Hello fellow cat lovers.
I am in desperate need of advice for a situation the seems to have no good options, yet I want to get some advice on the best options nonetheless.
I have been living in a small and unpleasant apartment complex for the last 19 years.
I am still here for only two reasons; low rent, and my cat friend "One Eyed Jack".
However, due to a recent fallout with some stubborn neighbors (no parking and loudness) and poor ownership, I feel I will soon have to leave this apartment, and either move back home to my elderly parents house which is three miles away, or to a different apartment.
My dilemma is how to continue my freindship with One Eyed Jack once I am gone.
Although not possible, it seems like Jack has been around here as long as I have.
Many years ago, I noticed a small scrawny one eyed cat around our neighbohood. One day, merely on a whim, I gave the poor frightened cat a morsal of food.
I kept feeding him for many years, and developed a casual friendship with him. However, I assumed he was feral.
For a few years, we never truly adopted one another. Besides, pets are not allowed here.
We remained mere aquaintances up until February of 2009. This is when Jack became my best friend.
It all started one morning in February of 09 when I walked out my door headed for work.
I was aghast to see poor Jack completely soaked in motor oil.
I felt horrible leaving Jack there on my doorstep when I was on my way to work, so I decided to plead with the school secretary to get a replacement for me so I could go back home to help Jack. I was on pins and needles as I had to teach for an hour until a replacement for me arrived.
To make a long story shorter, I got home and did not know what to do.
I called the humane society, but fortunately Jack ran away from the impounder. He told me if he took Jack, he would likely be put to sleep, so I bid him farewell.
Two days later, I took Jack to the vet. They cleaned up Jack, and tested him for AIDS.
Later that afternoon, the vet called me to tell me that Jack had AIDS. The vet therefore STRONGLY recommended that Jack be put down. I pleaded with the vet to let me take him home alive. The vet said that he would only release him to me if I promised to keep him indoors. When I picked him up, the vet again reiterated that his condition was fatal.
I knew keeping Jack indoors was not possible, but I lied to the vet to save Jack until I could figure out what to do. Jack was then neutered, and I picked him up.
Jack spent three days illegally in my apartment laying in a corner while recovering from surgery.
In the meantime, I spoke with three cat experts( none vets), and they assured me that it was highly unlikely that Jack would infect other cats since he was neutered.
Jack has been living outdoors for nearly 2 1/2 years since his diagnosis and surgery, and seems as healthy as ever. He has never been near any other cats, he just hangs around the complex. He follows me like a puppy dog when he wants my company or some food. He always knows when I come home and runs down the stairs to greet me. He is at my door nearly every morning sitting on my newspaper waiting for breakfast. I let him in illegally nearly every night for about a half an hour of love and pets. The landlord looks the other way.
This has been going on continuesly since February of 2009.
My neighbors also feed him on occasion, but I provide him with about 80% of his food, and 95% of his love.
Now however, I am afraid I must soon leave my apartment. I do not believe I have been treated well here lately, and it is time to go.
But what about Jack? Jack is an outdoor cat, and would never be happy living alone indoors if I take him. It is also unlikely I would move to a place that accepts pets, and my parents do not want a pet cat.
If I take him with me and leave him out in unfamiliar, (and likely more dangerous) surroundings for a cat, he would likely be confused, unhappy, and a victim of a car or a coyote.
I think it would best to leave him behind, and to plead with all my neighbors to take care of him collectively in my place. Then, if I am still close, I could visit him three or four times a week to give him love and food so we can still be friends.
There seems to be no good solution, but any advice would be welcome.
On an additional note, jack has scabbies, but I am afraid to bring him to the vet
Thanks.
I am in desperate need of advice for a situation the seems to have no good options, yet I want to get some advice on the best options nonetheless.
I have been living in a small and unpleasant apartment complex for the last 19 years.
I am still here for only two reasons; low rent, and my cat friend "One Eyed Jack".
However, due to a recent fallout with some stubborn neighbors (no parking and loudness) and poor ownership, I feel I will soon have to leave this apartment, and either move back home to my elderly parents house which is three miles away, or to a different apartment.
My dilemma is how to continue my freindship with One Eyed Jack once I am gone.
Although not possible, it seems like Jack has been around here as long as I have.
Many years ago, I noticed a small scrawny one eyed cat around our neighbohood. One day, merely on a whim, I gave the poor frightened cat a morsal of food.
I kept feeding him for many years, and developed a casual friendship with him. However, I assumed he was feral.
For a few years, we never truly adopted one another. Besides, pets are not allowed here.
We remained mere aquaintances up until February of 2009. This is when Jack became my best friend.
It all started one morning in February of 09 when I walked out my door headed for work.
I was aghast to see poor Jack completely soaked in motor oil.
I felt horrible leaving Jack there on my doorstep when I was on my way to work, so I decided to plead with the school secretary to get a replacement for me so I could go back home to help Jack. I was on pins and needles as I had to teach for an hour until a replacement for me arrived.
To make a long story shorter, I got home and did not know what to do.
I called the humane society, but fortunately Jack ran away from the impounder. He told me if he took Jack, he would likely be put to sleep, so I bid him farewell.
Two days later, I took Jack to the vet. They cleaned up Jack, and tested him for AIDS.
Later that afternoon, the vet called me to tell me that Jack had AIDS. The vet therefore STRONGLY recommended that Jack be put down. I pleaded with the vet to let me take him home alive. The vet said that he would only release him to me if I promised to keep him indoors. When I picked him up, the vet again reiterated that his condition was fatal.
I knew keeping Jack indoors was not possible, but I lied to the vet to save Jack until I could figure out what to do. Jack was then neutered, and I picked him up.
Jack spent three days illegally in my apartment laying in a corner while recovering from surgery.
In the meantime, I spoke with three cat experts( none vets), and they assured me that it was highly unlikely that Jack would infect other cats since he was neutered.
Jack has been living outdoors for nearly 2 1/2 years since his diagnosis and surgery, and seems as healthy as ever. He has never been near any other cats, he just hangs around the complex. He follows me like a puppy dog when he wants my company or some food. He always knows when I come home and runs down the stairs to greet me. He is at my door nearly every morning sitting on my newspaper waiting for breakfast. I let him in illegally nearly every night for about a half an hour of love and pets. The landlord looks the other way.
This has been going on continuesly since February of 2009.
My neighbors also feed him on occasion, but I provide him with about 80% of his food, and 95% of his love.
Now however, I am afraid I must soon leave my apartment. I do not believe I have been treated well here lately, and it is time to go.
But what about Jack? Jack is an outdoor cat, and would never be happy living alone indoors if I take him. It is also unlikely I would move to a place that accepts pets, and my parents do not want a pet cat.
If I take him with me and leave him out in unfamiliar, (and likely more dangerous) surroundings for a cat, he would likely be confused, unhappy, and a victim of a car or a coyote.
I think it would best to leave him behind, and to plead with all my neighbors to take care of him collectively in my place. Then, if I am still close, I could visit him three or four times a week to give him love and food so we can still be friends.
There seems to be no good solution, but any advice would be welcome.
On an additional note, jack has scabbies, but I am afraid to bring him to the vet
Thanks.