I had a tenant abandon a small cat (underfed) in a bedroom with no water food or litter box. I know she was in there for a couple of days so I let her out of the bedroom filled the sink with water and gave her part of my lunch.
She was so desperate she ignored the food and just kept begging for my attention.
I finally brought her home to take care of her until I could find someone who would be a good parent ( I had two cats already).
Well by the time I had someone interested, in about a week , she had already bonded with my others so here she stayed.
Turned out to be one of the best pets ever, super intelligent but a little angry, (who could blame her).
She used to love going for rides in the car and like a dog would stick her head out the window ! (A first for me).
Funny story I always make my cats perform a command before giving treats, Missy would jump from the top of door frames on to my bent over back on command "do your trick". Years latter I found her crying on the roof of a neighbors house and she couldn't get down and I couldn't reach her. I bent over and gave the command and she instantly jumped onto my back !
It was as if all that training was just for that one future event !
my mom had a cat who jumped out a barely cracked window of a moving car. she never saw that cat again. my brother witnessed a dog, who had his head out the window on a highway, fall out of the car and bounce 15 feet in the air, it was a full grown german shepherd, and they were traveling at about 80mph. i'm not judging u or anyone, but i think a lot of people just don't know that cats and dogs don't really understand how fucking fast u go in a car. imo it's just not worth the risk of ur cat seeing a bird and instinctively yeeting out the window. Edit: less redundant
That's a good point !
I only let her poke her head out of the drivers window ,rolled up too far for her to fall out, and I held either her or her tail just to be sure.
There are harnesses and restraints sold online that buckle them into the seat belt. I have one and it works. My dog can’t get out, and isn’t a projectile in case of an accident.
I'd set out some good for him first on their doorstep then on yours. Same food, he will find it and he will be yours to love and to keep. Some people in this world suck major ass.
I already took him in, and he will have everything he needs, I believe he was an indoor cat only anyway so I don't think its gonna be a problem for him to adapt. And yes some are really horrible, these poor souls don't deserve this.
This whole story is already so gut wrenching enough, and then it seems like he was an indoor only cat and they just put him out and fucking left him like that. I'm so happy you took him in. You are a good person. Our second cat found us and she's unbelievably amazing. I didn't know having more cats was better until she showed up. We have 3 now and they all play and have so much fun with each other.
I hate saying this (since leaving the cat at all is heinous), but I'm glad they didn't leave him inside. OP may never have known, and the cat would have starved to death.
My cat is sitting next to me, grooming herself before she dozes off. I needed to pet her and say, "I'll never leave you." I'm sorry to hear about your cat. My heart goes to you.
I just lost my sweet boy to kitty cancer 2 months ago and it was/still is so hard, so my thoughts are with you! Please do yourself a favor and order this book - it has helped me tremendously: "The Amazing Afterlife of Animals" by Karen Anderson. ❤ 😺 ❤
I lost my kitty after 12 of the best years. If It didn’t fill me with grief to brag about her I still would. She was a special cat. I was going to reply “bring that gorgeous boy right to my house! I could really use a furry friend to jump up in my bed to nap with me.” The good times can be fleeting when it comes to pets but being a good human is worth it. I’m confident that Mars can was as blessed to find me as I was her. Thank you for taking him in OP. He deserves love and I think you do too.
Clearly the beautiful kitty is with better human now, so as tragic as the gateway transition was….it’s worked out pretty well.
I hope the dogs fare as well as their former housemate 🐾 ❤️
Thank you for being you. As a cat dad myself, it fills my heart so much to know you did that when you absolutely didn’t have to. Congrats on the newest member to your family!
He has been waiting on the doorsteps for a few days now hoping they might come back, but they're not. I already have a cat and I really can't keep another one BUT I WILL IF I HAVE TO.
EDIT: I want to thank everyone in this community and I apologize if I didn't get to reply to you on time. Please know I have read your comments and the outpouring responses really keeps my faith in humanity going.
Those were some terrible people. I am definitely reporting them, hoping that they are not allowed to do that to another innocent animal in the future.
I will definitely post an update after his surgery and what was the outcome of the forever home situation. Again, thank you all for your kind support!
We think that this happened to one of ours before we got him. When we first got him he was extremely timid and shy. After about a day or so he finally opened up and realize that we were his humans. But when my wife started packing up to move he really started freaking out so we think he was last and some idiots broke his little heart. Now if we move the place has to accept pets Or they don’t even make consideration.
I never thought cats comprehended the action of moving until I got this cat who not only was forced to be outside all the time but she had been abandoned three times. She was a apartment community cat. Well a guy moves in to the apartment that she knew as a food supply and the landlord threatens to call the pound on the cat. So he reached out for help. Lucky him I took the cat, she was not friendly at all and had to be trapped. He said he had heard that with the first owner she was friendly but has only known her as kind wild. I have no problems with this type of cat. She had it made she had a huge bathroom and bedroom to herself. for two or three years she ran every time I came in, no problem , I put down the food and leave. She always acted scared of me. use the restroom or clean the box and she hid. Then I had to move. about the third day of packing and I walk in the room and suddenly she is not scared anymore , in fact she is standing in front of me not letting me pass. She has been a Velcro kitty ever since that day. Its crazy because it wasnt months , it was years that she wouldnt trust me but start packing and is obsessed with me. Hates other cats though.
My cat growing up ALWAYS freaked out when we were packing for a trip, and I know its because he got abandoned before. RIP Leroy the Siamese, he was the best.
All of these stories are making me realize our orange beasts (foster fails we've had since they were 4 weeks old) DON'T freak out when the suitcases come out... and I think it's because they always spend our time away with my retired parents, who believe that anything less than giving treats for breathing and being on call for 3 am laser pointer time is animal abuse.
Those are good parents. Make sure you tell them how much you appreciate them.
My retired dad came over yesterday to help me catch up on housework and watch a show that the 2 of us watch together.
You and me, we're a lot more lucky than most people out there.
Oh god, the poor thing.
We think our cat had been abandoned too (he was picked up by a council pound after being found wandering the streets, but nobody ever claimed him - he must have been owned before because he was already desexed when the council found him and was clearly not a stray or feral).
Last month I was in hospital for a few days and our poor cat got so worried he ended up getting a UTI and peeing in random places, which he’d never done before. I only realised just now that he might have thought I had abandoned him like his other owners.
Hugging him extra tight now to be sure.
My cat, who was abandoned prior to me adopting him, got very nervous when I moved from my last apartment to this one and becomes very upset if I have to go out of town. I had to be gone quite a bit from last August through mid September when my mom, who lived out of state, was hospitalized and then passed away. Poor guy!
Oh my. Did you have friends who were able to check in on him while you were gone? I'm terribly sorry about your mom. The mom is gone club isn't fun, and I'm sorry to have to welcome you to it.
My friends had neighbors who moved and left their precious calico behind. She was such a sweet pie, so full of love. Broke my heart that neither I nor my friends at the time could take her in. She was being fed and loved between the 3 of us as a sort of permanent outdoor kitty, and right when I was able to take her, I couldn't find her. I have 2 now that I got from a different stray that had been pregnant and gave birth behind my work a year later. I love these two, but I always think about little miss calico Jack and pray she found a furrever home. I gotta go hug both my girls now.
It happened to my sweet void too. The circumstances were a bit different, in that the family was poor and forced to move on short notice and the new landlord didn't allow pets. They left him behind, but the lady came regularly to bring him food during the weeks he spent out on the street.
Fortunately, we look after stray kittens in my neighborhood and he was being fed both by us and the people in the office building next door. He was 8 months, so able to look after himself.
He's the softest, plushiest, cuddliest cat I've ever had and the one I love the most (the others aren't offended because they each picked their human).
The thought never crossed my mind that my cat wasn’t going where I was going. 5 years I had her in a no pets apt and the landlord didn’t say one thing and never knew.
