Anything I can do about this?

[Craig3410]

We own six cats, ranging in age from 11 years old to 5 years old. My parents built a new house, however, and they don't plan on bringing them in the house. Their plan is to keep just the fans on in the old house.

Now, I live in NW Arkansas, where it's going to hit 95+ degrees soon, and keeping a few ceiling fans on in a house will not be enough. They aren't going to do anything else, so I'm staying in the old house and sweating it out until they change their mind.

I'm honestly thinking of calling the ASPCA, should anything happen to any of them. Keeping 6 cats in a 100+ degree house with only ceiling fans is definitely neglect.

[skygazer]

1. Let me get this straight

They're keeping the cats in the old house? With ceiling fans on?

Why have pets if you're not going to have them in your home? Seems silly to keep a house just to keep a bunch of cats in it.

[Craig3410]

6. They scratch a lot of the couches and walls, they say.

never mind they NEVER BOTHERED TO BUILD A SCRATCHING POST, SO THE COUCH IS ALL THEY HAVE TO SCRATCH....

:grr:

[friesianrider]

11. Tell them to get "Soft Paws"

They will NOT be able to scratch up anything, and they are cheap - they're glued on like fake nails.

http://www.softpaws.com/

If they still hesitate, tell them they are being selfish and vain about this new house - either they care about their pets or they don't. You need to stand up for these cats - they don't deserve to be dumped in a sweltering abandoned house without human company.

[Craig3410]

12. I am trying to stand up for them.

I'm staying in the old house until they change their minds.

[friesianrider]

15. I know, I didn't mean to sound accusatory...

You're clearly a much more compassionate person that your parents. You're DEFINITELY doing the right thing here, and your concern is well-founded, and I truly commend you for that. You're a very good person to do this, truly.

[rateyes]

2. My advice would be to call the ASPCA now.

and give them up for adoption.

[friesianrider]

5. Except they'll likely be put to sleep.

With kitten season here from the idiots who REFUSE to spay and neuter their cats, there's no room for any cats older than 1 year at most shelters.

The answer isn't to dump the cats onto the SPCA, the answer is to give your parents a kick in the ass.

[rateyes]

10. I do agree about what to do about the parents...

But, depending on the locale, instead of ASPCA, there could be an organization that will take them and won't put them to sleep. In my town, can't remember the name of the group running it, but they actually have "foster parents" for pets until they are adopted out. They are out there. Maybe do an internet search. But, I've got to tell you...I'd rather see them put to sleep than having to endure that suffering...they will probably die more slowly.

And, somebody, please do kick the parents in the ass.

[friesianrider]

13. Well the parents are clearly selfish assholes.

I absolutely HATE people who do this shit. "Oh, we built a new house, so the animals can't come in!" I realize people want to keep a house nice, but for Christ's sake...there are MANY, MANY solutions to any problem with pets.

You CAN try to find a no-kill shelter or rescue in yuor area, but believe me, they are just as crowded as a shelter. It is EXTREMELY traumatic for pets to live in a home with a family then live in a 2ft by 2ft cage in an overcrowded shelter then likely be put to sleep. If you get to the point of having to take them to a shelter, it is probably better to just have a vet come to your house and put them to sleep there - they will have you there with them and not have to endure a stressful vet visit (any of our pets that need to be PTS from old age/illness are done here at home).

But I would STRONGLY encourage the OP to give the parents a damn good ear full. Why people gets pets at all then do this shit is beyond me.

[Craig3410]

17. I've tried to talk to them about it, believe me.

When I do, they simply change the subject.

I try to bring the subject back to the cats, and they yell at me.

[friesianrider]

20. If I were you...

As soon as they started yelling, I'd say calmly, "stop yelling at me. I think it is wrong and irresponsible and cruel of you to just dump these cats in a hot house by themselves."

Don't let them yell at you or be nasty to you - they apparently know they're in the wrong which is why they're so defensive.

[Sanity Claws]

3. Is there a basement?

Basements are usually cooler and may be fine for the kitties.
Also, what did people do before there was air conditioning down there? Or what do poor people without air conditioning do? Just wondering. I've never lived in your area and have no idea.

[Craig3410]

8. No basement in the house.

And we can't keep them outside, they've been indoor cats all their lives.

[Sanity Claws]

24. People lived without air conditioning for millenia

How about keeping shades down to prevent the sun from coming in? I've been to Spain and buildings have heavy duty shutters to prevent the midday sun from coming in.

[friesianrider]

4. Wait, I'm confused.

Why are they staying in the old house - aren't your parents going to sell it...? Either way, fans aren't enough. Would your parents want to stay in a non-A/C house wearing a fur coat...but "have the fans on"?

I loathe people who "build a new house" then all of a sudden the animals they cared for before are suddenly not welcome in the house. It's total bullshit. Either your animals are a priority to you or they aren't. (not directed at you but I guess at your parents)

[Craig3410]

7. They're not selling it.

In a nutshell, it's a s**thole nobody would pay anymore than 20 bucks for.

[bettyellen]

9. well cats were happy in the egyptian desert and mesppotamia

i saw this thing that they actually lived in the desert.
so i think they could handle it. is someone just going to visit them every day?

[friesianrider]

14. Yes, but they lived that way before.

It is not fair or wise to take a cat who has lived his entire life in the comfort of an indoor house then just expect them to live in 90+ degree heat.

Similarly, I do not think it is not fair to allow a cat to live with a family and human interaction for so many years then "visit" them once a day for a few minutes/an hour.

[bettyellen]

18. no of course not, i was talking about survival not comfort....

but my cat always hated ac and was always happiest in the sun in the hottest room, so i'm just saying, maybe that pasrt is okay.... but it really sucks that these people are dumping the cats, unless they can adopt them out or find a good no-kill shelter i don't know what to say. they shouldn't live alone. maybe they could get a caretaker for the house for board???
or maybe it's not too late for the scatching post thing?

[friesianrider]

19. Well...

Only thing with a caretaker is you can never trust them to care for your pets properly or not abuse/neglect them (at least I wouldn't for my pets...you never know about people). Of course, if the parents would just dump them I'm sure they wouldn't really care.

As long as they are spayed and neutered cats they won't spray urine or anything in side, and just get Soft Paws at www.softpaws.com - they're very inexpensive little rubbery "caps" for kitty's claws that attach with a fake nail-type glue. It's way cheaper and more humane than declawing, and they won't scratch anything with them on :)

[Craig3410]

21. I'm thinking of buying those;

I've got about 30 bucks stashed away, and could afford them.


That might help them change their mind a little.

[friesianrider]

22. Show them to your parents...

And tell them you will buy them for the cats if they will let them in the house...you can tell them it will prevent them from scratching furniture and the walls.

[bettyellen]

23. but you can't trust that anyone who adopted them would either.

i don't know, it sounds like the parents don't give a damn. doubt they'll bother with soft paws either. sounds like they have their minds made up.

[BikeWriter]

16. NW Arkansas is no hotter than SE Texas. We were raised...

without A/C. I've lived without it in this house before.