A Good Deed Can Be A Double Edged Sword

[MikeandRaph87]

I helped a stray cat last night. For the last few weeks two kittens were dropped off by their mother,female calicos probably around five to six months. I was finally able to catch one because she developed an infection. Got her to the animal shelter and the guy said the infection didn't look good but what would do what they could. I know calico kittens are the favorite to adopt but I feel like catching her and bringing her in where there is no no-kill shelter in the greater area may have been her end after not even half a year.

It started ten months ago. A an adult female calico showed up and appeared to have been once owned by someone but got let go. Then in about December disappeared for weeks like she went back where she came from. Just after the major snowstorm she returned with two kittens. She came and went for the next few weeks until disappearing again early last month. The kittens have been within three houses away or less since mid February. If they come up to the door meowing they get food and milk. Still have the sister to deal with. They are cute and I would take them in but not with a decade old cat in the house. Its just the one caught has a bad infection and cannot really do anything about it. I just don't want that infection, perhaps the only reason I could catch the small critter be her end. Even if the most adoptable there is that and not knowing her recovery and still have her sister to figure out. I don't know if I did the right thing and know if the bad infection can be taken care of she will get a family. I couldn't have a cat who turns ten tomorrow already Its just the not knowing what happens to a sweet kitten who deserves good and a family.What would you do?

[BubblyShell22]

I wouldn't call it a double edged sword, Mike. You did a good deed, but infections are nothing you can control. Don't let that get to you and make you think you did something wrong because you didn't. If the cat dies, then it dies. It's not anything you did wrong. It could be because of something that happened while it was running wild. Just care for her the best you can and do what the doctor tells you. That's all you can do.

[pennydreadful]

I feel you - I get really emotional over anything to do with cats and I'm always wanting to rescue more and then feeling bad that I can't cuz I don't have the room.

My suggestion would be to try to catch the ones who will let you close enough (or use a live trap) and take them to a no-kill shelter -- at least that way they have a fighting chance of a life off the streets that way.

For the others that you can't catch, just do what you can - leave them food and water and set up a shelter somewhere outside where they have a warm place to sleep.

Even if you could just trap them, get them neutered and then release them again if they don't seem likely to be adopted, at least that way they're not bringing more kittens into the world to be homeless.

As I said, I feel your pain, I really do. I used to do rescue work for a while and just had to stop because it was too upsetting for me emotionally... but I still help individual cats on my own where I can.

[CyberCubed]

This is why I never try to help people outside my family. Look out for yourself.

Now if you have someone ask you the time or a little old lady asks for help crossing the street, than that's fine. But beyond that, nah.

[AT-Man]

Also be sure not to call an ambulance if you see an accident, might end up badly for YOU.

[BubblyShell22]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

This is why I never try to help people outside my family. Look out for yourself.

Now if you have someone ask you the time or a little old lady asks for help crossing the street, than that's fine. But beyond that, nah.

That's probably the most awful thing I have ever heard from you, Cubed. Helping others isn't all that bad. Yeah, there are people who may throw it back in your face, but not everyone will be like that. And these weren't people he was rescuing but cats. You really are a selfish person, and I pity you.

[MikeandRaph87]

The problem is there is not a no-kill shelter in the area. It was supposed to just into the county line but it got turned down because of residents against it being in their neighborhood. That was close to a year ago. That being said I did not have much a choice in where to bring her. Bad infections can be cured with proper medicine/vaccines. I would just feel better if I knew the humane society got her healthy instead of putting her down so she can get a home. If they can heal her up then its no question that she would being a six month old girl calico. A whisper of a meow and sweet too. Its the never knowing that is bothering me. That and she had a sibling who is still in the area of home. She seems well enough and gets food/milk like her sister atleast once a day its just what to do about her next. I also wonder if she wonders about her sick sister.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

This is why I never try to help people outside my family. Look out for yourself.

Now if you have someone ask you the time or a little old lady asks for help crossing the street, than that's fine. But beyond that, nah.

That's quite awful for you to say.

[pennydreadful]

I'm 97% certain that when Cubed posts things like this, he's mostly just trying to stir people up. I'm sure he's not nearly as bad as he'd like us to think.



OP, just do the best you can. Even leaving food out for them is making a positive difference in their lives, so take some comfort in that.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

This is why I never try to help people outside my family. Look out for yourself.

Now if you have someone ask you the time or a little old lady asks for help crossing the street, than that's fine. But beyond that, nah.

Oh, wow. This is, like, the most Republican thing I've heard all week.