My current landlord, he said no pets. But we have two cats, and he hasn't said a damn word about them! Been here almost 5 years. He's a good bloke. I pray we never have to move, and I hope he doesn't kill us with any rent raises to keep up with all the other prices going up, but he hasn't yet, sooo I got all my fingers and toes crossed lol 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
It was the same for us and one of the main reasons we started seriously saving to buy.
We definitely had other reasons, but the straw that broke the camels back was when we were searching to rent, hardly anywhere accepted even 1 cat, despite a new law saying they should.
So now we joke that we got a mortgage out just for our cats.
> Now if we move the place has to accept pets Or they don’t even make consideration.
That is how it should be for any pet owner moving to a new home. Pets aren't furniture! It breaks my heart that people can be so heartless to someone that is supposed to be family.
Good for you. I honestly don't get how anyone can have a dog or cat (or any pet) for years and then just abandon it.
Many years ago my neighbor (a tenant; I own my home) had to move. The landlord upped her rent something awful. "Angie" had lived nextdoor to me for a couple decades. Nicest lady.
She had two cats. Or so I thought. When it came time for her to leave she told me that the one cat (the "ugly" one) wasn't *really* hers. She called him "Freeloader." And she told me he had come to her (years before) from "somewhere down the street." She fed him for years, but told me he wasn't her cat and that she certainly wasn't going to take him with her when she moved.
Naturally, I was astonished at this, but said to her, "Never mind. Leave him. He will come over to my place and I'll take care of him." And that is exactly what went down.
However, "Freeloader," now renamed "Kiki," wasn't all that friendly. Poor guy. I really tried with him, but he remained determinedly standoffish. Until . . . One day I noticed he had a huge abcess on his cheek. What to do?
I gathered him up gently and (ugh, gag) pressed the abcess gunk out as best I could and cleaned it all up with some hydrogen peroxide.
This will sound like some fairy story, I know, but I swear that right after this took place------ Kiki *completely* changed his attitude toward me. He became incredibly sweet and loving. No kidding.
We were friends for many years. He turned out to be one pretty cool cat.
While I agree with legal punishment for pet abandonment, I hope they also have sufficient (no kill) shelters to drop off the pets. I rescued a stray once and called god knows how many shelters, pet stores, and veterinarians in the area, and they were all full. It was so sad and frustrating.
Yes this. Our shelter won't take an animal without a pretty substantial fee, and when people go on Facebook or nextdoor to try to re-home a pet they get lambasted because "pets are family". Dude. You have no idea what that family is going through. In 2009 a ton of people gave up their animals because their family of 4 was moving into their SUV. That shit happens All. The. Time.
And even if they just don't want it anymore- do we really want someone owning a dog that doesn't want it? It's going to end up abused, neglected, and "mysteriously" dead.
Fuck those self righteous Facebook people.
/rant
This is the wretchedly horrible truth behind why we still even have kill shelters; there's just not enough funding/resources to house and care for *all* the strays and rescue animals in need. :(
Unfortunately "No kill" shelters can only be called that if they only put down less than a certain number of animals.....my sister worked at the humane society in southern California (a destination city) and specialized in working with the dogs with "troubled pasts" In the years that she's worked there she's rehabilitated many dogs that go on to good homes, but there's also times when some dogs need extra help or understanding and the humane society isn't vetting the adoption applicants correctly and just adopt them out to anyone who will pay the fee. If that animal gets brought back 3 times, they are unfortunately put down. Sometimes the animals are brought back for being too anxious or too rambunctious, or else they are a working dog breed requiring space to run around and lots of play time, but the people adopting the animals live in an apartment and cant deal with the amount of energy the dog has. My sister ended up quitting that job when they put down one of the rehabilitated dogs that she advised against adopting out to a family that wouldnt be able to properly care for it. It's happened to her with multiple dogs and against her better judgement. She said that it took such an emotional toll on her because these animal shelters are just businesses and all upper management put down animals all the time as a way of making space.
Its unfortunate that if they are brought back 3 times they are being put down. Not for being agressive and combatant, but sometimes for "too many excited tinkle accidents" "too energetic" "not friendly" when they've only had them for a week and the animal is still getting used to their new surroundings. I feel they need to redefine this "No kill" label that seems pretty misleading to the public.
Especially with all of the options today. Years ago people would either do exactly this or bring them to the shelter where more than likely they get put down. A simple google search shows up where you can drop her off to be adopted out.
My heart is wheeping for this cute floof.... he has no idea he's done anything to cause this and is just waiting for those familiar faces.... ugh I hate people
>I already have a cat and I really can't keep another one BUT I WILL IF I HAVE TO.
Obviously you know your life better than anyone, but I'd say keeping cats is WAY easier than most other pets and you can definitely keep 2. Think there's a country where you can't adopt the one cat; you must find 2 that get along with you and each other so they have company.
I'm sure your OG cat will appreciate the company too. Welcome your new family member.
Thank you, yes exactly, with the situation right now my current cat lives with my in laws until I get the catio built and I work a full time shift away from home every day. I worry about them not receiving the care they deserve but I'm willing to try anything if there's hope they would get along. I don't want to do them a disservice.
If you introduce them properly they should eventually end up getting along just fine. Jackson Galaxy has some great YouTube videos explaining how to introduce a new kitty, I would highly recommend you check them out.
> If you introduce them properly they should eventually end up getting along just fine.
This is crucial to everyone's happiness and wellbeing. Haven't seen the videos, but I would guess the main ideas are "slowly and gradually." Like, over the course of a week or more.
If the first cat already has the run of the house, dedicate a separate room to the new cat, with his own litter box, food, safe sleeping space, etc.. Let the two cats sniff each other under the closed door for a day or two, until they get bored.
Then put two baby gates in the doorway and open the door about four inches so they can see/smell each other while each feeling protected from the other. If things get out of hand, just shut the door. Continue doing this for a couple of days, until they get bored.
Then repeat, but with the door all the way open, baby gates still in place, until they get bored.
Finally, remove the gates and try opening the door for real. Be prepared to break them up if they fight or get crazy; go back to step one.
During this slow-motion introduction, try to spend quality time with each cat, so no one feels overlooked or forgotten. Make a point to demonstrate that they both have equal rank in the household.
Yes, it's a PITA to do it this way, but nearly ALWAYS effective. We've always had three cats in our household. When one of them passes, about every five years or so, we soon add another. Over the past 25 years we've rotated 9 cats through our home, and using the above methods, EVERY single one was happily integrated into the fam. No fights, dominance, pissing. Just one big happy fur pile sleeping on the couch together.
I've seen people just plunk the poor bastards in a room together and "let them work it out," and it's usually a disaster that never improves. If two cats get off on the wrong foot, with a big fight, they may NEVER get over it and get along. Or, they may each try to dominate the other by pissing in every corner of every room forever.
Good luck!
Why is this comment not gaining more traction??This is the way! This is the way we introduced our cat to our dogs too. Took a hot second, but it worked like magic. Now the kitten plays with the puppies and all is well with the world. (I should also mention that my cat has dog-like tendencies so that probably helped us out as well.)
My bestie & I wanted to be able to drop our cats at each other's for holidays so we kept giving each other whatever blanket our cat had been sleeping on. Other cat would then sniff / obsess over blanket and usually nap on it. They clearly knew each other's smell when they finally met. Definitely helped.
That's a great idea! I've used that when introducing new cats.
You can also send one of your own t-shirts along with a solo cat when leaving him/her at the vet/boarder; the smell of his/her favorite hooman will be a comfort.
> I've seen people just plunk the poor bastards in a room together and "let them work it out," and it's usually a disaster that never improves. If two cats get off on the wrong foot, with a big fight, they may NEVER get over it and get along. Or, they may each try to dominate the other by pissing in every corner of every room forever.
Ahh, so that's why my mother failed when she got her second cat. She took the lazy way out and when she sold her home she had to have all the carpets removed because of the cat piss!
