What is wrong with some people?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

About a half hour or so ago I was outside trimming some weeds in my front yard and I heard a plaintiff, "Meow!" I responded, of course, as would any cat person. I walked around the car in my neighbor's driveway (our driveways are joined) and saw a very thin orange tabby cat. I wiggled my fingers at her and she came right over. I petted her and realized she was extremely thin, pretty much to the point of emaciation, picked her up and brought her into my place.

I opened a can of tuna for her, which she (at least I think it's a she) gobbled down. I also put out some water for her.

She's been rubbing up against me and purring ever since.

I've opened a second can of tuna for her, since she's made it clear she's VERY hungry.

Not sure yet if I'll take her in permanently. After all, it's been less than an hour since we met, so to speak.

But here's the source of my thread title. It is clear that this cat was a well loved, well taken care of pet. Right now she's thin and desperate. How did she come to be on her own? Was she abandoned? I'm pretty sure she didn't simply run away last night in the midst of all the fireworks, given how thin and hungry she is.

I will keep her for at least a bit. I could simply set her loose, which seems despicable. My initial worry is that while I have another can of tuna (she's on her second one as I type) I don't have the makings of a litter box for her. I might just leave the door to the back yard cracked overnight so she can use that if she needs, and get the other stuff tomorrow.


Over a decade ago a cat showed up in our front yard, truly starving. She'd apparently decided we were her last hope. The first day or two we ignored her, hoping she'd go away. It was in the midst of a serious heat wave in Overland Park, KS, meaning it was over 100 degrees for a week or so. After a couple of days we gave her some water. The next day we gave her some food. A few days after that we decided to do the right thing, took her to a vet to take care of her fleas and give her the shots a cat should have. Then we brought her inside. She turned out to be a wonderful cat.

I am not entirely certain I'm ready for the responsibility of a cat, as I am doing a lot of traveling these days. I might take her to the local shelter and tell them that if no one claims or adopts her, I will step up.

[applegrove]

1. Lucky cat. You are good eggs.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Thank you.

We all see stories all the time of abandoned or abused pets, and it's just infuriating. Our canine and feline friends always deserve the best.

[applegrove]

3. Yes they do.

[Karadeniz]

4. This sounds like a good cat. Your plan sounds good, although messages can get lost.

[Major Nikon]

5. Might check to see if the cat is microchipped

It's possible someone is looking for it.

[dweller]

6. cats are by nature solitary and particular creatures ...

obviously she deigned you were worth the effort to confront..

consider yourself lucky from both perspectives, yours and hers 🙏🏻

after all, it could have been a rat or a weasel that landed on your doorstep
hungry ...

✌🏼️

[KT2000]

7. as we are all learning -

not all people have the same values. There are some real jerks out there. You are a good person for taking care of this poor cat. Those orange tabbies can be the most mellow and sweet cats.
If you take her to the shelter, it might be a good idea to call them to see if she has been adopted. We don't want him/her falling through the cracks.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. Update on the cat.

Turns out the cat belonged to a neighbor and is now home safely.

All's well that ends well.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Thank you for letting us know.

I found my Felix as a kitten in a supermarket parking lot almost 5 years ago and he's grown up to be a beautiful cat. My guys seem to find me.