OT- anyone want a cat?

I'm not entirely sure I should be doing this, but I think my  neighbor's cat needs a home.

This is the neighbor that attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head about a month ago.  He is still in a hospital about 80 miles away.  I have no idea when he might be released.  His wife has been staying near him, and their children are staying with a relative.  I've only seen the wife once since this happened, and she told me a relative would be stopping by to feed the cat.

This cat used to go in and out but he has been outside all the time for about a month now.  I'm not sure if the relative is coming to put out food for him or not, or how often.  The cat has lost a LOT of weight in the past month and looks unhealthy now.  Too thin, you can see all his ribs.  I think he's also lonely and unhappy.  He has taken to sitting on my front porch and crying lately.  It's a really pitiful cry and will go on for 10 minutes or longer.  A couple times when I've opened my door, he's tried to come inside.

I've been feeding him the last few days because he was looking so skinny.  Unfortunately, my cats don't like him at all and they try to chase him away whenever they can.  Plus I can't really afford another cat.  Plus one of my cats has an anxiety disorder and pees all over the house and I suspect bringing a new cat into the house would make that worse.

But I feel sorry for this kitty.  His name is Speedy and he's probably about a year old, maybe just a bit older.  I'm trying to remember exactly when they got him.  He is all gray and pretty friendly.  He wants to come in my house.  I think he would make friends with my cats but they won't have it.  They chase him and growl at him, but I never see him starting a fight with them.  He acts a little nervous when I start to pet him, like he thinks I might chase him away, but then when I start to pet, he likes it and lets me pet him as much as I want.

He needs a home where he can get some attention and regular meals, and flea treatment since it's getting warm outside, and whatever else he needs.  I don't think he has any medical issues right now.  He's probably had all his shots but I don't know that for sure.

I think I know my neighbor well enough to know that she will not be upset if I find the cat a good home.  I know she cares about the cat but obviously there are more pressing matters for her right now.

So anyone want a cat?  I live about an hour north of Columbus, Ohio, and I would be willing to drive a couple hours to take him to his new home.  And if you live further away than that, if you're interested, I'd be willing to see what can be worked out to get him to you.

 I'm going to cry.

No kitty rescues nearby Kelly? I can't figure out any workable logistics of getting a kitty from oh to va.

Would you take him if he could get there?  I feel really sorry for him.  He must be so lonely with all his people just gone.

 I have 5 acres at the end of a cul de sac, and no neighbors on the two 5 acre lots beside me and ~100 acres of woods behind me.  I take in kitties, we have a neighborhood cat share program, several families pitch in to care for all the dumped animals that started turning up with the recession. Right now I have about 17 that I'm responsible for. None of them are permitted inside my house (unless they need medical treatment). But they have their own heated and cooled 12x15 house. It's fully decked out with running water, all the food they want, toys and dozens of kitty beds. All kitties are fixed and have their yearly shots, the grounds are treated for lice, fleas and ticks seasonally. 

If you think he could fit in, all kitties are welcome. I just don't know how to get him here.

Tamie

I would suggest you call your local SPCA/Humane Society and tell them about the situation. They will come out and ask the wife to surrender the animal and then take the cat to a shelter and make sure it's healthy, get it any vaccinations it needs, etc. They will also probably be better able to network an adoption for him or a foster family.

They would have a hard time talking to the wife since she is not at her house.  All I know is she is staying somewhere in Columbus.  Our local Humane Society also euthanizes pets if they are not adopted in a certain amount of time.

 I know our local petco and pet smart both have no kill rescue groups that take in animals. Any nearby you?

 I wish we lived closer, since we're finally starting to think about taking in a new furbaby - the loss of our Princess was really a hard process. My heart goes out to the kitty! Are there any no-kill agencies/shelters around you? Or one that would be willing to foster out the kitty, in case your neighbors aren't fully committed to surrendering him?

Like the others I would take him in a second but getting him to Michigan would be a problem. Could you go online and look up animal resue organizations near where you live?

I hope you find a home for him--our animal shelter will also put down animals if not adopted after 2 weeks. Someday when I win the mega millions lotteryI swear I'm going to establish my own animal rescue

 Ok, PLEASE call your local Humane Society, they will guide you to the shelters that do not put down cats.  My brother who lived in Ohio died in February and had six cats, and they were all put in a rescue shelter.  I live in California and believe me, if I were closer, I would have taken them.  But I managed to do this all from here.  Since he is so friendly, there would be no problem getting him in a cat carrier and taking to an animal shelter.  My brother lived in Springfield, by the way.  Don't know if that helps, but I so hope he can find a home.  There has to be a way to get a hold of someone to relenquish this cat.  I have cats and love them dearly like all of you out there so let's see what we can do to help this little kitty! I will stay close to the site to keep up.  Jane