Conference misery::feline

    
    
    Linda, I hope that your cat comes back. My only advice is that if your
    cats go out regulary, get tags and color for all of your cat. First
    of all if that wicked neighbor of yours is successful in getting the 
    MSPCA people down there to collect cats, once they see a color , they
    would leave them alone, secondly if your cat ever gets lots and has a
    tag, chances are far greater that you will be notified. 
    
    Shaw

    I would talk calmly with this neighbor and find out what the
    problem is.  Perhpas she thinks the "extra" cats and starving or
    something and doesn't realize that they are apparently better off
    in the neighborhood.  I'd also check with teh shelter pronto and
    repeatedly, in person -- don't depend on a correct id of your cat
    over the phone -- as most shelters only keep cats a few days before
    euthanizing them.  I'd also inform the shelter that there are numerous
    owned cats in the neighborhood with no collars.
    

	I'd echo the advice in .1, if you permit your cat to go outdoors
	you *REALLY* should get tags and a collar. I'm not sure where you
	live but in Central Massachusetts the rabies situation has made
	alot of animal control departments crack down hard.

	Out here if a cat does get picked up, shows signs of being in a
	fight and no tags indicating an up to date rabies vacination it's
	immediate quarantine or worse. A neighbor of ours had a devil
	of a time getting her pet back when the above occurred.

	As to the legality of trapping stray or wandering animals it usually
	depends on town ordinance and any state laws (usually around
	vacinations).
                                                   

    
    Isn't there a state law in Massachusetts that cats have to have (and
    presumably wear) rabies tags?  I'd expect that any cat outdoors
    without a tag, that got caught by an animal officer, would be in a
    tough situation.
    
    len.
       

    
    Yes, that is my understanding of the law. All dogs and cats must
    be immunized against rabies (and possibly some other diseases) and
    wear a tag indicating that. Additionally many towns require a
    license (ours does) which usually lists owner and address.

    
    Other nice thing about the Rabies tag (aside from getting your cat
    immune) is that if picked up, your vets phone number is on it and 
    they (shelters/officer) will contact the Vet and the owner can be 
    identified. 
    
    Shaw

    And, just because it was wearing a tag when it went out, doesn't mean
    the cat will have a tag on it after that!
    
    When we lived in our previous house, the cats went outside, so we had
    collars & tags for them. But, the little houdini's would get out of the
    collars quite frequently, so I stopped putting tags on them. I kept the
    rabies tags in the house where I could find them. I figure I was
    putting a new collar on them about every 2 weeks, sometimes more
    frequently. I ended up just writing our name, address and phone number
    on the collar itself. 
    
    I always had a picture in my mind of a pile of these collars under some
    bush, just sitting there, with the cats dropping off a new "deposit"
    whenever they could.  :^)
    
    Good luck with your kitty and with your neighborhood/neighbor. Fingers
    are crossed the kitty is home by the time you read this!
    
    In our neighborhood it's the large dogs (mostly retrievers and labs -
    all very friendly, but large - have to walk looking down if you're
    outside and it makes handweeding around the mailbox a real adventure -
    YUCK!) that roam and get people upset and calling the SPCA. No one
    seems to mind the cats.
    
    janetb.
    owned by Merlin and Rascal (who provided the morning wakeup "urple"
    this am!)

    
    This morning I was frantic after a night without my baby....  I've
    calmed down since then and will be cool while talking to my neighbor.
    Good advice!
    
    During lunch I went out and got a bright pink collar that can support
    the rabie tag.  
    
    I just pray she comes home tonight so I can put it on her.  I know I
    should've put a tag on her years ago but she never really wonders very
    far and everyone kinda know everyone else's cat......you know.  I'm
    smarter now......I hope it not too late!!!!    I'll check in with
    everyone here tomorrow.  Thanks again.
    
    Linda

    You are going to call the shelter, yes?  in case they picked her up
    already...
    

    The Humane Society in Santa Clara Valley recommends going by there
    to look for your pet at least every 3 days.  I've been there looking
    for mine every day and will probably change that to every other day
    soon.  Be sure to check in with your local group to see if she's
    already been picked up.
    
    Jan (who spent last night putting up "LOST" posters all over the
         neighborhood)

    Does anyone know the number or the town the MSPCA is located? 
    
    I live in Shirley.

    your best bet is to call the Animal control officer in your town and
    find out which MSCPA "office" has juristiction in your town. (As you
    probably know, the MSCPA has police powers in the state.
    
    Deb

    The number for the MSPCA is 800 628-5808.  The enforcement officer for
    your area is Stan Barney.  I live in Leominster and he's helped me with
    a couple of cat rescues.  He's very nice and should be helpful.
    

    In Hudson, MA - your cat does have to have it's rabies shot, but they
    do not have to wear the tag.  I perfer not to have my cat wear the tag.
    I keep it in my wallet.  My cats do have collars, but they loose the
    coller everyweek - and I don't want to loose my tag.  Infact, my vet
    (apple country animal hosptial) tells there clients not to put the tag
    on the collar for that fact.
    
    I also keep my dogs tag in my wallett.
    
    Lkp

    Asia came home last night....finally.  Around 9:30ish she came clawed
    at the door....!  I was thrilled to see the little brat!  :)  but she
    didn't want to stay inside for long...about 10 minutes later she was
    crying to go back out?  I don't get it....
    
    I think it might be because my neighbor feeds her (and others) during
    the day.  I think is pigging out all day long that she's not hungery
    when I get home so she's not bothering to show up when I pull in the
    drive.  ...but she should still want to sleep inside.....?
    
    anyhow, She looked fine last night.  I put a bright pink collar on her
    and back out she went....  oh well....I miss not having her around as
    often as I'd like but what can I do?  
    
    Linda

    Ah, there's hope.  If Asia is back perhaps Torbie will follow her 
    lead.  
    
    I'm really happy to hear she's home.
    
    Jan

    It's not unusual for cats to roam around at this time of the year.
    However, my heart skips a beat when one of my cats isn't in line at the
    food bowls when I get home.  Glad Asia is back.   
    
    My 2 cents worth:  If your cat and gets violent and doesn't like to be
    handled, have you considered putting up posters in the neighborhood 
    with her photo and instructions not to corner or handle?
    
    My cat Chris is large with big teeth, he bit a neighbors child when she
    picked him up around the middle and squeezed him.  The neighbor was
    very understanding, but insisted on seeing the rabies cert.  We have
    asked the neighbors to tell their children not to handle Chris.  He's
    a nice enough kitty but he's not a child oriented.

    I'm glad your cat came back.