Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    I'm confused...... Because a neighbor doesn't 'like' your cat going
    outside you're going to get rid of him?? !!
    
    As far as I can see, you do have obtions:
    
    	1.  Keep him inside.
    	2.  Put the cat on a leash long enough to roam just your lawn.
    	3.  Build a high fence
    	4.  Talk the neighbor into fencing in her garden.
    	E
    	T
    	C
    	....
    
    I don't mean to sound harsh, but there are other things that can
    be done before resorting to giving your beloved away.
    
    Good luck on what ever you decide!
    

    Answers:
    The covenents where we live dont allow for cats outside.  We were told
    otherwise before we bought the townhouse.  We only recently got
    complaints from a neighbor.
    
    We tried a leash in spite of the covenents.  Harry got tangled up in
    the fence when he tried to escape.  I don't think this will work. 
    Maybe you know of a better type of leash.
    
    Harry doesn't like to use his litter tray.  We've tried everything.  He
    just finds new places to potty inside the house.  So he's currently
    staying in the basement during the day.  There is not enough light in
    the basement.  

    How about building him an outdoor enclosure in your backyard? You
    could build it out of wire mesh and a wood frame, then Harry could
    be outside, but not ruining your neighbors garden.  
    
    Or you could enclose your patio.
    
    Jo

    I just have to answer this note.
    
    I too live in a townhouse condo development. They do allow dogs
    and cats but they BOTH must be on leashes when outside the premises.
    
    I would first of all be furious with the realitor. The garden area
    your neighbor is talking about must be "Common" area also as no
    one owns an inch outside their four walls in condo developments.
    I would write to the board of directors and tell them your situation
    re: realitor and how long you have had the cat and DO NOT intend
    to part with a family memeber you have had this long but will not
    replace it when the time comes. Also tell the board  you are trying
    your very best (and do it) to teach your cat to be an inside cat
    more and more and apologize for any inconvenience he has caused.
    If you are leaving him out doors all day while you are at work you
    are in for trouble. Cat will adjust but like humans change comes
    hard sometimes.
    
    Try the leash when you are outside but play hard with him so he
    will want to go in the house and sleep.
    
    When all is said, it's how much effort are you willing to put into
    keeping Harry.
    
    Barbara

    re: leashes - you CAN NOT leave a leashed cat unattended for
    exactly the reason you mentioned.  
    
    re: covenents  - you learned an important lesson.  check into this
    yourself, don't trust the real estate agent.  He makes money by
    selling property.  I suggest you consider sueing him.  Talk to a
    lawyer.  If you can prove that he told you the wrong information
    you may be able to make his life miserable.  Of course, the
    courts may just say that its your responsibility to check this out
    yourself.
      We're in Boston and I refused to buy a condo or townhouse because
    I didn't like the idea that after paying 135k + someone else was
    going to tell me what I could do in it.  
      I think Jo's idea of an enclosure is the best one.  You may have
    to pay a bit of money, but it'll be cheaper, financially, than moving
    and cheaper, emotionally, than putting Harry to sleep.
      
    re: litterbox problems - I think you said you tried different brands
    of litter - if not, do so.  Also try shredded newspaper or dirt.
    Harry is probably used to going in dirt and not litter.  Once you
    get him used to using a box filled with dirt you can start mixing
    in litter in increasing proportions.  You can also try locking him
    into a small area with the box of dirt.  
      If this works, make sure you praise him BIG TIME when he uses
    the box.
    
      Good luck.
       Nancy DC
    

    The enclosure is a good idea but some complexes have "laws" governing
    what you can and can't do to the outside of your townhome.  I wanted
    to screen in the upstairs balcony for Kelsey and Kirby; however,
    it is disallowed in our complex.  Hence, the reason why Nancy decided
    to buy a house instead... wish we could too!!
    

    Thanks for all of your replys.  I'm going to look into an outdoor
    enclosure.  Also, I'm going to put a description of Harry on note 415.
    I'd rather see him happy then to be a part of my life under unhappy
    conditions.

