My neighbor puts his cat out, and the cat has no claws.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

It's just been recently that this has started. I wasn't being nosey, the cat was under the wheels of my mom's car as she was getting ready to leave.

Now, let me explain about where I live. I live in an "apartment complex" but it is set up like a subdivision of town homes. The apartments are large apartments (larger than many homes)with four in each building and the buildings arranged in rows around a large common for dog walking and general R and R. In the back we have a fenced in yard for the dogs to go that is reached from the front or from each individual's sliding glass door balcony. Adjacent to the both the common and the front portion of the apartment is the street and parkinglot.

This neighbor is young, 23 I think and his wife is young too. Actually the guy was in my genetics class last semester. That's how I first saw his cats. I borrowed his notes and the cat got out and he went and retrieved it.

So anyway, yesterday my mom almost ran the cat over. I went out and picked it up. It has been declawed. Since the cat was in the parking lot and not in the yard or commons, I thought that it was really unusual. Plus, it was raining and this is NW Indiana. The cat looked miserable. I took the cat back to its owners and told them that the cat had almost been run over. The guy goes "Yeah, he likes to hide under cars" (and this isn't a problem???)

Later we went out and again the cat was seeking shelter under my mom's car (the engine was still warm and it provided shelter from the rain). The guy saw me and stood at his door and let the cat back in.

It's clear to me that the cat is in serious danger of being run over. For some reason, the guy encourages his cat to be loose in the parking lot. The cat has no protection from other cats or dogs (there are many dogs in this little subdivision). I don't understand why someone would do this? It's not as though the apartment is too small for a cat, or cats (his two). And if he really wanted the cat to just go outside for fun, he could set up a small kennel outside or on his balcony.

What should I do?

[smbolisnch]

1. Can you keep the cat?

It doesn't sound ike this guy gives a damn that the poor cat is outside freezing and in danger of being hit. :mad:

If you are in a position to take the cat, you should bring him in the next time you see him outside. When the guy comes looking for him, you could be honest and tell him that you don't think he is concerned for it's welfare and you will keep it, or you can tell a white lie and send him on a guilt trip. Although then you run the risk that he will just go out and get another cat.

Who knows, maybe he would be relieved if you took the cat in and he doesn't have to deal with caring for it anymore. We know the cat would be! Poor thing. :cry:

Let us know what you do!

[Lorien]

2. Do you have a friend who could take the cat?

If you took it and gave it to a friend (and didn't tell him), he probably wouldn't care. Anyone who would let a declawed cat outside has no care for it's welfare whatsoever.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. Most people I know live in the dorms still.

He likes having cats. He moved from his other apartment with them. So Im afraid that if I did take it and attempt to place it, he'd just get another one. Even if he didn't he still has another cat.

[chicaloca]

4. Why can't he supervise the cat while it goes out?

Whenever I let my cats out, we usually keep them on a leash, and at the very least stay outside with them and keep an eye on them. They also still have claws and live in a rural area, so even if they did manage to make a great escape (which they don't seem all that interested in doing) they'd at least have a chance.

Is it just this one cat that he lets loose all the time? What about the other one? Maybe if you could get him to tell you why he lets the cat run loose, you'd get a better idea of what to do next.

Good luck! :(

[Lithos]

5. Tis not considered animal cruelty

But it should be. Plus the cat is obviously unprepared for being outside. I would definitely consider nabbing it and finding someone more responsible for taking care of it.

L-

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Can you talk to the wife? Is she fond of the cats?

I commend you for taking an interest and getting involved and advocating for this poor kitty. These people may be fairly young, but they're not that young, and should know better. I mean, my cousin's six-year-old knows better! Have you explained how dangerous it is for a defenseless declawed cat to be out on its own, let alone one who hides under cars?! I read that you should always blow your car horn before starting it, in winter, just in case a cat is in or under it. If it was me, I'd probably take in the cat. I did that with a neighbor's cat who was abandoned, and it was not easy to even catch this cat. Good luck and let us know what happens.:-)

[SemiCharmedQuark]

8. I know age isn't an excuse, I'm 2 years younger than he is!

I told the guy that his cat was almost run over and declawed cats can't protect themselves.

I would take the cat in in a heartbeat, but I already have 4 cats and a dog. I've taken it in temprorarily, but I don't think I can keep it less I wind up on one of those shows where the police break down the door and haul out 100 cats.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. And what was his response?!

It sounds like you've come up with a temporary solution, and, most important, probably saved the life of that poor kitty. When my uncle died, I adopted both his cats, and one of them was declawed. She was the one who stole my heart. They were strictly indoor cats, all of mine have been, but this one, unfortunately, was fearless. Only once did she ever get out, and I almost had a stroke. It was this time of year, cold and snow, but, fortunately, I missed her immediately, and I found her crouching on the porch.
:scared:

I don't think that age is the problem with this guy, he just sounds clueless and uncaring. I know that you did the right thing. Making sure that this cat was safe was your first priority.:-)

If this kitty gets on with your three, and she probably will if she's both timid and declawed, you can wait to see if another solution presents itself. I'm always surprised how things just seem to work out with my animals. When I took the two kitties, I already had two dogs, and was very unwell, and even my animal lover friends told me that I couldn't do it. But no one else would, so I just knew I had to.:shrug:

And things couldn't have worked out better. I fell for the cats and I got better. And they were used to living with dogs, and my dogs were fine with cats. And cats aren't as high maintenance as dogs. I would think that you could handle just one more. Four is hardly 100, LOL! But I'll look for you on the news!:evilgrin:

Kudos to you for doing a very kind and brave thing. If nobody else has, I want to thank you. Let me know how it works out!
:yourock:

Rhiannon:hi:

edited for typo

[SemiCharmedQuark]

11. I'll be wearing a bag over my head that says "I *heart* Bush"

All he said was that his cat LIKED hiding under cars.

The cats get along ok. I've been keeping them seperate for the mean time because I suspect this cat has fleas. If she has fleas, goodness knows if she is wormed. I worm every 3 months, but it is still a pain (not to mention, even though the cats and dog are protected against worms and fleas, I'M not!)

This temporary cat is my fifth! I'm 1/20th of my way to prison! I know I won't get in trouble unless I mistreat them...but that wouldn't happen. I spend more on my babies than anything else!

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Me, too, but I only have two dogs now.

I lost my cat a year ago, this month. But you'd think I had a dozen, since they always want my attention. The little one's sitting in my chair as I type this, or he'd be yipping for me from downstairs. But then dogs are much higher maintenance.:D

Did you tell this jerk that the cat could get run over? Jesus, these people who care so little really send me over the edge. My friend, in animal rescue, who placed my two dogs with me, was attempting to place a litter of kittens. They were so adorable. But she turned almost everybody down. She didn't trust them and wouldn't place "these valuable little lives" with just anyone.:-(

I don't ever remember worming my cat that often, but I had her at the vet all the time. You're doing a wonderful thing. Rescued animals make the best pets, IMHO. And you feel good about it, because you know that you're needed.:-)

Why would they send you to jail?:shrug:

[Maru Kitteh]

7. I would find a responsible person willing to take the cat

and *ahem* find a way to get this poor animal into a loving home where people give a damn about him.

And then *somebody* someday should send him a brochure from the humane society about responsible pet companionship.

[Starlight]

9. Can you talk to the apartment manager?

Maybe they'll tell the guy he needs to keep his cat inside?