Stray cat

Hi biker --

Went through this myself 2 weeks ago. According to the vet's office, while shelters will automatically euthanize if the cat comes back FELV-positive, it is not necessary for home cats. If your cat tests positive -- and I'm assuming it will be your cat if you're taking it to the vet's -- you don't have to put it down.

You do, however, have to watchful, since FELV is an auto immune disease. Also, you would have to keep it away from any other cats.

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes! And congratulations on your new kitty!

Congrats on the new pet. Hope the furry one comes back with a clean bill of health.

Well, very sad news. The orange cat was FIV positive. He also had upper respiratory illness and the vet strongly recommended putting him to sleep. With great hesitation, I agreed. I feel so bad. I know he was just a stray, and we cared for him just a few weeks since he wandered into our yard, but we became attached. He was so frightened when he first came into our yard and would run away when he saw us. Then he began to trust us and came within 10 feet of us when we put a plate of food down. We had to trap him this morning to take him in because we were worried about the oncoming cold weather and we wanted him inside with us. He was such a sweet boy. He didn't even bite when he was taken out of the trap. He was pretty dirty, with lice. But he looked tired. They think he was a few years old. He let me pet him for the first time for about 30 minutes while I decided what to do. Then I held him while they gave him the pink shot. I bawled like a baby. Took him home and buried him in the yard. Man, this sucks.

Thanks Anniecksi and INeedCoffee for your comments.

argh :( that's so sad.

My condolences, Biker. It's never easy.

Biker, I've been there. Not just with my own 12-year old cat, but also with a stray that we tried to give a home. I actually think it was harder with the stray, because it least I had those 12 years with my other cat.

We all know that there are feral cats out there, perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, but suffering as well. You not only prevented this poor cat from suffering further, but you gave him some moments of love and security as well. Thank you so much for taking care of him.

Well, take comfort in knowing that you did the right thing by this animal - something others did not do for quite a while.

A cat came to our yard and we were certain he was at one time an indoor cat - his tests came back FIV+ and we had to have him put to sleep. We theorized that the owners knew he was sick but let him out to find another home. Wonder of wonders he was neutered.

We miss him terribly, but have vowed to always do what is right by any cat we befriend or can get into a carrier - they are tested, if okay they get a rabies shot, and then spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters.

Now, you've got someone waiting for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge . . .

I'm sorry Bikerdude. At least the kitty had someone to hold him and love him in his final moments.

If left alone outside, he may have ended up freezing to death or starving, so at least you saved him from that horrible fate.

You showed more courage than I did when the time came. You'll suffer less in the long run from not watching suffering then death in such a pitiable creature.

((((stray kitty))))
((((bikerdude))))

I agree with the previous sentiments. Bless you and your loving heart.

Sad, so very sad. Maybe you should go make a donation to a cat rescue network in memory of the stray?

Thanks everyone for your warm and kind words. It has helped me get through this day. There was something about this cat that touched me - that he struggled so much, then found a place where he got food and shelter without someone chasing him away, only to find out it was the end of the road because of his disease. So close. The vet urged us to go to the humane society and get a cat, since so many healthy ones are put down. So in memory of "Scruffy," that's probably what we're going to do. I'm sure they have a nice orange cat looking for a home. Thanks again for your condolences.

I was going to suggest you check the shelters for a cat - but I thought it might be too soon.

Give a cat the ultimate Christmas gift, a home.

Wow. So sad. You demonstrated tremendous courage bikerdude.

sad, sad news. sorry to hear that.
Hope that finding a cat helps fill that hole in your heart.

One thing to keep in mind. Although your "friend" caused so much hurt for you, your actions and decision helped prevent the spread of a horrible feline disease.

Many other cats and their families thank you.

"I'm sorry Bikerdude. At least the kitty had someone to hold him and love him in his final moments."

100% agree.

If you still want a cat, check the Toledo Humane Society, I went there once to look for a dog and I couldn't believe how many cats they had. All ages, color, breeds, etc all looking for a good home.

Well, we finally decided to go to the shelter and adopt a cat in Scruffy's memory. We had planned on getting an orange cat, like Scruffy, but at the last minute, we saw a black cat who had been at the shelter for a while. He was sick, with some meds attached to his cage. I asked what was wrong with him, and was told he had an upper respiratory infection, just like Scruffy had. He sure was vocal, sticking his paw out of the cage, wanting to go home with me. Black dogs and cats, according to the shelter staff, are the last to get adopted at shelters, and are more likely to be euthanized, so he had two marks against him - sick and black. So we decided it would be more appropriate to adopt an animal less likely to get adopted, in memory of Scruffy. We went straight to the vet's to get antibiotics. He's already getting over his cold. He really is a cute little guy, just purrs in my lap, follows me everywhere. We're really glad we have him. Now we have to name him. I'm thinking maybe Salem because he's black. Any suggestions from the board?

Thanks again to everyone who gave me your support on this thread. I really do appreciate it and it definitely made me feel better about what I had to do to Scruffy to put him out of his misery.

http://blackcatlucky.com/

Interesting link, justareviewer. That is also something the shelter staff told us. Some people don't adopt black cats because they are superstitious. Well, we adopted him on Friday the 13th, so it was definitely his lucky day. I'm not particularly superstitious, and don't expect any misfortune to befall us. Maybe his name should be Lucky.

... or you could call him Friday, since Friday the 13th was his "Gotcha Day."

Congrats on your new kitty.

Ha ha, not a bad idea, jmleong.

Good luck to you and your new cat. I'm so sorry that you had to put Scruffy down. Saving a cat in his memory is very noble.