No good deed goes unpunished!

OP it is unlikely the kitten has rabies and it is unlikely that rabies could be passed through its claws. However, rabies is not the only disease cats can carry and pass through human contact, even without any need to break your skin. No, it's not a concern when indoor pets scratch you because, by law, they are required to be regularly vaccinated. Also, you know, because they're not living in filth and fighting raccoons for garbage scraps. In other words, you should go to the doctor. Whether you realize it or not, you've been playing with a walking disease factory.

That being said, what was the point of releasing the animal after feeding it? Most semi-feral animals will run away if they can, but that doesn't mean they're happier on the streets. The next time you try to get a new pet this way I suggest you get your vaccinations updated beforehand, buy a cage (to keep it the heck away from your other pets and family members until a doctor confirms it's safe) and make a vet appointment for shots, bathing and, assuming it passes a basic health exam, a neuter/spay. All this before you try to take a likely sick and terrified animal into your home. Then, don't let it outside. Ever again.

If you can't afford that kind of commitment, then don't bother. Leave some food outside if you feel bad, or better yet, call a local shelter or animal control to capture the cats and, hopefully, find better lives for them.
 
You picked the one that looked like he wanted to be an indoor cat? What, did he have a suitcase with him?
 
Rabies shouldn't be your only concern. If you are unable or unwilling to seek treatment perhaps you should avoid handling feral cats.

I know you just started a new job at Disney. It'd be a pity if you ended up with cat scratch fever or something else so early after starting your new job.
 


The great advice being given is falling on deaf ears here.

I wouldn't continue to waste the energy and key strokes.
 
NHdisneylover said:
f you cannot afford to visit a doctor, then please stop messing with stray animals. It would seem from your other posts that you are likely not in a position to take your pets to the vet wither--yet when you bring a stray into the home you expose those pets to a variety of possible illness.
You really need to leave the feral cats alone--for their own good as well as for your and your pets safety.

The stray was only in the bathroom and it was completely sterilized with bleach before my animals were allowed near it.

And I did contact a rescue, they were the ones who told me to try to catch them. I was going to keep him in the bathroom until I could get him to them but my dog went nuts and wouldn't stop barking at the bathroom door. We have quiet rules in my town so I couldn't let her bark all night and unfortunately they only come around at night.

There is one with a broken leg that I've been trying to catch because the rescue said they would pay for its medical treatment but it won't let me near it.

I'm just trying to do the right thing, I'm an animal lover and seeing them go hungry or in the case of the injured one, in pain, is killing me. If I put food out the skinny one and the injured one don't get much if any because the bigger cats are fighting for it. I stopped putting out food.
 
Right now if you go into the ER with cat scratches you'll likely leave with the flu.

I think you handled the situation appropriately. You cleaned the wound and I'm sure you will watch for infection. No, you probably shouldn't mess with stray cats, but you probably already know that and the risks you take.
 


IheartMickey said:
The stray was only in the bathroom and it was completely sterilized with bleach before my animals were allowed near it.

And I did contact a rescue, they were the ones who told me to try to catch them. I was going to keep him in the bathroom until I could get him to them but my dog went nuts and wouldn't stop barking at the bathroom door. We have quiet rules in my town so I couldn't let her bark all night and unfortunately they only come around at night.

There is one with a broken leg that I've been trying to catch because the rescue said they would pay for its medical treatment but it won't let me near it.

I'm just trying to do the right thing, I'm an animal lover and seeing them go hungry or in the case of the injured one, in pain, is killing me. If I put food out the skinny one and the injured one don't get much if any because the bigger cats are fighting for it. I stopped putting out food.

But many people have explained to you in the past ... You AREN'T doing the right thing.

Bringing the cats in, catch & release, putting out food, etc are no ways to handle strays. You do not seem to "get" that.

You've posted, more than once about not bring able to buy food for yourself. Stop messing with the cats.

If you are going to catch, spay, turn over to the shelter or something at least get training so you know what you are doing.

You are hardly in a position to take on a new pet. But this will fall on deaf ears too.
 
The stray was only in the bathroom and it was completely sterilized with bleach before my animals were allowed near it.

And I did contact a rescue, they were the ones who told me to try to catch them. I was going to keep him in the bathroom until I could get him to them but my dog went nuts and wouldn't stop barking at the bathroom door. We have quiet rules in my town so I couldn't let her bark all night and unfortunately they only come around at night.

There is one with a broken leg that I've been trying to catch because the rescue said they would pay for its medical treatment but it won't let me near it.

I'm just trying to do the right thing, I'm an animal lover and seeing them go hungry or in the case of the injured one, in pain, is killing me. If I put food out the skinny one and the injured one don't get much if any because the bigger cats are fighting for it. I stopped putting out food.

Whether you are an animal lover or not, you need to understand that these cats are not your problem. You do not have the knowledge or means to save them. Contact an organization that can help them and let it go.
 
