Cat Lady In Squalid Conditions.

[Jennykenny]

I have just started volunteering to deliver library books to housebound people.
One elderly lady lives in a flat with her cat, where although there is an attempt at a litter tray, seems to use the living room indiscriminately. The rug in the middle of the room seemed to squelch underfoot.
The smell is horrendous, beyond belief. I couldn't actually breath at times, my eyes were streaming and I wanted to gag. She seems totally oblivious to it. I like cats and have had them for many years but never come across anything like this.
I have emailed the library supervisor, to no effect so far. No sure what to do next, but I know I can't ever go back into that place.
The lady mentioned at some point that she has a home help.
I understand the cat is company for her, but there is obviously health problems for both her and her animal.

[woofgang]

millie, the home help can only do what the lady will allow!

[seadogg]

Agree with Wolf 63. We were in WRVS delivering meals on wheels and occasionally had doubts about one of the clients. Held the opinion that it was enough to be fighting traffic at lunchtime without tackling other things on my own so we generally had a word back in base. You dont have to cope on your own.

[woofgang]

I would never say that the OP shouldn't do what she thinks she must....just warning her that she might get nowhere doing it.

[ethandron]

I worked on the district for many years with 'vulnerable' people, one of whom was very similar to this lady. Her house stank, the cats never went outside, they used the small bedroom as a toilet, the place was filthy...but the lady was happy. She had family who regularly visited her, she had a home help, she fed the cats, she fed herself in whatever way she wanted. She also had myself and colleagues regularly visiting her.
When you initially come into contact with people who choose to live this way it is a shock, but it is their choice and they are entitled to live like this if they want. It may not be how you or I would choose to live but that is irrelevant, it's their life and their choice.
If it upsets you then don't go again. She has a home help, if there were major concerns then I'm pretty sure something would already have been done.

[woofgang]

Thank you ethandron, thought i was talking to myself......

[CatGirl4]

I agree with daffy,cats are very clean creatures and i wonder if you mean that the litter tray's overflowing? I would have thought that Social services could step in,and offer some help with keeping the lady and the cat,less smelly.

[pixie373]

I agree with woofgang and ethandron. She has the right to live however she wants, providing cat is fine and it's not affecting anyone else. As far as I'm aware, it's your place, jennykenny, to speak to your supervisor/ line manager and up to them to sort out any problems for their workers. I don't know what a "home help" means, but it sounds as though they are limited in what they are,allowed to do.

[ganesh]

Cats ARE clean creatures, so I would imagine she is not changing the litter tray and if the cat is not allowed out, then it is not surprising it is using the rug to wee on. Whatever you think of personal freedom, this is not a healthy situation and should not continue. Prudie- I work in a pet rehoming centre and whatever you think of the RSPCA, we get a fair few cats either via them or independently that need new owners. I'm sure this one would not just be put down if there was nothing wrong with it.

[Lindylou]

~RSPCA.. though in my experience they are next to useless. What about the Council's Environmental Health dept? Really its the elderly lady that we need to be concerned about. Cats can take care of themselves.

[Prudie]

Plenty of stories like this about the RSPCA
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/367872/RSPCA-puts-down-53-000-animals-in-just-one-year

[ganesh]

After reading the article , I still don't get your point. It's not the RSPCA that are being cruel or anything. If they get cruelty and neglect cases, even if the cats are re-homable, it doesn't always happen. If all the rescue centres are full, what are they supposed to do with the cats, just let them out to go feral or get run over. I'm sure they mean well and they do everything they can to re-home ( I know because I work in one), and the article just shows alarming statistics, but do you honestly think they don't care about animals and are just putting them to sleep because its easier that way?