Community Chat

[RinaRina]

There are a bunch of cat lovers in my neighborhood who run a "TRAP, SPAY & RELEASE" program in my area. My neighbors have been feeding these strays for years and the neighborhood always has tons of cats wandering around, crossing the street, sitting on front porches, backyards etc.. I didn't care really -- until I became attached to this one little kitty that always followed me when I'd walk my dog. In January, I put a little basket on my front porch packed with 2 fleece blankets so she'd have a warm place to sleep.

She slept in that basket through snow, sleet and rain, and after a while, I couldn't stand watching her on my porch like this, so I started letting her in my house. Then I started feeding her. Now she won't go away. I am really upset about this because I DON'T want a cat. I have a 14 year old dog and a pair cockateils I've had for 23 years. When the cat is in my house, I have to keep the door to the bird room shut because she jumps on the bird's cage and terrorizes them.

She's not really "tame". She's stubborn, and doesn't come when you call her. Sometimes she hides "somewhere" in the house, and won't come out, which is a problem when I have to leave the house -- because I don't have time to search for her AND ... I don't have a kitty litter box.

I don't know what to do. I love this little kitty, but I just DON'T want another pet.

It's broken my heart the last few nights when I've heard her crying at the door, and I won't let her in. One night when it was raining, she'd climbed up the screen door -- about FIVE FEET to the window -- crying. I suppose she thinks she found a "home".

What to do .... ?

(and altho' I can never catch her "in-the-act", I can HEAR her sharpening her nails on my furniture -- !)