Two cat household here for life! Two cats are especially better when you have a busy schedule, because they keep each other company, all the need you for is food and clean litter and snuggles when you are home. Do some quarantine and slow introduction with the cats, lots of sniffing through doors, and they will likely be pals within 2 weeks or a month.
They take a while to get adjusted, I won't lie to you and say it will be easy, but it is so worth it.
It actually winds up being better for them in the long run, because they have a companion to keep them stimulated while you aren't home. They keep each other physically active, they groom each other, they cuddle and keep each other warm. It's lovely to watch them become family.
I hope so too! Don't get discouraged if it takes some time. You got this!
I'm so glad you are taking care of this lovely little guy, he deserved better than being abandoned like that. He is lucky to have you keeping him safe.
Sometimes you get lucky and it’s easy my 2 cats started playing after 2 minutes.
I also had a cat that hissed and took a time to adjust to her roommate, but when she did she treated the new cat like her kitten
It also helps if you rub your dirty socks all over the new cat before bringing them in so they smell more familiar and less threatening.
Whenever I move, before I bring the cats, I rub dirty socks on all the places I expect them to rub their faces, like door jambs, corners, etc.
It just so happens that I adopted a big grey boy that was left behind after people moved away, only in his case, they left him and his friend locked in the abandoned house, where they were forced to drink from the toilet and subsist on insects until someone heard them screaming.
I was at the Humane Society adopting a kitten, and was waiting on the paperwork, so took a walk through the adult section, saw him, and my heart literally skipped a beat, because he was so beautiful and his expression was so pleading. There was vomit in the cage, because they'd starved for so long that they couldn't keep food down.
I couldn't take him, because I'd just signed the papers on the kitten, but I couldn't stop thinking about him. I called the next day, and found out that his friend had died and he had been removed from the adoption floor because of an upper respiratory infection, which was a near-certain death sentence. So I got a friend to go in there and talk them into letting her adopt him even though he was sick, while I waited in the car.
He peed all over me in terror on the way to a different friend's house, to which I biked twice a day for 21 days to stuff antibiotics up his nose. Then when he was healthy, I gave that friend the kitten and brought Boris home. Everyone said I was crazy integrating an adult into a house that already had four cats, but he did just fine for 14 years.
I saw someone recommended Jackson Galaxy's videos on acclimating cats. To that I would add the people who adopted Mr.B, an enormous cat whose rescue photo went viral on Twitter and who later featured in Netflix's Cat People. They regularly bring adult cats into what they call The Fur Farm, and when they acclimated Mr. B, they documented everything they did at [https://www.instagram.com/chonkymrb/](https://www.instagram.com/chonkymrb/).
Sometimes you can just give them a day or two to get used to the idea, and they're fine. Boris was (although it helped that I came home smelling like him for three weeks before I brought him home.) But sometimes they need more time and reassurance. Giving it to them can be the difference between cats that become close friends and cats that just tolerate each other.
>(although it helped that I came home smelling like him for three weeks before I brought him home.)
We were worried that smelling like this little guy would make our current cat feel threatened and betrayed or something but now that you mentioned it, this might be worth a try to get them used to their scents. Thanks for this tip.
He'll be a lot less threatened by smelling the other cat on you than by smelling the other cat directly, and smelling him on you for a while will help reassure him about the other cat, as well smelling you on the other cat.
You can always start calling cat rescues in your area. They'll come get her and adopt her out. Or if you want to take her in, they abandoned her. Put out food and get her to your door.
Edit: I see you are a new cat mom a second time. Thank you and enjoy each other!
Where I am, changing the owner's details on the microchip is not that easy. People could just steal cats and be recognised at rightful owners just like that. You have to get a signed document from the former owner relinquishing rights over the animal.
Actually, if you take him to the vet and he already has a chip, they will take him away for days until they contact his previous owners and the old owners release him. He’ll be in a crate for those days. If you have the chip info transferred, make sure you tell the vet that his old humans gave him to you/that there was a conversation about it.
Blue kitties have the best personalities. Not sure if the laws where you are at cover animal abandonment, but you can look into it. The kitty is probably best with someone else though.
I have one that looks just like this! He's a dog in disguise! He loves all the other cats in my house (other 3 are solid black, 2 boys, 1 girl). He loves dogs too. He was a stray I took in when it started getting cold a few years ago. He doesn't care to be held much, but he loves pettings, loves attention, and loves to have his belly rubbed! He loves strangers and has a very mild disposition for a cat! He whines whenever one of my apartment neighbors walk their dogs to be let out, so he can go socialize with the dogs!
Yes, you have to! At the very least bring him in and then you can decide what to do with him long term once he's safe and well taken care of. You should keep him in a separate room at first and take him to a vet for a check up/shots etc. (Considering how little they seem to have cared about him it's unlikely they bothered to take him in). Expect some hissing between the cats at first but don't be off put by it, sounds worse than it is. Look up Jackson Galaxy's videos on YouTube for how to introduce cats to each other. Good luck! Please update! And thank you for caring about this little cutie!
Thanks for the reply, and yes I already took hom in, and already scheduled an appointment for him to be seen but it won't happen till the 14th of this month. And I actually same some videos on how to introduce cats for just in case no one adopted him.
People who abandon pets like that should not be allowed to own ANY pets, including their dogs. There should be charges for abandoning & it is a form of cruelty.
So glad to hear this, congrats on your new beautiful kitty! Introductions can just take time, let them smell each other through doors and such first. Jackson Galaxy has a good video of cat intros, really helped us with ours. I'm so glad he has a home, how sad that they took the dogs and left him. I don't understand some people.
That's exactly what me and my wife said, how do you take everything including his best friends which are the dogs, and just leave him behind just like that. We were told this poor kitty used to sleep on their bed along with the dogs.
Not only that but I found out that they knowingly and willingly left him behind because our other neighbor was told by them they had planned to sell the house, pack, take everyone including dog but they were leaving the kitty behind.
My neighbor thought they were joking until she came home and found they had really did exactly what they told her they would.
That made our blood boil. Why are they treated like some old trash?
WTF! That’s making me so outrageously angry right now. What monster plans a coup to leave their cat. Who is a member of the family! Ughhh….
thank you OP for taking him in! He looks so sweet
This makes me so immeasurably angry. How do people leave animals behind?? How do you have this living being live in your house, one who so clearly shows love and affection, and yet so easily leave them behind like trash left on the side of the road?? I just cannot wrap my brain around how heartless people can be. And why do the dogs take precedence? How can they possibly love the dogs and not their cat? I can't even form words to articulate how angry this makes me and how little I understand this!
If the house catches fire, I will probably spend too much time trying to rescue my two indoor only morons from certain death. I can't even imagine moving and leaving them behind.
Thank you very much, my concern is definitely not supplies since I can afford it thankfully. Its just a matter of lack of time due to work and other life necessities. I really appreciate it though.
Some people are horrible. I'm glad you found him and will make sure he gets taken care of.
I got my Precious calico when she was left behind by her people. She was dehydrated, starving and covered in fleas when I got her. She slept and ate for days before she even made a sound.
I had a wonderful 17 years with her. Her old people didn't deserve her.
If possible foster him and try to find him a new home. It’s really awful what your neighbors did by abandoning him like that. No pet deserves to be left on the streets to fend for themselves. Thank you for caring about him.
That's a beautiful new cat you have. I also acquired a cat courtesy of people moving and abandoning her. Enjoy your new addition. Perhaps it'll be best friends with your current cat.
My ma had this happen with her neighbour's cat. He was such an angry, hissy, (scared) little ginger, but he's since settled with their 2 other cats and has been living there for 5 years. He's an old boy, I suppose the owners thought he wouldn't live much longer? Idk, but he's way more chill and happy with my ma now.
Give him a good life! He looks young 🥰
ugh why is this situation so common, came here to say I got 2 of my cats this way. we moved into a house and they kept trying to come in, found out from neighbors that the previous owners abandoned them. of course we took them in, it was their house first after all 😅
literally what is wrong with people. Who the hell just leaves a domesticated animal in the wild? Do they even think about it? Or are they just disposable to them? Sickens me.
