Give cats to shelter or let loose?

zvi · Jan 15, 2006

Hi!

I have two 7 month old cats. Brother and sister. I have raised them since they were born. Unfortunately, I have to move to place that I can't keep them anymore. I have tried to find someone to adopt them and put ads on the net but it seems like I won't find someone on time.

My question is, should I give them to a shelter or let them loose outside? In a shelter, I'm afraid that it will take a long time (maybe never) for someone to adopt them and I can't imagine them being locked up in a small cage! Outside, I'm sure they will adust and have a great life, but then, they will never get a chance to live again with a warm family.

What should I do??

Thank you.

roofrabbit · Jan 15, 2006

Please don't release them.
We have rescued many starved, stray cats who's owners thought they could fend for themselves...they can't.
If these are the humping kitties, they probably aren't altered and you can find a local no-kill rescue (online) who will take them. They would appreciate a small donation for basic vet care, but it's not a requirement.
There are also discounted vet services available through rescue groups you could look into if you decide to keep them, all you have to do is ask.

leesali · Jan 15, 2006

Please do NOT abandon them outside.

Take some time & look into a no-kill shelter or a local humane society. Have rescued & placed many a feline within a rescue/adoption center and all were eventually (if not immediately) adopted.

momofmany · Jan 15, 2006

Contrary to popular belief, cats that were raised inside do not do well when released outside. They have not learned the skills of survival and the odds are that they will be hit by a car, killed by a predator, or worse, abused and tortured by people not as caring as yourself. As much as I hate to ever say this, they are probably better served by being euthanized humanely than let outside. Their odds are not good.

Please take the time to find them a home. I noticed you were from Israel and may not have the resources that we have in this country. Have you talked to your vet about helping you find an organization that can help place them?

menagerie mama · Jan 15, 2006

PLEASE don't release them outside!!!

lionessrampant · Jan 15, 2006

Don't let your cats outside. If you were in the U.S., that's considered a form of cruelty and you'd be cited for abandonment. It's very important for you to, instead of simply dumping them off somewhere, make every effort possible to find them a home yourself. Make sure to charge a small adoption fee in order to avoid giving your cats to people that sell to labs or people who use cats as bait for dog fights.

Best of luck!

tnr1 · Jan 15, 2006

Originally Posted by Zvi

Hi!

I have two 7 month old cats. Brother and sister. I have raised them since they were born. Unfortunately, I have to move to place that I can't keep them anymore. I have tried to find someone to adopt them and put ads on the net but it seems like I won't find someone on time.

My question is, should I give them to a shelter or let them loose outside? In a shelter, I'm afraid that it will take a long time (maybe never) for someone to adopt them and I can't imagine them being locked up in a small cage! Outside, I'm sure they will adust and have a great life, but then, they will never get a chance to live again with a warm family.

What should I do??

Thank you.

Zvi...I don't know the situation in Israel...but I can't imagine life on the street is a good one. I would take them to the shelter instead.

Kate

sunnicat · Jan 15, 2006

I'd have to say the shelter, as well.

chester&piper · Jan 15, 2006

Please don't abandon them outside! You may not like the idea of them being in a cage at a shelter, but trust me, that's a much better way for them to live then trying to fend for themselves outside. They get fed, have a warm place to sleep, and vet care if needed. Plus a chance at finding their forever home. Out on the street, they don't have a warm place to sleep, don't know where their next meal with come from, and have to deal with all of the dangers out there (cruelty, cars, other animals).

consumerkitty · Jan 18, 2006

Isn't there any way you can move to a place that you can keep them. Can you imagine how they are going to feel when they suddenly don't have a home any more? Aren't there any alternatives?

babyharley · Jan 18, 2006

I really do hope that you do not abandon them and can find them a no-kill shelter!

Even though you don't like that idea of the shelter - at least they will be fed, warm, and with humans that will care for them and not harm them, or put them in any danger that the outside world allows.

Best of luck to you in finding somewhere for your precious babies!!

vibiana · Jan 18, 2006

Please, please, PLEASE don't join the "animals can survive outdoors, cages are cruel" crowd.

If these kittens are used to being fed daily and kept indoors, they will be lost, lonely, and confused if you just throw them outside. They will wear the pads off their paws looking everywhere for you, and not understanding why you aren't there anymore.

