I work at the Airport, here in Nashville.
We have a stray cat, grey, with a lot of Persian hanging around. This is, sadly, not rare. People dump their animals here often. They die. Cars, hunger, airplanes & the coyotes all take their toll.
I decided to take him/her in. And it is friendly.
So, I phoned home.
I rent from & live with Mom & Dad. My pay is low, & they need help, physically.
Even though we have one cat, & have had 2 at a time in the past, they said no.
I’ve gone around to my co-workers, & nobody wants it.
And I had to explain to my co-workers that I, a 43 year old man, can be slapped down by my parents. Again.
That cat was betrayed by a Human once, & by befriending it & not adopting it, I feel as if I’ve betrayed it again.
I feel like dirt.
And there’s not a thing I can do.
You can take the kitty to the Humane Society or other animal rescue. I feel your pain. I had to take my fuzzballs there when I ran into hard times and had to move back in with Mom and Dad at age 43. Mom hates cats. 
I have another kitty now that I have remarried and have my own home. 
Poor kitty. I hope you can find it a good home.
No.
I can’t take it, & nobody else at the lab will.
Why aren’t you calling the humane society? You should feel bad if you don’t do that minimal step. That little kitty man can have a great life if you just pick up the phone.
And if the humane society is out (they usually charge to take animals in and stuff) try doing a google of “animal rescue” + your town and state. I know that within a 40 mile radius of my apartment there’s something like five animal rescue groups, a humane pound, an SPCA and a Humane Society. One of them is bound to take it.
Keep your chin up.
~Tasha
Besides calling the (usually) Humane Society, is there the slightest possibility your parents would allow it to be an outdoor cat? You could set up a little shelter someplace in the backyard or something?
Bosda, try the local cat rescue organizations:
Google Hits
The second one is a list of Nashville cat rescue orgs, some of which seem to be taking cats at the moment. (Never hurts to call the others, either. Sometimes they’ll cut slack for an already abandoned animal.)
Good luck to you and the kitty!
Ah, I read that period as a comma: “I feel like dirt, family, humilation, & a stray cat.” I was really curious what could make a person feel like all that. Particularly at once. (I also want to know what it feels like to feel like humiliation.)
You let me down.
Honestly, all I can think of here is the scene from The Godfather where the Don is scolding Johnny Fontane. “You can act like a man!”
Bring the cat home and tell your parents that you’re keeping it for a couple of days until you can find a home for it. Take a stand for what’s right. If they don’t like it, deal with them, adult to adult.
We’ve got in touch with a local animal rescue outfit, & one of the afternoon shift is interested in adoption (possibly).
Cheesesteak–Mom & Dad both have heart problems, & I try not to make things confrontational.
I didn’t know that airports had labs.
Huh.
Well, even with a heart condition, I don’t see any danger in merely having a calm discussion about the issue. A disagreement doesn’t have to become some kind of huge brawl, does it?
It sounds like the issue of you being their caregiver has become a source of tension in your life. I can relate to the guilt and such that can accompany being a caregiver to a sick parent, but remember that you are still entitled to your own life. They’re the parents in this situation, not you. If they’ve reached the point that they can’t take care of themselves independently and you are not happy with this current arrangement, it may be time to look into alternative arrangements.
** Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor**, I’m so glad there’s hope for the kitty. You are a good person for taking care of your elderly parents. Not many people would do that, housing, not withstanding.
You don’t need to feel humilated in the least. You’re paying your board in a way not many people could handle. I wish I had a child like you.
Aerial Photography lab.
Cat has been around, according to other employees, but I have seen/him/her.
The chance of an employee adopting the cat has fallen through.
The Cat Rescue outfit doesn’t answer phone calls or e-mails.
Things look bad.
Nashvegas Dopers–anybody want a cat?
I always thought cats and dogs desire freedom. Especially cats. That’s why they run outside when you open the door…
Well, yes, Winston, but dogs and cats don’t have the intelligence to know how dangerous it is out there for them on their own. We, the humans, know just how bad it can be.