There are a number of stray cats around my house, quite literally “alley” cats because an alley borders my property. I feed them and put out some water, while being sure to keep my own cats strictly indoors. Well, there has been a kitten that seemed to have trouble walking, and for the last two days I have watched it get more awkward, having more and more trouble getting around. So I finally called Animal Control and the officer came and caught it quite easily. The officer told me I did the right thing, and she was really gentle, both with the kitten and me. My sister had seen it and I told her what I had done and *she * said I did the right thing. So why do I feel so bad? It was so cute, it’s just that one leg didn’t seem to want to cooperate.
You did the right thing, this coming from someone who doesn’t much care for cats. If you are worried that the kitten will be put to sleep in the next few days, don’t worry, 'cause that won;t happen. The kitten will get looked at by a vet and then most likely be put in a shelter, where it will be held for at least 2 weeks, possibly longer. Of course, if it’s a kitten it will probably end up going home with someone fairly soon.
Quote – So why do I feel so bad?
Can you say “possible euthanasia?”
She may have been attacked-or else she was born crippled-like my sweet little Tess.
So was Tess attacked or born crippled? Your inept hyphen usage has left me confused.
IIRC, born crippled.
And to the OP - sad as it was, you did do the right thing.
Tess was born that way. She was the runt out of a litter of thirteen and her arm was crooked, so she ran on three legs.
It’s curious but since you’ve both posted sad smilies I now feel depressed and morose about poor crippled Tess. It’s a good thing we are able to post them, huh?
Tess has probably lived a well-cared-for life and has brought much joy to her owner/master/mom. I’m sure she’d not have us feeling sorry for her.
Just think- is the possibility of euthanasia, to at least some extent balanced out by the possibility of adoption into a good home, worse than the life of a crippled stray cat? I think you did the right thing.
As do I, Melandry. But human nature being what it is, the possibility of something is usually enough to affect our demeanors. Baker’s feelings are quite normal. She seeks justification of her actions by others as a mechanism to absolve herself of those discomfitting feelings.
I was just trying to provide some of that justification, ChiefScott. Was that not clear?
I know-I just miss her, that’s all.
Round here they keep em for ten days and then euthanize them. You can’t adopt anything until it’s 15 weeks old, so if something younger than that goes in, there’s no way for it to get out.
Sucks really. I don’t know why they do that.
LM
By the way, the preceding post was in no way meant to aggravate the emotions of the OPer. I’m just saying one should learn about the specifics of the pound/shelter in their area before taking action.
Regarding the OP, it’s my understanding that injured animals are the easiest to adopt. The more pathetic they look, the better.
LM
Regardless of the local shelter’s policy, it’s not right to sit there and watch an animal suffer just because trying to get help for it might lead to it being euthanized. Does this kitty stand a chance of being put down? Yes. Will this kitty be safe, warm, and well-fed until it’s either adopted or put down? Yes. Is being safe, warm and well-fed better than living in an alley and fighting bigger, stronger animals for limited food? You bet your ass.
Baker, you did the right thing. This little cat will get much-needed medical attention and a chance at a safe home. Shelters here adopt animals out at 6 weeks and up. If it’s too young to be adopted out yet, most shelters will make an attempt to find a foster home until it is old enough. You might want to call and check on the cat and offer to foster it for a few weeks. Trust me, if there’s nothing tragically wrong with her and she’s that cute, she’ll almost certainly find a home.
Thanks, CrazyCatLady. I feel somewhat better now. I know the kitten will in all likelihood be eutahnized but like you said, until a decision is made it will be safe and have something to eat. And it does have a chance. When the officer from Animal Control picked it up it didn’t fight or act as if it was in pain, but the one leg still wasn’t moving in a normal manner. Maybe it can be fixed. I think I will call the shelter and find out what happened, and I will make a donation in thanks for taking care of it. I could make it in the names of the two indoor cats that own me, Tobermory and the Road Warrior.
There are “no kill” shelters out there. Both of our cats are adoptees; Inigo came from a no-kill shelter. He’d been offered with his mother since he was a newborn. His mother was adopted before he was…he was finally adopted to me at age 10 months. He’s a darling and I’m grateful someone else believed he was worth waiting for.
Mija was taken in straight from the wild as a tame, but unowned, stray.
For future reference, you may want to research such shelters in your area just in case you may need it in the future. I do believe, however, the little kitten you found will be well cared for. 
Well, I went by the selter to ask about the kitten and it was indeed put down. I was expecting it really. You should see all the healthy ones they have out there. At least it spent the night safely, and had an easier death than it would have otherwise. I made a donation to the shelter.
Wow. Are you sure about this? Sounds like your pounds have a lot more luxuries than ours have. Here in Phoenix, strays get three days, owner turn-ins get one. During this time, they may (space permitting) get a thirty-second evaluation to determine whether they go up for adoption after their holding period. Sometimes, there just isn’t room, and ALL of them go to euthanasia after their allotted time. When they do go up for adoption, they get a week. If nobody takes them, euthanasia.
The “no-kill” shelters are all full.
That said, Baker, you did the right thing. Better for it to die than to suffer needlessly.