The cat formerly known as Rosie - questions

These are previous links:

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...ighlight=Rosie

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...ighlight=Rosie

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...ighlight=Rosie

Rosie, now named Riddick, escaped from the Humane Society thru a bathroom window - they had made that his own room as he wasn't crazy about other cats. The little brat busted out!

I saw him about a month ago - and hadn't seen him since.

Today, I was on my way to work, still hurting over my loss of my cat job - turned around and there he was, meowing and wandering towards me!

I asked a neighbour standing there to carry my other things - I was cuddling Riddick and he was a sucky boy, as usual - and I wanted to put him in the car and take him back to the Humane...they had said his chin acne still needed medicating.

But he clambered and crawled and left two claw-welts on my upper back...and when I walked towards him, he quietly walked under a nearby truck, then back onto the sidewalk. I was late for the other job, so I had to go - and called the Humane on my cell.

My question: Catching him causes a lot of stress for him. He is neutered...and apparently has been around here for several years.

He is happy and well-fed. Is there any point in stressing him out and taking him back to the HS? Could he not be a happy outside cat? (If a car were to get him in this neighbourhood, it would have done so by now).

I just wonder if it is sometimes better to not 'fix' a situation. Do you know what I mean?

What do you think?

Catty1

Thats a tough call.. I don't think they belong outside but I am sure he feels like he is being caged up at the shelter and would always miss the roaming.

Thats a tough question as he obviously wants to be free.
But as he gets older, he will be more vulnerable to Dogs, Mean Kids and other dangers.
Nugget and Scratchy were big street wise Cats, and they are both gone now.
Is there anyway you could take him and have him in an outdoor porch?

Gary - I wish I still lived on the main floor and he would be a great Porch Cat.

I am on the second floor of my building, and do have a balcony here...but he might jump off...and my boys go out there when I am there. So I would have to adopt him...and 3 cats here, I don't know how they all would get along...the place would become pretty small!

If he is well enough, he can be put up for adoption right away - and they are a no-kill shelter with a good adoption rate. Animal Services is keeping an eye out for him now.

I can hardly wait til their new building is open, and there won't be any 'bathroom escapes'!

I guess it will be best if he gets a new home....still, I might put that collar and paper on him again, and see if he DOES have an owner.

Thanks
Catty1

Catty1,

I had an apt with a balcony years ago. What I did was put up chicken wire. They loved it!! They were able to be outside without all the problems of predators, elements, etc. I put out a litterbox, food and water for them.

That might just work for him. Outdoor cats can be indoor cats. Look at LilEli. He was born outside and loved being indoors, watching the birds and having 2 square meals a day.

It's a tough call.

Well...that means having THREE....am I fool enough to do that? :D

BTW - more ideas on the balcony would be welcomed - NO WAY is the Condo Board going to go for chicken wire!

I wish I had another place to live....I am ready to move...

THANKS! At least Riddick will be in loving hands at the Humane.

It will be SO hard to have three cats here and do the reintroduction all over again....and Riddick doesn't like other cats...

We'll see what happens....

Catty1