Cats, Cats Cats! What's with the cats?
I have cat sat several times this year. And last year too. I am cat sitting again next week. I have to go to a cat sitting orientation session tonight, in fact. I've cat sat two different cats in two different apartments at the same time. One friend has a new cat and sends me at least weekly updates with photos on the cat's progress. My neighbor Surina, owner of recently-departed Camo Cat, has a new cat that I haven't even mentioned because really, haven't I had enough with all the cats?
Apparently not.
Last night, as I was leaving to meet some friends, there was a cat on the front steps. It had long hair in gray and white and tan. A guy was petting it.
"Is this your cat?" he asked.
"No, I haven't seen that cat before. I know that it doesn't belong to anyone in this building."
I am familiar with all four cats who currently reside in the building.
"Sure is friendly," the guy said, as the cat came over to let me pet it too.
Then I left and went to the club.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, the cat curiosity only built in my neighborhood. Apparently several neighbors got together and were talking about the friendly cat. I guess there is some secret cat owner society because all the neighbors know all the cats that live on the street and they knew that this cat was not from around here. It was after 9 at night, and this cat is clearly an indoor cat, so they were trying to think of what to do with it.
They were worried about leaving the cat out overnight. From what I learned later, about eight or so neighbors were discussing who could shelter the cat. Nobody could, because they all already owned cats and there would be conflicts.
So naturally, they nominated me.
Meanwhile, I'm at the club unaware of all this. Sometime after midnight, my neighbor Metal Patricia, who would later win second place in a wet jockstrap contest, comes into the club and informs me that I've been suggested by a group of neighbors and concerned cat owners as a possible shelter host for the cat.
I said sure. It was an honor just to be nominated.
I stayed at the club until two. When I got home, Surina got up and handed me the cat out her door. Then she called upstairs neighbor Robert who came down with a litterbox filled with kitty litter and a bowl filled with food, and a bowl for water. I felt like a hurricane disaster relief station for cats.
So now it's the next evening. The cat slept next to me on the bed, and has been napping all day on the couch, seemingly unaffected by being here. I put up a few posters on the streets and listed the cat on Craigslist and with Animal Control. There's not much more I can do, except let the cat loose on the street to find its way home, but it could have just done that last night if it was interested. If this is your cat, come pick it up.
But anyway, the point of this entry is that I need to deprogram you people. I am not the cat caretaker of San Francisco. I am not a shelter for cats who've lost their way. I am not a cat lady. I am not the solution to all your cat-related problems.
The next time you find yourself asking, "What should I do with this cat?", do not think of me. Okay thanks.
-Camper