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April 28, 2012

Someone’s lost cat: a question to the hive mind
Posted by Patrick at 08:39 AM * 73 comments

cat.jpg This black cat, pretty clearly not feral, has been huddling in front of our basement door since sometime early yesterday evening. None of the neighbors we’ve spoken to recognize it. We figured it was a house cat that had gotten outside and then become cold—temperatures have dropped in NYC in the last couple of days, and it’s warm on that bottom step. But this morning it’s still there, and when Teresa took it some canned tuna, it raised itself up enough to show evidence of a broken foreleg.

We’ve spoken to Animal Care and Control of New York and they’ve told us that, notwithstanding what it says on their web page, they don’t actually pick up animals.

We can’t bring the creature into the house—I’m seriously allergic to all cats—and we don’t have a car with which to get it to the Brooklyn Animal Control shelter some miles from here. We don’t really know how to move it without injuring it further. Does anyone in our readership have an idea what we should do?

UPDATE: Situation resolved, thanks to the excellent staff and volunteers of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. The cat has been taken away by a volunteer who will convey it to shelter and medical attention. Relief all around. Thanks to many people for offers of serious material and practical help, particularly fellow Brooklynite Nora Jemisin and Sunset Park neighbor Paul Witcover. Whew.

Comments on Someone's lost cat: a question to the hive mind:
#1 ::: Lila ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 09:41 AM:

If you can borrow a cat carrier or a sturdy box, the cat may well voluntarily hide in it, especially if it contains tuna. Also, is there water in easy reach?

#2 ::: Throwmearope ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 09:54 AM:

Maybe you can locate your local cat rescue project. They often have volunteers who can come out on a rescue. (Unfortunately, the dog rescuers way outnumber the cat rescuers, but NYC is a big place.)

Thanks for caring.

#3 ::: Ayse ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 09:58 AM:

Cats rarely go far from home: usually no more than a couple blocks. In addition to putting it in a box and thence into a taxi, a poster around the neighborhood with a photo would help the owner immeasurably.

Local vets usually also post lost-pet posters, and are a good place to check as well as to post a found-pet poster.

#4 ::: rosyatrandom ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 09:59 AM:

First, put that photo up on a few local lost pet sites. I'm sure there are a few; I did the same thing when we found a dog in our garden a while back.

Second, hopefully either a friend or a reader lives nearby and can take it in. I'd volunteer except for that I am over 3,000 miles away....

#5 ::: twistedchick ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:09 AM:

Contact Alley Cat Rescue -- it's a national organization, with local branches everywhere -- and ask them. They will foster stray cats, get them medical help, and find them new homes. 301-277-5575, or whatever is in your local phone listing.

And -- while you're doing that, how about feeding it before it starves? You don't have to bring it inside. A little chopped up plain cooked chicken breast, or some other meat without spices or flavors, on a saucer. And some water in a small bowl. Just put it down near the cat. With a broken leg it's not going to be catching anything to eat, and if it's been sitting there without food or water for the time you mention it's already not in good shape.

#6 ::: GothamMuse ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:16 AM:

Water is very important, especially if kitty has been on the step for a day or so. There are pet taxi services in NYC; although a bit pricey, they generally come equipped to transport in any situation, as a last resort if you can't borrow a carrier anywhere - although buying an inexpensive carrier may be less expensive than the pet taxi. Good luck, and thanks for caring.

#7 ::: Teresa Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:17 AM:

I've gone up and down the block asking people, but no one I've talked to knows who owns it. I think it's local, and that this is the same cat I occasionally see stalking birds in my back yard.

If it is that cat, it's an expert hunter, which is another reason I don't want to bring it inside. Lucius is surprisingly chipper and energetic for a hamster his age, but he's also blind, and he's never met a cat in his life. Unfortunate things could happen.

Re food and water for the cat: The circular object in the photo is a large can of tuna packed in water. Setting it down on the steps was the occasion of the cat moving enough for me to see its broken foreleg.

#8 ::: Naomi parkhurst ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:17 AM:

Twistedchick - they noticed the broken leg when they fed it; I imagine they will continue to care for it until they can get it to a vet.

#9 ::: fidelio ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:39 AM:

If you can get a carrier from someone, it's true that the cat may well go in on its own--the carrier represents a safe, defenisble place. If not, and the carrier opens from the top,* or if the best you can do is a box, then the cat can be moved by the expedient of first grasping it by the scruff firmly** and then sliding you other hand under the belly and lifting. If you can grab the hind legs with the lifting hand as soon as they're off the ground, the cat may feel more secure, but you don't want it in the air any longer than it'll take to get it enboxened anyway. I'd set the back end down first, since that seems to be intact.