RadioNate said:
But many people have explained to you in the past ... You AREN'T doing the right thing.

Bringing the cats in, catch & release, putting out food, etc are no ways to handle strays. You do not seem to "get" that.

You've posted, more than once about not bring able to buy food for yourself. Stop messing with the cats.

If you are going to catch, spay, turn over to the shelter or something at least get training so you know what you are doing.

You are hardly in a position to take on a new pet. But this will fall on deaf ears too.

No, I posted ONCE about not having food because of a budget error! We have plenty of food right now.

Oh for gods sake, people are acting like I'm the devil or something because I tried to help out another living being. Maybe some of you need to learn about generosity.
 
IheartMickey said:
No, I posted ONCE about not having food because of a budget error! We have plenty of food right now.

Oh for gods sake, people are acting like I'm the devil or something because I tried to help out another living being. Maybe some of you need to learn about generosity.

If your budget is so tight that an "error" means you go without food, then you have bigger issues to worry about than helping stray cats.

Again, you fail to understand that you are NOT helping them. Contact an organization that knows what they are doing. Volunteer at the local shelter.
 
OP: I've stated my opinion on your other thread about feeding and messing with those feral cats. So have others. What's sad is that you will ignore all of the posts warning you about the dangers and the number of cats that will end up at your house. Something will go wrong. Then you will run to someone else for help because the situation will get out of control. :sad2:
 
No, I posted ONCE about not having food because of a budget error! We have plenty of food right now.

Oh for gods sake, people are acting like I'm the devil or something because I tried to help out another living being. Maybe some of you need to learn about generosity.

Some poster are just able to see the whole picture in a realistic way. By encouraging these cats to continue coming to your apartment, you are creating a problem for your neighbors. You brought a likely diseased animal into a home with another animal. You have no training to rescue these cats and don't have the proper equipment either. You cannot or will not seek medical treatment if you are bitten, scratched or in some other way injured by these cats. It seems you are doing more harm than good.
 
OP, I know your heart is in the right place...but I hope you can objectively listen to the advice given to you here, and save a lot of trouble for yourself in the future. My family learned the hard way not to go near wild/feral animals (rabies shots are not fun.) Never again.
 
gemini2727 said:
OP, I know your heart is in the right place...but I hope you can objectively listen to the advice given to you here, and save a lot of trouble for yourself in the future. My family learned the hard way not to go near wild/feral animals (rabies shots are not fun.) Never again.

Thank you. I was doing what I was doing based on what a stray cat rescue told me to do. I didn't do it without the advice of professionals. As I said we no longer put food out, especially since when I spoke to the rescue yesterday they told me they had been in touch with another woman in the complex and she has been feeding them since they started coming around.

I just wanted to add that I am not the only one touching them, it seems like everyone here regards them as our own outdoor pets. I've seen plenty of adults and children handling some of them, and a fellow neighbor bring one in her home as well.

I am taking care of the tiny wounds and if I suspect anything at all I will seek medical attention but I feel fine, and they're not red or swollen at all. Yes, I have learned my lesson and will no longer attempt handling any of them.
 
Thank you. I was doing what I was doing based on what a stray cat rescue told me to do. I didn't do it without the advice of professionals. As I said we no longer put food out, especially since when I spoke to the rescue yesterday they told me they had been in touch with another woman in the complex and she has been feeding them since they started coming around.

I just wanted to add that I am not the only one touching them, it seems like everyone here regards them as our own outdoor pets. I've seen plenty of adults and children handling some of them, and a fellow neighbor bring one in her home as well.

I am taking care of the tiny wounds and if I suspect anything at all I will seek medical attention but I feel fine, and they're not red or swollen at all. Yes, I have learned my lesson and will no longer attempt handling any of them.


Did the professionals advice you to capture one, feed it, then let it back out and try to capture t again on a different day? That seems traumatic to the animal and odd that professionals would recommend such.
Dd you inform them you had other animals in the home?
No cage for the cat?
No health insurance or means for medical care if injured n the process of catching said animal?
These are all factors which change the situation quite a bit.
 
NHdisneylover said:
Did the professionals advice you to capture one, feed it, then let it back out and try to capture t again on a different day? That seems traumatic to the animal and odd that professionals would recommend such.
Dd you inform them you had other animals in the home?
No cage for the cat?
No health insurance or means for medical care if injured n the process of catching said animal?
These are all factors which change the situation quite a bit.

I actually have a cage, that's what I put him in to bring him in/out of the house. They know I have other animals in the house. Health insurance was not discussed. As for capturing him on two different days.. It wasn't much of a capture. He willingly lets anyone pick him up, hold him and pet him. He's very affectionate. That's why I didn't think it was a big deal to bring him in again, but opening the door to the apartment spooked him. Looking back I should have brought the cage outside, and put him in while I was out there.
 
why don't you have the rescue come pick up the stray kittens so they can be cared for properly and have a chance at a home??
 

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