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Desperately need advice - friend's cat

14 replies

Pandoraphile · 17/09/2017 18:51

Hi,

My friend has recently bought two kittens. Brother and sister. Friend lives a chaotic lifestyle but the cats seemed ok. They are indoor cats and have separate, covered litter trays.

The last few times I have been over, the house absolutely stinks of cat urine and faeces. It's worse every time and last night I honestly nearly threw up when I went into the kitchen - and I have a strong stomach! Friend openly admits that the cats are basically pissing and shitting everywhere.

ANYWAY, the cats seemed fine until now. Fed and watered appropriately and quite sweet and friendly. They have never been treated for fleas/worms but neither shows signs of either (I have two cats myself). I don't think they've ever been to a vet.
When I saw them last night it quickly became clear that the female cat is pregnant. I'm no expert but we have had a couple of litters ourselves so I am familiar with how they look. She is a tiny little thing and a) I'm worried about how her poor body is going to cope with pregnancy/birth and b) I just KNOW there will be no veterinary care for her. Friend has money problems and has openly said that she has just £30 to last two weeks.

I desperately want to take this little cat and look after her for the remainder of her pregnancy and have her under veterinary care. We have a big house and there is a room that I can clear out so it can be "hers" with a litter tray, bed, food, etc. Just somewhere where she can be safe and cared for and where I can keep an eye on her until she's safely delivered.

The trouble is, friend won't hear of it and makes vague noises about going to the vet. She had no idea the cat was pregnant and rolled her eyes and said "Oh God" when I pointed it out.

How much pressure can/should I exert?? She's about 6 months old now.

OP posts:
Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 17/09/2017 18:57

Offer to box them up and take them to the vets. .
Then just don't return them.
Insist they need vet care and offer to pay. ..
Take them to a resuce place and explain - make a donation if necessary. .
She wouldn't be my friend. .
Awful pet owner.

Vinorosso74 · 17/09/2017 19:12

Oh god.....
What Winter said may sound harsh but it's fair. Your friend should never have taken these kittens on with such financial problems and I don't think she understands about looking after cats so think these poor cats would be better off going to a rescue, seen and treated by a vet and neutered.

dementedpixie · 17/09/2017 19:17

Did she really think having intact male and female kittens was a good idea? She sounds clueless and quite cruel and unfit to be a cat owner.

Ikabod · 17/09/2017 19:22

Also, have they had their vaccinations? I'm concerned that her level of kitty care is so poor that she wouldn't see them (vaccinations) as important. If there's wee and poo everywhere the cats are even more at risk. And what will she do when the kittens arrive?

mrssunshinexxx · 17/09/2017 19:48

Take them- please !!

Pandoraphile · 17/09/2017 19:59

I don't think she means to be neglectful and the cats are fond of her. Trouble is, she's a barely functioning alcoholic.

No they've never been vaccinated and she was under the impression that the female cat was too young to have kittens.

I know I have to do something. My friend is a vet so I might just say that she's offered to treat them for free as an excuse and start getting them sorted out.

And I agree, she is an awful pet owner. Entirely due to the drinking I'm afraid. I had no idea she was planning cats until I turned up one day and there they were.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 17/09/2017 20:02

How old are they? They can get pregnant as early as 4 months

Pandoraphile · 17/09/2017 20:04

Around 6 months I think. Definitely older than 4m

OP posts:
PacificDogwod · 17/09/2017 20:06

Get them out of there.
'Functioning alcoholic' - my arse.
She is not a functioning pet owner, is she?

I am not even a cat person, but I'm appalled at this.

Vinorosso74 · 17/09/2017 20:08

Yes go to your vet friend about the cats. Not sure how to advise on friend with the cats but sounds like the neglected cats are only the tip of the iceberg.

thecatneuterer · 17/09/2017 20:31

Get them out of there. Make some excuse and don't return them. I don't suppose you're in London?

ProseccoMamam · 17/09/2017 20:49

Take them, literally just pick them up and take them straight to the vets an don't return them! That's appalling, alcoholic or not, she should not be in charge of anything. Her priorities are clearly herself and booze. Poor poor kitten, impregnated by her brother, in a smelly house full of wee and poo and no medical care what so ever. Please take them, you cannot possibly get into trouble for that, vets/police etc will all see you did the right thing (if she cares enough to even report you).

AtSea1979 · 17/09/2017 20:56

Where abouts are you? In my area there is a charity that will neuter them. Also surprised there wasn't a c) she's pregnant by brother then the kittens, if they survive, may need additional tlc.
Best thing is to put them in rescue place and let them be rehomed whilst they are young.

SirNiallDementia · 17/09/2017 20:56

If she's told you she only has £30 to live off for the next 2 weeks tell her it'll cost way more than that to get the cats vaccinated, wormed, flea treated, fed and looked after whilst pg so you are taking the cats with you and you will provide all those things - via the vet friend if you need to lie.

Even if you can't have the cats they need rejoining as they're not being looked after properly.

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