OMG my friend found a stray kitten :( :( :(

[fuzzybabybunny]

A couple of nights ago my friend found a stray kitten hiding behind a bush at night meowing. She took the kitten in, probably 8 weeks old, but doesn't know what to do with her. She can't keep her because her apartment doesn't allow it, and the local shelters won't take her because they feel that cats can fend for themselves and will only take in dogs.

I've always wanted a kitty, but I don't know if I can keep one. I've never owned a cat.

We don't know if the kitty has had any shots yet. I don't think I have hundreds of dollars to pay for her shots.

I like to go backpacking and sometimes go on long road trips over 3 days long to 10 days long. What do I do with her during that time? Take her backpacking with me? Cat leash? I don't know anyone who could take care of her during this time. The rest of my family are pretty hostile towards pets.

I would have to pay an extra $50 / month of rent for having a pet.

My room is strewn with cables and wires and expensive things.

Kitty already looks to be potty trained. She figured out the litter box in less than a day and never once did her thing outside of the litter box, which makes me think she had a previous owner...

EDIT: I live close to Cincinnati, OH for anyone who may be thinking of adopting!

 

[Doctor Nyse]

Do you have any photos of said kitten?

 

[bctbct]

With the long trip thing I think that rules you out for pet ownership. Try to find a friend that will take it. Sometimes shelters have coupons for local vets to discount services for strays.

 

[IronWing]

Expect ~$400 upfront for exam, shots, spaying, treating for worms and ear mites, and testing for various kitty diseases.

Cats can be fairly easily trained to stay away from cables and cords.

Cats are home bodies and generally hate traveling. They can be leash trained, particularly if you start them young. Three day trips away shouldn't require someone to come in. For ten day trips you'll need someone at least every other day. Make friends with cat people.

Good quality cat food will cost $25-30/month. Inevitable trips to the vet will run about $100/year for a healthy cat. You may go several years with no vet trips then get slammed but it seems to work out to about $100/year. Cats with chronic conditions can cost a lot more.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Doctor Nyse
Do you have any photos of said kitten?

Nope

I was actually at the post office shipping out my camera to be repaired when I saw my friend and found out she had a kitty. I was like OMG I wanna see kitty so I followed her home.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: bctbct
With the long trip thing I think that rules you out for pet ownership. Try to find a friend that will take it. Sometimes shelters have coupons for local vets to discount services for strays.

I have left my cat alone for up to 8 days while going out of town.

While it is not recommended to leave cats alone for such a long time, they take care of themselves a lot better than dogs can indoors, ie., cats will not eat all their food at once. Just make sure you provide plenty of food and water and 2+ kitty litter boxes if you are going out of town for more than 2+ days.

 

[hiromizu]

Feed it to me.

 

[antillean]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: bctbct
With the long trip thing I think that rules you out for pet ownership. Try to find a friend that will take it. Sometimes shelters have coupons for local vets to discount services for strays.

I have left my cat alone for up to 8 days while going out of town.

While it is not recommended to leave cats alone for such a long time, they take care of themselves a lot better than dogs can indoors, ie., cats will not eat all their food at once. Just make sure you provide plenty of food and water and 2+ kitty litter boxes if you are going out of town for more than 2+ days.

I pictured a dog going nuts as soon as you go out the door, eating two bags of food

 

[RaiderJ]

All of the dogs I've ever had do just fine with a bowl of dry dog food always left out for them. No weight problems either. Why people regulate their dog's food I'll never understand.

 

[dlock13]

If you lived close to Hermitage, PA, I'd be glad to take that kitten off your hands. I've been looking for a new kitten!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: dlock13
If you lived close to Hermitage, PA, I'd be glad to take that kitten off your hands. I've been looking for a new kitten!

I live near Cincinnati but my friend's hometown is near Solon, Ohio. My friend might be going home for break, so I'll ask.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
All of the dogs I've ever had do just fine with a bowl of dry dog food always left out for them. No weight problems either. Why people regulate their dog's food I'll never understand.

some dogs will not stop eating until they cannot possibly consume any more...

 

[Kelemvor]

Cats are fine on their own for long periods of time. 3-4 days no problem as long as they have enough food. Longer than that, have a friend stop in to clean the litter box and refresh the food supply.

And your local shelters don't take in cats? That's very strange.

 

[sash1]

*snorgle snorgle*

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Holy thread resurrection batman!

Did he ever choose what to do with the cat?

 

[xanis]

Holy shit, talk about raising threads from the dead.

I don't even remember this one...

 

[JS80]

Maybe he saved $380 by paying a hooker $20 to stomp on it.

 

[Cabages]

I just got a cat too. Pics:

Text
Text

Do they need that much attention? I feel a little bad that I havent really spent much time with it since getting home...

 

[Q]

I hate cats they are dumb

 

[Cabages]

.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Quintox
I hate cats they are dumb

I don't hate them because they're dumb, its because they think they're all that when they're really stupid. Unlike dogs, dogs know who the master is.

 

[idiotekniQues]

we have two cats and 3-4 DAYS is no problem. just put a bunch of food and water out and a fresh litter box. anything over 4 days we usually have someone stop in and clean their litter and check on them but if its just one cat, you could most likely get away with having 2 fresh litter boxes available. you can always put more food and water out regardless.

by this point, i bet your cat is chinese food though.

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: Cabages
I just got a cat too. Pics:

Text
Text

Do they need that much attention? I feel a little bad that I havent really spent much time with it since getting home...

This can is win.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Quintox
I hate cats they are dumb

Whereas you a less cute and not too bright yourself. For instance, how long did it take you to figure out the litter box?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

OMG the friend who I was talking about in the OP is the person who had sex with me! And the kitty's with her now