| Title: | Meower Power is Valuing Differences |
| Notice: | FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY |
| Moderator: | MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO |
| Created: | Sun Feb 09 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Tue Jan 11 1994 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 5089 |
| Total number of notes: | 60366 |
Hello,
There is an errant cat in my neighbourhood that I will call "Teddy".
Teddy is your typical seemingly homeless cat. He looks bad.
His coat is generally grey from dirt and much of his fur has
disappeared. He has bare patches all over his body. He seems to
have trouble with one of his eyes, which is bloodshot. It breaks your
heart to see him.
I have followed him around many times this summer with a bowl
of milk in one hand and a handful of IAMS in the other. Teddy won't
let anyone get near him. Other neighbours have tried to approach
him as well.
No one knows who the owner is and we wonder how he finds food and
stays warm. Winter is approaching in Montreal and I just
don't know how he can live through the cold.
If I knew my cat would get used to him, I might try and tame him,
but I suspect that would be a long-term project... and I am not
even sure he wants to find a home.
One of my neighbours has called the S.P.C.A., and they said they
would come and get him only if we caught him. But by the looks of him,
Teddy would surely be euthanized.
What would you do in our shoes? If we catch him, the S.P.C.A. would
certainly put him to sleep. To leave him out in the cold seems
so cruel.
Any ideas?
Norman
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906.1 | Do the best you can for him... | HILLST::MASON | Explaining is not understanding | Sun Oct 23 1988 18:46 | 6 |
Unfortunate, but millions die the hard way every year. If you can
even help him die humanely, that is what I would advise you do.
If you catch him, he will at least have a chance (should you decide
to try), or can be spared the winter outside.
Bon chance...Gary
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| 1906.2 | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif. | Mon Oct 24 1988 14:22 | 5 | |
Can you leave food and water (milk often gives cats diarrhea) where
Teddy can get it? From your note it sounds like you are staying
nearby and he won't approach the food while you're there -- first
things first -- first food and water, then try to gain his trust.
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| 1906.3 | Thanks for your comments. | MQOU06::N_CARDELLA | Meet me at the Bluenote Cafe... | Wed Oct 26 1988 16:41 | 15 |
Leaving food is a little tricky, as their are several outdoor/indoor
cats in the neighbourhood. One time, I saw Teddy sneak under a fence,
so I left the food there, hoping he would find it the next time he
came back through the fence.
I can't imagine how he lives through the winters... maybe he
lives in someone's garage or something. Next time, I will be more
diligent and at least see if he takes me to his home (if he has
one).
Thank you both for your comments.
Normand,
father of Tiger
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| 1906.4 | My experience ... | EDUHCI::SHERMAN | Barnacle 1 | Tue Nov 01 1988 15:34 | 24 |
Here's my experience.
We also had a stray hanging-around (we already had about 6 cats
at that point), and being animal suckers, we fed everything stray
during the winter (an oppossum, a pheasant, several stray cats,
etc. -- btw, oppossums seem to prefer Nine Lives dry, while pheasants
like Tender Vittles -- we were fresh out of Purina Possum Chow).
The stray cat in question wouldn't be approached. Finally, on one
particularly cold and windy day, we coaxed him into the kitchen.
When we closed the door, he went ballistic -- flying off the walls
and furniture, flinging himself at the windows. We opened the door
again and eventually he flew out.
However, after several more weeks, we finally got him into the
basement. From that point, he sort of calmed down but remained nervous.
Then we had him neutered -- and he turned into the sweetest marshmallow
you can imagine. Nowadays all he wants to do is sit on your chest
and rub his slimy gums all over your face. Flattering, but disgusting.
However, he has worked-out as a former stray. Be patient.
Moral? I guess a stray's brain is in his testicles.
kbs
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