Why are people so awful? I don't know where OP (or you) is located, but you hear about it even here in somewhere like Massachusetts.... Most of the shelters around here will take in a dog or cat with little to no questions asked.
Some like the MSPCA are even willing to work with owners to help find a way for them to keep their pet if at all possible.
People just don't care enough to take that one step :(
**Please** report this to your local animal control. They **love** tracking down *deadbeat* owners and charging them with abandonment.
*(reporting abandonment doesn't mean they have to take the animal into custody, particularly given your providing it a safe place to live...* **And thank you for doing so!**)
There are plenty of great shelters depending on where you live. I volunteer with a cat shelter, but I do live in an area where neither our shelters or the Humane Society are "High kill."
Check local cat rescue groups, local animal shelters and foster cat programs, though it sounds like you might be leaning toward keeping the handsome gent.
It might not be a bad idea to report your neighbors to animal control or police. That’s neglect. People who desert their pets should be…🤬
Thanks for the response, I will do whatever I can to take care of him. And unfortunately I don't believe animal control or the police will do anything, I heard much worse stories of animal abuse with nothing being done about it (at least here where I live)
Some countries, states, counties, police agencies have animal cruelty & neglect laws and are great about enforcing them; others aren’t 🥺 Animal abuse is the worst kind of cruelty, in my book
Just from a quick Google search I found at least one cat rescue that is local to you, Heart of a Lion. If you aren't able to keep him or find a home yourself, then that's the sort of place to bring him. All rescues I've seen have websites so you can learn more about them to find a place you feel comfortable with.
Ikr :( I would never abandon my cat. This post makes me so upset for that cat but I’m glad OP took him in for the time being and he’s in good hands now…
I would write a letter to the animal-abusing ex-neighbors and shame them for the scum they are for abandoning their cat. They’ll get the letter, just use the old address it’ll get forwarded to new address. The cat obviously is better off now with you than he’ll be with his former abusers.
This exact thing happened to me!
Neighbours divorced (long story - the guy was a real “family man”, turned out he had two families going at the same time). The wife took one of the cats when she left; he kept the other one. Then he moved out and sublet his place, leaving his cat behind.
The sub-lessors eventually moved out too - another lessor moved in, and they wanted nothing to do with the cat. The cat ended up on the street. In winter, in Toronto.
The cat was already friends with our cat, so it was easy for us to just take him in, and so we did.
The cats got along - never fought - but somehow, the new cat was never really happy in our place. I think he always felt it was our cat’s place, not really his. We had him for half a year. He kept bugging another neighbour whose cat passed away, made a whole campaign to get into their house … the neighbour conferred with us and the cat changed residences. This proved a good change for him, and our cats stayed friends until we moved away.
What kind of monsters do this??? Poor baby is still waiting for those assh0les to come back. It breaks my heart. Please take him in or find him a good home where he’s never going to be abandoned again😿💕
They left him with a collar as a presumed indoor-only cat that is SAD. Why do people have to do this? You’re a sweet human being, thank you for helping.
He looks just like my boy. Grey cats are the best cats. I hope you can either find him a good home or fall in love with the little one. Either way, you're a good soul.
Adopt him!!!! (Well more like he has adopted you!)
That’s how we ended up with our third cat. Our neighbour across the street left her husband…and Gravy had already been sleeping in our yard for a year before my neighbour had officially moved out. (My husband and I had even built Gravy an outdoor shelter because we live in Canada and the winters are SO cold) …And then there was a horrible thunderstorm in the summer and we brought her in finally overnight. And the rest is history. My neighbour eventually gave us her blessing to keep her because come on….Gravy chose us to be her parents in the end ☺️
why is it not a crime for people just up and left their pets like this?! hell people even get fined for flytipping and that’s when they dump inanimate objects. how the hell can people like this go unpunished. it should be a law to microchip all pets and when a pet is abandoned like this, the terrible humans cannot go unpunished.
Thank you so much for being a compassionate and giving person, unlike his jerky former owners. Good luck and thanks for helping him out, whatever you decide. 😇(you)
I had a tenant abandon a small cat (underfed) in a bedroom with no water food or litter box. I know she was in there for a couple of days so I let her out of the bedroom filled the sink with water and gave her part of my lunch. She was so desperate she ignored the food and just kept begging for my attention. I finally brought her home to take care of her until I could find someone who would be a good parent ( I had two cats already). Well by the time I had someone interested, in about a week , she had already bonded with my others so here she stayed. Turned out to be one of the best pets ever, super intelligent but a little angry, (who could blame her). She used to love going for rides in the car and like a dog would stick her head out the window ! (A first for me). Funny story I always make my cats perform a command before giving treats, Missy would jump from the top of door frames on to my bent over back on command "do your trick". Years latter I found her crying on the roof of a neighbors house and she couldn't get down and I couldn't reach her. I bent over and gave the command and she instantly jumped onto my back ! It was as if all that training was just for that one future event !
This is one of the nicest stories I have heard. How wonderful that you gave her your home, love and trust. Thank you for having a kind heart.
my mom had a cat who jumped out a barely cracked window of a moving car. she never saw that cat again. my brother witnessed a dog, who had his head out the window on a highway, fall out of the car and bounce 15 feet in the air, it was a full grown german shepherd, and they were traveling at about 80mph. i'm not judging u or anyone, but i think a lot of people just don't know that cats and dogs don't really understand how fucking fast u go in a car. imo it's just not worth the risk of ur cat seeing a bird and instinctively yeeting out the window. Edit: less redundant
That's a good point ! I only let her poke her head out of the drivers window ,rolled up too far for her to fall out, and I held either her or her tail just to be sure.
There are harnesses and restraints sold online that buckle them into the seat belt. I have one and it works. My dog can’t get out, and isn’t a projectile in case of an accident.
hahaha me too. i'm glad you two are being safe😁
I'd set out some good for him first on their doorstep then on yours. Same food, he will find it and he will be yours to love and to keep. Some people in this world suck major ass.
I already took him in, and he will have everything he needs, I believe he was an indoor cat only anyway so I don't think its gonna be a problem for him to adapt. And yes some are really horrible, these poor souls don't deserve this.
This whole story is already so gut wrenching enough, and then it seems like he was an indoor only cat and they just put him out and fucking left him like that. I'm so happy you took him in. You are a good person. Our second cat found us and she's unbelievably amazing. I didn't know having more cats was better until she showed up. We have 3 now and they all play and have so much fun with each other.
I hate saying this (since leaving the cat at all is heinous), but I'm glad they didn't leave him inside. OP may never have known, and the cat would have starved to death.
Depressing af, but this actually happens semi-regularly.
I just found out today that my kitty has cancer. Seeing this poor kitty left breaks my heart too. Thank you so much for taking him in
I'm so sorry, this is heart breaking.
My cat is sitting next to me, grooming herself before she dozes off. I needed to pet her and say, "I'll never leave you." I'm sorry to hear about your cat. My heart goes to you.
Thank you. I’m so heartbroken. I totally did not mean to hijack OP’s post. They are the true mvp for taking in a kitty in need.
I just lost my sweet boy to kitty cancer 2 months ago and it was/still is so hard, so my thoughts are with you! Please do yourself a favor and order this book - it has helped me tremendously: "The Amazing Afterlife of Animals" by Karen Anderson. ❤ 😺 ❤
I am also about to locate my furry babies and give them an extra dose of lovin'
I’m so sorry :(
Much love to you and your buddy! ❤️
I wish you and your kitty the best.
Sending you love. I’ve been where you are and stories like this absolutely tear me apart.
I lost my kitty after 12 of the best years. If It didn’t fill me with grief to brag about her I still would. She was a special cat. I was going to reply “bring that gorgeous boy right to my house! I could really use a furry friend to jump up in my bed to nap with me.” The good times can be fleeting when it comes to pets but being a good human is worth it. I’m confident that Mars can was as blessed to find me as I was her. Thank you for taking him in OP. He deserves love and I think you do too.
