Ok, I'm hoping someone can help me. There's been a cat living on my back porch the past 3 days. Apparently he is a neighbor's cat, she claims "the kids let him out all the time", but didn't seem overly concerned that the animal was missing for a few days. She saw it in our yard and took it home, but it came back that night. I have fed it, because I don't want it to starve, my husband picked him up and walked up the street with him to return him to his "owner" and once the cat saw where he was going, he jumped out of my husband's arms and ran back to our house. This cat is extrememly affectionate. It comes running when we return home, it jumps in the car after us, it tries desperately to get into our house.

My husband hates cats, but has fallen in love with it, as have I and our 2 kids. Problem is, all 4 of us are highly allergic to cats, otherwise, I'd take the damn thing in. I don't have the heart to be mean to it and chase him away, but he is breaking my heart. It's getting cold out, he doesn't want to go home. So, my question is, should I call the Humane Society? I tried to find a home for him after debating with myself whether that was ethical or not, and came to the conclusion that if they cared about this animal, they'd have come knocking on my door to ask if I've seen him. But someone I thought might take him is kinda waffling on the idea, so I don't know what to do. I have to fight him off to get in and out of my house. I can't do this. And I can't be worrying about this animal. How long does the Humane Society keep animals before they put them to sleep? I can't have that on my conscience. This animal is the sweetest frickin' cat I've ever seen, he deserves a good home, what should I do?

I didn't know the Humane Society put animals to sleep... WTF!

I looked it up on google, and some article said that generally speaking, shelters put down animals brought in first, because they're under no obligation to keep them for any length of time. I'm not sure about much truth in it.

It's not YOUR cat, but I hate to see a neglected animal. I'd say, keep on looking,a nd if you have some spare cash, perhaps you could put out a classified ad about the kitty? Just a thought.

We have the same problem, except we're not allergic to cats. We just love them, but we already have two and our lease won't allow us to have any more. However, there's a little cat that comes to our house all the time and hangs around outside. So I feed it and love on it, and I always want to bring it in but I can't.

Sexymf69 said:

I've been in this situation before.

To put it bluntly, I flat out stole the cat and gave it to someone that I knew was going to take good care of it.

If you can, try to find a home for it on your own without getting the HS involved.

I didn't know the humane Society DID'NT put animals to sleep. Now I feel stupid! Guess that's what makes em humane, eh? So do they just keep animals until they're adopted? I'm going to ask 2 more people if they want him, and then I think I will have to call HS. He just launched himself at my back door and will surely destroy the screen in the near future. He's just so damn cute. My husband put an old blanket on the porch for him to sleep on. Everytime I peek out at him, he looks at me with big green eyes and meows like, "please, let me in already!" It sucks. I don't know why people have animals if they don't want to take care of them.

Sexymf69 said:

HS will typically put down cats that are not adoptable (meaning very timid, aggressive or ill) right away. They do hold lost animals for a few days to see if they will be claimed and if he is healthy and very friendly he will be given a chance to find a home. You could call your local HS and ask how long they give cats to be adopted.

If you can't find a home yourself, try finding a no kill shelter in your area, or perhaps a cat rescue. Try an online search.

keep him!

If you can't find any of your friends or family member to take him in, try to find a shelter that has a "no-kill" policy. We have an ARC here, which is no-kill (as far as I remember)...oh, I would take in another kitty if I could, but I already have two. I kitties

I'm going through the same thing right now!


Two kittens have been hanging around my house for the last couple of weeks. I've actually had neighbors knock on my door to tell me that MY cats were outside and wanted to come in! It's been so cold recently that I've been bringing them in at night and letting them back out in the morning. With the help of another neighbor I finally tracked down who the cats belong to. When I went to her house and asked if the kittens were hers her response was, "Oh I put them out a long time ago."

WTF??? I'm sure the look on my face said, "Bitch, are you crazy?"
because she then went on to say that she thought it was better to just put them out than drop them off at the Humane Society or leave them "in the woods." In my suburban neighborhood we have foxes, beavers, muskrats and more that roam up from a nearby creek. Those kitties wouldn't stand a chance against a hungry wild animal and that dumbass thinks its okay to just throw them out in the cold?!?!?!?

So now I am hiding these two kittens in my home. The landlord STRICTLY prohibits pets, especially CATS! They're so sweet and affection. I fell in love with them instantly. I can't keep them and the Humane Society (here at least) is famous for putting down animals.

