W. V. Cats Forum

kb2zct

I was introduced to another kitty this weekend: Lancaster.

Lancaster is a couple year old intact tom. Unfortunately, he is an inside / outside cat, so, he has several battle scars and apparently has lost the sight in his left eye.

He is a gorgeous orange tabby. A former co-worker owns him. I was visiting them yesterday to help her with her income taxes.

He is really nice. The co-worker can not afford to have him fixed, which is very sad.

So, I just wrote to her saying that I “overcharged” her for the income tax work I did (my fee was enchiladas for dinner and cream de mint brownies for desert). I should have only been paid the enchiladas. So, I just offered to get Lancaster fixed for them.

I don’t want to see the cat going out and getting into more fights. As of now, he may even be infected with feline AIDS, etc.

I will be worth the $50-75 to help them out.

My county really needs to do a low cost spay / neuter program for pets. The feral kitty problem here is really out of control.

Mark

animalangel1 · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:29 am Post subject:

Mark - are they going to take you up on your offer for the neuter??? That would be great.... poor Lancaster. I think ALL counties should have a spay/neuter program (at least for ferals) if not "regular" house cats. OR, I think vets should be "reimbursed" by the counties (at least in part) for speutering ferals. I think if the cost were lower, more folks might do it more often. I know I didn't mind it in Florida when I was only charged $25 to spay a feral female. That was a peice of cake compared to what a "normal" spay costs.

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Michelle

kb2zct · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:44 am Post subject:

Michelle:

I don't know if they will take me up on the offer. I made it within the hour.

Mark

kb2zct · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:27 pm Post subject:

MIchelle:

Here is the response I received.

Mark

Quote:

No you did not overcharge me. Don't be silly!! While I do appreciate the offer, it won't be necessary. ******(BF) had a job interview this morning and starts Wednesday at the new *** Hardware store in Champlain. And I have a couple irons in the fire too. (Maybe even at **** also!) Things are looking up!! Thanks for the info. I will check into it. However, the "nasty parts" aren't the only problem. When we do move back to my house with my animals, Lancaster will not fit it. He hates dogs! And b---- Cat hates other cats. We really hope to be able to find a good home for him. But having the nasty parts removed will make that a little easier!!

Maria · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:40 pm Post subject:

Yikes! Poor Lancaster! I don't know why people don't understand that cats come home with battle scars because they should be inside to begin with - and should be spayed/neutered. If you have a cat inside part of the time, why not 24/7? Unless of course, you live in an area that is not dangerous outside or you can monitor your cat when they are outside like Michelle always does.

However, I was a dumb no-pet owner at one time too so who am I to judge!

I hope Lancaster gets a good home..........soon.

Maria

animalangel1 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:13 am Post subject:

Well, as long as they have him neutered (with things looking up) and find him a good home that would be fine..... that's the way I took it to be. Was I right? Too bad they can't keep him though.... poor Lancaster..... I hope whatever home they find him WILL be a good FOREVER home.

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Michelle

kb2zct · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:03 am Post subject:

Quote:

Yikes! Poor Lancaster! I don't know why people don't understand that cats come home with battle scars because they should be inside to begin with - and should be spayed/neutered

Hi Maria:

As part of the tax return conversation, I mentioned that Lancaster should be an indoor cat only. I received the typical reply - "he has to go out. He will not be happy if I do not let him out".

My friend is pretty good with her pets - but sometimes folks up where I live have very old fashioned attitudes towards them. I can't begin to tell you the number of dogs I see that are chained up and live outside all the time. I mean, why have a dog if you never do anything with him or her other than to bring out food and water!

A mile or so from where I live - there is a farm. Thye farmers do not do anything with their barn cats. I know, I see the kittens several times a year, and on occasion, I see the dead cats on the road.

It just makes my blood boil!

Mark

Maria · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject:

kb2zct wrote:

Quote:

Yikes! Poor Lancaster! I don't know why people don't understand that cats come home with battle scars because they should be inside to begin with - and should be spayed/neutered

Hi Maria:

As part of the tax return conversation, I mentioned that Lancaster should be an indoor cat only. I received the typical reply - "he has to go out. He will not be happy if I do not let him out".

My friend is pretty good with her pets - but sometimes folks up where I live have very old fashioned attitudes towards them. I can't begin to tell you the number of dogs I see that are chained up and live outside all the time. I mean, why have a dog if you never do anything with him or her other than to bring out food and water!

A mile or so from where I live - there is a farm. Thye farmers do not do anything with their barn cats. I know, I see the kittens several times a year, and on occasion, I see the dead cats on the road.

It just makes my blood boil!

Mark

Wow........that is just terrible. The people that lived in back of us in Paterson had a retired police dog which they kept outside in a very small back yard. I used to see this poor dog outside in all kinds of weather, including rain, cold and extreme heat. I think they did let him in during the snow storms and and extreme cold.

He must have died because for a month or so there was no dog. Then all of a sudden a beautiful puppy - sort of big and blond with short ears - appeared. My secretary knew what breed the dog is, but I forgot the name. At any rate, she said it is a very expensive dog. Well, at any rate, this poor puppy was also outside all of the time........and of course, did what puppies do - yelped and cried and pounded on their door only to be told to be quiet. I heard they got it for their little grandaughter who lived there.........but the girl spent very little time with the puppy.

I agree with you - and I don't understand why you'd even have a dog if you just feed it - then ignore it. And in this case to spend all of that money for one doesn't make any sense at all.

Maria

animalangel1 · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:52 am Post subject:

I concur with both you and Mark, Maria. I think it is terrible to get a dog and then just leave it chained up all the time and only feed and water it. At least mine are "indoor only" dogs (except to potty or go out with the cats on supervised visits - although you can't MAKE my dogs leave the property without us by their sides - never have to be tied up at all.....very good dogs) and can be snuggled and kissed and petted and they also have the cats to play with. Just yesterday Casey (the tri-color Border Collie) was laying on a huge pillow on the floor sleeping and Milo (orange boy) went and laid next to her and kneaded her tummy for like 5 solid minutes. He was just a'purrin up a storm and the dog just laid there and kept on sleeping.... It was a beautiful thing... I think he really loves her. That's the way dogs should be kept in my humble opinion.

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Michelle