Runaway cat issues...what should I do?

• 05-12-2009 8:42 AM

  jess_cam3 Joined on 03-23-2006 Ontario, Canada Posts 12

  Runaway cat issues...what should I do? Reply Contact I am having issues with my fiances cat. She was originally a stray when he got her. Just last year we spent money we didnt need to to get her fixed(apparently her old owners already did so, but the vet charged us anyway). Anyway, everytime she sees an open door, she sneaks out and shes gone for days, sometimes weeks on end. This last time shes been gone for at least 2 weeks now. She only comes home when shes hungry or wants a dry warm place to sleep. Once she gets her fill, shes gone again. My hubby doesnt see a problem with this. I keep telling him she should just stay out there cause Im tired of paying money that I dont have to feed a cat thats still basically a stray. He just sees it as money we invested in her we cant let go to waste. I understand what hes saying, but hes not taking in the fact that im almost 8 months pregnant, and I have a son as well, and she could be bringing home fleas, ticks, any kind of disease as she has lots of land to wander on. Ive been attacked by 2 cats before that were my own and NEVER went outdoors and the hospital almost freaked out when I came in, I had to be on IV treatments for 4 days and I even had the SPCA threaten to take my cats cause they could possibly attack again and it wasnt safe. I try to scare her off when she comes back around so try and give her the hint that she chose this not to be her home anymore, but he still waits for her and hopes that she'll come back home. What should I say or do to get him to see my point of view?Im at the point where if she does come back in, I refuse to live in the same house as her as I dont want to take the chance with mine or our unborn son's health.

• 05-12-2009 11:01 PM

  In reply to

  CrissiLovesDylan Joined on 08-24-2007 Washington Posts 675

  Re: Runaway cat issues...what should I do? Reply Contact That sounds pretty harsh, although I have two sweet loving house cats, who've never attacked me or my baby. If it's that important to you, that you're chasing off this poor hungry cat, you should just catch her next time she's around and take her to the local PAWS, where at least she'll be adopted into a home that wants her. I do understand the need to have some sort of hygeine control asscociated with the cat, but your fiance obviously likes his pet, and as long as she's never actually caused you any harm, you might just have to put a flea collar on her, and come to terms with it. Try just steering clear of her, as long as she's not sleeping in your bed with you, or licking your face, you'll probably never have anything to worry about. Viciousness is a different story though, if she's aggressive, don't take your chances! Most cats are frightened of crying babies though, (I know mine avoid DS like the plague) so once your little one gets here, the problem might just solve itself! Good luck, and don't be cruel to a poor little ktty, she doesn't understand your dilemma!!

• 05-14-2009 8:43 AM

  In reply to

  jess_cam3 Joined on 03-23-2006 Ontario, Canada Posts 12

  Re: Runaway cat issues...what should I do? Reply Contact hi thanks for your input but clearly you dont see it the way i do. i love cats as well, ive lived with them all my life. but this cat cant really be called ours. shes outdoors romaing around doing god knows what more often than shes here. it takes a lil more than just a flea collar to get rid of an infestation, and thats money we dont have. and we also have another cat who shes already spread fleas to in the past and we had to spend hundreds getting them both cleaned when the issue could have been avoided. i look at thsi as she doesnt want a home, she likes it out there, so stay out there. and shes not starving, shes perfectly capable of catching her prey, ive seen it. im just thinking about everyones health and the fact she could possibly come home with rabies or some other disease and risking my childrens life for rabies over some stray is totally not worth it.

• 05-14-2009 10:43 AM

  In reply to

  macaela3114103 Joined on 11-19-2008 Posts 1,097

  Re: Runaway cat issues...what should I do? Reply Contact I completely understand,  I am a major animal lover I had to put my angel kitty down last week cause she was in so much pain, she had really advanced liver disease and just couldnt manage anymore, she was only 2.  We have adopted another kitty recently, so I understand with the you love cats.  I can also understand the fear.  Maybe you can explain to your fiance how dangerous it is for her out there with the posibility of it dying or getting rabies and see if you can find a happy medium.  Like tell him that you dont want to see his kitty suffer in any way and that you know that she can fend for herself out there, but she is still in danger from many other things and that you want her to be safe.  So the best possible thing that he can do for her to protect her is send her the the paws foundation and let them help her find a place big enough that she wont find the need to leave.  That if he wanted you will help him find another kitty more suitable for both of your lifestyles.  He has to understand that its not a safe environment for your family with a kitty that can bring its ride along pets back with it. Flees are so hard to get rid of from a house and some do carry diseases and they will bit humans.  But I wouldnt try to scare the kitty into leaving for good I would send it somewhere that it can be taken care of and the great thing is, it wont cost you anything to take it to paws or an animal shelter and if the kitty does by chance have flees, they will take care of it.  I wish you the best of luck with this situation.  Men can be stubborn creatures, LOL, but I am sure if you explain it to him in a different manor he will be more willing.  Best of luck and BIG HUGS!!!!

• 06-03-2009 9:09 AM

  In reply to

  Susan3342194 Joined on 04-03-2009 Posts 21

  Re: Runaway cat issues...what should I do? Reply Contact I understand where you're coming from. Being a responsible pet owner means not only taking the pet to the vet, but also doing what's best for the pet as well as everyone who lives in the house concerning the pet. For example, a responsible owner does not let their pet just run loose. It's an almost guaranteed early death sentence for the pet. (being run over, fights, poisoned by irritated homeowners, getting sick, etc....) And, as you said, you've had issues with cats before. so your guy basically is going to have to do the responsible thing and either keep the cat entirely in the house (cats who are strictly indoors have longer lives....and you might want to point that out....) or finding a new home for the cat....