Once it's in a carrier or closable box, you can take it/have it taken for treatment, or turn it over to the owner if they appear before you can do that.

Not taking it inside your place is good, and not just for Patrick's and Lucius's sakes; you want to get it to treatment (or to the owner so they can, etc.)

*If you can't get hold of a top-opening carrier, I wouldn't try and force it in the end-opening with the injured leg. Go with the box instead.

**No, more firmly than that. If this means the cat's head is pulled backwards a bit, that's OK. It will only be for a moment, not long enough to strangle it. Remember the video of the cat and the chip-bag clip?

#10 ::: Tom Whitmore ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:49 AM:

All of those suggestions sound good, and I have nothing further to add except that I wish I lived near enough to help! Oh -- and if you're using a cardboard box or a carrier, it's really nice to put a towel in in first. It's both extra cushioning and soaks up most of a possible urinary accident. Which is a real possibility with a scared and injured kitty.

#11 ::: Camilla ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:55 AM:

In my area (not yours, sadly) Animal Rescue League of Boston is a non-profit equipped to cover for local animal control officers who are off duty or unstaffed positions. You are presumably looking for the equivalent organization.

A pro will tend to use a noose-on-a-stick tool to catch an injured animal, and pick it up around the neck that way. I think on the better-quick-and-safe theory.

It took me multiple phone calls to find Animal Rescue League, but their dispatcher is clever. They might know of the appropriate sister organization.

#12 ::: P J Evans ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:57 AM:

Teresa, it could be from a couple of blocks away. Possibly its people put up signs on their block - I would think they'd be wondering where the cat is.

I wish I lived closer....

#13 ::: Doctor Science ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:00 AM:

I'm not local, so I'm signal boosting -- there are a lot of people in Brooklyn, and with luck one of them can help you out.

#14 ::: Dave Bell ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:15 AM:

An animal rescue organisation that only works 9am to 5pm, weekdays?

I do think you have reported them a little unfairly, but, reading the page, I can't help feeling that they deserve derision. Animals don't have weekends in their thinking.

That isn't the way I was brought up to think.

#15 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:31 AM:

I've spent much of this morning going through the web sites of various animal welfare and rescue operations, and the thing they all seem to have in common is that none of them will send someone to your home to take away an injured and/or stray animal.

I emailed the local pet taxi and got a quick response saying that Animal Care and Control of New York will simply euthanize the creature. This is not the impression conveyed on their web page ("Committed to Caring") but I'm inclined to think that people who run a pet taxi service may know something about how this stuff actually works. The pet taxi guy followed up with second email, suggesting I phone a Steve Gruber of the "Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals," so I've done that--I didn't get through, but I left Mr. Gruber a message.

#16 ::: Lisa Spangenberg ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:33 AM:

What about this place?

http://www.nyanimalrescue.org/


We are located at 153 East 3rd Street in Brooklyn NY (11218) between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue. Take the F train to Fort Hamilton Parkway, or the B16/B67 buses to Fort Hamilton Parkway.

call us: 718-436-5163


nyanimalrescue@yahoo.com

#17 ::: Annafdd ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:33 AM:

Dave, most animal welfare organisations are volunteer ran. It's already something they can manage week days.

THN, I have nothing else to add, just bear in mind that sadly, unless you can find either the owners or a no-kill shelter, that poor little thing is one dead kitty. :-(

I can't believe the NYC fandom doesn't harbour at least oe person who can rescue such a nice little kitty! #batseyelids

#18 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:35 AM:

Annafdd, what New York fandom lacks is people with cars.

#19 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:39 AM:

Possibly helpful:

Try Craiglist. Apparently this has worked in Brooklyn before.

If you haven't checked the NYACC website for a lost cat report, do that. Post a found cat report if you don't see a lost cat report that fits your moggy.

(Also, sounds it would be a good idea to avoid Brooklyn Animal Care Center; while some folks praise the volunteers there, reports are that their budget is so strained that same-day euthanasia is more likely than any emergency medical care, even for something routine.)

#20 ::: Annafdd ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:45 AM:

Patrick, I will gladly PayPal money for taxi. Just let e know. Seriously. Also, call a nearby vet, and ask for advice. They will know, they probably deal with this all the time.

