Ethical Question.

[cssmall]

I received a kitten about 10 days ago. The kitten was a great addition to the family after losing mine in a horrible situation nearly a month ago now. Daedelus is a wonderful guy and a very pretty cream tabby with a personality like none other; however, my wife went out to the residence where we got him and found his sister dead, which raises the question of Day's brother. We are considering taking him, but we live in a townhouse with two other cats (female) all ready. But, we also have two children and ourselves. I guess the question is: do we take the kitten to aid this family out who is having a very hard time controlling their cat population because of animal abandonment at their home? And, to me, the ethical question is: Do I take solace is caring for one and letting nature take its course in a somewhat domesticated animal or do I take aid this other kitten?

[bertha katzenengel]

1. can only tell you what I'd do - take in the other kitten

Personally I couldn't live with myself if I didn't, but I think I tend to be far more sensitive and emotional.

To be honest I am tempted to tell you GO GET THAT OTHER KITTEN!

Best wishes in your decision. :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I'd take the other kitten, as well.

I couldn't sleep if I left him to possibly suffer and die. Besides, the one that you already have would no doubt welcome the reunion with his brother and this would mean companionship and a playmate to keep them both occupied. My friend, who recently lost her beloved 17-year-old cat, said that when she's finally ready for another kitty, she's definitely adopting two, this time, for just this reason.

I also adopted an abandoned kitty. All my guys have been rescue, but this is the one who I rescued myself. She was not a kitten, turns out she was 12-years-old, and it wasn't easy to bring her in, but I've sure never regretted it. While she was still out there, and I was feeding her outside, I barely slept, worrying about where she was and if I'd ever see her again...

My rescued kitty:loveya:

[bertha katzenengel]

3. is that Rhiannon?

You must've taken that photo shortly after you took her in. She was a beautiful kitty. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

12. No, this is Catlin. But she owes her rescue to Rhiannon.

When Rhiannon first got sick, I had to leave her for two nights at the vet, on an IV. I was inconsolable and my friend even came over the first night to sit up with me. But the second day, I noticed this kitty outside in the yard, mainly because she was black, like Rhiannon. I immediately went outside, but I couldn't get near her. I had seen her before, but had assumed that she belonged nearby, since there are still idiots here in the North Country who persist in letting their cats roam outside. It turns out that she had been abandoned, and it took me 3 1/2 months of feeding her outside to finally bring her in. And I had to resort to using a have-a-heart trap. *sigh* She was incredibly skittish, at first, but practically a lap cat after undergoing necessary dental surgery, Poor baby must have been in pain.:-(

Turns out she had belonged to a neighbor who moved and she must have escaped. Her original name had been Isiah, of all things, spayed female, 12-years-old. And she owes her good fortune to the coincidence of being the same color as Rhiannon, though she was short-haired and Rhiannon was long. I'm impressed that you remembered!:hi:

Rhiannon:

[bertha katzenengel]

14. Gotta love those kitties, especially the skittish ones.

Catlin's a lucky baby. So was dear Rhiannon. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

19. I know. *sigh*

When I finally managed to bring her in, I took her, trap and all, to the animal hospital I'd borrowed it from (not my regular vet). That's when I learned some hard and upsetting facts. That place is apparently the only local animal hospital which will still euthanize a healthy animal and is also the place where strays end up. Once I brought this kitty there, she was no longer mine, even though I caught her in my own yard. They keep them for five days and, if nobody claims them (and they don't advertise and not everyone who's lost a pet would know to look there!), they can be brought to the shelter (no kill, fortunately) or euthanized.
:scared:

I totally panicked and paid for her inoculations up front AND called and visited numerous times, just so they would KNOW that I considered this to be my cat! I had already considered her to be my cat for almost four months and brought her the food she'd gotten used to. And, even so, I worried, since there are just too many animals going in and out of there and I've since heard horror stories. And I know that if I hadn't done this, that would have been it for her. People can be persnickety enough about their pets' habits, let alone adopting a terrified kitty that won't even let you touch her.;(

