I need suggestions, my neighbors abandoned their dog and cats

[Caoimhe]

I found out that the neighbors behind us had their water shut off for nonpayment so I mentioned something to hubby. He said he thought maybe they moved out, there didn't seem to be the 4 abandoned vehicles around. I didn't think much more about it, other than being glad since they were SERIOUS white trash with horribly bratty kids and just idiots all around. Today at lunch I was tossing the frisbee for my dog in the back yard and I heard their labrador retriever crying. I went over and they FUCKING LEFT THE DOG TIED TO HIS HOUSE, NO FOOD NO WATER and they are GONE! The house is trashed, there is garbage literally EVERYWHERE. They literally RAN.. I wonder if they aren't running from the law!?!? I am sickened. There are about 6 cats/kittens living around their porch, that have no food or water either. The poor dog is emaciated and was so happy to see me, I was bawling as I brought his food and water dish home to fill them and take them back. He is living on about a 5 foot chain, anchored to his dog house. He's worn about a foot down in the soil, and he tries to poop in one corner, but it's all within that tiny radius.

<B> How can people do this? </b> I took the kitties some food and a large bowl of water, but I don't need any more cats (we have 8) and don't want another dog. He is a large black lab looking dog. I didn't want to call the police tonight as I know what they would do (this from experience volunteering at the kennel): they would come get him, then take him to the pound and tie him to a post outside. So he would be out of his surroundings, alone and cold. Whereas he is alone, has a dog house and his familiar place, with food and water for tonight. If I call the police in the morning, when they take him to the pound, at least someone will be there. I am so sick right now I can't even convey it to you, tears are streaming down my cheeks.

I just did a google search on labrador rescue orgs and the one I found for Oregon seems to be defunct. Any ideas? My local shelter doens't take cats at all, the local humane society is PLEADING with folks to adopt cats, they have over 100 of them needing homes and will begin euthanizing them if people don't step in and take some. Dogs at the kennel are treated alright, or they were back when I volunteered there. But I have a feeling this poor dog has been tied to that fucking dog house since these freaks moved in, at least 4 years ago. He has no social skills, though he seems to love humans. I thought about putting him in my back yard but I have several cats back there and I have no idea how he is with them. Tomorrow, I have to take action for this poor dog, and the cats. How unlucky for them to be owned by such beasts.

:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

[NMDemDist2]

1. thanks God you found him! did you get him loose?

poor baby, and :applause: for your actions!

[Caoimhe]

2. no, I didn't let him loose

they have no fence to keep him in, and like I said, my fenced back yard is full of cats, and I have no idea and don't wish to have new vet bills if he chooses to eat them. Having lived on the end of a short chain for as long as he has, I have no idea what he would do with some freedom. He has a full belly and a big bucket of water for tonight, and I gave him a stuffed toy (donated by my dog) for tonight. Tomorrow I will go over, take some photos of his living conditions and then call the local police to find out what they can do with him. If I call now he will be taken to the dog pound and left outside until someone shows up tomorrow morning. At least now he is in his own familiar hell and not a foreign hell. And he has food/water now.

These people need to be charged! I've been feeling the need to cry and puke my guts out.. back and forth, since about an hour ago when I realized what they'd done. That poor dog. And the cats.. omg.. I just know.. they will just migrate to my yard. I don't mind so much... but I can't stand cat fights and the vet bills that result from the absesses that result from them. They never spayed or neutered any of their animals as far as I can tell, and now they are my problem :cry: because I'm the only person who cares enough to notice. They're gone, their animals are still there.

