Now what do I do

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Now what do I do
13
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 9:17am

Ok. This is probably going to sound bad, but I'm upset, so I need to vent...and it's all about cats. I decided to get a kitten, which I've stated before. I've always wanted to have 3 cats. I have selected a cat rescue organization that is local to my town, I've researched them and talked with the founder. I emailed them yesterday, to set up an appointment to see all the kittens they have. I've bought some of what I need for this kitten. The plan is to get the kitten around 6/10.

Here's the thing. I had mentioned to some family members what my plan is. Why? Because I have a big mouth and will tell anyone anything. My cousin's wife (also a cat lover), hinted around that her aunt had a cat with kittens. Now, I had decided I wanted to get a kitten from a rescue place, because a rescue place would have tested them for all the evil diseases that it could pass on to my girls. Besides that, my cousin's wife's aunt (there's a connection for you)...she has cats that she hasn't had spayed or neutered. Hello? Get them fixed. So when my cousin's wife started the hinting, I didn't respond.

So this morning, I get an email from this girl. She and my cousin have adopted one of her aunt's kittens, and she wants to know if I'll take the female kitten. She said it's feline leukemia free (which she knew I was concerned about), and if I don't take her, she'll become an outside cat.

So now what do I do? I feel like I'm being strong-armed into taking that kitten. It's messing with my plans, which I hate. I was really looking forward to supporting this rescue organization. And I was looking forward to seeing a bunch of kittens and picking the one that interacts with me the best. But I feel incredibly guilty, like if I don't take the kitten, I'm signing its death warrant. I have to make my decision without seeing the cat, because the minute I see it, my heart will melt. I'm pissed off, and I don't know what to do.

** Noelle

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-07-2003
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 9:40am

That's a really tough call.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 10:39am

I agree with Rena.

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Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 11:02am

Wow talk about being between a rock and a hard place.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 11:10am
I would go with the original decision and also let the cousin know that outside is not a good place for a cat,maybe she should take both!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 11:12am
Sounds like this kitten will be outside breeding like the others if she makes it outside at all. I'd have a discussion with them about spaying the other cats. I probally would bring home their kitten and adopt one from the shelter. Two are so much fun together! Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 11:29am

My cousin just moved into a tiny house. This new kitten is supposed to be a playmate for their 1yr old cat, whom she also got from her aunt. The 2 cats are getting along, but the kitten is hissing at my cousin and his wife. That makes me leary right there. I'd expect hissing between the cats, and the kitten looking to me for comfort. (Which is how my other 2 were as babies, and they came from the SPCA.) I don't know what they'd say, if I suggested they take both.

I also know I can't say anything to my mom , or the kitten will come live with her and Dad, starting World War 3. 2 different mentalities clashing there. Dad grew up with the it's-just-an-animal-and-it-should-be-outside mentality. Mom grew up with the bring-home-every-stray-and-make-it-a-part-of-the-family mentality. I don't want to start that.

I can't save the world. I can only do my part...right?

** Noelle

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 11:33am

I do NOT like the idea of them setting that kitten loose like that! The ignorance of some people has got to be my absolute biggest pet peeve. This is what her life will have in store for her: being chased/injured/killed by predators; being hit by a car; being exposed to/coming down with FELV, FIV, rabies, or some other disease, THEN spreading it to other feral cats in the area; being cold, wet, and miserable during lousy weather; going hungry for days and days at a time unless someone feeds her on a regular basis. The BEST case scenario, if she remains healthy, fed, and uninjured, is that she will produce dozens of kittens over the course of her lifetime, only adding to the feral cat population.

Here's what I would do - take the kitten, BUT if you don't want to keep her, perhaps you could take it to the shelter you wish to support, and take a different kitten. Kind of like an exchange. LOL. Perhaps you could give them a donation, if they don't charge a surrender fee. That way you are still supporting the shelter, AND saving that kitten's life in the process. I don't know what it's like in your area, but around here, kittens are adopted from shelters usually within days (even hours) of being surrendered and made available for adoption. It's the older cats who languish in cages for weeks or months at a time.

If you don't want to do that, you could ask them to place an ad in their local newspaper saying "free kitten to good home". Also, please talk to them about spaying/neutering their cats, or they will be going through this once or twice every year!!!




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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 11:45am

I agree about letting it loose. That's why I feel like I'm being guilted into this. I don't think cats should be outside. I have a suspicion this would be a barn cat, but I don't know for sure. I'd have to ask my cousin's wife, because I don't know her aunt. But I know she has several relatives with farms.

I've never adopted an animal from a shelter. Our local SPCA uses the foster home system, as does the organization that I want to support. The way my family has usually gotten pets, was the "oh we have a puppy" or "we have a kitten" that needs a home, thing. Well, except our hamsters. Mom rescued the momma after momma had been put in a snake's cage 3 days in a row at school, and the snake didn't want to eat her. Mom brought her home. 2 days later, we had 6 hamsters, rather than 1. But I digress.

If I see the kitten, it will have to come home with me. I know I'm like that, hence the reason I avoid locations where animals are actually being sold. I can't leave without crying, unless I'm taking one home.

This is so not fair...to me or the kitten.

** Noelle

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Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 12:39pm

LOL Donna, that's what I would probably do too.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: chalicat
Thu, 05-26-2005 - 1:10pm

<>

Well, I certainly have to agree with that. I seem to have found myself with an extra cat since we discovered a litter of kittens outside our work earlier this month. :)I have to say though - bringing him home was the best thing I ever did. Even my other cat is starting to like him.

If you decide to take the kitten, remember that you can still support the shelter you were dealing with. Give them a donation - either some money, or supplies like food, old towels, or toys. Explain to them what happened - they will understand! And they will be happy that a kitten somewhere still got saved. That is their ultimate goal, after all.




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