Congratulations, You Won a Cat

Parent Cafe
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<p>That is great binx :)</p>

<p>although snakes wouldnt be bad- they don’t shed ( or at least when they shed it is easier to clean up)
We’ve tried to have frogs- in the pond, but you really need to get them as eggs, so that they stay close- we have no idea where they ended up.</p>

<p>I suppose we will get a cat this summer- so that it will have several months to get used to the neighborhood before teh cold weather hits ( our cats always went out a lot)
and because a cat will probably be easier for our lab to get used to than another dog- as a friend did ( a kitten is a lot easier than a puppy thats for sure)
If only I had an extra bathroom so I could teach it to use the toilet.</p>

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<p>The cat may act differently if they interact. Sometimes animals act more defensive when they are fenced off from another animal, even if they aren’t animal aggressive. I don’t really know as much about cats as dogs but I think cat aggression with other cats is not so common? I have heard of some people having problems though. A crate is not so bad for a couple of hours of the day, or at night when the cat is sleeping, and can be a good tool in a lot of situations, but I agree if you are gone too long it will not work, I do not think animals should be crated any longer than they would nap at once (which for my sheltie is approximately 30 seconds, but we are home all day so it’s all right). But for some animals you can put them in the crate (I wouldn’t say past two hours, I know people who do longer but I’m not big on that) and they will just rest in there. Depends on the personality. Some cats seem to like small spaces, I have seen cats prefer to stay in the crate even when it is open. </p>

<p>I am guessing the cat is in Miami since you mention tropical storms. Here is a listing of lost pets in FL - I would try to post more of the ads directly but I do not know anything about FL geography :(</p>

<p><a href=“http://content.petfinder.com/classifieds/searchClassified.cgi?state=FL&order=ddate%20DESC&type=L&keyword=&page=2[/url]”>http://content.petfinder.com/classifieds/searchClassified.cgi?state=FL&order=ddate%20DESC&type=L&keyword=&page=2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>However this one caught my eye: “cat:Domestic Short Hair
North Miami Beach, FL Amy <a href="mailto:amyrican@bellsouth.net”>amyrican@bellsouth.net</a> 5-11-2007<br>
Name: Phoenix
Age:Young
Sex:F
Size:M
Delete Orange Tabby with White Paws, Mouth, and belly. Was lost in Highland Village Area around 20 Ct and NE 140 St. She is talkative and playful but tends to be fearful of strangers. Missing since 04/25/07."</p>

<p>Probably not your cat but I figured it was worth a try. If anyone does not mind, is Oscala anywhere feasibly near North Miami Beach? There is a “found” listing for a cat that sounds very similar dated a week later than this cat’s missing date, from Oscala. </p>

<p>Here are some rescues in Miami you could try contacting for help:</p>

<p>The Cat Network <a href=“Pets for Adoption at The Cat Network Inc., in Miami, FL | Petfinder”>Pets for Adoption at The Cat Network Inc., in Miami, FL | Petfinder;

<p>Miami Pets Alive <a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL628.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL628.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Octavio Feline Foundation <a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL609.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL609.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Fairy Tails <a href=“Pets for Adoption at Fairy Tails, in Miami, FL | Petfinder”>Pets for Adoption at Fairy Tails, in Miami, FL | Petfinder;

<p>Pet Rescue <a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL29.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL29.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Not sure if this is the SPCA you tried: <a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL700.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL700.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Here is the full listing of shelters and rescues in Fl, in case there is a nearby area: <a href=“http://search.petfinder.com/awo/index.cgi?&action=state&state=FL&keyword=&city=&limit=25[/url]”>http://search.petfinder.com/awo/index.cgi?&action=state&state=FL&keyword=&city=&limit=25&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It is difficult to consider, but if you cannot keep her or find a suitable home, then she is probably better off at the shelter than outside vulnerable to storms, cars and larger animals. Humane euthanization is a more peaceful end and she will have a chance at adoption. However if you can keep her temporarily then an organization may be able to work with you as a foster home, which gives them more leeway, since without a facility they can’t take more animals than they have fosters for. However it would be undetermined period of time, unfortunately, until they find an adopter, which can take some time with cats which are generally known to be more abundant and not as desirable, as horrible as that sounds. So that is a difficult commitment to make. </p>

