Am I overreacting?

LAJ · 07-14-2003, 06:18 PM

Man am I pissed

These fuckin people who live in the building next to me took off for the weekend and kept their cat outside without food and water. It's been 90+ degrees here every day so I've been providing the cat with food, water and love. These neighbors have been letting the cat roam for months anyway, and he'll always come to me when I go outside, and won't even go to them when I hear them calling him. Often times he'll be left out all night long. Last year one of their other cats was out roaming and killed. I ended up discovering it and cleaned up the mess and told them someone had killed their cat. I went over there this morning to let them know of my displeasure at their latest stunt by kicking at their door and wanting to strangle them. No answer. So I called the ASPCA to step in. Fuck. I don't want the pound to take the cat, but I can't take him in either myself as I've already got two cats that are strictly indoors. Keeping him as an outdoor cat is not an option either. There are too many strays around here.

Evil Chris · 07-14-2003, 06:24 PM

I wouldn't say you're over-reacting Jay... And the ASPCA take great care of these kinds of pets. It will be adopted by someone else for sure.

Oh... wait until Funbrunette sees this thread...

StuartD · 07-14-2003, 06:40 PM

My cat is an indoor cat. So very friendly and affectionate.... I think that's mostly because I am that way with him. He is my best friend.

I couldn't imagine treating a cat the way your neighbours are. That's not just cruel... it's stupid. If you have no interest in taking care of your pet... then don't have a pet.

Ronaldo · 07-14-2003, 06:45 PM

Not overreacting. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to have pets.

We have two indoor cats as well, but our neighbors cat keep shitting in our garden.

Animal control says they'll have HER come and clean out our garden if we want her to. We're trying to be good neighbors, but our patience is running thin.

LAJ · 07-14-2003, 06:47 PM

Thanks Chris... that's reassuring.

And totally agreed StuartD. That's what I've been saying to these people all along and they tell me to mind my own business.

Shit... my cats are like my coworkers during the day since I work at home and they hang out here with me all day. I even have one of them as a portrait tattooed on my calf... that's the kinda freak I am about how much I love pets.

Panky · 07-14-2003, 07:53 PM

Some people should never be pet parents. I think the people who do horrible things to their animals should have the same horrible act(s) done to them.

I can't even watch those animal shows on TV where they have those pet police come into places and rescue animals or follow-up on complaints. I get to upset.

I probably would've adopted the cat and gave him his own little "house" outside. Feeding him and loving him while he was forgotten about, I would've become too attached to be able to have someone else adopt him. Even though the animal shelter would be the most pratical solution under certain circumstances, I'd still would hate to see him go.

Raven · 07-15-2003, 12:00 AM

Hey, LAJ,

I used to live in an apartment...and there was a railroad track in the back.....where this beautiful samoyed ran free...

Until the day came, when I couldn't stand it anymore, and I took the dog.

You're not overreacting..you're a pet lover. Hugs to you for being one who cares.

Funbrunette · 07-15-2003, 12:49 AM

You're acting like a human being hun! And those people are careless and don't deserve to have pets!

You did the right thing, I'm sure they'll find a good home for them.

Funbrunette · 07-15-2003, 01:10 AM

Actually the situation of abused/abandoned animals seems to be rising daily

Our shelters (Quebec) are full...Yet people keep buying their pets from pet stores. Ok, don't get me wrong it's where most people get their pets, but I guess I'm wondering why people don't have a peek at their local shelters. In the last 10 years, I've adopted 2 cats and 2 dogs at a shelter and they were amazing pets (still are) and I feel good knowing I gave them a second chance. I feel a bit "weird" about pet shops with all those stories about puppy mills.

It just makes me mad when people don't take care of their pets...They depend on us. Blah...blah...blah...I know I'm ranting, but I'm a HUGE animal lover and it pisses me off!

I always said if I won a few million dollars I would open my own shelter and keep all those poor critters!

LAJ · 07-15-2003, 02:01 AM

Thanks Raven...

And Funbrunette... I'm with you 100%.

SexyScribe · 07-15-2003, 04:39 AM

YES YES YES
I agree with you all, and Jay you get extra hugs for being a sweetie and saving that poor kitty.

Damn! some people make me so angry!

My second cat came from the street. I came across him on Mad Nite in 94 (for those of you unfamiliar with this "tradition", it's the nite before halloween where stupid and vandalizing adolescents run amok in the streets) and he was covered in blue paint. Either someone's idea of a prank, or just sheer carelessness, i don't know, but i took him home and washed him up, (much to his dismay haha). Many scratches later, a beautiful Maine Coon cat emerged, and he has been just the biggest suck ever since.

When he developed diabetes a few years ago, I learned how to test his blood sugar before every meal and give him insulin injections twice daily. Me, with the needle phobia.. sigh.. had to get over that one real quick.

First cat came from the pound, third cat was a backyard stray i tried not to adopt, til he came round one day with a huge gash in his head that would've likely killed him had i not taken him to the vet to get taken care of.. (he's an orange polydactyl .. 23 toes in all, and just the sweetest little attention-hog around!!)

The three of them run the house now, they just let me live here... hehehe

Johny Traffic · 07-15-2003, 06:44 AM

phone the rspca

AdultLegal-Jim · 07-15-2003, 10:26 AM

I'm with you too Jay.