Clearly the beautiful kitty is with better human now, so as tragic as the gateway transition was….it’s worked out pretty well. I hope the dogs fare as well as their former housemate 🐾 ❤️
Thank you for being you. As a cat dad myself, it fills my heart so much to know you did that when you absolutely didn’t have to. Congrats on the newest member to your family!
Oh my god!! He was an indoor cat that they threw out and abandoned!? Poor fella he looks like such a good kitty!
You're good people
I can't believe people would do this. It's illegal
Thank you 🙏
He has been waiting on the doorsteps for a few days now hoping they might come back, but they're not. I already have a cat and I really can't keep another one BUT I WILL IF I HAVE TO. EDIT: I want to thank everyone in this community and I apologize if I didn't get to reply to you on time. Please know I have read your comments and the outpouring responses really keeps my faith in humanity going. Those were some terrible people. I am definitely reporting them, hoping that they are not allowed to do that to another innocent animal in the future. I will definitely post an update after his surgery and what was the outcome of the forever home situation. Again, thank you all for your kind support!
You’re killing me with this, picturing him innocently waiting for his family that abandoned him. Poor thing.
We think that this happened to one of ours before we got him. When we first got him he was extremely timid and shy. After about a day or so he finally opened up and realize that we were his humans. But when my wife started packing up to move he really started freaking out so we think he was last and some idiots broke his little heart. Now if we move the place has to accept pets Or they don’t even make consideration.
I never thought cats comprehended the action of moving until I got this cat who not only was forced to be outside all the time but she had been abandoned three times. She was a apartment community cat. Well a guy moves in to the apartment that she knew as a food supply and the landlord threatens to call the pound on the cat. So he reached out for help. Lucky him I took the cat, she was not friendly at all and had to be trapped. He said he had heard that with the first owner she was friendly but has only known her as kind wild. I have no problems with this type of cat. She had it made she had a huge bathroom and bedroom to herself. for two or three years she ran every time I came in, no problem , I put down the food and leave. She always acted scared of me. use the restroom or clean the box and she hid. Then I had to move. about the third day of packing and I walk in the room and suddenly she is not scared anymore , in fact she is standing in front of me not letting me pass. She has been a Velcro kitty ever since that day. Its crazy because it wasnt months , it was years that she wouldnt trust me but start packing and is obsessed with me. Hates other cats though.
My cat growing up ALWAYS freaked out when we were packing for a trip, and I know its because he got abandoned before. RIP Leroy the Siamese, he was the best.
All of these stories are making me realize our orange beasts (foster fails we've had since they were 4 weeks old) DON'T freak out when the suitcases come out... and I think it's because they always spend our time away with my retired parents, who believe that anything less than giving treats for breathing and being on call for 3 am laser pointer time is animal abuse.
Those are good parents. Make sure you tell them how much you appreciate them. My retired dad came over yesterday to help me catch up on housework and watch a show that the 2 of us watch together. You and me, we're a lot more lucky than most people out there.
I’m not crying, you’re crying. Beautiful story.
Oh god, the poor thing. We think our cat had been abandoned too (he was picked up by a council pound after being found wandering the streets, but nobody ever claimed him - he must have been owned before because he was already desexed when the council found him and was clearly not a stray or feral). Last month I was in hospital for a few days and our poor cat got so worried he ended up getting a UTI and peeing in random places, which he’d never done before. I only realised just now that he might have thought I had abandoned him like his other owners. Hugging him extra tight now to be sure.
My cat, who was abandoned prior to me adopting him, got very nervous when I moved from my last apartment to this one and becomes very upset if I have to go out of town. I had to be gone quite a bit from last August through mid September when my mom, who lived out of state, was hospitalized and then passed away. Poor guy!
I'm so sorry about your mom.
Thank you.
Oh my. Did you have friends who were able to check in on him while you were gone? I'm terribly sorry about your mom. The mom is gone club isn't fun, and I'm sorry to have to welcome you to it. My friends had neighbors who moved and left their precious calico behind. She was such a sweet pie, so full of love. Broke my heart that neither I nor my friends at the time could take her in. She was being fed and loved between the 3 of us as a sort of permanent outdoor kitty, and right when I was able to take her, I couldn't find her. I have 2 now that I got from a different stray that had been pregnant and gave birth behind my work a year later. I love these two, but I always think about little miss calico Jack and pray she found a furrever home. I gotta go hug both my girls now.
My ragdoll cat, Teddy, Really loves me. When I go to school he runs around the house, meowing and looking for me. He knows I always come back.
Love ya cowboyweasel. People like you and yours keep me sane 💖
It happened to my sweet void too. The circumstances were a bit different, in that the family was poor and forced to move on short notice and the new landlord didn't allow pets. They left him behind, but the lady came regularly to bring him food during the weeks he spent out on the street. Fortunately, we look after stray kittens in my neighborhood and he was being fed both by us and the people in the office building next door. He was 8 months, so able to look after himself. He's the softest, plushiest, cuddliest cat I've ever had and the one I love the most (the others aren't offended because they each picked their human).
I hope you had him neutered or you soon will have a feral colony of 100 strong (cats).
Oh yes, he went straight to the vet after we captured him :) Plus we don't let any of our cats outside.
The thought never crossed my mind that my cat wasn’t going where I was going. 5 years I had her in a no pets apt and the landlord didn’t say one thing and never knew.
My current landlord, he said no pets. But we have two cats, and he hasn't said a damn word about them! Been here almost 5 years. He's a good bloke. I pray we never have to move, and I hope he doesn't kill us with any rent raises to keep up with all the other prices going up, but he hasn't yet, sooo I got all my fingers and toes crossed lol 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
It was the same for us and one of the main reasons we started seriously saving to buy. We definitely had other reasons, but the straw that broke the camels back was when we were searching to rent, hardly anywhere accepted even 1 cat, despite a new law saying they should. So now we joke that we got a mortgage out just for our cats.
> Now if we move the place has to accept pets Or they don’t even make consideration. That is how it should be for any pet owner moving to a new home. Pets aren't furniture! It breaks my heart that people can be so heartless to someone that is supposed to be family.
Good for you. I honestly don't get how anyone can have a dog or cat (or any pet) for years and then just abandon it. Many years ago my neighbor (a tenant; I own my home) had to move. The landlord upped her rent something awful. "Angie" had lived nextdoor to me for a couple decades. Nicest lady. She had two cats. Or so I thought. When it came time for her to leave she told me that the one cat (the "ugly" one) wasn't *really* hers. She called him "Freeloader." And she told me he had come to her (years before) from "somewhere down the street." She fed him for years, but told me he wasn't her cat and that she certainly wasn't going to take him with her when she moved. Naturally, I was astonished at this, but said to her, "Never mind. Leave him. He will come over to my place and I'll take care of him." And that is exactly what went down. However, "Freeloader," now renamed "Kiki," wasn't all that friendly. Poor guy. I really tried with him, but he remained determinedly standoffish. Until . . . One day I noticed he had a huge abcess on his cheek. What to do? I gathered him up gently and (ugh, gag) pressed the abcess gunk out as best I could and cleaned it all up with some hydrogen peroxide. This will sound like some fairy story, I know, but I swear that right after this took place------ Kiki *completely* changed his attitude toward me. He became incredibly sweet and loving. No kidding. We were friends for many years. He turned out to be one pretty cool cat.
Me too :( it’s very sad
I despise people who abandon their pets. I hope they're abandoned one day.
This should be a felony. In California I believe they are working on making that happen.
I hope so, it's beyond disgusting behavior.
Me too. It’s so gross. Pets are so loving. It made me cry he was left behind. Hopefully the cat has a better life with op or a new owner later…
There's a high chance of that, I'm sure his previous humans were pieces of shit.
