Need some help from a few cat lovers?

Question

My husband and I live a few acres apart from his parents. Six year ago, my mother in law got a kitten, had it spayed, and basically feeds it once a day with Dollar Store cat food. We live in the country, the cat has run wild all this time. I have no idea if this cat is caught up on shots or de-worming. No one has ever touched this cat because she is skittish and runs away.

Last night, the cat appeared on our back porch. She rubbed on my legs, and I melted. She looks so skinny and poor -- but still a beautiful cat. I rushed into the house to get her some water and some table scraps -- which she gobbled up. Now, the cat is hanging around our house.

I don't want to overstep my boundaries with my mother in law, but I don't want to see this poor cat go untreated. What do you suggest?

This little cat has been so affectionate, staying close to our house, talking to me, and seems to be very comfortable. I have heard that we don't choose cats, but they choose us. Should I take her to the vet? Should I get her some "real" food? Should I get some medicine to treat her for worms? Or should I just leave her alone and let her go home (my heart is already breaking at that thought!)?

All answers are welcome -- not matter how painful. Just trying to do what's best for this little cat. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would just casually mention that the cat has been hanging around your house lately and tell her you gave her some treats and you hope she does not mind.  Then go on about how cute she was and how you could not resist giving her a treat.  I am sure your mother in law will not mind - she sounds like she likes cats but feels they are should be free to roam.  If you want to know about the shots you can mention that you heard about some rabid raccoons in the neighborhood and was wondering if the cat was up to date on her shots since you don't won't her to get sick.  Then you can leave it at that, if she had shots you do not need to worry, if she needs shots you can secretly take her to the vets.

Answer 2

Last year I had a cat move in with me.  I left the window open for weeks so she could go home if she wanted.  She never did and has been with me over a year now.  I would get some proper food for the cat and get it something to treat fleas and worms (Stuff from the vet is best).  Tell your parents that a cat has shown up on your doorstep which looks just like theirs, but a more affectionate version.  Say that it was looking skinny and hungry and you have taken it to the vets to be checked over.  If they come over to see it and it is theirs, ask that as the cat has come over to yours, could it move in?  What does your husband say on the matter?

Answer 3

As a good person you need to do whats right and help the kitty. I would do it behind your mother in laws back what she doesn't know isn't going to hurt her, especially since you don't live in the same house. Please help the poor kitty!!!

Answer 4

on a personnel note scoop the little darling up take her in the house give her a bowl of food a nice bowl of water and in the morning take her to the vets,she may have worms,but she also sounds like a starved cat who gets one meal a day and has to go hunting for her own meals,ie mice,bird,rats.whatever it is she not getting enough nutrition in her body and probably not finding enough pray to eat and survive with.and i wouldn't even tell the mother in law what you have done,but i would certainly keep the cat my self..

Answer 5

Take her to the vet, that way you know she is in good health or can get her to where she needs to be, healthwise..  I think she is asking you to "save/help her"...  Also offering her a better diet and your company will be sufficient for now.  In the winter I would let her inside though, hopefully your MIL doesn't visit often and you could just keep kitty put away while she is around when she does visit (like basement or in the room with the cat litter)...

Answer 6

I understand your predicament, and I understand that you don't want to step on your MIL's toes. But this is about a living being that we're talking about here who is suffering because of her negligence. So what I would do, is take her to the vet, and tell your MIL that you're doing so. After you've taken her to the vet you and your husband (and he needs to help you out on this one!) need to tell the MIL everything that was wrong with the cat..show her a detailed bill if you wish. Then say "this animal was very unhealthy, I know you love her, and want what's best for her so if you would like we can take her off your hands to make sure that she gets adequate care." If she says no, then tell her firmly that the cat needs to eat high quality food at least twice a day. You can offer to buy the food if you like, but let her know that this cat is completely dependent on her and needs her to take proper care and if she's not willing or able, then you and your husband will have to remove the cat from her care.

It's a tough situation and I know you want to take MIL's feelings into account, but really, it has to be put into perspective, this poor thing is suffering because of her. That cat has no voice, hopefully you will be able to speak up for her.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

Treat her. Take care of her. It seems that your mother in-law doesn't, Its wrong not to treat cats they way they should be treated! Keep her. But keep it a secret from you mother in law.

