The sound of a tiny kitty being dragged around...

Betty · 07-12-2011, 09:06 PM

I heard a tiny kitten mewing and looked out the window to see the neighbors small dog dragging one of their kittens around the yard by the foot like a toy. Poor thing. I ran over and put a stop to it and went to let the neighbors know.

They said something like - oh - we told him not to do that but he has it out for the black one, I wonder why. As if to throw a little racist joke in at the same time.

This is the same neighbor who got this tiny little chihuahua mix and made it an outdoor dog as a tiny little puppy. Their unspayed cat probably killed the rabbit they used to have (that ended up dead in the yard somehow). Just seems like they should care more.

Anyway, we go out the look at the kittens and they pick her up and I ask to hold her. She's just covered in sticker burrs from the yard - some really embedded in her little fur deeply. As I pick them out they ask me if I want her or any of the kittens.

I couldn't bear to put her back in with the dog so I took her home on a trial basis knowing my husband does not want another cat.

As soon as he walked in he made that very clear.

Then I told him the whole story of this poor little kitty. I left the room and next thing I know he's gone to go get her and hold her a bit. At the moment she's asleep on his chest as he sleeps in his chair.

She's the cutest little calico - but she's an odd color. Like an orange and white cat that rolled around in chimney soot... with white feet.

She's just barely old enough to be away from Mama if not a few days shy. They said she was eating food though and she ate and drank.

So here's the deal. There's an abundance of tiny kitties around here. Would you like one? I'm hoping the neighbor gets her cat spayed and finds a home for all of them or we're going to have a bunch of feral cats before long with the way they treat their animals. My husband would really rather not have another cat - but can't bear to see the cat go back over there with the dog.

OR

I need a name for this little kitteh.

BarTopDancer · 07-12-2011, 09:12 PM

I am not allowed to have cats because I haven't learned how to live without breathing and a SCUBA tank is just not practical.

So, I recommend the name KITTY! or SeAT (c a t) as the name.

Morrigoon · 07-12-2011, 09:55 PM

Mowgli

Not Afraid · 07-12-2011, 11:06 PM

The Momma cat needs to be trapped, spayed and released. There must be rescues in your area that do TNR. They may also take the kittens. It's better to get them young and socialize them - better chance of them getting adopted. The major pet sotres usually have adoption places that they work with doing adoptions on the weekends. They might have the contact.

You're right, though. You're going to have a feral cat colony in no time if something isn't done quickly.

Meanwhile, it sounds like you have a dilute tortie on your hands. She more than likely hasn't had any shots, so be careful exposing your kitty to her until she has at least one set. I wish you were closer, I give vaccinations.

flippyshark · 07-13-2011, 04:22 AM

My 15 year old tortie Illuminati started life as a feral, and is now the official social director of my household. My home once also had her brother Templar as well. They came from just such a captured and socialized colony, and though both prone to wanderlust, both count as among the finest citizens I've known.

Betty · 07-13-2011, 06:35 AM

I should say that the cats are not feral - at least not yet. The momma cat is very nice and allows them to hold her. The kittens are on the front porch of their home... but that is clearly the direction we're going in. I can't just take them all and then give them all back with shots and neutering... for one, I can't afford it and for two, that seems a bit like I'm telling them what to do with their own pets... which I would like to do but I also have to live next to them and have their son and my son's friend.

I wonder if these groups will still do something if the cat isn't feral. If I can find a group that's close and low cost, I'll make a suggestion to them and see what their response is.

NA - do you have any contacts in the 92548 area?

3894 · 07-13-2011, 04:28 PM

Photo, please, Betty! Your new baby sounds adorable.

Not Afraid · 07-13-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betty

NA - do you have any contacts in the 92548 area?

I don't have any specific contacts, but there is a non-shelter in Riverside that might be a good lead:

Write Us:
TLC of IE
2828 Campus Pkwy
Riverside, CA 92507

Call Us:
(951) 247-6473

Email Us:
tlcofie@gmail.com

But, your best bet would be to go to PetCo or PetSmart on the weekend and talk to the rescue that has cats and kittens there. They are likely to know the ins and out of rescue organizations as well as spay and neuter clinics.

Betty · 07-13-2011, 07:43 PM

Thanks NA.

Not Afraid · 07-13-2011, 10:41 PM

If your neighbors don't see the benefits of spay and neuter, there are a few wake-up facts:

Cats can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age
A female cat can produce up to 5 litters in one year
The average litter size is 4-6 kittens.
A single, un-spayed female cat can create a colony size of 25 cats in one year and it will go up exponentially each year after that.