Yes, if you take them to a shelter they'll be put in a cage. But they will be kept there, safe and warm and fed, until a new home is found for them. And if a new home is NOT found for them, they will (at worst) be humanely euthanized.

If I had to choose between a cat being given a humane death and taking its chances with the cars, dogs, wild animals, diseases, and cruel people it might run into being left outdoors, I'd pick the green needle any day. If you think that's cruel, look at it this way. Dumping these animals is just evading that choice yourself, and forcing somebody else to make it.

middletown · Jan 18, 2006

I urge you to visit http://www.cats.org.il/eng/index.html

The cat welfare society of Israel and request their assistance. The site is in English as well as hebrew.

Letting your cats loose into the streets of your town/village is "a kin" to murdering them. They will not roam free and prosper.
They will slowly starve as they have never been tought to hunt mice. they do not know how to hunt on their own.

All your cats have known is love and attention at your home. They trust humans by your example. They will not comprehend that people can and will be cruel and mean. They will not know that cars and motorcycles can kill or worse hurt them but letting them live with serious injuries.

The world outside of your home is alien and harsh to them. They will expect love but only find indifference and cruelty by people who pass by them.

I do not think that you would wish to see the animals you raised since birth suffer a long slow starving death sentence.

consumerkitty · Jan 19, 2006

Originally Posted by Middletown

I urge you to visit http://www.cats.org.il/eng/index.html

The cat welfare society of Israel and request their assistance. The site is in English as well as hebrew.

Letting your cats loose into the streets of your town/village is "a kin" to murdering them. They will not roam free and prosper.
They will slowly starve as they have never been tought to hunt mice. they do not know how to hunt on their own.

All your cats have known is love and attention at your home. They trust humans by your example. They will not comprehend that people can and will be cruel and mean. They will not know that cars and motorcycles can kill or worse hurt them but letting them live with serious injuries.

The world outside of your home is alien and harsh to them. They will expect love but only find indifference and cruelty by people who pass by them.

I do not think that you would wish to see the animals you raised since birth suffer a long slow starving death sentence.

Very well said!!!

churchbug · Jan 19, 2006

zvi: i do believe there is a feline rescue in israel. check this out...is this place near you; if not; contact them and see if they will help you out. putting your cats in the street is a death sentence; they will not survive.

The Cat Welfare Society of Israel
To further the well-being and the welfare of stray cats in Israel.
P. O. Box 1503 Even-Yehuda Israel
Phone: 972 9 8912094 Fax: 972 9 8912173 email: [email protected]
http://www.cats.org.il

StefanZ · Jan 21, 2006

I agree with all the others. Dont let them be homeless!!!
It is a great crime and cruelty against them!
And as Jew you know your responsibility to animals better than most, no?!

Dont be deluded by the fact many cats do survive and live relatively well as homeless.
These are the survivors!!! Most homecats do die a horrible death if they get homeless.
These you see are the survivors - and the childs of the survivors, born homeless - some of these dies, some survives... Yes, the survivors usually manage.

It is a horrible cruelty to a family cat to let it be homeless.
If you cant do it any other way, MUCH better to let them die a painless and quick death.

hookbill · Jan 21, 2006

What I want to know is why do you "Have" to move to a place where you can't keep your cats? You can't find a place to take them with you? What about your commitment to them?

I'm sorry but I firmly believe in keeping your commitment to the animals you adopt. How would you feel being dumped from home to home? And to even consider releasing them without a home is not acceptable under any circumstance.

Please look at all your options. I'm sure there are more available then what you think.

Give cats to shelter or let loose?

zvi

TCS Member

Thread starter

roofrabbit

TCS Member

leesali

TCS Member

momofmany

TCS Member

menagerie mama

TCS Member

lionessrampant

TCS Member

tnr1

TCS Member

sunnicat

TCS Member

chester&piper

TCS Member

consumerkitty

TCS Member

babyharley

TCS Member

vibiana

TCS Member

middletown

TCS Member

consumerkitty

TCS Member

churchbug

TCS Member

StefanZ

Advisor

hookbill

TCS Member

Latest Posts

Connect with us