    I think that Harry would rather be a part of your life under
    compromising conditions.  Adopting out a beloved pet isn't always
    the answer to a problem such as this one.  Just because he'd be
    able to go outside living in another home doesn't mean he will be
    happy living there.  You have to do what you feel is best; however,
    please consider adoption as a last and final resort.
                             
    I also like Nancy's suggestion of sueing the realtor.  I also think
    a phone call to him is in order.  He was obviously out to make money
    off of you... now make some off of him!
    
    
    /Roberta (owner of three indoor/outdoor cats who also lives in a
    townhouse development). 
    
    
    

    I'm with reply #1.  Putting Harry down should not even be a
    consideration if he is a beloved pet.  
    
    Sandi (mom to Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder)
    

    There must be a bunch of notes in this file about litterbox problems, but
    off the top of my head here are some suggestions:
    
    Be sure it's in a quiet area that's isolated so he won't feel startled
    or insecure.
    
    As someone mentioned, try diferent kinds of litter.  Many cats particularly
    dislike perfumed litters.
    
    Keep it changed frequently.
    
    Clean thoroughly any places other than the litter box that he has used.
    Get an enzyme cleaner (one is called Nature's Miracle) and use it on
    those areas; available in pet shops, for example.  Don't use stuff
    like Lysol, which can poison cats.
    
    

RE:  Note 2748.11 by CRUISE::NDC 

>    I would suggest that you tell them that you have access to a public
>    bulliten board and that you are making sure that everyone who has
>    access knows that this agency is responsible for putting you through
>    an agonizing situation.   

Please don't do this!  You open DEC and yourself to all sorts of lawsuits.
This is true even if you don't go through with your threat.  Remember our 
policy on boycotts.  

Feel free to continue to discuss this situation.  But be warned that I'll
delete any note mentioning the name of the realtor.

Pam

    
           Just throught I add this note about townhouse Condo problem.  We live
    in a townhouse condo in Merrimack N. H. they allow Pets there Both cats
    and Dogs. I have twe Cats one which is a outdoor and the other a
    housecat.
    The outdoor cat go out all time in the condo complex and there are
    other cats also there that go out.There is wood around the condo
    complex a I bet the cat have a wonderful play in the woods. I would
    never give up my pets but it is very hard to find place were pets are a
    allowed. 
    Plus there are lot of cat and dog there. If you what to know about the
    complex  you can write to my mail stop which is MFGMEM::NWITT.
    
    Nancy W / Cleopatra / Blackie  & Moxie the dog
    
    Nancy W /Cleopatra/Blackie/ Moxie the Dog  

        re: .12
      Boy when I blow it, I do it good, don't I.  I was talking to my
    carpooler later on about this and realized that I'd suggested a
    boycott via Notes which I know full well is against the rules.
    I'm going to go back and delete the note on the off chance that
    someone happens to read that and not the replies after it.

      I would still write a nasty letter to the realtor and let him
    know that you will never do business with them again.  It probably
    won't do you any "good" but you should always let a business know
    when they anger you.  
      In my discussion with my carpooler, he also reminded me that unless
    you can prove that they told you cats were ok, to be careful with
    exactly how you let folks know what they did.  If you make sufficient
    trouble and can't prove what you're saying they could sue you for
    slander.  
      I'm convinced, however, that you can come up with a creative way
    to convince them not to do that again.  In the meantime, please
    send me mail and tell me who the agent is so we won't deal with
    them.  
     
      I also want to issue a public appology to the moderators and all
    members of this file for typing before I thought!  
      Nancy DC
    

If Harry has no front claws, he should never be allowed to
roam anyway - he has much less protection from hostile children (they do
exist and cats are not so prone to run away from a human if a house pet)
and other animals.  I concur with the other noters who have said that
Harry can be turned into an indoor-only cat if you work with him - try 
keeping him restrained with his box in a small area when you are not
home and keep an eye on him constantly when you let him roam around the
house.  If he starts looking like he will use an inappropriate spot,
move him to the box.  Also, get all smell out of the carpet by using
an enzyme cleaner.  If you leash him and stay with him, you can let
him play on your patio when you are home so he can get out some - or the
enclosure that Jo mentioned is a good idea - but without front claws,
he is really safer as an indoor cat and he can learn to adjust with
a little work.