Abandoned Kitty

[Nyx]

My neighbor has decided to stop feeding at least one of his cats. This was fine, for awhile, since his next door neighbor took pitty on the cat, and started feeding it. Then, the neighbor had a heart attack, and died. Now, the cat has no source of food.
The cat has been going around the neighborhood meowing at people's doors, trying to get food. Being a cat owner myself, when the kitty in question came into my backyard today, I gave it some food. By the way it looks, and the way it was eating, (I gave it two cupfuls of food, and around two hours later it was back and meowing for more. It eats like there is no tomorrow), this cat is close to starving. I decided to leave some food out front for it. The problem is, that lies within my cat's established territory, and they've already clashed once today, when the cat in question came into my backyard looking for food. Also, there are many cats in the neighborhood, so anyone could eat the food we leave out.
This particular neighbor has other pets as well. They have a dog that is horribly trained, if it is at all, and at least one other kitten, which they just got a local animal shelter. They had another kitty about a year or two ago, but it disappeared soon after he brought it home. I think it ran away. I used to work atthe shelter, so I know they question people about their abilities as pet owners, but he's been able to adopt a cat each time, so, he must be passing their Q&A sessions. I know he buys the pets for his kids, but then he doesn't make them take care of them.
As far as I can tell, the new kitten is left to run loose outdoors (I almost got ran over trying to save it from being hit by a car car), and none of the two cats have collars. I figure if he's stopped feeding one cat, there's no way to be certain he's feeding the other. I've already heard it mewing outside my window several times. It's so scared of people though, that I can't get near enough to catch it.
My neighbor is well aware that the cat is not being fed. He has already stated that he is tired of having to feed it, and is not going to buy anymore food for it. The question is what to do about it?
Should I call animal control, and have them come pick up the abandon cat? Or should I leave things be, and just keep feeding the other kitty? I know older cats have a pretty poor chance of being adopted, so, I'm not to sure if giving him/her to the shelter would be any better.
Ideas would be welcome.

[MidnightSun]

Personally I would go with Animal control. Poor thing :/ I too am a cat owner, and hate to see such things happen to these animals. I know older cats dont get homes as fast as kittens..but it will probably get a home one way or another. I'd also report the guy. Sounds like a regular jerk to me. Hope this helped ya Nyx.
Merry Part
MidnightSun

[GingerBurkley]

I have to go with the animal shelter too. I know the fate of a lot of cats who end up there, but , as I've had to tell myself and my kid lots of times, we simply can't take in every stray (person or animal) that comes our way. We do what we can, and leave the rest to the Goddess. She'll care for them in the way she sees fit. I keep hoping some day cat owners will see the wisdom of getting their cats fixed. Unless you own pedigreed or show cats, there's really no reason to not get them fixed.

[Danustouch]

Yes...call the animal shelter. It is the only humane thing to do, and would be giving him much more of a chance then he has on his own in the wild.

[Nyx]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I think I may try and contact the two local shelters we, and see if there are any legal questions regarding bringing in abandoned animals. While the owner has decided to stop caring for his pet, I'd rather not get sued for taking things into my own hands and doing what I think is best for the kitty.

[WolfSinger]

Animal Control agencies will not give out your name if you call and make a report. I would highly suggest you do this. Your neighbor is showing a decided lack of concern for animals in his care and, according to your post, has actually stated that he does not intend to care for the animal at all. This constitutes abuse in it's worst form.

I primarily work with Siberian Huskys and have taken in 4 Sibes for fostering in the last 6 months who were rescued from kill shelters. You don't want to know what kind of condition they were in! The last one which we just took in at the end of November is barely making it since his previous owner never took him to the vet and he's got a massive dose of hookworms which almost killed him!

Please turn this person in!

[Myst]

Well at least then the kitty will have a warm bed and regular food and water and will likely find a home.

Try to find a shelter that doesn't destroy animals except when they're very very sick if possible.

[Nyx]

The two nearest me do not destory animals, unless, as Myst said, they are so sick or so far gone, they have no choice.
As for it having a warm bed, it has taken over the small dog(cat) house we have in the backyard, that my cat uses. My cat is not pleased about this. If it weren't for the fact that the two fight, I'd just adopted the other cat and leave it at that.

However, the cat in question is young, and pretty (white and fluffy, with blue eyes), so he/she probably has a good chance of finding a new home if it goes to the shelter.

I think I'll talk to my neighbor first though, just to make sure he really has no intention of caring for the cat. If he does not, I will call animal control. My boyfriend has offered to see if his family is willing to take in a new kitty, so, I may not have to call anyone out.

[manstranger]

Call the animal control for the cat, and the people that arrest animal abusers on the person. I'm pretty sure that counts as negligence, maybe something worse since its purposful.

[Myst]

Bright blessings to you for caring for this poor cat.

You deserve a medal.

[Illuminatus]

Email my friend Linda

linda.schweitzer@sea.siemens.com

She traps wild cats, domesticats them, spays and neuters them and finds homes for them. She is a veritable encyclopedia of kitty lore, I'm sure she will be able to help you arrive at conclusion that is beneficial to all.

[Nyx]

We made a final decision. Since we cannot find a tactful way to bring the issue up with our neighbor, (who can have a nasty temper when he wants to), we have decided to simply keep taking care of the cat.
We cannot let it in our house, but, we have a small dog house it can sleep in outside. It has towels inside of it, and it stays warm and dry, even in the rain and wind. As long as my cat stays inside at night, the other cat will have a place to stay.
If however, my cat and the other cat cannot get along, we will have it picked up an brought to a near by shelter. I used to volunteer at the local animal shelter, so, I know they do a good job of keeping the cats alive and well. Hopefully we won't have to call them in, but, if we do, at least we know that cat will have a chance at finding a new home.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions! If anything new develops, I'll let you know!

[Yvonne Belisle]

Make sure your shelters know about this guy. People pass written tests all the time that they shouldn't and perhaps they can blacklist him or something. You may also want to make an anonamus call to the animal control people that he may not be taking care of his other animals. They should come out and investigate.

[pentacle]

Call the shelter about the older cat, While you're there report the sick ****** ******* who treats animals like that

Blackbird

[maidenmoon]

Please please be sure to report this guy to the animal shelters before this happens to another kitty. I am so sick of jerks like him treating animals like they are disposable. Don't let him get away with it or he could end up ruining another animals' chance of ever being adopted into a loving family and you may find yourself in this situation again.

[Nyx]

He has been reported.
My hope is, he won't be able to adopt any more animals since he has no desire to take care of them. His kids push him to get them a new pet everytime one of their other ones becomes "old". (2-3 years). Someone needs to teach his children that cats and dogs are not toys.

[Pagecrd]

put the kitty in a nice warm well-vented box and mail him to michigan! (i love kitties)

[siamesegoth2]

i have to go wih the others sweetie, it sounds like this guy is a few pence short of a pound!!!, but you should also make the animal center that continue to give him animals aware of the situation, this way they MAY be more wary of him in the future, as a cat owner myself i also know how hard it is to have an older cat rehomed, i had to give up 3 of my babies before i mved to france because the fee's are daylight robbery, but there is always hope, and moses was 10yrs, and such a darling!! and as far as im aware he was re homed. and Blessing to you for taking the time to help the poor wee thing.

[WandererInGray]

:eek: Holy dead thread ressurection Batman!

Um, SG this thread was started well over a year ago, I think the problem with the kitty's been resolved. :)

[siamesegoth2]

LOL, sorry, didnt notice the date, thats what i get for reading things when im not well hehehe, thanks hun.