There's This Cute Cat....

[Brenda Starrr]

When I went to pay my rent today, there was this really, really sweet stray that was being all cuddly as I was paying at the window. She wanted to be held an stroked, and she purred like crazy. The rental agents said that she comes by every day, and they feed her. They asked if I could take her, despite the fact that I have 2 cats already. Two is the limit in our complex. Later this evening, the kids and I went to put my parents' rent in the slot. This cat, who the kids named "Cosmo" came back to play with the kids and I. I discovered a perfectly round hole in her back, leaving me to believe that she was shot with a pellet gun. Cosmo isn't bleeding, but she's got this.....hole.

I wanted so badly to take her in, but I can't. I don't know if she has rabies or what have you. I don't know who to call to pick her up. It can't be someone who will put her under. I can't let that happen. I also can't afford to take her to a vet. This week, our money is so tight, it's sick.

Please, I need suggestions. She's beautiful! I wish I could keep her! I don't want anything bad to happen to her.....

[JaneDead]

wow a hole in her back :( i wish i knew what to you tell you but i don't.

but i know critter will know.

[Fierce Critter]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dyno.

First, consider this: There are thousands, if not millions of strays out there. In our life, we are bound to come across many more than a single person can possibly help out. It is o.k. to feel sorry for the animal, to WANT to do something for it - but to NOT do so. You will feel guilty, but you have to understand and accept that sometimes, circumstances don't allow us to help the way we'd like to.

So if you just can't help Cosmo, you can't. And don't let anyone - especially yourself - judge you for that.

Now, if you don't want to take it in, and don't want to report the situation to an authority that may end up putting him down, there is an option. You can track down and contact a no-kill rescue group. Down here, I have about a dozen I can contact to find care for a stray like this. But fair warning - often they won't take an animal that's sick or wounded. You CAN try, you never know what will come through for you.

I find all my rescues through Petfinder.com. They list rescues & shelters by zipcode & other locations.

If you find one that's willing to take Cosmo, you may have to catch Cosmo first and hold onto him for a day or two until the rescue can either come get him or until you can deliver him to the rescue. Chances are, they won't choose to go catch him themselves.

Something to keep in mind: Cosmo is taking care of himself thusfar. A lot of strays, particularly feral-raised ones, are perfectly happy to take care of themselves. No, it's not as safe or cozy as being taken care of by a human. But I can think of two stray kittens that about shredded Jon to bits when he tried to catch them. Fear of rabies has put an end to those attempts.

I could maybe come up with more suggestions that might assist you if you found a way to keep him. But if that's just out of the question, then that's about all I have to offer. Oh, except that our vet will take a 30-day post-dated check and hold it if we have an emergency. You could check on that if you think you can afford vet care 30 days from now. A checkout, tests, and treatment of a superficial wound might run from $100 to $250 or more, depending on what needs to be done.

Good luck, and let us know how things work out.

[Ginevra]

Yeah, what FC said.

No kill shelters are the best way to go to avoid having a kitten put down. There are many, I know, in this area. But be careful of those that will only take in pure bred felines. I don't know about B-more, but around here, the ones that are pure breds only seem to have a huge chip on their shoulder. A rescue that does different types of animals (dogs, cats, AND exotics) usually are more friendly.

[Marblez]

My neighbors had a cat that just lived outside. They fed her daily and she always came back, but outside was her home. She always seemed happy enough. I hear it is a good thing anyway, keeps down the rodent population.

[Fierce Critter]

By the way, Cosmo is high on my list of pet names. :grin: It's surprising actually that none of my cats ended up with that name yet, though Gus came close.

My sister got that idea from me, too, and someday hopes to give that name to a basset hound.