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Hi all,
I am American English teacher living in Seoul. Today when I was leaving my building I heard a "mew" sound coming from the dumpster. Someone had thrown out a small cat in a plastic bag, and he had escaped the bag but it was still attached to him.
I knew if I left him there or even left him on the streets he would most likely die soon, so I borrowed a pet carrier from someone and took him home.
Now he is hiding under my bad, terrified and i'm frightened I did the the wrong thing. My apartment is very small (asian style) it's basically one room and I'm not sure he;ll be happy here. Then I have to think about what happens when I leave korea, can I take him with me on such a long flight? Would that be cruel.
And I want to take him to the vet for a check up, but animal care in korea is very substandard. Cats are not common pets and I want him to get good care.
I don't even know how I can get him in the carrier to go the vet because he is cowering and shaking under my bed. What if he has something that he can spread to me.
Please help, there's no way I am going to abandon him but I need to make sure I do what's best for him.
Thanks
todd
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Let me put you to rest on at least one thing - cats don't have any viruses that can be passed on to humans except for rabies, which is why it is important to make sure the cat gets vaccinated. Just find the best vet you possibly can and make sure the cat goes, you will be doing the cat a favour in the long run as well as yourself if you plan to keep the cat. It would be wise to make sure the cat gets spayed/neutered as well.
When it comes to frightened and stressed cats, it takes a considerable amount of time and patience, as well as speaking gently and keeping your distance until the feline realizes you are not a threat and will learn to trust you. I can't give you a time-frame on this but it sounds like it will be considerable based on the trauma the cat has already suffered. Try giving the cat a day or two to calm down a bit, and if you have to take it to the vet within the next couple of days make sure you handle it with gloves and wear a long sleeved shirt to prevent bites and scratches. Good luck, and thanks for saving this kitty!
tommygirl
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Hi Tommygirl
Thanks for the reply,
Actually the ate eat tuna out of my hand, which is how I got it into the carrier on the streets, so I'm thinking he's pretty friendly since I was a complete stranger. I can't believe anyone would do this to an animal... When I saw him with the bag tied around I became so enraged.
I have some follow u[ questions if you don't mind. If they seems silly, sorry, I've ever owned a cat before.
1. The cat is under my bed, so I put a bowl of water and some food under the bed with it. Is that a mistake? should put the food in the open so he'll have to come out?
2. For his litterbox, I'm basically using a giant plastic tub filled with cat litter. Is it ok, even though it has no top, (ie. no roof like the ones I saw in America?
3. I out the litter box in the tiny book room I have? Will he know to find it own his own or should I expect him to "go" under the bed for a while?
4. If the cat has fleas or worms, couldn't my apartment be contaminated?
Thanks so much for your help!
Todd
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| Todd - bless you for being so kind to a poor kitty who's already experienced human unkindness! As for your questions: 1. The cat is under my bed, so I put a bowl of water and some food under the bed with it. Is that a mistake? should put the food in the open so he'll have to come out? Putting the food under the bed is OK for a day or so, but I'd move it out a bit after then. Don't try to force the cat out, though. Let him decide when he's ready. For now, just talk to him and let him come to you. He will once he's sure he's safe.
2. For his litterbox, I'm basically using a giant plastic tub filled with cat litter. Is it ok, even though it has no top, (ie. no roof like the ones I saw in America? That sounds like a fine litterbox if the sides aren't too high for the cat (you said he was small) to climb in. Many cats don't like the covered ones you mentioned.
3. I out the litter box in the tiny book room I have? Will he know to find it own his own or should I expect him to "go" under the bed for a while? If the cat can climb into the box, he should seek it out. Until he ventures out from under the bed, though, I'd recommend putting it in the room where he's at. Just don't put it next to his food & water dishes - would you want to eat your dinner sitting next to your toilet?
