mags,
why even ask? you know you're gonna take it in & add 1 to the family. you're not gonna let the kitten suffer or go back to that other house to suffer an even worse fate.

Jenn ~ We are in a position to take the cat in and I fear that if the ASPCA were called and took them away to be re-homed that they might end up being destroyed instead. There are millions of cats waiting to be re-homed, hence why I just took this little fella in.

That's a good point, though it really is a shame. I'm taking my two to be fixed this weekend. Did you know that one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years? Just terrible.

You know me so well. I took little Billy (for that is his name) to the vets today to get him FiV/FLV tested (all clear luckily) and get his worms, ear mites and fleas sorted out. He is half the body weight he should be for a cat his age aswell. They also gave him his first shots.

It's hubby however that says he has seen this kitten on the porch of a house near us. I'm aware that this cat probably has an owner. But what sort of an owner is it that lets a cat get to this point of neglect? In my eyes people who treat animals like this don't deserve to own them in the first place. The house that hubby saw the cat outside is falling down and is owned by a violent drunk who shoots things in his back yard.

My main reason for posting this is not for everyone to say "oh you did the right thing! Take him in!" but rather to gauge different points of view regarding it.

Jenn ~ We are in a position to take the cat in and I fear that if the ASPCA were called and took them away to be re-homed that they might end up being destroyed instead. There are millions of cats waiting to be re-homed, hence why I just took this little fella in.

What if 100 more little kittens show up at your door step over the next 6 months? It's Superman's dilemna...knowing/accepting that he can't save everyone.

I thought it had too few choices--either ignore or put outside.

It would have been nice if there had been a choice of "feed, treat, vet, take to humane society".

Oh, it's something that has gone through my mind many times. Will I be able to stop? Will I be able to live with myself if one day I can't take in anymore?

I think you have an addiction. You should see a therapist and start attending Icantstopbringingcatsin Anonymous mettings immediately.

A 5/6 month old kitten turns up on your doorstep in an appalling condition. Covered in fleas, half bald from a flea allergy, it has ear mites and is severely malnourished. You have a good idea where it lives (in appalling conditions) although this is not concrete. What would you do? Please pick from the above.

You know me so well. I took little Billy (for that is his name) to the vets today to get him FiV/FLV tested (all clear luckily) and get his worms, ear mites and fleas sorted out. He is half the body weight he should be for a cat his age aswell. They also gave him his first shots.

It's hubby however that says he has seen this kitten on the porch of a house near us. I'm aware that this cat probably has an owner. But what sort of an owner is it that lets a cat get to this point of neglect? In my eyes people who treat animals like this don't deserve to own them in the first place. The house that hubby saw the cat outside is falling down and is owned by a violent drunk who shoots things in his back yard.

My main reason for posting this is not for everyone to say "oh you did the right thing! Take him in!" but rather to gauge different points of view regarding it.

Jenn ~ We are in a position to take the cat in and I fear that if the ASPCA were called and took them away to be re-homed that they might end up being destroyed instead. There are millions of cats waiting to be re-homed, hence why I just took this little fella in.

It's hubby however that says he has seen this kitten on the porch of a house near us. I'm aware that this cat probably has an owner. But what sort of an owner is it that lets a cat get to this point of neglect? In my eyes people who treat animals like this don't deserve to own them in the first place. The house that hubby saw the cat outside is falling down and is owned by a violent drunk who shoots things in his back yard.

My choice isn't up there... I'd give it some food and water, and since we are in no position to have another furry friend, I'd take it to a cageless, no-kill shelter not far from my house.

Billy's favourite spot:



It's blurry (hard to take a pic with a cat on your shoulder!) but you get the idea!

Hi Mags! I think you did the right thing. At that age, if he has been mistreated, it might be hard to socialize him without a devoted and attentive guardian (you know, someone like you). And no-kill shelters often have very long waiting lists and sometimes take more adoptable animals first. (Although he is a kitten). I don't know. If I were you, I would have taken him to the vet (not inside my home first cuz I don't want to deal with getting the other kitties sick) and then brought him home and resigned myself to the fact that I'm now an official cat lady.
Did you check to see if he had been microchipped though?

The vet checked when we took him for his check up. When I brought him into the house I kept him separate from my other kitties, I wanted to get him checked for FiV/FLV first and get rid of the fleas. I slapped on a Revolution flea treatment as soon as I brought him in the door!

He has been introduced to the others and they generally get along. The only minor altercation is Sassy, the only female. She has been hissing and spitting a bit but there has been no fighting. The other four (all boys) have hardly batted an eyelid. Sassy is just put out cause she is queen of her castle!

Man, every time you or Larry describe what it's like at your house or show a picture, I want to show up with a suitcase and spend the weekend. Sounds so cozy! I feel like I should congratulate you on your new bundle of joy.

PS (I was in no way implying that you would have put your other cats in danger. I just live in an apartment where it would be hard to sequester a cat, so I was speaking for myself. I know you love your fur babies way too much to potentially expose them to kitty diseases.)

where's the shoot it option?

Charles, you're slacking, I'm surprised it took you this long....

A 5/6 month old kitten turns up on your doorstep in an appalling condition. Covered in fleas, half bald from a flea allergy, it has ear mites and is severely malnourished. You have a good idea where it lives (in appalling conditions) although this is not concrete. What would you do? Please pick from the above.

If its strong enough, would see if it will eat some kitten food before taking it to the S.P.C.A./Humane society. Right now, Im in no position to take in any animals. I know the S.P.C.A. will give great medical care and find it a good home. ~Keri

By mandate of the SPCA’s board of directors, the SPCA does not euthanize animals for lack of space. Due to limited resources, the SPCA is not able to take in unlimited animals, and is a Reservation Required shelter. The SPCA is asking the community to be a partner in the process of finding new homes for animals.

The goal to no longer euthanize for space was first proposed in 2000 as a part of a comprehensive five-year plan designed to take the SPCA into the 21st century as a state-of-the-art, cutting-edge animal shelter while remaining more intensely focused on its core mission, to improve the welfare of all animals.

“Finding homes for and keeping animals in homes is of the utmost importance to us,” said James Bias, SPCA of Texas president. “We will never again euthanize an animal for space.”

As a part of this policy change, stray and owner surrendered animals are taken in by reservation only, based on available space, which will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are available every day beginning
at 9 a.m.

The SPCA will never euthanize for space and never turn an animal away because of their looks, age, breed or non-contagious treatable health condition based upon available space and SPCA policies. Furthermore, if an injured animal is brought in that the SPCA is unable to assist, it will be humanely euthanized if the person who brings in that animal so chooses and the SPCA concurs.

Upon surrender, SPCA staff will conduct a health assessment and administer the S.A.F.E.R. test (Safety Assessment for Evaluation Re-homing)—a standardized behavior assessment tool that gives shelters a consistent, accurate way of measuring temperament in dogs—and inform the person who brought the animal in of their options.