I know I did the right thing but I am still sad...
 

:cry: I found a cat on my porch about a month ago and crazy me decided to put out a dish of food. Kitty (that's what I named him) ate it all and came back later in the day for more food. Long story short I felt like Kitty was lost and could not find his way home so I made a bed, got him some toys, and started feeding him daily. About two weeks ago Kitty started walking next to me whenever he saw me outside. The even CRAZIER thing -- he and Romeo would sniff each other's face and Romeo has NEVER EVER let another animal near him.

Well it got to the point where I realized that I was being very selfish and holding on to Kitty. So I called our Animal Shelter, explained the dilemma and was told to bring him over and they will take him.

OMG, here's the sad part -- Kitty did not hiss at me, claw at me, or even try to get away when I picked him up and put him in a carrier -- the little guy had come to trust me! He meowed all the way to the animal shelter and continued to while they assessed him and took photos. I turned him over with the carrier, toys and food and was assured he would be evaluated for adoption. All the while poor Kitty let everyone handle him without so much as a hiss or an attempt to break away.

I know Kitty will be adopted into and loved by a forever family but my heart is breaking. I swear I am hearing his meows outside my front door...

That's so sad. :( Hopefully the shelter staff will notice his great temperament and someone will take him asap.

I cannot believe that this little Kitty got to my heart (and I am so allergic to cats) in only a month. Been sitting here crying from time to time and missing him. I really want him to be adopted and live in a forever home but my selfish heart is telling me otherwise. I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight :(

Can you go back an get him :)

Oh, I imagine your heart is breaking in two!

The shelter is closed for the day but I will call tomorrow and check on Kitty. If they don't believe he can be adopted I'm going to get "my Kitty" and bring him home (allergies or not)!

I'm allergic too, and we had 3 cats at one point!! :eek: I found one and adopted it after I fell in love with her. She was real short haired and wasn't too bad for my allergies.

Then I married a man who had 2 cats...yikes. That was a bit harder.

We only have one left and he will be our last cat ever. I am SO much more allergic than I ever used to be.

I hope you can go back and get the kitty!! Sounds like a match made in heaven!!! :love:

Oh tuxedo cats are the BEST! I hope you can go get him back.

He looks like my Avery cat.

You know from reading what you wrote I think you know in your heart that Kitty belongs with you. Sophie Kate and Avery get along so well, they look to each other for comfort.

Go get him if you can, you will never be sorry.

My poor sister has cat allergy to the point she wheezes and has to work to breathe after being around one even momentarily, even with her inhaler. She has had pneumonia 4 times from her severe allergic reactions and massive drainage. So if your allergy is going to put your health at real risk, consider that. But if you can work it out, what a wonderful ending to this story. ♥

He looks like a sweet kitty. I'm not going to make you feel guiltier, because I think you did what you thought was the right thing for you. Allergies are no fun! He sounds like he'd be a good family pet. I doubt if they would have any trouble finding a great home for him. Think it over carefully, because if you go back to get him and you find your allergies get worse, what would you do then?

I hope my post didn't sound insensitive, I know the decision you made was hard.

I hope Kitty finds his furever home either with you, or another loving family.

I don't think it did at all, but I've seen people who are allergic to cats and it is pure misery for them.

I agree - not insensitive at all.

Well, if your allergies are bad, why not keep him as an outside cat? That's what you were doing initially anyway right? All of my cats we had growing up were all outside cats. They started off inside as kittens, then when they got a little older would roam the neighborhoods during the day, and at night come home and sleep in the garage.

We had one orange cat in particular, his name was Rascal. He was the coolest cat ever. Leaving dead birds for us all the time. Every night he knew exactly what time we would call him to come home. We'd open the side door of the garage and call his name, and everytime he would come running full speed, like he was waiting for us to call him home.

If this is a kill shelter then I would call daily to be sure he gets adopted or you could put a hold on him & ask if they will call you if no one adopts him so you can go get him. Did you ever run a found ad in your local news paper to see if he had an owner ? also the tip of his ear has been removed & this is what they do in trap neuter & release program with ferrel cats so he may not have ever had a home & yours may have been the only home he's ever had.

