Stray cat won't leave!!

[Carmeow]

Hey guys. There's a kitten meowing outside our apartment door and he has been out there for hours now. Luma isgoing nuts, and so are we. I made the mistake of petting him this morning in the mailbox room and he followed me. I don't know what to do. I know taking him in is the WORST idea...but I feel so bad.

I work at the humane society. I can take him in tomorrow, but I know there's a good chance he would be put to sleep. Admittedly that's a better fate than being hit by a car.

Should I bring him in and crate him til morning? Leave him out and if he is still there in the am drop him off at the shelter? I love cats...they were my love before yorkies were.

[Cha Cha]

Aww poor thing. I couldn't leave him out there, but that's me. I think his chances in a shelter are better than being left to fend for himself.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Every cat I have ever owned was dumped off on me. My last one, Snuggles, lived to be 18 years old and was the best cat I had ever owned. If it was me, it would have a new home with me or I would find it one. I never took them to the shelter because like you said, most likely they will be put to sleep.

[Carmeow]

Well...I want him but bf says no Its b.s. that the pet deposit in my apartments is 300 per animal...no matter if its a 4 lb dog and one cat, or two German shephards. That's real fair. It's another reason we haven't added a biewer to our family like I want so badly.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

That is terrible! Do you have a friend who might be interested? Sometimes that is a good option too.

[lillymae]

Is there a bulletin board in the office and laundry room ? if yes you could bring him & post found cat.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

That is terrible! Do you have a friend who might be interested? Sometimes that is a good option too.

I just reread this! I meant the deposit was terrible! I didn't sound very nice here.

[yorkietalkjilly]

You'll have to weigh his chances out there with worms, dogs, cold weather, rain, hunger, possible pain, freedom vs. living in the shelter with some affection, food, some pain relief, warmth until he's put to sleep or - possibly adopted. If he's sick when you take him in, of course he'll be put to sleep pretty fast I'm sure, but I'm also sure it beats being sick and on his own like he is now. What an awful dilemma to be in. Just go with what you think feels right in your gut and that's all anybody can do. You literally cannot save them all even if you'd love to! Bless you heart, I can feel how awful this is for you - but I do think I would give him some time on this earth of warmth, a bed and some caring and meals in the shelter and the painless death over being out there with who knows what kind of pain, hunger, cold and fear. Maybe you can take him in for the night, give him a good meal, warmth and a bed tonight and take him in tomorrow. I saw on one of the Animal Cops shows a lady that does that - takes animals from the shelter for a night or weekend of love and kindness before they are put down - at least they know some goodness for a while. Doesn't the average cat on the run just last a matter of months before the inevitable happens? If I were he, I'd rather have some comfort and a bed and eventual oblivion over what his life on the run will be like.

[Carmeow]

I didnt want to take him in because of Luma. I can't have her catching anything from a stray. So if I see him today I'll grab him and bring him to the shelter. They do have it made...nice big litterbox, food, water, and even a little pillow bed that we make. He wasn't here when I woke up this morning. Hope y'all don't think less of me, its just a litle apartment and Luma is my baby. I dont have Luma on flea meds either so didnt want to risk that. She has skin issues and doesnt need flea allergies too. Poor little kitty. I did feed him...maybe he'll come back when he's hungry.

[Verbena]

Usually if they know food is there they will come back. Or maybe someone took him in. Or maybe it is someone's that thinks it is ok to let kittens outside(I have see that)

[Verbena]

Good luck I hope he comes back? You are a good person.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Well I sure don't think less of you! I understand that you have got to think of your little one and be sure she doesn't get anything and is perfectly safe. I'm the same way. We have ha 2 or 3 stray cats on the block this past year and I have fed them many days by leaving meat in the alley away from the yard and house where Tibbe is. (My neighbor is a chef and brings me far more cooked meat than I can eat in a year some times.) I could not stand if he got anyting from one of them and I couldn't let them in the house for fear they could give him something. If it were absolutely raining and/or freezing, I would make a warm spot for them in the garage and crack the door at the bottom so they could get in and get some food and water, comfy bed, but couldn't let them in the house either. Besides disease, I'm so scared a strange cat might get scared of Tibbe's advances and accidentally scratch his eyes or they might try to fight him or something. I so hope this guy found a home overnight. There could be a family or single person out there with no family or pet who was just hoping for a friend to drop by. But if he shows back up, I think I would try to get him to the shelter where he wouldn't be subject to whatever painful future might await him on his own. It rarely ends well for all but the badest, toughest Tom.

[CouversMom]

That poor kitty We have fostered lots of kitties, but we have a large house and the kitties are always in their own room. Are animals put down a lot at the shelter you work at?

[Carmeow]

Originally Posted by CouversMom

That poor kitty We have fostered lots of kitties, but we have a large house and the kitties are always in their own room. Are animals put down a lot at the shelter you work at?

Yes. Statistically, most are pit mixes or black cats or dogs. Poor babies. I assist almost every E/u but am putting off training to administer. I thought it would get easier or I would be desensitized...wrong. Each one rips my heart apart. The worst is getting attached to a particular dog who has heen there a while with no potential adopters...so they get put downbecause of it. And you clean their kennel...which has become theirs, your favorite to visit...I let that happen once with a dalmatian named Tango. Saddest day ever.

I really want to work with a local rescue...the shelter scene is rough.

Mr. Kitty never showed back up.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by Carmeow

Yes. Statistically, most are pit mixes or black cats or dogs. Poor babies. I assist almost every E/u but am putting off training to administer. I thought it would get easier or I would be desensitized...wrong. Each one rips my heart apart. The worst is getting attached to a particular dog who has heen there a while with no potential adopters...so they get put downbecause of it. And you clean their kennel...which has become theirs, your favorite to visit...I let that happen once with a dalmatian named Tango. Saddest day ever.

I really want to work with a local rescue...the shelter scene is rough.

Mr. Kitty never showed back up.

Carmen, I don't know how you do it. I would be crying my eyes out every day. That is a very tough job. Poor babies. All they want is to be loved.