<p>Please don’t take out a free ad - charge at least a nominal fee (unless you personally know the person). Class B dealers collect free animals, including dogs and cats, and then sell them to labs for research. And fighters will collect smaller dogs and cats as bait. Although it seems like it would be easy to tell these people apart, they do seem to be very good at fooling people which is how they continue to collect animals being offered by people who have good intentions. Also if someone claims to be the owner, ask for proof, such as what was on the tags (if any) or a description of unusual markings, a vet reference, etc. <a href=“http://www.petrescue.com/library/free-pet.htm[/url]”>http://www.petrescue.com/library/free-pet.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You can also contact a rescue to try and get them to “cross post” for you, where they can make the information about the animal you are adopting available to people browsing their petfinder site or individual site, without actually taking the animal into their care if they don’t have space. Some rescues will do this and some won’t, but it may help if you can get someone to cross post for you.</p>

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<p>kjofkw, your post is hilarious. I totally get why you went back to the shelter, lol. I can just see it happening, too. </p>

<p>Princedog, thank you for that information. I have been to most but not all of those sites, however, I will go to the rest of them. Depending on what happens next, may or may not try Mary TN’s advice. </p>

<p>I’m soooooo confused. This cat did NOT leave my deck for four solid days, and did not stop meowing and trying to come in the house for most of those four days. I fed her this morning, then, sometime mid-morning, she disappeared. I’m walking around the back yard calling out for Jackie O, which sounds ridiculous. I supposed she could be there somewhere - the yard is like a tropical forest and there must be over 20 variations of palm trees, and dozens of varieties of tropical blooming plants and flowers, so it is possible to hide 50 cats in all the growth - but - there is no sign of this cat. To my surprise, I miss her and I am worried about her. Hopefully she shows up sometime tonight, or perhaps tomorrow morning, to eat again. </p>

<p>Princedog, I will definitely use those links, but, now I’m not sure if I’ll use them to report my new cat missing, or, to continue to look for the owner of the cat that I do not actually “own”. </p>

<p>Feel kind of stupid, my stray cat apparently ran away. :(</p>

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<p>Binx, I had an issue with our cat, Christmas, trying to get him into his carrier for the drive home from our rental to our “real” house. My daugher was in New York at the time, and she was due to fly into the city where our house is - anyway, I figured, how hard could it be, just pick up the cat, put him in the carrier, close it, fasten the latches, right? </p>

<p>WRONG. I would put him in and he would hop right out. This deteriorated into me chasing him around the house. It took 40 minutes for me to get him into his carrier. I was tempted - but stubbornly refused - to call my daughter and ask “how do you get the cat into his carrier”. </p>

<p>Then, when I was finally on the interstate with him for the six hour drive, he decides to go to the bathroom. I had no choice but to exit and pull over, and, stupidly, I’d put food, and a small amount of water etc. in his carrier. He didn’t like being in his carrier with his own waste for even one sec, so, in an effort to get as far away from it as possible, he spilled the food and the water, and by the time I located and parked at a gas station, he mixed up all three materials pretty good; I opened the carrier to clean it out, and he had the stuff all in his paws, and then he decided to go walking all over the inside of the car while I tried to clean his carrier. </p>

<p>This was such a mess, I was so upset (this is the real reason I bought my new car just before Christmas - I drove this mess home and traded it in), by the time I got the carrier clean, the cat clean, and gathered up all the soiled paper towls into a bag to toss, etc., I somehow lost my car keys - inside the car. Finally found the keys and then tried to get back on the interstate, but, I’d chosen a no-return exit, so, got lost trying to find the interstate again. </p>

<p>It took three extra hours to get home for Christmas, all because of my cat…oh, wait, now I’m remembering why it doesn’t make sense to have two of them…</p>

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<p>Yes, that is a problem with dogs, they will not want to soil their dens, which is why crate training is a good tool for housebreaking, however you only use it a little with a puppy because eventually their bladders just can’t hold it. So it is a good tool for short periods, and some animals who are not very active and sleep a lot can handle longer, but I agree it often does not work out well for very many hours at once.</p>

