The other night, something happened that I never thought would happen in my lifetime. It was almost midnight, my husband and I had just finished letting the dogs out for their final out for the night (after watching The Hunger Games) and there I was, in my white, fuzzy, polka dot bathrobe, feeding and petting our two cats.
I am becoming the crazy cat lady. And I don’t really like cats that much.
However, what I dislike more than cats are horrible, asshole owners who move and leave their unwanted pets behind. And then said pets are left to fend for themselves, yet are unable to do so properly and find themselves malnourished, scared, and covered with ticks and fleas. And because I cannot watch an animal suffer, that cat then comes into my care because apparently on my house there is a flashing neon sign that reads “Homeless Cat Shelter. All Are Welcome”. And the cats know it.
Over the years that we’ve been taking care of Boots, our actual cat, numerous other cats have come and gone. They stay for a few days, eat the food, rest up a bit, and then move on. I don’t mind the transient population so much. At least they’re kind enough to do what they need to do and don’t leave us any presents (like carcasses, hairballs or something even more disgusting). But every once and while, a cat comes to our shelter and stays. Then she gets a name and voila! She’s now our new pet.
This just happened to us a few weeks ago. We’re pretty sure we know where this new cat came from because the timing of her arrival is way too coincidental with people who admittedly hate their cat moving away very suddenly (I’m deciding it’s an eviction because why not?). When we found her, she was so skinny you could see her spine through her fur. Her collar, which was still around her neck, was hanging so loosely she could slide it over her head (you know, if she had the ability to do that). She was starving, covered in fleas and desperate for some sort of attention and affection. So we did what anyone would do.
We feed her. And treated her fleas. And play with her, give her treats and somewhere comfortable to sleep. It’s the best we can do. We’re also actively searching for a new home for her. But that search is going very, very poorly.
You see, this poor cat is an indoor cat and my husband is severely allergic to cats. So we can’t keep her once the weather gets cooler. She needs to be inside because honestly? We don’t think she’ll survive a winter outside. But just like her previous owner, no one wants her. No one’s come out and said it directly but I think it’s because she has no tail. I don’t think anyone wants a defective cat, regardless of how sweet her personality is. Which is just a damn shame. Because anyone would be lucky to have this cat as a pet.
Anyway…
I’ve pretty much accepted the fact that this cat is indefinitely ours. We’ll have to think of something to do for the winter that does not involve moving her inside and plying my husband with Benadryl until he’s comatose and doesn’t realize there’s a cat in the house (this might not be a practical solution since he does, in fact, need to go to work). It’s also expensive. Then again, so is keeping a second cat, particularly one that’s indoors since there’s a whole new set of costs that come with it, and I’m not sure our budget can afford those right now. Our budget is having a hard time just keeping up with the cost of two outdoor cats, given the extra food that we have to buy now (not to mention the flea and tick treatment). But I refuse to be an asshole like her previous owners and toss her to the streets (or worse, the SPCA) so I’m finding a way to make it work. Because that’s what I do.
So, I’ll make a plan, I’ll rework our budget, and I’ll accept the fact that now we are a two cat family. I’ll just try to avoid feeding them in my bathrobe. I don’t need a reputation.
Jordann says
I’m lucky enough that this has never happened to me. My fiancée is also allergic to cats, so we sprung for a pure bred, hypo-allergenic Siberian cat. I’m not sure how things would go if a homeless kitty showed up on our doorstep because frankly, I wouldn’t be able to turn it away.
I would suggest a Facebook campaign of some type in order to make her a bit of a celebrity stray looking for a home. Get people to share, talk about her sad, sad story, and then maybe someone will come forward offering a home. Advertise her on your local SPCA facebook page, and any other rescue groups in the area.
I know that’s been effective for many people looking to home kitties with similar stories in my area.
Jordann recently posted…My $20,000 Want
Melissa says
Awww that is so very sweet of you! A lot more than most people would do. I hope lots of good karma is coming your way 🙂
L Bee and the Money Tree says
We live out in the middle of nowhere and people actually come and DUMP their cats there-and leave them to fend for themselves. I think what you are doing is really commendable. Do you have any area animal shelters? If you feel comfortable, maybe the online community could help you out?
L Bee and the Money Tree recently posted…Baby’s First Swag– the re-design unveil and a GIVEAWAY
The Girl Next Door says
That’s so great of you to take the kitty! Have you tried advertising on the pets section of craigslist?
The Girl Next Door recently posted…‘The Millionaire Mind’ Giveaway Winner
Mackenzie says
I hate when people abandon their pets! That’s so cruel. I don’t know what the heck is wrong with people.
You are doing a good thing Jana! You’ll find a home for the cat soon.
Mackenzie recently posted…Hurry Up Already!
PK says
Can’t blame you there – we adopted a twice abandoned pitbull mix, and he’s softened us to the point where we want to do a second rescue. I can’t understand leaving an animal – which becomes family – behind. Absurd.
PK recently posted…Revisiting the Employment-Population Ratio, August 2012 Edition!
AverageJoe says
“I don’t need a reputation.” Who are you trying to fool? You and I both know you ALREADY have a reputation. You’re the crazy cat lady on your street! 😉
AverageJoe recently posted…Blog Post of the Week! by Afford Anything
Kris @ BalancingMoneyandLife says
You are the best crazy cat lady, lol. 🙂 Good luck finding kitty a new home – I cried when my sons allergies meant I had to find a new home for my fur-baby (I actually thought about sending my son to live with his dad… the cat was better behaved!). I was lucky, my ex-MIL took my baby (the cat, not my son), but there was no way I was letting him go anywhere except a home he’d be loved in!
Kris @ BalancingMoneyandLife recently posted…Weekly Link Love – August 24, 2012
shanendoah@the dog ate my wallet says
She is not defective- she’s a Manx cat. You just have to use the right words.
If you really can’t keep her (and I believe you can’t), try using petfinder.com to locate some of the private/no kill rescues in your area. They will usually be willing to do courtesy posts on Petfinder for you, and can possibly arrange a foster home for her, if you can’t find her a forever home, by the time the weather gets cold.
shanendoah@the dog ate my wallet recently posted…Sunday Evening Post #58