I've already mentioned this to a few folks, but am so frustrated and angry right now that I need to vent. My neighbors have essentially abandoned their 13-year-old, declawed cat Ricky. He's a very sweet, handsome long-haired gray boy.
To make a long story short, there has been a history of neglect and indifference on their part regarding Ricky. The last straw was when his so-called owners went away for Thanksgiving and left him outside to fend for himself with no food, water or shelter. I left for a work-related trip the following Mon. and when I came home learned from my downstair's neighbor that Ricky had been at our house pretty much 24/7. She fed him and he took up residence in the shelter in our yard in the midst of snow and the coldest weather we've had so far. Phone messages and notes in the neighbor's mailbox have yield no response. Suffice it to say, Ricky is now in my spare bedroom, safe and warm. His owners know where to find him, but apparently don't care.
Next step is getting Ricky to the vet at the rescue, which will be happening Mon. He seems to be in pretty good shape. Was sneezing a bit earlier in the week, but has a good appetite. Looks like I'll then be fostering him until the rescue has the space to take him.
I normally don't like to get involved in situations regarding people's pets because it's enabling them to be irresponsible, but Ricky is still a cat in need and there's no way I'm leaving a senior, declawed kitty out in the cold to fend for himself.
To make a long story short, there has been a history of neglect and indifference on their part regarding Ricky. The last straw was when his so-called owners went away for Thanksgiving and left him outside to fend for himself with no food, water or shelter. I left for a work-related trip the following Mon. and when I came home learned from my downstair's neighbor that Ricky had been at our house pretty much 24/7. She fed him and he took up residence in the shelter in our yard in the midst of snow and the coldest weather we've had so far. Phone messages and notes in the neighbor's mailbox have yield no response. Suffice it to say, Ricky is now in my spare bedroom, safe and warm. His owners know where to find him, but apparently don't care.
Next step is getting Ricky to the vet at the rescue, which will be happening Mon. He seems to be in pretty good shape. Was sneezing a bit earlier in the week, but has a good appetite. Looks like I'll then be fostering him until the rescue has the space to take him.
I normally don't like to get involved in situations regarding people's pets because it's enabling them to be irresponsible, but Ricky is still a cat in need and there's no way I'm leaving a senior, declawed kitty out in the cold to fend for himself.
