Conference misery::feline_v1

    I don't know what you mean exactly by torment but I have a 6 year
    old female that is constantly BOTHERED by my 2 year old male - the
    other 6 year old male loves to get into the act as well (all three
    cats are altered)  At first I thought that he was killing her, she
    would hisss, spit, growel and so on but then a few minutes later
    they would be licking eachother and then fall asleep.  I can understand
    how you feel when you think that one is getting the better of the
    other but it sounds like my crew and as the youngest gets older
    he doesn't ATTACK her as frequently.
    
    You didn't mention if these two cats get along aside from the other
    stuff.  One thing I did do when it got a little rough was use the
    plant mister on him to break it up - now he just sees me pick it
    up and he stops immediately.  You might give that a try - hope all
    works out for you.
    
    
    Giudi in SF (Pippin, Gino & Stitch Too)
    

    Thanks for the advice and concern.  I do use a squirt bottle when
    I catch Sunny in the act.  I don't think he's attacking the female
    to kill her, but he corners her, etc.  She is a very meek cat.  She
    gets along very well with one of the other males and tolerates the
    other, but she is really terrified of Sunny and stays under my bed
    most of the time.  When she does come out, she darts from one end
    of the apartment to the other, accomplishes her goal, then runs back
    under my bed.  
    
    I live in an apartment and 4 cats is just too many.  I have learned my
    lesson the hard way - you can't save every hurt/homeless/helpless
    animal that comes along.  
    
    BTW, I forgot to add that Sunny is short haired.  He has been the 
    source of many a good laugh.  It's just that he would be better off
    in a house with another young male who can take the rough stuff and
    throw it right back.
    
    Tracey

    Tracey -
      Sunny's behavior sounds much like Tymothee & Mao.  We tried
    exiling Tym, scolding, squirting and he would still go after
    Mao - who was rather meek - she would just turn and run. I told
    her to stand up to Tym but, well, you know cats - she just wouldn't
    take my advice.
    
    Good luck finding Sunny a home.  I put some 3x5 cards up at the
    local Stop & Shop etc and that's how I found a home for Tym.  It
    wouldn't hurt to as a donation of $25 or so - pick a charity - just
    to be sure that the adoptee is serious.
      Nancy DC
    

    Nancy -
    
      Do you mean offer to give 25 dollars toward a charity of the person's
    choice (person = who ever adopts Sunny)?  A friend of mine suggested
    bringing him to Buddy Dog - but I don't know if they keep cats till
    they are placed.
    
      If only I lived in California or some other warm climate - Sunny is
    a true outdoors man and he is much easier to tolerate when he's been 
    out all day because he comes in at night and conks out!  He would be
    happy to stay out all night in the summer if I let him, but I won't.
    
      The suggestion to put up a card at a grocery store is good.  I'll try
    that next - with a picture.  He really is a nice looking cat.  He's got
    an interesting looking face.  His eyes are very Egyptian looking -
    there is a dark orange line at each outside corner that slants down
    the side of his face, and he's got what looks like orange tear drops
    at both inside corners of his eyes. 
     
      Thanks for the advice....
    
            Tracey
               &
              Family

    Sorry for the confusion.  I meant for the adopting family to
    pay $25 for Sunny.  I just meant you could ask them to make
    the check out to a shelter rather than taking it yourself.
    The point is just to make them pay something.  That may sound
    wierd and you may feel that his chances of being adopted are
    better if he's FREE, but people value what they pay for.

    Also, Cathy at the Boston Cat Hospital warned me that some
    of the labs have people who go around posing as a family
    to get free cats and dogs for the labs!!!!!!!  If they have
    to pay for the animals its not worth it for them to do this.
    So screen very carefully.  Terrifying thought, isn't it. 
    I wasn't sure I wanted the responsibility for screen prospective
    parents for the "Gang of Purrs", but if I find homes through
    FELINE I think I'll feel a lot more comfortable.
    
    Good luck.
       Nancy DC
    

    
    
      Thanks for the warning.  That's horrible.  I am not a violent person
    but if I ever caught a man or woman doing that, I'd probably end up
    getting arrested.  
    
      I'm sure that being patient will pay off for both Sunny and I!  
    
    Happy Holiday's Everyone,
    
        Tracey
    

    This note is to comply with the 'rules'.  I no longer consider Sunny
    available.  My mother took him.  She says it's temporary... but she
    thinks he's beautiful, so if he works out with her other 2 (a young
    male and his mother), I'm sure she will keep him.  She has plenty of
    room and lives in a wooded area on a dead end street.
    
    I had to give him up because one of my males started marking (spraying)
    and I think the combination of having brought Sunny in (a year ago)
    and being confined more because of the weather sent him over the edge.
    
    I am loyal to my kitties (first in, last out), so Sunny was the only
    logical choice to give away.
    
    Tracey
      &
     Family