#21 ::: Charlie Stross ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:45 AM:

Also worth noting: if it's a pet it may be chipped. Vets have readers; and any reputable animal rescue outfit should, too. It it's chipped, that's your owner problem sorted. (Weekend vet service is, alas, expensive, and vet callout is even worse.)

Wish I could help directly, but: wrong continent ...

#22 ::: Stuart in Austin ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:49 AM:

Use Google to find a vet that specializes in cats. Call his practice and they will certainly know contact people for the local cat rescue organizations. Goggling New York City cat rescue gives a lot of results.

#23 ::: twistedchick ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:58 AM:

Many apologies re the food comment -- I misread what was typed. But still, calling Alley Cat Rescue is a good idea, because they are no-kill. Unless you know differently about your local animal shelter, that cat may have a longer life on the step than it would there.

#24 ::: Naomi Parkhurst ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:59 AM:

A New York friend of mine suggests:

"Best thing is to call 311, the general help line, for a referral.
May call The Cat Practice, a private vet -- not that they’ll pick up the stray, but they might know the best agency to call. 212-677-1401.
And here are the numbers for the ASPCA shelters in Brooklyn."

I'm guessing that you might have tried some of this already, but it seemed worth mentioning all of it.

#25 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 11:59 AM:

Believe me, I've been through pretty much every Google result for "NYC cat rescue" this morning. There are tons of organizations providing all manner of services. Just not the ones we actually need.

But phoning a vet is a good idea.

#26 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 12:03 PM:

This veterinary hospital has probably dealt with the problem before, and may know what organization can help:

Brooklyn Vet Emergency and Referral Group
318 Warren St
Brooklyn, NY 11201-6489
(718) 522-9400
Open 24/7

#27 ::: David Bell ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 12:15 PM:

I see from your original link that Brooklyn Animal Control Shelter and Animal Care and Control of New York are shown as sharing that street address. Looking at the Streetview images, it looks like the local Animal Care and Control base. So it's no surprise they would have the same reputation.


And, frankly, based on what they claim to do, I can't see how ACCNY cannot have paid professional staff. That site alone is too big an operation, with marked vehicles, carrying specialised equipment, to be depending on volunteers.

Just think of the insurance issues.

Part of the harsh reality is that the broken forelimb is heavily against that poor kitty, but shutting down animal care provision for a weekend is vile and despicable barbarism, whatever the ultimate result.

I've put out a booster signal on the appeal for help.

#28 ::: Annafdd ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 12:24 PM:

Oh and if you need to move an injured cat, there is one suggestion I will strongly make: GARDENING GLOVES.

#29 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 12:28 PM:

(BTW, thanks for various offers to financially sponsor, for instance, taxi rides, but we're good for that.)

#30 ::: janetl ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 12:28 PM:

When a stray dog followed us home, we took pictures to post on poles in the neighborhood -- and ran into the dog's owner, posting pictures around the neighborhood.
I assume there's no collar with info, but a vet who can scan for a ID chip would be great. Vets are typically open on Saturday, and sometimes on Sunday.

#31 ::: Naomi Parkhurst ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 12:38 PM:

Also, I seem to recall that our local PetSmart had a chip scanner when we found a stray dog, but that still requires getting the cat there.

#32 ::: Lee ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 12:41 PM:

No helpful suggestions to offer at this distance, but sympathy in plenty.

We're currently trying to live-trap a momcat and 2 kittens that showed up in our yard a couple of nights ago. We think the momcat may be the sibling of Spike who we never saw again after we successfully trapped him and his momcat (Windowsill Cat, now known as Winnie). She's the right age and the right coloring.

We don't do ferals (and these cats are definitely feral -- Spike and Winnie were both shy but non-hostile, these guys hiss and spit), but we know people who do. Unfortunately, both of the kittens are tortie/dilute tortie, so if we don't manage to trap them, the neighborhood will be overrun with ferals by this time next year.

#33 ::: Xopher HalfTongue ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 01:11 PM:

Boosted signal. I don't have any suggestions to offer, unfortunately.

#34 ::: Laura from Faraway ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 03:12 PM:

I may have a friend who can help. And some money to throw at the problem.

#35 ::: Rebecca Maines ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 03:16 PM:

Call local vets--most have Saturday hours and some work with rescuers. (Some don't, and will send strays straight to the city shelter for euthanasia.)

Find an old towel or blanket that you can drape over/near the kitty to help it conserve body heat--if it's hurt, all the more important.

