The Vine: March 14, 2001
Hey Sars,
I feel kinda stupid writing to you about this but I know you like cats and you give good advice, so here goes: I recently got a new kitten, who was a member of a litter of kittens who were dumped up the road from us. She was the only one who survived. I had to beg my parents to let me keep her, and they agreed, if she was kept outside and fed by me. Well, this was fine up until recently. The cat is now five months old, give or take, and it looks very likely she is pregnant. My dad said he would have to do away with the kittens, which I don’t agree with, and my mother said the cat itself would have to go.
I know this is a stupid problem, but it’s really getting to me. She is really cute, and I’m the only one who she will come to outside. I’ve lost pets before through accidents et cetera, but this is different. Do you have any advice?
Thanks,
P
Dear P,
I know you want to do the right thing, but “keeping” a cat means keeping it — indoors. It means bringing it into your home so it doesn’t get into fights or eat carrion, seeing that it goes to the vet and has its shots, giving it shelter and a proper diet, and getting it spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters.
I’m sure you know all that, but your parents aren’t willing to provide a responsible home for the cat, so you will have to arrange one for her. Call around to the veterinarians in your area and explain that the cat is basically feral (i.e. wild), that she’s never lived inside, that you think she’s pregnant, and that you can no longer take care of her; ask them about no-kill animal shelters or pet “foster care” in your town, or at the very least for a place where you can have her spayed at low cost.
You did the best you could under the circumstances, but now it’s time to hand the cat off to someone who can shift for her properly. I don’t know what your parents expected to happen — they wouldn’t keep the cat inside, and they wouldn’t have her fixed — but they won’t let you take the right care of her, so you have find the cat a situation where someone will.
And now, a public service announcement. Please, please, please, pet owners and lovers of the world, have your animals fixed. What’s happening to this kitten, a baby having babies, is what happens if you don’t spay and neuter your pets. Or they get dumped at the ASPCA after they stop being little and cute (Hobey). Or they get left in the street (Little Joe). The world is overrun with unwanted, uncared-for kittens and puppies. Please fix your pets. Thank you.
Tags: cats
