I have been feeding the stray cats at my housing area. But then my landlord somehow found out (one of the neighbours told him), and he told me I can't do that anymore. He doesn't allow pets in or around the house.
They are my one source of happiness. I know one neighbour is feeding the 4 kittens, so I don't have to worry about them. I've posted on facebook putting the other 3 cats up for adoption, but they're just stray cats.. nothing fancy about them (except they purr). So no one is interested.
I've contacted one animal shelter, but the economy in my country is terrible due to covid, so I assume a lot of people have had to give up their cats. So no available spots there. And there's travel restrictions, so I can't send them to other shelters any further from where I am.
What should I do?
I tried to stop feeding them, praying they find someone else to feed them. But now I feel guilty, I can't eat without thinking that they're probably starving. So I guess I've started to starve myself. I felt sorry for them so I fed them again, but I'll disobey my landlord and that is a sin.
So now I'll just finish off whatever cat food (and human food) I have left... and figure something out.
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rainbowshades
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Well your landlord can only forbid animals in the house but not the surrounding area as he doesn't own that and cats go where they will. How about feeding them away from the house? You could do that.
I agree with hypercat54. He can forbid you from having the cats inside but can you not leave the food further away from your house so you don't have your landlord on your back. I think most people have pets these days and most landlords in the UK are ok about it now. Depends where you live I guess.
Try multiple shelters? I’m surprised they didn’t want to sterilize them anyway. I agree with feeding them elsewhere but cats follow patterns so if you fed them at the house they will probably come back. If this is a house I do think the landlord has the right. It really isn’t a good idea to feed strays. They don’t learn to feed themselves which they can. Then they multiply. So either take them in or let them be if there is really no alternative. The same problem exists with coyotes which we have a lot of. The city misguidedly killed the parents and so the babies weren’t taught. They would jump fences to grab pets which are much slower than a rabbit. And then they multiply to make up for the lost coyotes.
Cats are unlikely to starve themselves, its just easier to let humans feed them. They will always find food somewhere, even if it is songbirds, mice and rats.
In my experience it is only sick cats which present as thin and scrawny.
Thanks for the reply. And thanks for reminding me of cats's true nature. Back at my hometown, it is a rural area you see so some of my cats and kittens have disappeared or ran away. I presume eaten by lizards or snakes around there. I understand now that cats should be kept inside or caged to prevent this. Before, I was young and stupid. So that's why I feel overprotective of these cats.
Cats should never be caged! This would kill them as they are by nature free animals. Keeping cats indoors is a solution I guess but I wonder how happy they are with that? I have a cat but live in a safe area and he loves being outside chasing mice, climbing trees, protecting his territory. I guess it's ok if the cat doesn't know any different.
Cats are extraordinarily resilient and adaptable - they will find their way.
What you must focus on is finding your way - unlocking this idea and premise that these strays “are my one source of happiness”.
Happiness is everywhere if we are really willing to open our eyes and ears and hearts. Ask you heart today about your path to happiness and you may be surprised what it says and reveals to you.
Thanks for the reply. And actually I have started gardening. Not much, cucumbers and spinach. They don't purr like cats but I guess they have to do.And you know cats, they look at you with sweet innocent eyes, before you know it you are under their spell and now a human slave to them. I'll try my best to break their spell.
Ahh, gardening is a great delight and offers wonderful food for the soul.
I love cats of all shapes and sizes. But, my most favourite cat ever was a blue Persian boy we got as a kitten a month or so after I got married.
We collected him from a gay couple and left them streaming with tears for the cat that was now ours.
I remember the drive home; it was a cold Autumn day and the skies were deathly dark and teeming with rain. Little Jean-Luc (as he was to be named in honour of the Captain Picard in Star Trek) became obsessed with the windscreen wipers his eyes and paws moving in purr filled wonder rhythmically replicating the movement of the wipers. It was love at first sight; him for the wipers and us for him. A beautiful moment.
Cats are unhappy kept inside, but if declawed (which I personally find barbaric), then they will be unable to fend for themselves in the wild, or defend themself if attacked. I'm speaking generally here, as you are not permitted one anyway, and I'm not trying to put you off.
Gardening and cats don't always go together either, (they love freshly dug earth), and don't care about your seedlings!
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