We're on Long Island. I can't get there today, but if you can't find more local help by tomorrow morning, Rob and/or I can come with a car.

#36 ::: Mindy Klasky ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 03:18 PM:

A phone call to the Manhattan Animal Medical Center should help - (212) 838-7053 - they serve all five boroughs and should be able to recommend a shelter or service who can retrieve and care for the animal from/in Brooklyn.

#37 ::: Cathy ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 03:28 PM:

What about the ASPCA in Manhattan? I haven't lived in NYC for about a decade, but it is my understanding they cover all 5 boroughs.

#38 ::: Giscard ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 04:26 PM:

If everything else fails, I'm told cat stew is tasty.

#39 ::: abi ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 04:36 PM:

Giscard @38:

First of all, carnivores are rarely as tasty as herbivores.

Second of all, in addition to being factually incorrect, you're being a shit.

Knock it off.

#40 ::: Lizzy L ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 04:37 PM:

Giscard, allow me to present you with this slightly used but still serviceable internet. No, no, don't thank me.

I'm too far away to help, but given the firepower already exhibited in this thread, I'm not needed. Thinking good thoughts.

#41 ::: Lizzy L ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 04:40 PM:

abi, Giscard is not serious. (Right, G?)

But I'll take the internet back, if you wish. The moderator's wish is law around here.

#42 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 04:53 PM:

WOO HOO. A lovely volunteer from the Mayor's Office for NYC Animals has just come by and TAKEN THE CAT AWAY.

Thank you all for your advice and counsel. Thanks to the excellent Steve Gruber at the Mayor's Alliance and his volunteer coordinator Valerie. Thank you fellow Brooklynite Nora Jemisin for being willing to come over here with a Zipcar and a cat carrier, both of which turned out to be unnecessary. Likewise thank you Sunset Park neighbor Paul Witcover for offering to loan us his car. Thank many people for many offers that turned out not to be needed.

#43 ::: abi ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 04:55 PM:

Lizzy @41:

I could be being overly humorless at the moment. Indeed, it's entirely plausible.

But a one-off comment from a stranger on the internet, in a thread with so much sincere effort to help, struck me wrong.

I'd rather you were right, to be honest.

#44 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 05:15 PM:

YAY FOR CAT RESCUE!

It's so good that people helped. I hope that cat's people are reunited with the cat, and that all turns out well.

#45 ::: Stuart in Austin ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 05:21 PM:

I hope all the helpful souls here will remember that it is kitten season. Every cat rescue organization is strained to the max. Please donate to a group near you and consider fostering a litter. Watching kittens grow to cathood will put a smile on your face.

#46 ::: Anna ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 05:27 PM:

@Stuart, indeed, my beloved Jam aka Younger Cat entered my home as a feral stray foster, and stayed. I now work, so I'm o longer as useful as a fosterer: that, and Elder Cat does not approve. But yes, fostering kittens means never lacking for cute.

#47 ::: Giscard ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 05:31 PM:

Millions of people in the world eat cats, so I suppose they are tasty enough... in any case it was just a joke! A pretty common one here, many bad restaurants are said to replace rabbit or roe deer meat with cat meat, a neighboring city inhabitants have been nicknamed "the cat-eaters" for centuries, and so on.

#48 ::: fidelio ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 05:41 PM:

Hurray! I hope things continue to improve for this little critter.

#49 ::: abi ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 05:41 PM:

Giscard @47:

Well, then, I apologize for being grumpy.

(And if anyone could make even the most dubious meat into a tasty dish, it would be TNH.)

#50 ::: Arwen ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 06:25 PM:

Wonderful news! A big relief. I'll quote it in the Facebook post I made, in case anyone reading over there was worried.

#51 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 06:54 PM:

Stuart in Austin, #45: I didn't know about "kitten season" until today. I totally do now. And good point about donating to a shelter or volunteer group. I'll do that.

#52 ::: Lee ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 08:16 PM:

Stuart, #45: Indeed, and the more so because the shitty economy is causing a lot of older animals to be abandoned when their owners move or become homeless.

All of our cats but one started out as strays.
- Mouser was a wedding present. My partner went to a friend's wedding, and she was giving away kittens.
- Sunfall is one of the kittens from a very pregnant momcat that showed up on my partner's ex's doorstep, in labor and looking for a warm place to deliver.
- Spot was a street rescue on Boxing Day 2010, obviously some poor kid's Christmas present that was vetoed after the fact.
- Spike and Winnie showed up in our yard last November, and we were able to trap them. Then it turned out that they didn't act like ferals...

