Conference misery::feline_v1

    Lynne, why don't you just ring their doorbell and tell them you've
    seen their sign up several times a year while driving to/from work
    and that you are usually not the meddling type but it would be much
    healthier for momcat (and cheaper for them) to have their female
    spayed.  Tell them about the low cost certificates and that YOU
    would be willing to help pay for the surgery if they agree to it.  There's
    really no easy way, at least in my experience.  People don't like
    to be preached to.
    
    Earlier this morning, I posted an adoption note for a cat that a
    man in my office doesn't want anymore because he and his family
    are relocating to Colorado.  She is a perfectly healthy, spayed
    and declawed 3 year old female.  He says he will get a new cat in
    Colorado -- one that he can "put outdoors" to live in the barn.
    He made it sound like he couldn't be bothered having a cat in the
    house again, and the only reason his current cat lives in the house
    is because she is declawed, and if she wasn't, out she would go
    too.  I told him I didn't agree with his philosophy on cats, but
    if he wanted a barn cat, to be sure it was spayed or neutered or
    he'd be faced with tons of little kittens to place.  I hope he got
    the message.  Now I have nothing against barn cats, it was simply
    the way he phrased himself.  I know lots of wonderfully loved and
    spoiled barn cats.
    
    If you are really concerned about the fate of this mother cat, then
    muster up some courage and just drop in.  The worst that will happen
    is you'll get the door slammed in your face and the best that can
    happen is that the person will take your suggestion to heart.
    
    --Roberta
    

    While recently looking for kittens in England I answered an ad in
    a newspaper for kittens, this ad was placed by a lady who took in
    kittens from people/organised shelters, and looked after them untill
    she could find them proper homes, a sort of do-it-youself shelter,
    so it may not be what you think.
    
    
    Martyn.
    

    Re .2 - I wish it was that!  I know it's an irresponsible
    and/or ignorant owner.  
    
    .1 - I think the kittens are actually at the "Gun Shop"
         and not the house in front of it.  I'm brave, but
    	 not that brave!!!!!!!
    
    
    Lynne

    
    The first time is the most difficult...but it gets easier.  Be prepared
    and know just what you will say.  Be polite and be tactful.  And always
    keep a picture in your head of the cats and kittens that are suffering
    because of this.  Sometimes it's easiest to go in say you just came to
    see the kittens but you really can't take one but here's some info for
    you and please call me if I can help.  Also an offer to help place the
    kittens or the mother cat sometimes helps too.  Try it... it's hard but
    I'll bet you'll feel good about yourself when you leave.
    
    MaryAnne  

    Why not just slip a few certificates and some information
    in the mailbox?  Do you think it might be ignored?  
    
    Just wondering why a personal confrontation is necessary....
    The folks might just be ignorant of the possibilities and
    welcome the information, but be wary of a "sell job" from a
    visit in person. Appeals by mail are so much the rule nowadays
    that I am immediately suspicious of anyone who comes uninvited,
    however innocently, to my door. Why didn't they send me a flyer
    that I could read on my own time?....
    
    On the other hand, I did confront my own neighbors on the subject
    and treated it in the same category as passing them some 
    supermarket coupons for a product I know they use (even though
    I know they don't "use" the option of spaying their cats).  
    That seemed to work well.
    
    My .02,
    Susan
                             

    Don't put it in the mail box that is against the law. Nothing beats
    the personal 1-1 touch even in such a delicate situation. Showing real
    concern for over population is done everyday on the TV and in magazines
    but sometimes doesn't hit home less it is presented face to face.
    
    Let us know how you make out.
    
    Barbara.
    
    ps/ buy putting the sign out they have "opened the  door" to unexpected
    calls.

    Putting stuff in the mailbox is against the law, but you could slip
    it next to a door mat or somesuch.  I agree that a pleasant chat
    is likely to be more productive, however.
    

    I'm just curious - why is putting stuff in the mailbox against 
    the law?  Is it considered tampering with the US Mail?
    

    Weeeelllll, slap my wrists!  I think it is evading postage, basically.
    And protecting privacy.  A local advertising circular hangs a plastic
    bag full of coupons on the OUTSIDE of my mailbox once a week.  That is
    legal.
    
    Friends, with my consent, leave stuff in my mailbox all the time.
    Like music for an upcoming rehearsal.  Keeps it safe and dry.
    
    Sorry to promote lawlessness!
    :-)
    Susan

    Just to give a another viewpoint on this, I would be very leery or
    going up to a stranger's house and telling them how to run their lives
    or their kitty's lives in this situation.  As much as we all want to
    help save all the animals in this world, there are alot of lunatics out
    there.... who knows what you will encounter at that house.  It would be
    one thing if they were neighbors that you already knew, but personally
    I would think twice about telling a stranger what to do...
    
    JMHO,
    Judie
    

    As addition to my earlier note,
    
    I think leaving some information on their doorstep would be safer and
    certainly couldn't hurt!!!!
    
    Judie

    I don't know why it's against the law, but the mailperson can
    legally throw away anything s/he finds in the mailbox that isn't
    U.S. Mail.  Presumably its bureaucracy run amuck or in a huff because
    of Fed Ex or UPS.
    
    As a long time distributer of political literature, I know we're always
    warned about this and pointed at doormats or screen door grills, etc.
    instead.
    

    If putting things in the mailbox is against the law (this seems
    VERY strange to me, a Brit) then why not send them a short note
    via US mail, this could be totally anonymous, whereas if you go
    to put something on the doorstep they might see you and come out
    to see what you want, and could end up in an embarrasing/dangerous
    position.