Answer 8

Take care of the cat she needs you badly.

Answer 9

I would just keep the cat. Your mother-in-law obviously doesn't care about the cat. So what would you rather do? Not deal with your mother-in-law and have the cat die or deal with your mother-in-law and have the cat healthy. Please help this poor cat. I am so happy that you are concerned for this cat. Keep the cat for it's sake. Thank you for your care for cats! Please take the cat to the vet.

Answer 10

keep her and get her vetted and keep her inside. she wants to stay with you and if you want her then keep her. Get worm medicine from the vet ok? the stuff in the store does not work or can even kill your cat- it is poison, same thing with flea treatment.. don't get that c**p at the store, use frontline plus. Feed her all of the real food she wants.

if the mom in law comes over and sees her (and even recognizes her) then just say she was a stray and you have adopted it and you are keeping it. She is home- with you! Thank you, please rescue the kitty.

Answer 11

You should really follow what YOU want to do.

But if I was in your shoes, I would feel so sorry for it and just go ahead and make sure she is worm-free and have no rabies then feed her well.

If you do do that, you should tell your mom in law you did, then tell her that she should feed the cat at least twice a day and maybe she'll hang around there for now on and visit you. =)

Answer 12

You should help the cat. She is obviously not getting what she needs from you mother in law . It is so hard not to help animals, I feal your stress.

Answer 13

Look after the cat, she is affectionate to you and she was skittish at your mother in laws. The cat can live where it wants.

Answer 14

I can feel for you, this is not a an easy solution.  I personally would try to keep her.  It sounds to me that your in-laws are not that attached or concerned for the cat.  The cat is seeking attention that it is otherwise not getting.  I would take her to the vet and get her checked out.  She probably is not up to date on her shots.  In the mean time get some good food and continue to feed her.  She maybe depending on you now for food.  As a child I lived in the country very close to family members where cats and dogs would routinely "adopt" us.  It didn't really matter to the other family members, they knew they were cared for.  With that said you should just ask your mother-in-law if you can keep her, that you enjoy the cat's company.  I think she should be ok with it, and she is still in the family.  Good luck, and I hope she stays with you.

Answer 15

i would take her to the vet, i would feed her I would do all of the things you asked about, I seriously doubt your mother in law would complain to much, it sounds as though she doesn't really care about the cat anyway, or she would of taken better care of her, I would just tell her the cat showed up at your door and you would like to keep her, tell her "oh I just fell in love with this kitty,"  ("I love her so much") and tell her your husband wants the cat as well, let it be her decision for you to keep the kitty, I'm sure it will be fine, but in the mean time, i would continue to feed and water her, that way she is getting some good nutrition,  

Answer 16

Hi

You were chosen and your in law is not acting responsible.,

Please canned cat food no gravy

No dewormer unless you see worms. Skinny can be for lots of reasons and from what you state she sounds malnorished. Watch her water drinkling and if she drinks alot please email me.

Maybe you can let her out during the day and bring her in before you go to bed. try calling her with a psss pssss

Best of luck

Answer 17

I would tell your mother in law that the cat seems to have adopted you that you adore it and ask if you can keep it at your house.  Sounds like she won't mind, especially if you are close.

Answer 18

If the cat seems skinny and unhealthy, make sure that you feed her and love her.  If you want to do what's best for the cat, and keep your mother in law happy, just don't tell her about your good deeds.  If it was me, I would get my own kitten and hide the fact that I'm feeding the other cat as well.  If your mother in law asks, just say that her cat took a liking to your cat and comes over to visit.  If you fear that the cat has worms, then I would suggest a checkup, but if she's not acting weird, then she's probably not sick, and doesn't need a vet visit.  If you end up feeding her bunches and she won't keep the weight on, then I would be worried about worms.  Until then, just make sure you give the cat the food and affection that she needs for survival.

Answer 19

I would secretly treat her for worms and provide her with a 2nd home to come to when she's hungry. This way you dont have to fall out with your monster in law!