Re "kitten season", also note that female cats can come back into heat within a few weeks after their kittens are weaned, and may drop several litters in a year's time.

#53 ::: Melissa Singer ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:23 PM:

So glad things worked out! (sorry not to have been around to help)

#54 ::: Lizzy L ::: (view all by) ::: April 28, 2012, 10:48 PM:

abi, I have no idea why Gscard's inappropriate joke struck me as extremely funny -- it just did. Possibly something I ate... (Stop that! Bad Lizzy.)

My current feline housemate, Hanako, was a rescue. I heard her in the twilight: when I went outside, I found her crouching in the weeds in a neighbor's driveway, howling for her feral mother and littermates, who had vanished. I couldn't just leave her, as said neighbors were/are not sympathetic to animals, so I scooped her up and took her home. She was 4 weeks old, flea-ridden, but basically healthy. That was 12 years ago.

#55 ::: Throwmearope ::: (view all by) ::: April 29, 2012, 08:52 AM:

We have four cats and two dogs, all rescues. Unfortunately, the new vacuum just committed suicide, so while it's in the shop, I'm kinda regretting the six rescues.

Oh, well, they said max, it'd be a month to get my vac back.

#56 ::: john who is incognito and definitely not at work ::: (view all by) ::: April 29, 2012, 03:46 PM:

I'm glad you found someone to come pick up the cat and give it medical attention.

Lizzy, I found my cat the same way--I heard a kitten outside mewing in the morning, then after I'd run errands and come back she was still out there mewing, then after I picked up groceries, cooked dinner, ate it, and cleaned up, it was *still* out there mewing. By now it was dark out and she had been unattended for about 10 hours. She must have been about two weeks old; she'd take two steps and fall over, take two steps and fall over.... I don't know why her mother never came back for her.

Within two months I saw that there was a litter of kittens in the woods, apparently still being cared for. They were a bit bigger than my kitten at the time. I'd catch sight of them every now and then but they were obviously feral. A few months later they were all smaller than my kitten was.

Then today, riding my bike to work four and a half years later, I passed one of the cats I'd assumed was a littermate. It was dead, apparently hit by a car.

Rescuing cats is a good thing. Feral cats have a short miserable life.

#57 ::: Larry Brennan ::: (view all by) ::: April 29, 2012, 08:05 PM:

Lost housepets hit my sad button pretty hard.

I've got a black kitty (whom we have named Hugo) that we got from a local mostly-volunteer pet rescue organization. He was clearly someone's former pet, but he wasn't chipped. The agency we got him from chipped him and registered him for us.

I love our little Hugo, but he's got a skittish streak. I worry that he'll get outside and be hard to find.

I hope the kitty you helped out makes it back to his people, or at least to a new home where he can be cared for and loved. The broken leg isn't necessarily an impediment to adoption. My wife adopted a kitty (Lars, our brave red-headed Viking) with a broken leg, and spent quite a bit of money making him right. He had many happy years with us despite his earlier hard luck.

#58 ::: Teresa Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: April 30, 2012, 11:30 AM:

I'll admit we've made jokes about eating cat, but our usual is 'If [whatever] doesn't happen, "we're just going to have to eat Little Fluffy."'

Thank you all for the help and the supportive comments. It's a huge relief to know that whatever can be done for the cat is being done. If its injuries are survivable, they'll treat them. If not, they'll be kind.

I found it oddly troubling to have it literally sitting at our gate. I started thinking of it as Lazarus, which led to this Tweet:

DIVES: Lord, I spent *all day* phoning elderly-beggar rescue groups and shelters.
Hell being full of mice might explain why cats are such an impenitent lot.

#59 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: April 30, 2012, 01:55 PM:

T, you just made me dissolve in giggles. Good thing a beverage was not involved, or you might owe me a keyboard.

#60 ::: Walt ::: (view all by) ::: April 30, 2012, 04:19 PM:

Glad to read that the problem is solved.

Just FYI, though, the link provided in the main article for "what it says on their web page" doesn't work. I think you may have wanted http://www.nycacc.org/field.htm not .../field_operations.html (of course, they may have changed the page's URL since you linked to it, I suppose).

#61 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: April 30, 2012, 06:19 PM:

Walt @60: They changed it. Innnnteresting. It worked fine for me on Saturday, and linked to a list of what the NYACC did, which did indeed include something about picking up animals. (I don't remember the specifics. Dang. I'm not used to thinking "Gee, I should get a screen shot before that agency goes all CYA." Feh.)