07-12-2011, 09:06 PM	#1
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	The sound of a tiny kitty being dragged around... I heard a tiny kitten mewing and looked out the window to see the neighbors small dog dragging one of their kittens around the yard by the foot like a toy. Poor thing. I ran over and put a stop to it and went to let the neighbors know. They said something like - oh - we told him not to do that but he has it out for the black one, I wonder why. As if to throw a little racist joke in at the same time. This is the same neighbor who got this tiny little chihuahua mix and made it an outdoor dog as a tiny little puppy. Their unspayed cat probably killed the rabbit they used to have (that ended up dead in the yard somehow). Just seems like they should care more. Anyway, we go out the look at the kittens and they pick her up and I ask to hold her. She's just covered in sticker burrs from the yard - some really embedded in her little fur deeply. As I pick them out they ask me if I want her or any of the kittens. I couldn't bear to put her back in with the dog so I took her home on a trial basis knowing my husband does not want another cat. As soon as he walked in he made that very clear. Then I told him the whole story of this poor little kitty. I left the room and next thing I know he's gone to go get her and hold her a bit. At the moment she's asleep on his chest as he sleeps in his chair. She's the cutest little calico - but she's an odd color. Like an orange and white cat that rolled around in chimney soot... with white feet. She's just barely old enough to be away from Mama if not a few days shy. They said she was eating food though and she ate and drank. So here's the deal. There's an abundance of tiny kitties around here. Would you like one? I'm hoping the neighbor gets her cat spayed and finds a home for all of them or we're going to have a bunch of feral cats before long with the way they treat their animals. My husband would really rather not have another cat - but can't bear to see the cat go back over there with the dog. OR I need a name for this little kitteh. __________________ Nee Stell Thue Last edited by Betty : 07-12-2011 at 09:23 PM.
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07-12-2011, 09:12 PM	#2
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I am not allowed to have cats because I haven't learned how to live without breathing and a SCUBA tank is just not practical. So, I recommend the name KITTY! or SeAT (c a t) as the name. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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07-12-2011, 09:55 PM	#3
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Mowgli __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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07-12-2011, 11:06 PM	#4
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	The Momma cat needs to be trapped, spayed and released. There must be rescues in your area that do TNR. They may also take the kittens. It's better to get them young and socialize them - better chance of them getting adopted. The major pet sotres usually have adoption places that they work with doing adoptions on the weekends. They might have the contact. You're right, though. You're going to have a feral cat colony in no time if something isn't done quickly. Meanwhile, it sounds like you have a dilute tortie on your hands. She more than likely hasn't had any shots, so be careful exposing your kitty to her until she has at least one set. I wish you were closer, I give vaccinations.
	Submit to Quotes

07-13-2011, 04:22 AM	#5
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	My 15 year old tortie Illuminati started life as a feral, and is now the official social director of my household. My home once also had her brother Templar as well. They came from just such a captured and socialized colony, and though both prone to wanderlust, both count as among the finest citizens I've known.
	Submit to Quotes

07-13-2011, 06:35 AM	#6
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	I should say that the cats are not feral - at least not yet. The momma cat is very nice and allows them to hold her. The kittens are on the front porch of their home... but that is clearly the direction we're going in. I can't just take them all and then give them all back with shots and neutering... for one, I can't afford it and for two, that seems a bit like I'm telling them what to do with their own pets... which I would like to do but I also have to live next to them and have their son and my son's friend. I wonder if these groups will still do something if the cat isn't feral. If I can find a group that's close and low cost, I'll make a suggestion to them and see what their response is. NA - do you have any contacts in the 92548 area? __________________ Nee Stell Thue
	Submit to Quotes

07-13-2011, 04:28 PM	#7
3894 Next Stop: Funkytown! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheeselandia Posts: 1,907	Photo, please, Betty! Your new baby sounds adorable. __________________ "I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes the smolder." - Flynn Rider, "Tangled"
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07-13-2011, 07:43 PM	#9
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Thanks NA. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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07-13-2011, 10:41 PM	#10
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	If your neighbors don't see the benefits of spay and neuter, there are a few wake-up facts: Cats can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age A female cat can produce up to 5 litters in one year The average litter size is 4-6 kittens. A single, un-spayed female cat can create a colony size of 25 cats in one year and it will go up exponentially each year after that.
	Submit to Quotes