<p>Maybe the cat wandered to another house and found food? A lot of cats have prey drives but oftentimes birds will allude them so it could have chased a bird or mouse pretty far away.</p>

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<p>She came back for breakfast this morning :)</p>

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<p>Our cats (one of whom died last week - kidney failure - so sad) hissed at each other for 10 years, and they were sisters! They slept together until one went to the vet without the other and when reunited, the hissing began. No fights, just hissing in passing.</p>

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<p>latetoschool, after following your cat saga, I feel compelled to say:</p>

<p>CONGRATULATIONS, YOU WON A CAT :smiley: :smiley: :D</p>

<p>And what a lucky kitty to have you for a rescuer!!!</p>

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<p>I’m so sorry to hear that you lost one of your cats, foglikely. We really get attached to our furry friends, and I know it must have been very hard to say goodbye.</p>

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</p>

<p>whew… I was worried too. :-)</p>

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<p>latetoschool I will suggest posting a couple of ads on craigslist.org, one for the “found” cat, and one with the request for a loving home for this cat. I got my dog off craigslist 18 months ago, and have never looked back. Just be aware of who will take the cat off your hands, there are mean people out there, but there are also loving, humane folks who would love a cat that is already grown and somewhat trained. Also check with some assisted living facilities to see if any of them will adopt your visitor.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

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<p>Justamom I don’t know what I am going to do. She’s still here; I’m sitting outside on the deck with my laptop and she is sitting beside me. She clearly does not like to be outside and wants to be inside. My daughter says to not consider bringing her inside until I have taken her to the vet and had her thoroughly checked out, and any fleas etc. taken car of - the concern is that she could pass something to our cat, who is very healthy and no fleas or health issues. </p>

<p>I will not have time to do so until Saturday or perhaps very late tomorrow, so, I don’t know what I am going to do. I should probably make an effort to find her a home - I did send an email with subject line “congrats - you won a cat” to one of my good friends in Washington - she’s the one who owns the Ivy league cat - she sent email back saying she went to the Humane Society in Arlington a few months ago to try to adopt a cat as a playmate for the Ivy cat, and, the people told her that they discouraged adding a cat to the household, because they said cats are solitary animals and it doesn’t work unless the cats are raised together, but, she is going to ask around. I don’t know that I agree with the Humane Society’s opinion but anyway that is what she says they told her. But anyway, even if she locates someone who wants this cat, I will have to put the poor thing on a plane to Washington. </p>

<p>I’ll make some decision by tomorrow…</p>

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<p>Princedog, I did drill through all of the links you provided - no sign of anything close to what could be this cat, but, I did find a LOT of very nice pets I would like to adopt!!! Thanks for that… :)</p>

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<p>Depends on the cat, some don’t take well to the introduction of a new one but I know a lot of people who have successfully integrated them later, I mean maybe the cats didn’t love each other but they’d live and let live. I mean they may not prefer to be next to another cat, but unless you live in a super small space there should be plenty of room for them to have alone time I’d think. However you have to keep in mind that many times people will bring animals back because “it’s just not working out” so large groups like the Humane Society may discourage something if they think people will get discouraged by the situation. I think if you just want to adopt another cat, that is usually going to work out fine, but a lot of people want to adopt a “companion” or “friend” for an existing animal and then get disappointed when it doesn’t work that way, because they are used to being solitary. Many rescues won’t adopt single kittens though, for that reason. But like I said I think most cats will mainly live and let live, as long as you don’t have expectations for them being inseparable best friends, it should work out fine. </p>

<p>Probably should get her checked out first since she was outdoors, there is a lot she can spread from having more exposure to things like mosquitos if she wasn’t on preventatives. She may need to be wormed too, but maybe not. There is a realtively smaller risk she could have picked up something serious like FIV. I don’t know that much about them because I don’t do cats, but I think that’s why most initial fosters are quarantined first, sort of like parvo with dogs, you don’t want to chance it spreading even if the risk is not that large.</p>

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<p>I see you move between Miami and DC…I can try to find you some viable DC options but most rescues work locally with cats…I guess you could say you found her outside where you live there. The thing is if you have to bring her to a shelter, if you could bring her up here, her chances are much better…that is an option. Not 100% but the shelters in suburban DC areas are much less overburdened comparably than the rest of the south. She could probably get pulled by a rescue.</p>