[NMDemDist2]

3. re cat fights

my kitty came home one day with her face slashed open from her ear to her mouth. it missed her eye by centimeters

by the time we noticed, it was swollen to the size of a baseball and full of pus

I spent two weeks flushing it twice a day with peroxide, it healed fine and other that a slight slant to her eye, she's fine

I held her wrapped in a towel and had hubby gently pour the peroxide, she knew she was hurt and after the first time held still and was an angel

[pdxbecca]

4. Where in Oregon are you?

I live in Portland and right outside of Portland in Sherwood there is a NO KILL cat shelter Called cat adoption team. Their website is catadoptionteam.org. Even if you don't live in the Portland area they could probably give you a contact for your area. I also used to volunteer for the Oregon humane society in Portland. I know that they keep a resource book of rescue groups in Oregon for every breed of dog. I would give them a call and see if they can give you a referral.

I'm glad you are there to help these animals. People who mistreat there pets make me so mad! :mad:

[Caoimhe]

5. pdx so glad to meet you!

volunteering at pet rescues/shelters is so hard on the heart. I know you are a kindred spirit. I live in Central Oregon about an hour from Bend. I would love to give these kitties a good start, I will definitely call the Oregon Humane Society. My local cat rescue is overwhelmed. I fear even contacting them because I will end up adopting another 40 cats. I need to go about this as clinically as sanely possible, if you know what I mean.

I agree, people who mistreat/abandon their pets are despicable. The animals have more humanity than the owners!

[pdxbecca]

6. Nice to meet you too!

I know, it is sooo hard not to adopt every homeless pet you see! I really wish I could help you with your cat problem, I need a cat really bad! I am dealing with a mouse problem now, which I never had when I had a cat. But I live in an apt with two little dogs so I really can't get another pet now. I wouldn't mind fostering one though. My neighbor's cat spent the night here the other night and that kept the mouse or mice away. As soon as he left the mouse came back. I have a REALLY hard time even killing a mouse but I don't care if a cat does it, it's their nature NOT mine. I tried "live" traps but had no luck with those either, this mouse is too smart for me. At least with all those cats around you don't have to worry about mice.

I know if I were to walk into a cat shelter now I would end up adopting one or two!

[Caoimhe]

7. Well I am a sucker, admittedly

but first off I have to say


WELCOME TO DU!!!!!


welcome aboard, don't hesitate to voice your opinion, DU is the best place on earth to do it, warts and all!

Yes, I am gonna try to take a head count of the kitties over there tomorrow.

The dog, I keep trying to find a way to fit him into our lives, but really can't.

Guess I'm too old now, I am a pessimist.
Me and hubby are trying to have children. More pets = more responsibility. We need to FOCUS on sperm-egg union, not a bigger fur family!

[demnan]

8. First off use the Internet

Find the closest no-kill shelter in your area. Drop off the dog and get some help rescuing the cats.

I would also report this incident to the police in the morning as you planned. This backs you up on any action you will be taking now, just in case they return.

[Lorien]

9. Go to Petfinder. Do a search for pets of that description in your

area code, then click on the shelter links for the pets that pop up. You can then call those rescue groups with their story.

Also, call a local news organization. I've had a lot of luck getting our local ABC affiliate to cover pet rescue stories. If their plight gets on the evening news then you'll be certain of having many homes to chose from for them.

Good luck!

www.petfinder.com

[RebelOne]

10. Go to YahooGroups.com.

You will have to register with them. Do a search for pet rescue groups in your area and post on their message boards. I have found homes for 3 kittens through the rescue groups on Yahoo.

[NMDemDist2]

11. update?

poor things.....

[legally blonde]

12. oh, oh! this is so horrible!

Thank you so much Caoimhe for caring about these poor animals. I hope you are able to find a no-kill shelter for the kitties and pup. I know how you feel--it literally breaks my heart when I see neglected animals. I would adopt about 50 more cats if I could, but I'm already over the max for my studio apartment (I'm only supposed to have one but I have two--ooops!).
Let us know how things turn out!

[Maru Kitteh]

13. Anything new on the poor doggie?

I try not to hate people but sometimes stories like this make it very, very, very HARD. Poor baby. How is it they can be treated SO BADLY and still love us like they do?

There's a seperate heaven for children and animals I think. A better one.