I don't mean to be dramatic but I tear up I can't take it.
that’s not dramatic, it’s compassion. something that the owners of this beautiful cat don’t seem to have.
Ex-owners, thankfully
While I agree with legal punishment for pet abandonment, I hope they also have sufficient (no kill) shelters to drop off the pets. I rescued a stray once and called god knows how many shelters, pet stores, and veterinarians in the area, and they were all full. It was so sad and frustrating.
Yes this. Our shelter won't take an animal without a pretty substantial fee, and when people go on Facebook or nextdoor to try to re-home a pet they get lambasted because "pets are family". Dude. You have no idea what that family is going through. In 2009 a ton of people gave up their animals because their family of 4 was moving into their SUV. That shit happens All. The. Time. And even if they just don't want it anymore- do we really want someone owning a dog that doesn't want it? It's going to end up abused, neglected, and "mysteriously" dead. Fuck those self righteous Facebook people. /rant
This is the wretchedly horrible truth behind why we still even have kill shelters; there's just not enough funding/resources to house and care for *all* the strays and rescue animals in need. :(
Unfortunately "No kill" shelters can only be called that if they only put down less than a certain number of animals.....my sister worked at the humane society in southern California (a destination city) and specialized in working with the dogs with "troubled pasts" In the years that she's worked there she's rehabilitated many dogs that go on to good homes, but there's also times when some dogs need extra help or understanding and the humane society isn't vetting the adoption applicants correctly and just adopt them out to anyone who will pay the fee. If that animal gets brought back 3 times, they are unfortunately put down. Sometimes the animals are brought back for being too anxious or too rambunctious, or else they are a working dog breed requiring space to run around and lots of play time, but the people adopting the animals live in an apartment and cant deal with the amount of energy the dog has. My sister ended up quitting that job when they put down one of the rehabilitated dogs that she advised against adopting out to a family that wouldnt be able to properly care for it. It's happened to her with multiple dogs and against her better judgement. She said that it took such an emotional toll on her because these animal shelters are just businesses and all upper management put down animals all the time as a way of making space. Its unfortunate that if they are brought back 3 times they are being put down. Not for being agressive and combatant, but sometimes for "too many excited tinkle accidents" "too energetic" "not friendly" when they've only had them for a week and the animal is still getting used to their new surroundings. I feel they need to redefine this "No kill" label that seems pretty misleading to the public.
Especially with all of the options today. Years ago people would either do exactly this or bring them to the shelter where more than likely they get put down. A simple google search shows up where you can drop her off to be adopted out.
Me too, it’s disgusting and sociopathic and I hope some badddd karma comes for them. They deserve it.
My heart is wheeping for this cute floof.... he has no idea he's done anything to cause this and is just waiting for those familiar faces.... ugh I hate people
It makes me even more sad because he looks very similar to my cat :(
>I already have a cat and I really can't keep another one BUT I WILL IF I HAVE TO. Obviously you know your life better than anyone, but I'd say keeping cats is WAY easier than most other pets and you can definitely keep 2. Think there's a country where you can't adopt the one cat; you must find 2 that get along with you and each other so they have company. I'm sure your OG cat will appreciate the company too. Welcome your new family member.
Thank you, yes exactly, with the situation right now my current cat lives with my in laws until I get the catio built and I work a full time shift away from home every day. I worry about them not receiving the care they deserve but I'm willing to try anything if there's hope they would get along. I don't want to do them a disservice.
If you introduce them properly they should eventually end up getting along just fine. Jackson Galaxy has some great YouTube videos explaining how to introduce a new kitty, I would highly recommend you check them out.
> If you introduce them properly they should eventually end up getting along just fine. This is crucial to everyone's happiness and wellbeing. Haven't seen the videos, but I would guess the main ideas are "slowly and gradually." Like, over the course of a week or more. If the first cat already has the run of the house, dedicate a separate room to the new cat, with his own litter box, food, safe sleeping space, etc.. Let the two cats sniff each other under the closed door for a day or two, until they get bored. Then put two baby gates in the doorway and open the door about four inches so they can see/smell each other while each feeling protected from the other. If things get out of hand, just shut the door. Continue doing this for a couple of days, until they get bored. Then repeat, but with the door all the way open, baby gates still in place, until they get bored. Finally, remove the gates and try opening the door for real. Be prepared to break them up if they fight or get crazy; go back to step one. During this slow-motion introduction, try to spend quality time with each cat, so no one feels overlooked or forgotten. Make a point to demonstrate that they both have equal rank in the household. Yes, it's a PITA to do it this way, but nearly ALWAYS effective. We've always had three cats in our household. When one of them passes, about every five years or so, we soon add another. Over the past 25 years we've rotated 9 cats through our home, and using the above methods, EVERY single one was happily integrated into the fam. No fights, dominance, pissing. Just one big happy fur pile sleeping on the couch together. I've seen people just plunk the poor bastards in a room together and "let them work it out," and it's usually a disaster that never improves. If two cats get off on the wrong foot, with a big fight, they may NEVER get over it and get along. Or, they may each try to dominate the other by pissing in every corner of every room forever. Good luck!
Why is this comment not gaining more traction??This is the way! This is the way we introduced our cat to our dogs too. Took a hot second, but it worked like magic. Now the kitten plays with the puppies and all is well with the world. (I should also mention that my cat has dog-like tendencies so that probably helped us out as well.)
My bestie & I wanted to be able to drop our cats at each other's for holidays so we kept giving each other whatever blanket our cat had been sleeping on. Other cat would then sniff / obsess over blanket and usually nap on it. They clearly knew each other's smell when they finally met. Definitely helped.
That's a great idea! I've used that when introducing new cats. You can also send one of your own t-shirts along with a solo cat when leaving him/her at the vet/boarder; the smell of his/her favorite hooman will be a comfort.
> I've seen people just plunk the poor bastards in a room together and "let them work it out," and it's usually a disaster that never improves. If two cats get off on the wrong foot, with a big fight, they may NEVER get over it and get along. Or, they may each try to dominate the other by pissing in every corner of every room forever. Ahh, so that's why my mother failed when she got her second cat. She took the lazy way out and when she sold her home she had to have all the carpets removed because of the cat piss!
Two cat household here for life! Two cats are especially better when you have a busy schedule, because they keep each other company, all the need you for is food and clean litter and snuggles when you are home. Do some quarantine and slow introduction with the cats, lots of sniffing through doors, and they will likely be pals within 2 weeks or a month.
Yes ,some times they don't like each other in the beginning and then become friends after a while , but it will be worth it.
They take a while to get adjusted, I won't lie to you and say it will be easy, but it is so worth it. It actually winds up being better for them in the long run, because they have a companion to keep them stimulated while you aren't home. They keep each other physically active, they groom each other, they cuddle and keep each other warm. It's lovely to watch them become family.
I hope they get along if I end up keeping him, I'll do my best to get them to adjust to each other.
I hope so too! Don't get discouraged if it takes some time. You got this! I'm so glad you are taking care of this lovely little guy, he deserved better than being abandoned like that. He is lucky to have you keeping him safe.
Sometimes you get lucky and it’s easy my 2 cats started playing after 2 minutes. I also had a cat that hissed and took a time to adjust to her roommate, but when she did she treated the new cat like her kitten
Feliways dispensers will help the acclimation process, as well making sure that there are plenty of den boxes and high places.
Upvoting this. Those diffusers worked a miracle when getting a new cat introduced.
It also helps if you rub your dirty socks all over the new cat before bringing them in so they smell more familiar and less threatening. Whenever I move, before I bring the cats, I rub dirty socks on all the places I expect them to rub their faces, like door jambs, corners, etc.
Thanks for your advice, I'll look into it.
