What can I do to feel better?

Posted by Chanson_Riders@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 8 comments

I'm surprisingly depressed by this as I'm not really an emotional sort of person. A couple abandoned their cat when they left their rented house on my parents' street. Whilst they were there, though, they barely took care of him. So, I did. My parents would let him in to sleep and I'd buy food and toys for him. He was really good-natured but not great with other cats such as my mum and dad's own one. He's been in my life for about a year. Happy, playful and always happy to be around me. I couldn't let him stay at my small flat as he likes to go outside and I don't have access to garden space. So he stayed on the street and regularly made an appearance at my parents' place. He'd sleep in a neighbours' garage. Parents couldn't have him overnight as he stressed out their cat. Recently, though, he developed a lump in his neck/under his jawline. He is clearly in great pain and can't eat or drink. I was completely helpless, really and couldn't do anything to make him feel better. The plan was to go to the local vet tomorrow and have him checked over with help from the PDSA, but as my parents pointed out, he'll probably need ongoing care. What happens if he gets sick again? What happens if he needs a followup appointment? I'm unemployed so these are good points. He came back downstairs meowing and yowling and still couldn't eat and I started crying and told them just call the SSPCA which is what they had been suggesting I do for a while, given how much I was spending on cat food etc. I've just left their house on the way home. I'm sat in a cemetery typing this. The inspector will probably come tomorrow to collect him. I know he'll be looked after and see a vet. But then he's going to be put in a cage for a while until someone adopts him. I'm constantly asking myself: what if they have dogs, other cats that bully him, what if they live near a main road? He likes being where he is. He knows us. He's safe here and I can't stand the thought of him scared and alone somewhere. I'm never like this. I'm usually a detached person. But I feel really down about the whole thing. I'll probably get to see him tomorrow one last time but it's going to be horrible to say goodbye. I don't want to go home and just drink. So I'll probably try to watch something funny but I can't seem to shake how I feel and it's frustrating. What would you do? Is the SSPCA a good charity? Is it possible to ask that he goes to a home with no other pets? Can I ask for updates on him?

8 Comments

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iDidNotStepOnTheFrog@reddit

Why can’t YOU take him to the vets? Rather than have someone come round and take it out of your hands?

Valuable-Wallaby-167@reddit

Because vet appointments are expensive and they're unemployed. The fact they've managed to get by feeding an abandoned cat does not mean they have the financial capacity at the moment to care for a sick one. They're doing their best for a neglected animal & don't need judgement for it.

It wasn’t meant as a judgemental suggestion, it didn’t seem to have occurred to them as an option and seeing as the pain was getting to them so much I thought it didn’t seem silly to offer it up as an idea. *shrug* obviously came across wrong, never mind

Puzzleheaded-Low5896@reddit

You love this cat and have looked out for him. The vet will treat him and if you aren't able to adopt him a charity will support your cat to find a new home. My friend volunteers at RSPCA (cats). If your cat is poorly he might get fostered in a volunteers home until he is better. RSPCA don't want cats they adopted out being returned so they will do checks to make sure the environment is suitable. Your cat now deserves to live in a warm home and the security of consistency. You looking after him have made that possible. Could volunteering at a local cat shelter be something for you to consider?

TychaBrahe@reddit

I am sitting here in my living room with one of my cats on the arm of the sofa. His name is Sir Louie of Fluffypants. He and his brother, Mr. Joseph Silkysides Babycat, have lived with me for two years. I adopted them at age 7 from a local shelter. They get kibble all the time, wet food twice a day, and bits of turkey every night before bed time. There are little woolen balls and crinkle fish and other playthings all over the apartment, and there are five cat beds and four folded up fleece scraps on various bookshelves and window sills. They are very well loved and cuddles whenever they wish. I was carefully screened to make sure I would take good care of them, and your friend's future staff will be, too.

tmstms@reddit

You likely cannot do anything for this poor cat, it sounds as if he has a serious illness. Take that good feeling towards him, and , when, later in your life, you have the money and space to give a cat a good life, adopt one or more and give them your love.

codeinegaffney@reddit

That’s for a vet to decide.

313378008135@reddit

Honestly sounds like you adopted each other. Cats do that. As do humans. Lump in jaw sounds like an abscess. Will likely just be sorted with antibiotics Then adopt the cat officially, get a chip fitted (or ownership transferred), get pet insurance for a few quid a month to negate any major future costs Then enjoy a happy slice of life together, as its clear you both love each others company.

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