I have taken in up to three at a time and currently have one that is pregnant she refuses to come out of the cage, I assume because she is getting close to delivering she does let me pet her but only in the cage if i try to let her out she backs away from me. That is why i believe she is getting ready. When she was coming out she would hide under my bed and i was told then that i had to watch her because when she hides it means she is getting close. why when animal shelters keep them in cages and let them out in a closed room is it mean when i do it but not when they do it. She will be going to Adirondack Saveastray when her kittens are born and have gained some strength. I dont feel that it is mean She seems to feel secure and the cage is huge.

It sounds like your pregnant cat IS close to delivering! How exciting! As to whether you're being mean to the way the cats are being treated, is this a permanent home for the cats, or do you just hold them until they are adopted by a family?? I just wasn't clear on that. At least you let them out to run around and play. But if this is a permanent home, I would suggest not keeping them in cages. Instead, keep them in separate rooms. Or, let them get used to eachother, and then they can all romp as they please.

I am assuming you are a foster home for these guys. In this case, no it's not mean to keep them in a cage big enough for them. In most cases, it's the only way to keep them healthy if you have other unknown kitty's in your care. It is only temporary until they go to thier new homes.

THIS IS ONLY TEMPORARY THEY WILL EVENTUALLY GO TO ADIRONDACK SAVEASTRAY WHICH IS A NO KILL SHELTER AND THEN BE ADOPTED FROM THERE AND AS I HAVE A DOG THAT DOESNT LIKE ANY OTHER ANIMAL I HAVE TO KEEP THEM SAFE UNTIL MY ROOM IS READY FOR THEM AS I HAVE BEGUN SETTING UP A ROOM IN THE BASEMENT JUST FOR THIS PURPOSE, THEY HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM IN THE CAGE AND WHEN MY DOG IS OUTSIDE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM EXCEPT OF COURSE THE ONE THAT I HAVE NOW BECAUSE SHE CHOOSES NOT TO SHE APPARENTLY FEELS SECURE OR I BELIEVE SHE WOULD WANT TO GET OUT. SHE DOES SLEEP ALOT BUT I NOTICE SHE IS UP ALOT AT NIGHT.