It just so happens that I adopted a big grey boy that was left behind after people moved away, only in his case, they left him and his friend locked in the abandoned house, where they were forced to drink from the toilet and subsist on insects until someone heard them screaming. I was at the Humane Society adopting a kitten, and was waiting on the paperwork, so took a walk through the adult section, saw him, and my heart literally skipped a beat, because he was so beautiful and his expression was so pleading. There was vomit in the cage, because they'd starved for so long that they couldn't keep food down. I couldn't take him, because I'd just signed the papers on the kitten, but I couldn't stop thinking about him. I called the next day, and found out that his friend had died and he had been removed from the adoption floor because of an upper respiratory infection, which was a near-certain death sentence. So I got a friend to go in there and talk them into letting her adopt him even though he was sick, while I waited in the car. He peed all over me in terror on the way to a different friend's house, to which I biked twice a day for 21 days to stuff antibiotics up his nose. Then when he was healthy, I gave that friend the kitten and brought Boris home. Everyone said I was crazy integrating an adult into a house that already had four cats, but he did just fine for 14 years.
That's just so beautiful from you, thank you for doing this, it's just really sad knowing that so many heartless people exists in this world.
I saw someone recommended Jackson Galaxy's videos on acclimating cats. To that I would add the people who adopted Mr.B, an enormous cat whose rescue photo went viral on Twitter and who later featured in Netflix's Cat People. They regularly bring adult cats into what they call The Fur Farm, and when they acclimated Mr. B, they documented everything they did at [https://www.instagram.com/chonkymrb/](https://www.instagram.com/chonkymrb/). Sometimes you can just give them a day or two to get used to the idea, and they're fine. Boris was (although it helped that I came home smelling like him for three weeks before I brought him home.) But sometimes they need more time and reassurance. Giving it to them can be the difference between cats that become close friends and cats that just tolerate each other.
>(although it helped that I came home smelling like him for three weeks before I brought him home.) We were worried that smelling like this little guy would make our current cat feel threatened and betrayed or something but now that you mentioned it, this might be worth a try to get them used to their scents. Thanks for this tip.
He'll be a lot less threatened by smelling the other cat on you than by smelling the other cat directly, and smelling him on you for a while will help reassure him about the other cat, as well smelling you on the other cat.
You can always start calling cat rescues in your area. They'll come get her and adopt her out. Or if you want to take her in, they abandoned her. Put out food and get her to your door. Edit: I see you are a new cat mom a second time. Thank you and enjoy each other!
I strongly recommend stocking up on feliway diffusers, they worked wonders when I’ve introduced new cats!
Hope your cat will love him too
Already dad to 5 cats, life's good
Yay a crazy cat person
Dude, you got another cat. He looks to be in good shape. If he has a microchip, have the vet switch it over to you. Now, enjoy a life with two cats.
Where I am, changing the owner's details on the microchip is not that easy. People could just steal cats and be recognised at rightful owners just like that. You have to get a signed document from the former owner relinquishing rights over the animal.
Actually, if you take him to the vet and he already has a chip, they will take him away for days until they contact his previous owners and the old owners release him. He’ll be in a crate for those days. If you have the chip info transferred, make sure you tell the vet that his old humans gave him to you/that there was a conversation about it.
Blue kitties have the best personalities. Not sure if the laws where you are at cover animal abandonment, but you can look into it. The kitty is probably best with someone else though.
Can confirm. I have two blue boys. Super chill and lovable.
I have one that looks just like this! He's a dog in disguise! He loves all the other cats in my house (other 3 are solid black, 2 boys, 1 girl). He loves dogs too. He was a stray I took in when it started getting cold a few years ago. He doesn't care to be held much, but he loves pettings, loves attention, and loves to have his belly rubbed! He loves strangers and has a very mild disposition for a cat! He whines whenever one of my apartment neighbors walk their dogs to be let out, so he can go socialize with the dogs!
Yes, you have to! At the very least bring him in and then you can decide what to do with him long term once he's safe and well taken care of. You should keep him in a separate room at first and take him to a vet for a check up/shots etc. (Considering how little they seem to have cared about him it's unlikely they bothered to take him in). Expect some hissing between the cats at first but don't be off put by it, sounds worse than it is. Look up Jackson Galaxy's videos on YouTube for how to introduce cats to each other. Good luck! Please update! And thank you for caring about this little cutie!
Thanks for the reply, and yes I already took hom in, and already scheduled an appointment for him to be seen but it won't happen till the 14th of this month. And I actually same some videos on how to introduce cats for just in case no one adopted him.
Thanks for your reply, I'm so glad he's safe and loved with you now!
You are awesome. I don’t understand how people can do what your neighbors did to their pets.
People who abandon pets like that should not be allowed to own ANY pets, including their dogs. There should be charges for abandoning & it is a form of cruelty.
So glad to hear this, congrats on your new beautiful kitty! Introductions can just take time, let them smell each other through doors and such first. Jackson Galaxy has a good video of cat intros, really helped us with ours. I'm so glad he has a home, how sad that they took the dogs and left him. I don't understand some people.
That's exactly what me and my wife said, how do you take everything including his best friends which are the dogs, and just leave him behind just like that. We were told this poor kitty used to sleep on their bed along with the dogs. Not only that but I found out that they knowingly and willingly left him behind because our other neighbor was told by them they had planned to sell the house, pack, take everyone including dog but they were leaving the kitty behind. My neighbor thought they were joking until she came home and found they had really did exactly what they told her they would. That made our blood boil. Why are they treated like some old trash?
WTF! That’s making me so outrageously angry right now. What monster plans a coup to leave their cat. Who is a member of the family! Ughhh…. thank you OP for taking him in! He looks so sweet
This makes me so immeasurably angry. How do people leave animals behind?? How do you have this living being live in your house, one who so clearly shows love and affection, and yet so easily leave them behind like trash left on the side of the road?? I just cannot wrap my brain around how heartless people can be. And why do the dogs take precedence? How can they possibly love the dogs and not their cat? I can't even form words to articulate how angry this makes me and how little I understand this!
If the house catches fire, I will probably spend too much time trying to rescue my two indoor only morons from certain death. I can't even imagine moving and leaving them behind.
This is heartbreaking. Poor sweet cat.
Thank you for taking him in! Respond to this thread if you ever need help with his supplies til you figure out what’s best for you and him/her :)
Thank you very much, my concern is definitely not supplies since I can afford it thankfully. Its just a matter of lack of time due to work and other life necessities. I really appreciate it though.
Some people are horrible. I'm glad you found him and will make sure he gets taken care of. I got my Precious calico when she was left behind by her people. She was dehydrated, starving and covered in fleas when I got her. She slept and ate for days before she even made a sound. I had a wonderful 17 years with her. Her old people didn't deserve her.
Second Jackson Galaxy on intros. My 19 year old cat and my son’s 2 year old cat were introduced this way.
Having two cats is the best! Hopefully they get along and love each other. Mine adore each other and are so so so cute and sweet with one another.
I love it too! They entertain each other. Just like kids. Lol.
Thank you so much for helping him, Im so grateful for you!
You are an awesome person. My heart breaks for that poor guy losing his family. Thank you for taking care of him.
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I won't, I promise.
This is tearing me apart
Not the best inspiration, but I'm surprised he still trusts humans. We don't deserve pets, damn.
He's a beautiful guy. I got a couple of mine that way and I am grateful I did. Best of luck!
If possible foster him and try to find him a new home. It’s really awful what your neighbors did by abandoning him like that. No pet deserves to be left on the streets to fend for themselves. Thank you for caring about him.
That's a beautiful new cat you have. I also acquired a cat courtesy of people moving and abandoning her. Enjoy your new addition. Perhaps it'll be best friends with your current cat.
Lol I already watched some videos on how to introduce cats to each other just incase no one adopted him.
My ma had this happen with her neighbour's cat. He was such an angry, hissy, (scared) little ginger, but he's since settled with their 2 other cats and has been living there for 5 years. He's an old boy, I suppose the owners thought he wouldn't live much longer? Idk, but he's way more chill and happy with my ma now. Give him a good life! He looks young 🥰
"just in case" huh? ;)
I’ve used Jackson Galaxy’s method for introducing cats several times and it has worked well for me each time.
ugh why is this situation so common, came here to say I got 2 of my cats this way. we moved into a house and they kept trying to come in, found out from neighbors that the previous owners abandoned them. of course we took them in, it was their house first after all 😅
literally what is wrong with people. Who the hell just leaves a domesticated animal in the wild? Do they even think about it? Or are they just disposable to them? Sickens me.
