i stole a cat
so i have fed stray cats for a few years now, there are several neighborhood kitties that regularly come to my backdoor for food. the black cat in this picture was one of those cats for a few months, but he had a collar on so i knew he was an indoor/outdoor housecat, and i based on the address i knew who he belonged to.
however, i realized when winter came around in 2023 that his owners were leaving him outside during snowstorms, all night long, and in pouring rain. he would come to my backdoor and meow to come inside for shelter.
i have 2 cats, and they are both fully indoor cats who are not good with other pets at all. because of this, i didn’t let him inside, but on several occasions i brought him to his house and knocked on the door. the first few times, his owner answered and (with an attitude) let their cat back into their house.
eventually, he started running into my house when i’d open the door to feed him. my cats were extremely unhappy about this, but when i went to bring him to his owners they didn’t answer the door and did not let him inside. i felt way too bad to leave him outside during rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, so for a month or two, i let him inside when he would run in, and kept him in a separate room from my two cats. when he would meow at the door, i let him outside again… but he always came back.
after a little while of this, my cats got used to him being around, and stopped being mean about it. i feed him at the same time as my other two, they are still fully indoor while he goes outside to go to the bathroom instead of using a litterbox, and his owners seem to be completely indifferent to the situation.
i did find out that he had a tapeworm when he first came to us, and they definitely did not treat it because after giving him medicine just once he was already feeling better.
honestly, it baffles me that they can be so careless, and he is such a sweet boy (definitely better behaved than my other two cats) but i’m just glad he chooses to stay inside and safe with me instead of being locked out of his house all the time.
regardless, i do recognize that this may not be the responsible thing to do, because i know he belonged to someone else, and he was an indoor/outdoor cat. but i also know that they were definitely neglecting him when they would lock him out during bad weather, not treat him for his tapeworm, and not feed him regularly.
what do you think? am i in the wrong for this or is it justifiable??
#petsoflemon8 #cat #shareyourthoughts #pet #pets #cats #catlover #kitty #storytime #lemon8challenge
Feeding and caring for stray cats can be a complex issue that many pet lovers face. With the growing number of outdoor cats, the importance of responsible pet ownership has never been clearer. In urban environments, cats often roam free, leading to situations where they rely on kind-hearted individuals for sustenance and shelter. Outdoor cats can face numerous hazards, including inclement weather, traffic, and potential harm from other animals. It's crucial to recognize the signs of neglect and advocate for better conditions for these animals. Many communities are now implementing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs to help manage feral cat populations while ensuring their health and safety. As cat lovers, we must ask ourselves what our responsibilities are toward animals that come into our lives, whether they are our pets or fellow creatures in need. Sharing experiences, like the one mentioned in this article, can create awareness and encourage discussions around humane treatment, proper care, and the emotional impact on both the animals and the caregivers involved. Let's work together to promote better practices in pet ownership and rescue efforts for neglected strays.
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