#62 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: April 30, 2012, 06:28 PM:

There's a field services page that looks different than the one I saw on Saturday. It says "AC&C field officers help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need. The Field Operations Division of AC&C responds to calls from the public and government agencies, Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM."

Their page on feral cats, which I did not see on Saturday (but could easily have missed it) says "AC&C takes any owned, feral or lost pet into our Care Centers at any time. Our field services will pick up a stray cat only if he is injured, involved in an animal cruelty situation or is part of a bite investigation. We do not pick up owned cats (see our Surrender prevention page). If you have a cat that meets the criterion for pick-up, please call 311." But as PNH and TNH found out, that doesn't happen evenings and weekends.

Anyhow, I'm glad there was a volunteer who could come get the cat. I don't imagine most injured animals will conveniently make themselves known between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

#63 ::: Teresa Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: May 01, 2012, 10:30 AM:

Walt, Elise: When I talked to him on the phone, the guy was noticeably interested in whether it was an owned or feral cat. I said I assumed it was owned because aside from its injuries it's in good condition, and I've seen it around. I didn't add that it wasn't crazy-scared of me when I went to give it tuna and water, though I would have if he'd kept asking.

My assumption from their website is that an injured stray should be picked up, but he or their website may be unclear about that.

#64 ::: Lee ::: (view all by) ::: May 01, 2012, 02:02 PM:

Our momcat-and-2-kittens turned out to be a momcat and 4 kittens, of which we have successfully trapped 3 so far. One of the kittens is tractable, one hisses, and the third is a hissing, spitting, snarling ball of fury. Really an amazing spit for such a tiny kitten! We're still working on momcat and kitten #4. Part of the problem is that the trap keeps catching goddamn possums, which then have to be taken to Animal Control or driven out into the boonies and dumped there.

#65 ::: Howard ::: (view all by) ::: May 03, 2012, 11:03 AM:

I've had a really rough week, and seeing that the cat got a happy ending was almost enough to make me cry.

On the other hand...

Giscard @47...

Yes, that's a joke. That's a very old joke. One I have heard a lot.

This Sunday I held my six-month-old kitten in my arms while she passed fitfully from this life.

It wasn't really clever or funny the first time I heard it.

It hasn't become so through the addition of time and repetition.

#66 ::: Cassy B ::: (view all by) ::: May 03, 2012, 07:23 PM:

Howard @65, my sincere condolences.

#67 ::: Paula Helm Murray ::: (view all by) ::: May 03, 2012, 10:18 PM:

Teresa and Patrick, I am glad and relieved that you were able to find someone to truly rescue the cat.

Howard, much sympathy. That is very sad.

#68 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: May 04, 2012, 12:44 AM:

Sympathy for your loss, Howard.

#69 ::: Syd ::: (view all by) ::: May 04, 2012, 01:03 AM:

Oh, Howard--my sincere sympathies.

I also share Howard's opinion of Giskard's "joke" but was afraid if I started a comment, I'd wind up getting angry and depressed.

Lee @ 64, good luck with Momcat and kitten the fourth. The only reason I was able to trap Garbo is that from my back yard, she had one route to the crawlspace under my house--so I went out the front door to place the trap, then went through the house to the back yard to "startle" her into running for her hideout. Boom! One trapped kitten.

Fingers crossed for your success!

#70 ::: Syd ::: (view all by) ::: May 04, 2012, 01:03 AM:

Oh, Howard--my sincere sympathies.

I also share Howard's opinion of Giskard's "joke" but was afraid if I started a comment, I'd wind up getting angry and depressed.

Lee @ 64, good luck with Momcat and kitten the fourth. The only reason I was able to trap Garbo is that from my back yard, she had one route to the crawlspace under my house--so I went out the front door to place the trap, then went through the house to the back yard to "startle" her into running for her hideout. Boom! One trapped kitten.

Fingers crossed for your success!

#71 ::: Syd ::: (view all by) ::: May 04, 2012, 01:05 AM:

***grumble grumble*** Stupid "smart" phone...

#72 ::: Michael I ::: (view all by) ::: May 04, 2012, 07:25 AM:

Syd@71

If something's worth saying, it's worth repeating?

:-)

#73 ::: Sally ::: (view all by) ::: March 07, 2014, 07:57 PM:

Patrick - so good of you to care. Glad it worked out. He looks like my 2 black boys!

Sally in Colorado

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