I have 2 cats right now from taking in strays and rescued a whole litter of kittens last year in my old apartment complex, whoever the tenanat was threw the cat out when she found out it was pregnant.

Cost me an arm and a leg to get them all tested for FIV and stuff but they all have good homes now.

If you can't take it in yourself a shelter that doesn't put animals down is the place to go

LAJ · 07-15-2003, 12:30 PM

"Spoke" to the neighbors... my screams fell on deaf ears as they don't speak much (any) English... they just smiled and nodded

Oh well... I'm still looking after the cat as much as I can and was told by the ASPCA that they'd be paying a visit.

Ironhorse · 07-16-2003, 12:10 AM

I think you are overreacting. In fact I think it's cruel of you to keep your cats imprisoned inside. I hope you haven't clipped their claws too?

Cats are freedom loving animals and I've always had an open door policy with my cats. My agreement with them is very simple. The door is open. There is food inside and water. But the door is open. You go through the door at your own risk.

LAJ · 07-16-2003, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ironhorse
I think you are overreacting. In fact I think it's cruel of you to keep your cats imprisoned inside. I hope you haven't clipped their claws too?

Cats are freedom loving animals and I've always had an open door policy with my cats. My agreement with them is very simple. The door is open. There is food inside and water. But the door is open. You go through the door at your own risk.

Imprisoned? LOL... my cats live better than most people do pal.

They come and go whenever they please, have up to date medical care, tons of space and sunlight and are protected from the elements, cars, other animals and other people. Shit, they have it so good here, that they hate it when I have to take them out to the groomers or the vet for anything and can't wait to get back home where they will be safe and have everything familiar to them.

And you can be damn sure their claws are clipped. Nothing illegal or unethical about it. There is no threat of them getting out either.

If you do some research... owners who let their cats roam outdoors cut into the cat's life expectancy by one half. The way you rationalize your "agreement" with them and their decision to risk was laughable to me at first, but when I read it again, it almost sounds like you're as negligent as my neighbor. Almost like, "If you come back alive... great... if you don't... hey... you were warned." Anyway... I can tell your philosophy is completely opposite to mine about how to care for animals, so yes, I accept that you think I overreacted here.

Ironhorse · 07-16-2003, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LAJ
Imprisoned? LOL... my cats live better than most people do pal. They come and go whenever they please, have up to date medical care, tons of space and sunlight and are protected from the elements, cars, other animals and other people. Shit, they have it so good here, that they hate it when I have to take them out to the groomers or the vet for anything and can't wait to get back home where they will be safe and have everything familiar to them.

And you can be damn sure their claws are clipped. Nothing illegal or unethical about it. There is no threat of them getting out either.

If you do some research... owners who let their cats roam outdoors cut into the cat's life expectancy by one half. The way you rationalize your "agreement" with them and their decision to risk was laughable to me at first, but when I read it again, it almost sounds like you're as negligent as my neighbor. Almost like, "If you come back alive... great... if you don't... hey... you were warned." Anyway... I can tell your philosophy is completely opposite to mine about how to care for animals, so yes, I accept that you think I overreacted here.

If you love somebody, set them free.

Unless you chopped off their claws or limbs. Then you have the 'responsibility' to protect them. What's sad is that you actually believe this.

BTW your accusation of 'neglect' is laughable. Neglect implies I don't give a fuck, when in fact I happen to have very strong conviction about this and my relationship with my feline friends. I know you've heard this often this year, but there is a price for freedom.

StuartD · 07-16-2003, 03:57 AM

There are indoor cats and outdoor cats. There is nothing wrong with either.

Forcing your cat to stay out to fend for itself for a week-end or week at a time is not fair to the cat though.

To keep a cat inside isn't cruel. It's a choice. My cat doesn't want to go out. He's quite content with staying inside for the rest of his life. He's an indoor cat... plain and simple.

Oh, and no... he hasn't been declawed and his claws aren't even clipped. There's no scratches or anything in my couch, or bed.. or anything. He has a scratching post. He's very intelligent and knows to keep his claws in when he's supposed to.

Vid Vicious · 07-16-2003, 05:26 AM

I'm no cat person .. But I'd say your not over reacting .. if someone wants a pet they must be ready to care for it ... Personall I have a hard enough time cariong for myself so I wouldn't want a pet to look after .. You did the right thing it's the only way they will learn

daPimp · 07-16-2003, 06:45 AM

imho - you're overreacting, would have been much worse for the cat if they'd locked him inside the house or taken him with them in the car.
Cats don't starve - in Egypt streets are full of them, all just laying there, fat as hell with a smile on their face

McAttack · 07-17-2003, 11:39 PM

LAJ, I'm with you on this one man. I have 2 cats as well. Don't don't even want to be outside. I used to have a cat that loved spending her day outside, but I'd never leave her out over night, forget about a weekend.

As for "Cats don't starve" uh-huh. What if you were 12yrs old, your parents went away for a weekend so they locked you out. "Don't worry, he'll find food" This is not taking responsibility for your pet. This is a "Let everybody else feed him" approach. You think the cat's gonna go to the market and get a few cans and a can opener? No. He'll go chew up a neighbor's garden, maybe he'll catch a bird and leave a half eaten corpse on the grass for kids to play with, how nice.