17butterfly49

I don't want to get rid of my kitten

Posted on 08/12/09, 03:52 am

Hi. I am new to this group. I am the owner of a very sweet 6 year old min pin and a very active 3 month old kitten. I found my kitten near death in the middle of a highway. I took him in and nursed him back to health. I have also got him litter trained, nuetered and declawed. I love both of my pets to death. The only problem is my landlord will not let me keep the kitten. I am devastated. I have tried asking people I know if they would want him and no one does. I am terrified to give him away to a stranger. I would constantly wonder if he is OK. I'm very depressed over this and don't know what to do. Has anyone else been through a situation like this?

• Reply #1 08/12/09  9:46am
  
  LynneC
  I have not myself, but I can certainly sympathize; your landlord is an idiot! How about asking your vet to help? He may know of a potential placement for your little one. I am so sorry that this has happened to you. Good luck.
• Reply #2 08/12/09  10:31am
  
  HappyPlatypus
  I concur, your landlord is an idiot. Bless you for rescuing your kitty.
  
  A few suggestions:
  
  1) Why does your landlord need to know that you will keep your kitty? I managed to keep my kitties a secret from my landlord for three years, until I moved out. I was a careful and considerate owner, mind you, and I took great care of both kitties and property. But I didn't feel the need to either inform the landlord or let him in to view the property. Are you in an apartment in which the owner/manager comes in routinely? Or are you in a standalone, where that's not the case? If it's the latter, then I say ignore the landlord. If it's the former, I'd find a new place to live.
  
  2) If you have to surrender your kitty, there is a very careful protocol to use to do so. Please, please, please do NOT use newspaper ads!!!! Or craigslist or anything like that!!!! Too many people who collect cats for science will pose as adoptors and try to pick up a free cat that way.
  
  Instead, work with your local animal rescue or vet -- NOT the local humane society and NOT the local animal control, unless they are established NO-KILL shelters -- to schedule an appointment to surrender your kitty.
  
  It may be a month or two or three before the animal rescue society can take your kitty, but once they do, they will find a responsible pet owner for you. This way you can feel safe and reassured that your baby will get a good home. I know this is hard for you, but going through a no-kill animal rescue shelter is the best way to find a home for your kitty. Maybe get your landlord to agree to let you pay an extra $25 a month kitty rent for three months or so until the animal rescue will let you surrender your kitten.
  
  I simply don't trust city-sponsored animal control -- they don't have the budget to afford no-kill; and I don't trust newspaper ads, because people who answer them may lie to you.
  
  I wish you the best of luck!!
• Reply #3 08/12/09  9:02pm
  
  earthwalker
  Some good advice from HappyPlatypus and Lynne. I particularly like the idea of negotiating with the landlord for a small extra amount to allow for the kitten. Most people are willing to negotiate if they feel confident the property will be kept in pristine condition. Perhaps offer to have regular inspections done. I understand how landlords get so weird about stuff....I once rented my home out when I went overseas....I came back and spent $20,0000 getting it cleaned up and put back to how it was. Some people have less than fabulous housekeeping skills and that's what puts a landlords back up regarding pets. I am not suggesting for a minute that is the case with you. Try not to worry....just take a step back and think carefully about the options and I am sure things will work out for you. Love, light and peace from the land of Aus.
• Reply #4 08/13/09  2:32am
  
  Elana809
  Hi, yes I don't blame you for not wanting to give the kitty away to a stranger. Just so many weird and CRUEL people out there, and cats are just so abused and mistreated. Some great suggestions above. I like the one about checking w/ your vet. I always get a good feeling about the people there, since they truly care about the welfare of the animals. Good luck in finding another guardian.
• Reply #5 08/13/09  4:10am
  
  17butterfly49
  I am thinking I am going to offer to pay more in rent to keep my kitten. I am friendly with my land lord, so hopefully he will bend. Thanks to you all for your support and advice.
• Reply #6 08/13/09  2:46pm
  
  LynneC
  I hope he will work with you; it is a shame that he feels the way he does; cats are really a lot easier to have in an apartment than dogs. Just be sure to get him neutered as soon as the vet recommends, as spraying males are a lot of the reason why people think that cats are a problem indoors. Good luck!
• Reply #7 10/19/09  12:25pm
  
  sailboatfun
  I hope ;things can work out between your cat & the landlord with extra money. We had many cats over the years. When we couldn't take our 2 siameze when we moved 500 miles away I put a great add in the local paper. It was read like they were talking instead of me, it was VERY sweet. When the woman came over I kinda grilled her nicely about where the cats will be living etc.etc. We can visit them any time when we visit the old neighborhood.

For everybody who loves their pets.