Stray around during frigid weather

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Stray around during frigid weather
4
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 10:58am

Hi,

I posted here before regarding my feeding stray cats that hang around my house. Anyhow, the temperature has been in the single digits to below zero at night for several days. There is one cat that spends the night under my car and in the morning sits on my porch. It breaks my heart that he doesn't have a home. I am unable to 'adopt' him because pets are not allowed in my house...owner said 'no way'. It was suggested to me here before that I try to contact our local animal shelter. Well, I did. The police officer told me that they didn't have any facilities to take the stray to and unless he was damaging property (of course he isn't, he's just cold and hungry) that there was nothing they could or would do about it. I purchased a covered crate and added some blankets so at least he can be under some shelter but he not only won't go in, a skunk is the one that was occupying it so I had to remove it because I was afraid the skunk would get scared by a cat and spray and the odor would somehow come inside my house. Anyhow, the officer told me to just stop feeding the cat and it will go away. I can't do that, his cries wanting to be fed break my heart. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:23am

Bless your heart for taking care of the stray cat.


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:47am
I will put the crate out again and see what happens but I honestly think he won't go in. He seems to be scared of enclosed spaces. I don't have a garage or shed or anything. I live in a side by side duplex (looks like one big house but has two driveways) and while there is a shed in the back, the owner has it stuffed with his stuff so my neighbor and I can't use it. I wish I had friends or relatives that could take him but I have no family within a 3000 mile radius and my friends all have dogs. I myself thought myself a dog lover but when these strays started coming around they won my heart over. Thanks for letting me know that as long as they are fed they can withstand tough temperatures, I just have to ensure he keeps dry. I will let you know how he endures this cold spell. Thanks.
Avatar for spejf
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 5:41pm

Hi Lucygirl,


Thanks for taking such good care of this kitty...he obviously has come to think of your place as home!


Try calling around to the local vets to see if they have any clients who would be willing to take a barn cat, providing you live close to barns!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 7:13pm
Thanks... that's a good idea. I will call the vet tomorrow. I was so distressed, literally, tonight seeing the poor thing out there on my porch... he was curled up on one of my lawnchairs. I gathered an old blanket and draped it over the chair cushion and put several old towels underneath and as I don't see him, I am hoping he is in there. I would check to make sure but it spooks him when I come near and don't want him to run away as we have snow on the ground. There are no new paw prints on the fresh snow so I have to believe he is there. I live in Western MA. No barns and I live in a small town. I can't imagine my makeshift tent will keep him very warm but at least it will keep the cold wind from hitting him directly. If I sit and think about this, I could literally cry. I will most certainly offer to pay for anything that will help get him into a good home. Lucy