Fortunately, this sweet baby had a happy ending. I was smart enough to bring her to my amazing vet who was so devoted to Rhiannon, and he worked his miracles on her, though it did cost me a fortune. But I took the responsibility, and that's the way it is. What breaks my heart is thinking of the many others. I have since learned on another thread that black cats and dogs are the toughest to place. I had no idea! The fact that this kitty was black, like Rhiannon, was what got my attention and probably saved her life. Thanks for your kind words and all you do for the kitties!:hug:

[pandabear]

4. i think if you decide to take him in-

do a little research on how to integrate a new kitty into the house. i just got a little kitty myself! (a poor little stray :( ) and i have two male cats already! (so there's already been somme problems if you can imagine :) ). anyway, i think if you can handle it? try it out, if it doesnt work, give the kitty to someone you trust, or bring it to the hospital to visit litlte sick kids. cats are amazing healers. :hi:

[Lady Effingbroke]

7. Hi, pandabear!

Welcome to DU!

It is so kind of you to take in the poor stray kitty! :hi:

[pandabear]

10. Thank you!

I felt so bad for her. :( my boyfriend found her frantically running around, and she had some cuts on her, and a gimp leg? but she's healing up fine. thank you for the welcome! :hi:

[khashka]

5. Take the other kitten

It sounds like there is no more room at the inn, what with the wife the kids and all the other cats. So take him, even if you can't keep him, and find the poor little bugger a good home.

Khash.

[auntAgonist]

6. Please go get the other one!

What's one more? You will rest easy knowing you've done the right thing.


let us know ok?

[LaurenG]

8. I would take the kitten as well. nt

[Dastard Stepchild]

9. oh dear... if it were me, I'd have 2 new kittens....

In fact, this did happen to me once, and I did end up with 2 kittens at one time.

We have 4 cats now, and live in a small apartment. It's more manageable than it seems.

[dajoki]

11. i'd keep the kitten

we have a house cat and also take care of a few strays.:shrug:

[AlienGirl]

13. I'd take the other kitten, and call the ASPCA

If there's something wrong with the situation they came from, the authorities need to know.

Tucker

[cssmall]

15. My wife and I determined that we will take that kitten in.

However, I will not call the ASPCA on them because they are honest, hard-working, and dedicated to the care of animals. It is simply not their fault that they live in the country, especially around people who do not spay or neuter their cats. Day's mother was pregnant when she was dumped and is now to be spayed by the end of this week, according to the conversation we had tonight with the family.

[friesianrider]

17. I think that's wise...

You might direct this family to a local SPCA or humane league, who can possibly offer this family (or can point them to someone who does) offer low or no-cost spaying and neutering. It is absolutely critical to stop the overpopulations of cats and dogs - particularly cats.

I think you're doing the right thing, you're a wonderful person for doing this.

[expatriot]

16. find a feral/stray spay/neuter group in your area & speak with the family

about how you think it would be best to get them fixed. The group will be able to assess the situation and know how to best control the population (either by just spaying/neutering the adults and releasing them or having to remove a few of them).

The thing is this: By just taking the extra kitten is a short term solution that just feeds the long term problem of these cats just continuing to breed and creating more litters which of course, in the end, creates many, many more suffering poor kittens. Of course I am not saying you SHOULDN'T take the kitten, I am just saying that you should also address the underlying problem. And you could perhaps do this with only a couple phone calls.

Oh, and if the family is not cooperative with the idea of a spay-neutering or if such a group is not available in your area or if you don't feel comfortable talking to the family about this, then contact your local humane society/ animal shelter.

What is the current size, would you say, of their cat population?

[applegrove]

18. Pay for its neutering - it will get adopted by some loving people

really quick. It would cost you that much anyway.. you are saving its life. Take photos of the little critter and photocopy and past them at local shopping centers & the like. Make it a family project!

[cssmall]

20. The kitten is home with us and wonderfully happy, albeit a tad scared. ;D

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

22. I replied before seeing your update...

Glad to hear the kitty is going to be cared for! :)

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

21. Take the other kitten...you can always find another home for him

if need be.