Well, I know I wasn't much help. I have no advice about what to do. Just wanted you to know that I feel your pain and I don't know what to do either.
[Edited 11/4/06 2:38am]

Cats are, well - cats! They kinda tend to do as they please....

Just because its been hanging around your house doesn't necessarily mean its neglected. It seems to love being around people so usually abused animals will shy away from people. Maybe it just decided it didn't feel like being at home and thought your house might be interesting to hang around for awhile.

HOWEVER...

If you are really concerned about the wellbeing of this wee one, I agree that you should just find a good home and pretty much steal the cat away.

We have a neighbourhood cat here that likes to hang out at people's home for a few days then just decides to move on (on his terms). He has a family (owner) and goes home when he feels like it. It just seems to be his personality that he LIKES to visit and has alot of adventures and love.

Personally, I would be freaking out if my kitty went outside without me, but that's probably more MY issues than the kitty's

MuaPetahl said:

I just everyone to know that I disagree with every single thing this woman says based on principle.

AsianBomb777 said:

LOL (((((U))))) When you gonna come pick up your blowup doll?

MuaPetahl said:

Wellll.....you're not going to like my answer.

I just took in two kittens, kept one and found a home for the other.

I am very allergic to animals. Have been all my life. But that does not stop me from taking care of the poor helpless guys.


Take a pill. How hard is that?

Keep the cat or you will feel like an asshole.

I'd rather have the sniffles than feel like an asshole.

dancinggyrl said:

A no-kill shelter will be your best option. There should be one or two in your town. I would look in your phone book and call around to see if there are any that are accepting new animals.

It is heartbreaking to me that the cat jumped out of your husband's arms when it saw where it was going. That clearly shows that he does not want to be there.

I love kitties too. I have three that are all former strays.

It varies. In the area where I live, both animal control and the local Humane Society only euthanize animals who are considered un-adoptable, generally due to health or temperment.

I think you should feel free to take the cat to animal control, if they have an acceptable euthanasia policy. It's on your property. And it does sound like the cat might be better off.

The Humane Society, where I live anyway, does not accept strays, only owner-relinquished animals. Though you could lie about that.

Bummer that you can't keep him. It can take a looooong time for adult cats to find homes at the shelter.

Certified cat lover here...

Congratulations on being adopted, If you absolutely cannot keep the puss, try and find a good home for it. Please don't turn him in except as a last resort. If you find him a home and they come looking for him just say he ran away.

He sounds like a community cat who likes to make friends around the neighborhood. We had one like that where I work until some turncoat had him picked up.

I remember there was this cat hanging around in my building...i went outside and it came right up to me...started purring and rubbing on me....I felt so bad for it...my mom wouldn't let me keep it....I had to close the door in it's face...poor thing kept it's face in between the door while I slowly closed it and stuck it's paws between the door....dammit I want a cat just like that....one that will come up to me and is so affectionate.

gemini13 said:

Welll, I already take various medications, and believe me, I'd have more than the sniffles if I attempted to bring this cat in. Due to my asthma, I'd probably be dead within a week. Aside from that, my kids are allergic, and I will not sacrifice my children's health for a cat. I'm an animal lover, but I love my kids more. If that makes me an asshole, so be it! I'll do my best by this cat, but the bottom line is, I can't keep him. My husband asked his sister if she wants him, and she said she might know someone who'll take him. Until then, I'll continue to buy food for him.

Cats are surviors and predators.

We have a cat in our neighborhood, I dont know that anyone feeds him specifically. but he acts as though every house is his house. We see him EVERYWHERE. Laying in the middle of the road cleaning himself. Hunting birds.
I dont know what he does during the winter. But he doesn't die. And he's kind fat. Our neighbors said that one day thier daughters were sledding down the hill with a cat, and it just stuck around. They don't let him in the house though.

my local shelter will only put cats down if they have been there a looong time

they will make television appeals when the cat numbers at the shelter are too high
they also have partnerships with the big box pet stores where they have some animals availible there in the store for adoption

your cat seems to be highly adoptable...
try to find a good home for him on your own
but don't necessarily be afraid of the humane society. do some research to see what policies your society follows

unlucky7 said:

Awww that's sad!

Sexymf69 said:

OK