Would you adopt a tipped cat?

[aliciahorsley]

We are considering making it standard procedure to tip all the cats we neuter as we feel that some cats will need to be released after a while. After three years in this field, we have realised that some cats just cannot be rehomed. No one likes them for various reasons. However, we are reluctant to release them because they are un-tipped and may be removed/exterminated by local councils etc.

We are considering tipping all cats, then giving each individual two years with us to find a home. When the two years are up and still no one has given them a chance at a home, then we will release them.

The reason for this is that we know that living in a shelter situation, cooped up with no outdoor access and freedom, is no way to live in the long term. Many may disagree, but I feel a shorter but full life is far preferable to a long but boring and mind numbing life.

Furthermore, the time may come, when I am stuck with 20 cats that just cannot find owners and then I am also unable to help other cats that just need a bit of medical care, TLC and a bath before catching the eye of some loving and generous individual.

So what do you think?

[vivi]

HI, just want to ask that ' what do u mean by tipping the cat'? I don't quite understand.

[aliciahorsley]

http://feralfriendmalaysia.wordpress.com/

these are tipped cats. they have had the tip of ear ear removed during neutering to make the fact that they are neutered easily discernible. this practise is very common where there are people who want to help the unwanted cat population, but cannot adopt them themselves.

[lynielime]

In Singapore, the TNR program has been very succesful, and cats neutered/spayed under this program are all tipped

[filinlee]

is it not painful to tip a cat's ears? juz wondering...

he looks so beautiful alicia... so orange and fat.. ehehe.... wats his name?

[aliciahorsley]

i am pretty sure it hurts but it is done while they are under GA for the neutering. furthermore, i think being put to sleep would be more...distressing.

[June]

I wouldn't mind adopting tipped cat.For me the outlook are not important.

[filinlee]

yeap.. thats rite.. it is alot more better to tip their ears rather than putting them to sleep....

is the orange cat for adoption?

[vivi]

Agreed. Not only to cats but too dogs too. But that's off topic. Sorry.

[aliciahorsley]

filinlee, that was just a picture i got of the internet. we have not tipped any cats yets... still debating.

[abzalia]

Originally Posted by June

I wouldn't mind adopting tipped cat.For me the outlook are not important.

betul.............betullllll..betullll llllll...hehehehe

[filinlee]

Originally Posted by aliciahorsley

filinlee, that was just a picture i got of the internet. we have not tipped any cats yets... still debating.

owh.. eheh... so fat and so orange.....!~

[blackie007]

Usually, those who adopt a cat instead of buying a pedigree should not mind if the cat is tipped. So I think it shouldn't affect the cat's chance to be adopted.

However, for it to be effective, ALL parties involved in catching strays should be informed on this and told in no uncertain terms to leave cats with tipped ears alone. You know how information is very poorly disseminated here, so it is very important that ALL parties should be made aware.

Another thing that bothers me a little, Alicia, if I may say so, is that after keeping the cats for 2 years, they are going to be released. I feel that it's not such a great idea because in those two years, they would have been domesticated, and might have lost their survival instincts. Also, they might have developed a bond to you or whoever is caring for them. It might stress them, emotionally, to be released back into the streets.

Therefore, I feel that if the plan is eventually to release them if they couldn't be rehomed, it might be better for those cats to be neutered, tipped and released immediately so that they have not bonded with anyone.

Just my two cents.

[Bareen]

Rather than tipped the ear and made the cat appearance look "cacat" why not look into other alternative or do creative marking such as tattooing the ear?

[FurKids]

Originally Posted by Bareen

Rather than tipped the ear and made the cat appearance look "cacat" why not look into other alternative or do creative marking such as tattooing the ear?

Because the animal catchers are not going to gently catch the cat and flip its ear to check. They are going to fast chase and capture the animal and throw into their van like catching dogs, so it is absolutely essential for them to be able to spot and recognise a tipped ear while the cat is running away fleeing for its dear life at the speed of lightning (who wouldn't be!) and leave it well alone. The animal catcher only got maybe just half a second to make a capture or leave decision!

That is why some pet rescuers who make the decision to put on a collar rather than tip the ear is making a grave mistake because collars can come off besides posing a danger to the cat itself.

[vivi]

Originally Posted by FurKids

Because the animal catchers are not going to gently catch the cat and flip its ear to check. They are going to fast chase and capture the animal and throw into their van like catching dogs, so it is absolutely essential for them to be able to spot and recognise a tipped ear while the cat is running away fleeing for its dear life at the speed of lightning (who wouldn't be!) and leave it well alone. The animal catcher only got maybe just half a second to make a capture or leave decision!

That is why some pet rescuers who make the decision to put on a collar rather than tip the ear is making a grave mistake because collars can come off besides posing a danger to the cat itself.

Ohh FK,
I always put collars to the stray that i save b4 (not manylah, few only). Guess it's not a good idea isn't it. Maybe a tipped ear is the best solution after all. So i vote for yes in the poll.

[aliciahorsley]

Originally Posted by blackie007

Another thing that bothers me a little, Alicia, if I may say so, is that after keeping the cats for 2 years, they are going to be released. I feel that it's not such a great idea because in those two years, they would have been domesticated, and might have lost their survival instincts. Also, they might have developed a bond to you or whoever is caring for them. It might stress them, emotionally, to be released back into the streets.

Therefore, I feel that if the plan is eventually to release them if they couldn't be rehomed, it might be better for those cats to be neutered, tipped and released immediately so that they have not bonded with anyone.

Just my two cents.

when i first got into this in earnest, i felt this way too. now i realise that part of the reason these cats don;t get adopted is because they are too aloof/independent/shy/fearful. Over the last four years, we've probably dealt with 160-200 cats. from this number, i would say about fifteen are candidates for release.

we recently released a DLH that we kept for six weeks. She was an obvious choice as she detested people.

we also released a DSH that has been with us for two years. she was extremely fearful of people and other cats and i think the whole ordeal was horrid for her. she now lives kind of in our back garden and comes and goes for food. she is much happier and no longer looks so tense...

what i am trying to say, i guess, is that this is really a worst case scenario and we would always try to consider each cat on a case by case basis. if the cat is ultra friendly and happy, then we would gladly giver her more time.

but those of you know have kept many for a long time must know that some cats are just born to be wild :) and me keeping them in a shelter situation is not fair to them.

we have less than ten cats that we've had for more than two years. that's why i am always optimistic about mankind. in the last few years, i had all sorts of people come by looking for a cat. and most can see the beauty in a DSH. some like the macho tabbies, so like the elegant dilutes, so fall in love with the odd markings and others, the gorgeous personalities.

hope this helps...and please don;t worry that i'll take offense. i think the same way and it has been very difficult for me to even consider this path of action.

[vivi]

Good Luck alicia

[blackie007]

Thanks for taking the time to explain and with examples, as well, Alicia. Really appreciate that, and I now fully understand your kind intentions.

In that case, I fully support your idea.