<p>Edited: oh yeah, what does the cat look like? Unusual by any chance? Sometimes people looking for a cat will have something in mind and want that one, even if it’s farther away, that’s where crossposting can help, especially if you are willing to transport. The big thing is working out legs of transport but if someone who found the animal is willing there is a lot more flexibility.</p>

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<p>Princedog that’s pretty much what my daughter thought too, in terms of anything she might have picked up that could be spread. She’s also thinking that it’s possible this cat may have a microchip - it’s obvious that before she became lost, whoever owned her took very good care of her - so, we’re thinking maybe she has such a device and perhaps the vet could read it…odd, though, that she would have a very nice collar and a bell, but no tags, UNLESS her owners thought there was no chance she would ever get outside…</p>

<p>Edited to add: Princedog, if I could be guaranteed that she could have a nice home in D.C. or the surrounding area, I would fly her there. It would have to be a guarantee though, I wouldn’t take a chance or put her where there’s a kill policy. Her chances may well be better - for one thing, there’s a serious language barrier in Miami; I can get by with some very basic spanish but cannot communicate anything important very well. There is no language barrier in D.C. and I understand the culture better. </p>

<p>She doesn’t have any unusual markings, but, she is very, very attractive - extremely intelligent face, big, bright eyes, very pretty, sort of medium length hair, and she is very highly socialized and extremely friendly - she communicates very well.</p>

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<p>Yeah, definitely try to get her scanned if possible, the shelter or Humane Society may be able to do that free for you if they have the equipment. Cats can also slip their collars pretty easily though I think…? So that could have been a problem. </p>

<p>Sounds like a pretty good cat who is adoptable now…that’s good, well better anyway. It is harder for rescues to take pets who need a lot of rehabilitation obviously. </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I understand. I know it seems counter-intuitive but just keep in mind that sometimes there are worse lives for a pet than humane euthanization. Being warehoused indefinitely in a “no-kill” facility is often one of them for many pets. Unfortunately, it’s bad enough with dogs but there is more of an overpopulation problem with cats, and people sometimes value them less, so it is difficult to find good homes…or even any homes. Parts of Va have a 100% euth rate for cats. Luckily the area surrounding DC does not have as much of an overpopulation problem. I do not know a lot about the situation in Miami but in a lot of the south it isn’t good. It is a very difficult decision to make but if she gets into a no-kill facility in an area where she had little or no chance of adoption, then she may be looking at living out her life in a cage and paradoxically, becoming unadoptable. Like I said it seems counter-intuitive but sometimes it is not the best. If there is a chance you can keep her though, instead of that, of course that is great and would be the better option over either of these two in this situation, I am just saying if it comes down to the wire and there aren’t any options, your best choice is probably in the DC area - rescues and shelters alike are less overburdened, but a lot of rescues deal only with local shelters so they might expect you to surrender her there first.</p>

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<p>Some DC area groups you could try to contact to try and get the cat’s info out:</p>

<p>Alley Cat Allies - specializes in strays </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/DC04.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/DC04.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Capital Street Cats <a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/DC15.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/DC15.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Alliance For Stray Animals and People - interesting group, actually I had never heard of them before but they colloborate with other groups so they may be good for info on who has space</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/DC09.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/DC09.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>King Street Cats <a href=“http://members.petfinder.org/~VA261/ksc_cats.htm[/url]”>http://members.petfinder.org/~VA261/ksc_cats.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Cats Are Tops - don’t take owner surrenders but maybe because this is a stray, I don’t know</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/VA212.html[/url]”>http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/VA212.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Just a few of them</p>

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<p>I really feel your sadness at being up in the air with this kitty. I’m not sure I understand, are you now in DC and leaving to go to Miami soon? </p>

<p>I did a search on craigslist.org, in the DC area (multiple places). There are a few ads (mostly male cats missing), but there are a couple of females noted. </p>

<p>I so want to help you, but being 3000 miles away makes it difficult. I love animals and a sweetie like you’ve described deserves a special home to curl up and feel safe in.</p>

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<p>I’d take her, but I’d have to get rid of my husband… ;)</p>