4. If the cat has fleas or worms, couldn't my apartment be contaminated? Yes, if the cat has fleas, those can spread through your apartment. As soon as the cat settles down enough for you to take him to a vet, I'd do so and ask about one of the topical flea preparations. If your apartment is carpeted, you may also have to treat the carpet - and your upholstered furniture. Time and patience are going to be important in dealing with this little fellow. Again, let him set the pace for interacting with you.
Cats_Dolls  
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Thanks cats and dolls!
amazing. The cat is already out from the bed and sitting next to me, and just rolled over. As it turns out, the he is a she 
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todd8771 (6/27/2009)
amazing. The cat is already out from the bed and sitting next to me, and just rolled over. As it turns out, the he is a she
That is amazing. Cats are so easily traumatized and can go into hiding for weeks, months, and even years. The fact that your girl has already come out of hiding indicates just how tame and loving she is. Very impressive, indeed!
You do need to get her to a vet immediately. From what you've written about Korean attitude toward companion cats, it sounds very unlikely that she's had any veterinary care, including spaying. What I'm saying is that there's a very strong probability that she's pregnant if she's older than 6 mos. If you don't want to deal with a whole litter of kittens in your apartment, get her spayed right now and aborted, if necessary. She will also need vaccinations (NOT while she's pregnant), and probably deworming, defleaing, and ear mite treatment. All of these parasites are common in street cats in the States, and I assume would be also in Korea.
Since your girl is so friendly, you should be able to keep the food, water, and litterbox moved away from your bed. Just be sure to place her in the litterbox several times so that she understands where it is, and don't clean it for a few days. Once she starts using the box, the smell will remind her to continue to use it until it becomes habit. Then you can start cleaning the box daily.
Buy her the best quality cat food available, preferably canned (which is healthier for cats than dry kibble). Don't feed her human grade tuna because it will not contain all of the nutrients that a cat needs. Stick with commercial cat food. If you want to switch her to a homemade diet later after you've had time to study up on feline nutrition, all the better, but you need to make sure you meet her specific feline nutritional requirements.
It sounds like you're off to a wonderful start with your girl, and she will be soooo grateful for your loving care. You'll see.
When will you be leaving Korea? It is very possible to bring her with you when you leave, but you will need to have your ducks in a row long before your departure date.
It is truly wonderful of you to have rescued that little girl. Have you decided on a name yet?
Laurie
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http://lfrazer.com
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Hi Laurie,
Thanks for writing. Yeah she wants attention from me alreadly, she keeps rubbing against me. One thing that concerns me is that she keeps hitting her head on things, i hope it's not a vision problem and just something young cats do.
I'll get her to a vet asap. They are all closed on Sunday, but I'll take her Monday after work.
I'm worried about picking her up to put her in the litterbox/carrier. I don't want to get bitten even though she had shown no aggression whatsoever. i don't even know how to pick up a cat.
I'm thinking of naming her Holly.
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| Oh also, I'll be in Korea another 8 months.
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It is great that is rubbing up against you, that is a very good sign, she likes you! When you say she is hitting her head on things is she hitting them or just rubbing on things with great force? She could be a head butter. Head butters are cat that when they rub up on things seem to head butt what ever they are marking their scent on. Head butters are usually very loveable cats. It is really important that you take her to the vet and it is great that you are. If you don't want to pick up the cat try walking her to the litter box. Get behind her and walk into her, pushing her toward the litter box but it might scare her so be careful if you do this. The way pick up my cats is hold underneath the cats chest and pick up the stomach, once the cat is up put your hands underneath the cats legs.
  
"The really great thing about cats is their endless variety. One can pick a cat to fit any kind of decor, color scheme, income, personality, mood. But under the fur, whatever color it may be, there still lies, essentially unchanged, one of the world's free souls." Eric Gurnery
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Hi mini,
It's hard to tell because I have nothing to compare to. She;s not hitting great force, but I don't think she sees things easily. Could be a head butter
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