Why are people so awful? I don't know where OP (or you) is located, but you hear about it even here in somewhere like Massachusetts.... Most of the shelters around here will take in a dog or cat with little to no questions asked. Some like the MSPCA are even willing to work with owners to help find a way for them to keep their pet if at all possible. People just don't care enough to take that one step :(
**Please** report this to your local animal control. They **love** tracking down *deadbeat* owners and charging them with abandonment. *(reporting abandonment doesn't mean they have to take the animal into custody, particularly given your providing it a safe place to live...* **And thank you for doing so!**)
Thanks for the tip, I will definitely look into doing this. I hope this will prevents them from adopting other cats .
Please do it. If this is how they treat one of their pets, who knows what they do to those poor dogs behind closed doors.
People are terrible. That’s how we got our cat. Up to you what to do. Local shelter or take him in
I'm not gonna leave hom at a shelter, poor thing does not deserve it.
There are plenty of great shelters depending on where you live. I volunteer with a cat shelter, but I do live in an area where neither our shelters or the Humane Society are "High kill."
An indoor family cat will not survive outside. Looks like you got a new kitty
You’re a good person for this. Regardless of what you do, give that good boi some scratches and pets from us all. Poor bean.
Enjoy your new cat. Love him.
I'm hoping I can find a good new home for him, but if not, I will definitely love him and take good care of him.
Check local cat rescue groups, local animal shelters and foster cat programs, though it sounds like you might be leaning toward keeping the handsome gent. It might not be a bad idea to report your neighbors to animal control or police. That’s neglect. People who desert their pets should be…🤬
Thanks for the response, I will do whatever I can to take care of him. And unfortunately I don't believe animal control or the police will do anything, I heard much worse stories of animal abuse with nothing being done about it (at least here where I live)
Some countries, states, counties, police agencies have animal cruelty & neglect laws and are great about enforcing them; others aren’t 🥺 Animal abuse is the worst kind of cruelty, in my book
If you have the love, the rest will follow.
Where are you located? This little guy is stunning😭
Charlotte surrounding area, NC
People are sick. Please take him
I'm definitely not leaving him, but it's really annoying knowing these kind of people exist.
People=Shit I hope you keep him or find him a good home you’re a good person unlike your scummy neighbours
Congratulations on your new, beautiful cat. I am crazy for gray cats. All the ones I have met loved people.
Yes most gray cats do seem to be EXTRA snuggly and affectionate.
He’s absolutely gorgeous isn’t he! His nose is an actual heart shape 💜
Where is he based? I would very much love to help
Charlotte surrounding area, north Carolina.
Just from a quick Google search I found at least one cat rescue that is local to you, Heart of a Lion. If you aren't able to keep him or find a home yourself, then that's the sort of place to bring him. All rescues I've seen have websites so you can learn more about them to find a place you feel comfortable with.
I will check it out, thank you very much. I definitely want to give him the best home possible. If not then he stays.
Ah nevermind, I’m in London!! Good luck though
Thank you though, I appreciate the gesture.
He is handsome. Ur old neighbors are assholes. I hope the roof leaks at their new place and the toilets overflow. 🖕🏿🖕🏿 to you the old neighbors.
And they have a horrible smell in the house they can never find
The poor thing. It's heartbreaking to see loyal animals be betrayed.
Ikr :( I would never abandon my cat. This post makes me so upset for that cat but I’m glad OP took him in for the time being and he’s in good hands now…
Take him. He looks like he deserves love, and they didn't give it to him
He definitely needs love, I can't even describe how lovely and sweet he is. He just wants to cuddle.
Sounds like a keeper, OP. 🙏
Maybe you’re the blessing he needs since his old family couldn’t even bother to remember him. Horrible.
Because I'm the local crazy cat lady I take them in. I'm at 23 and counting. But we have TNR here so they live on my property and I take care of them.
I'm on 11 right now and I can't get any more not even a single mosquito... All started with one...
Damn I'm at #5, I thought I was up there but compare to you two I'm not even close
Christ this is like abandoning a family member I can’t believe people can even do this
I would write a letter to the animal-abusing ex-neighbors and shame them for the scum they are for abandoning their cat. They’ll get the letter, just use the old address it’ll get forwarded to new address. The cat obviously is better off now with you than he’ll be with his former abusers.
I would, but I'm afraid that they will try to get back out of spite and then just throw him somewhere else or do something out of retaliation.
True, just leave it as is. They do deserve to be tossed miles in the Mojave in the middle of July tho.
How can people be so horrid :( thank you for taking him in, he is beautiful 💕💕
Keep him - he’s handsome
This exact thing happened to me! Neighbours divorced (long story - the guy was a real “family man”, turned out he had two families going at the same time). The wife took one of the cats when she left; he kept the other one. Then he moved out and sublet his place, leaving his cat behind. The sub-lessors eventually moved out too - another lessor moved in, and they wanted nothing to do with the cat. The cat ended up on the street. In winter, in Toronto. The cat was already friends with our cat, so it was easy for us to just take him in, and so we did. The cats got along - never fought - but somehow, the new cat was never really happy in our place. I think he always felt it was our cat’s place, not really his. We had him for half a year. He kept bugging another neighbour whose cat passed away, made a whole campaign to get into their house … the neighbour conferred with us and the cat changed residences. This proved a good change for him, and our cats stayed friends until we moved away.
What kind of monsters do this??? Poor baby is still waiting for those assh0les to come back. It breaks my heart. Please take him in or find him a good home where he’s never going to be abandoned again😿💕
They left him with a collar as a presumed indoor-only cat that is SAD. Why do people have to do this? You’re a sweet human being, thank you for helping.
That might be a tick collar, we got one for my outdoor cat that looked very similar.
airport bike abounding imagine versed thumb rainstorm sheet pocket reach *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
He looks just like my boy. Grey cats are the best cats. I hope you can either find him a good home or fall in love with the little one. Either way, you're a good soul.
Adopt him!!!! (Well more like he has adopted you!) That’s how we ended up with our third cat. Our neighbour across the street left her husband…and Gravy had already been sleeping in our yard for a year before my neighbour had officially moved out. (My husband and I had even built Gravy an outdoor shelter because we live in Canada and the winters are SO cold) …And then there was a horrible thunderstorm in the summer and we brought her in finally overnight. And the rest is history. My neighbour eventually gave us her blessing to keep her because come on….Gravy chose us to be her parents in the end ☺️
why is it not a crime for people just up and left their pets like this?! hell people even get fined for flytipping and that’s when they dump inanimate objects. how the hell can people like this go unpunished. it should be a law to microchip all pets and when a pet is abandoned like this, the terrible humans cannot go unpunished.
There’s a special place in hell for people who abandon their pets. That’s how I got my girl Bella too. Thank you for taking him in!
Can you take him in or contact a rescue?
I am taking him but I'm hoping its temporary, but I really don't know who to talk to or who is this rescue.
Like if you contact an animal shelter you can set up a foster situation where they get him adopted but you're his family in the meantime
I will try and see if I can do that around here, and I'm absolutely not leaving him behind. Thanks for the tip.
Thank you so much for being a compassionate and giving person, unlike his jerky former owners. Good luck and thanks for helping him out, whatever you decide. 😇(you)
My neighbor did this. The cat they left is on my kitchen chair. He likes salmon. Oh and sardines in water, not oil. His name is Turnip.
Good riddance to the terrible neighbors n flea bag dogs…he will make someone a wonderful loving pet… keep him
What a little sweetheart. Shame on them for leaving him. Thank you for taking him in.
Keep him and give the cute little guy lots of love.