Outside cats usually live such a risky life that would drive me crazy, knowing my beloved pet was out there running the streets at the mercy of big dogs, tom cats, cars, weird teenage boys - you name it. Plus, they often tear open all of your garbage sacks and scatter your garbage all over the alley - where the poor homeowner has to go pick it up yucky piece at a time - over & over & over, week after week - no matter how your severe joint disease screams every time you bend. They poop in the back of your just detailed truck and you, not the cat owner, gets to climb in and clean it all up, gagging & angry - and on your patio and porch! Again, you and not the cat owner does all clean-up. My dog once ate cat poop from his own backyard and got very sick, then threw it up on my couch! One time I let Tibbe out and as he rounded the side of the yard he was attacked by the neighbor's cat who was in our yard. Tibbe was still young then & had I not been right behind him, his eyes could have been scratched as the thing was batting his face and hissing but advancing as Tibbe ran backward. Think long and hard about letting your beloved cat run loose and about your hapless neighbors before you keep a cat you love outside.

Thank you and no your post is not at all insensitive. Kitty is not mine -- I found him sleeping on my porch and felt so sorry for the little guy that I started caring for him. After a month though I recognized that I could not let him into the house - my allergies are severe - and rather than let my selfish heart hang on to him (while he lives outside) I took him to the shelter in the hopes he will find a family. He is so gentle and trusting -- after only two weeks he started rolling over for me to scratch him. I do miss him but need to give him the opportunity to be adopted and loved the way he should be.

Thanks everyone for your observations and comments. I truly appreciate the feedback.

The shelter is not a kill shelter -- they've had cats and dogs for months and I do plan to check on Kitty daily.

Kitty was never mine at all. I found him sleeping on my porch a month ago and started caring for him. I felt guilty letting him roam outside because on several occasions a couple stray cats attacked him on my porch.

Kitty has a loving and gentle personality and started to trust me after two weeks. While I think he may have been part of the feral program his mannerisms tell me otherwise.

I could go get him and let him live outdoors but the risk of him being attacked is too high. Plus I would feel like a cruel human watching him sit at both my front and back doors (all glass) and knowing that he's probably asking himself why I won't let him in.

We are praying that Kitty would be a good boy and show off his kind and loving heart so he can be adopted soon. There's a pet adoption happening this weekend for animals from this shelter!!

Your post really shows how much you are struggliing with this; you can tell how much you've fallen for Kitty. If you should decide to get him, Zyrtec did wonders for me with my allergies. I had 2 persians, for 13 years. lol Good luck with whatever it is that you decide to do.
Hugs.

awwww well you did the right thing I guess... but why didn't you just adopt Kitty yourself? :) Sounds like you bonded with him pretty good!

My allergies are really bad and the list is exhaustive ... I've had some horrible scary reactions to OTC meds like Zytec and Allegra as well so I can't take any chances.

I know in my heart that the shelter will be able to adopt Kitty; it's just that I am feeling guilty because the little guy took a liking to me and vice versa.

UPDATE on Kitty
 

I called the shelter to check on him and I am actually smiling. The lady who took Kitty in assured me that there will be no issues adopting him out as he is easy to handle and very sweet. It is a NO kill shelter and some of the animals have been there for years. :)

They will not allow me to see him but I can call daily for status. Praying this lovable, gentle boy is adopted into his forever home/family soon...

aaahhh allergies stink! :(

You have a heart of gold.... I'm sure Kitty will be 'home' soon, thanks to you! :)

I know that was a hard decision for you. Every cat I have ever owned was "dumped off" at my house. My best one, Snuggles, is a black and white cat. And the best cat I have ever owned. I too battle with allergies a lot. So, we have given her certain areas in the house to be (she does not have free reign). We live in the country and outside is not an option. She is about 18 years old now. But it has worked for us having her with us. Hopefully someone will adopt this sweet baby. I think cats tend to not get adopted as easily. :(

Thank you for the kind words. I called the shelter again today and Kitty is still being kept separately from the other cats. He is doing well and eating and the handlers have no issues with him. Unfortunately they will not let us see him and I totally understand why.

Even though he was a stray that happened to land on my porch I fell in love with him. I knew in my heart that I could not let him in the house and it was not fair to leave him outside. I am praying every day that he will be adopted soon.

P.S. Today I told my daughters when I retire I am going to dedicate my time to animal rescue!

Saying prayers that Kitty will find his furever home soon. :) I think dedicating time to animal rescue is an awesome future plan.