Operation Make Shelby Happy commences...

[Whiley]

Well its come to a point now, where i cant stand it any more. Shelby has been getting into worse and worse condition and my heart is breaking, so regardless of what her owner, my housemate says [he only feeds her, thats it, and she lives outside] i am taking over her care.

I really need your help.

Since i moved in, shes been getting gradually worse. First of all she has to be kept outside, because she often throws up and often poos everywhere because she was never litter trained. She also doesn't get groomed so hair goes everywhere. She was told to live outside as an encouragement for John to start caring for her, and unfortunately he has deglected to do so, not what we intended at all.

When ever i try to care for her, or suggest he does, he gets all up in arms and cross. I've tried so many times now. I give up, i'm just going to do it and face the consequences of his anger.

Her current condition is as follows:

* Covered in scabs, this seems to be very much like mange.
* A lump is growing, looks decidedly like a mammery issue, but thats just going by my own knowledge with other rodent health.
* Her weight has gone down dramatically. Shes not skinny, but she was plump, and now you can feel her spine - i wonder if her throwing up and this is linked- worms maybe?
* She hasn't had her vacinations in years.
* hasn't been wormed or flea dropped, etc in years.
* Is forever licking and chewing herself.
* Completely ungroomed but not matted.
* Eyes seem fine, as do ears and teeth.
* She lives in corner shop Go Cat adult and i sneak her cooked chicken and wet food several times a week. When John forgets to buy cat food, she either gets nothing [or i sneak her more from my stock] or she gets cubes of cheese, despite me telling him how bad dairy products are for cats.
* Generally a very happy, playful cheeky cat, who howls and meows a lot because she doesn't get to play with us much.
* I'm also suspicion of how she gets treated by other cats in the area, as its like a cat ghetto around here.
* She has free reign of the conservatory and the gardens.

Before resorting to going to the rspca i want to try to sort things out myself and hope for the best.

My plan! Help please!

* Get her to the vets, get her mange treated, lump tested/off, wormed, fleaed and vaccinated.
* Move her into the kitchen with permission with other home owners, and be responsible for cleaning up after her.
* I've made her two washable comfy cat beds and brought home some nice big boxes for her to have her beds in and a litter tray.
* Try to litter train her.
* Change her diet to something that will help her overall. I was thinking of going with Hills.
* Once/if shes developed alright in her health and training, move her into the rest of the house, so she can live out her old lady days inside in comfort and not out in the elements.

And heres some pics of the lovely girlie herself right beside me, as i brought her in to try her new beds, and she seems very taken with them.

[Grete]

What a beautiful girl and her story about breaks my heart

Her owner doesn't deserve to have her, she's being neglected by him and while he thinks it's ok that he can just care for her when he remembers, it's not fair at all on the poor girl.

Good on you and *huge* kudos for trying to make her situation better and I hope her owner sees sense and lets you. If he doesn't I would go ahead and do it anyway and if that doesn't work out then get the RSPCA involved so she can be rehomed somewhere she will be loved. She deserves it.

[Jac]

I know this has been a worry for you for a while now.
Good for you for stepping in and taking over the situation. he "owner" gets angry because you are finding fault in him. Tell him to go jump.
Your plan sounds good to me. You seem to have it all covered. I would say get that Vets appointment as soon as you can.
Another good food is James Wellbeloved. I have used it for years. There's no addatives ect. I'd feed a bit wet food as well. I leave the dry food down all the time and top it up as need be. I aslo feed half a pouch at breakfast, lunch (starting to miss that out) and evening. Mine are babies but it works for me and others on here.
Let us know how you get on and I hope the lump is nothing.

[Whiley]

Thank you, lovelies!

I'm trying my best i guess. I'm ordering her a feeding matt with some new bowls as well as a grooming brush as we speak. Also the place i get my other animal food does a huge variety of cat foods so i'll start her there.

Would you suggest senior for her now? Shes nearly 11.

[Jane]

So glad you're going to try and help this poor girly, I'm sure she'll appreciate it

[Whiley]

Thank you Jane!
I've just bought her a new set of bowls, a new grooming set and toys and bits. They should be delivered over the next few days. She seems to love her beds which i'm very pleased about.


I'm also looking for a good coffee table book to keep around the house about cats and cat care, hoping maybe it will pep my housemate into thinking about her more.

[Donna]

Good luck in your mission to help this poor kitty. I would suggest a vet trip first so you know exactly what you are dealing with...

[kado]

I realy admire you for what you are doing for her. Like Donna said i would take her to the vets and they will be able to advise on her care and if your housemate say's out just tell him to go and jump.

jane

jane

[Whiley]

Thank you, its a bit of a commitment to throw myself into it but shes worth it.

I have just ordered some books also.

[Whiley]

I've just had a chat with John, and hes agreed to come to the vets with myself and Darren to get her lump seen, mange treated, and update all her vaccinations, worming and flea-ing too!

Step one complete! We're going on Tuesday!