Life Discourse 10.03.2020: Saving Ming-Ming

(Ming-Ming on the day I found her again)

Ming-ming was a deserted cat residing in my neighborhood. The poor feline was skinny, and her fur wasn't thriving as one would expect from a previously owned cat. She wore a green collar with a violet bell attached to her neck. Her former owner abandoned her near my house about two years ago.

I feed some stray cats, and she would come running whenever she saw me. She always associates me with food whenever I step out for work or exercise. Despite her past ordeal with her previous "human" (or owner), the cat is well-behaved. The first person who allowed her to stay in the area commended her for this. During that time, she was pregnant, but sadly her kitten died due to malnutrition.

One day, she came to my house for food when our neighbor, feeling sorry for her, decided to take her in. I was pleased that she was adopted. She became pregnant and gave birth to her only kitten, Marikit. Unbeknownst to me, her grandson's wife was pregnant and was pressuring lola to abandon Ming and her kitten again. There's a misconception that cats and pregnant women don't get along, which I consider nonsense.

Last Sunday, I saw my neighbor with his bike and a sack when I went out to buy medicine. I had a strange feeling that something was wrong because one of the onlookers asked what was in the sack, and he replied "meow meow" (meaning a cat to be discarded). Later, I returned home and remembered to tell them about a clinic offering low-cost neutering/spaying for pets. I was surprised to find her crying; she was forced to abandon Ming due to the pressure. She asked our neighbor to leave the cats at San Felipe Cemetery (another place where cats are abandoned). I was extremely upset but couldn't help or intervene because it was considered meddling in their personal matters. I felt deeply guilty—it was my fault that Ming Ming came to my place, lived with them, and was abandoned a second time.

Throughout the week, I thought about the poor cats, hoping they were doing well despite the bad weather (it rained in the afternoon or evening) and not being properly fed. Yesterday, I took a chance to look for them during my daily 5 km walk. I told lola that if I found the cat in the cemetery, I'd let her know but would leave them there. In Tagalog, kahit ibalik ko yan, baka gawin nyo ulit ito. (Even if I safely returned the cats, you might do the same thing—abandon them again).

I planned to visit San Felipe Cemetery after completing 3 km on my usual I. Lopez - P. Lopez trail. I intended to enter the premises and search for the cat. On my second round, I spotted a familiar cat; it was Ming-ming! She saw me and approached immediately. I didn't have any cat food, but I saw another walker with some (I had seen him earlier feeding a needy kitten) and asked him to give it to her. She looked thinner than the last time I saw her; I took some pictures as proof and went back to inform her. Marikit wasn't with her; I thought someone might have taken the kitten to care for. (Fact: it's much easier to adopt kittens than adult cats—unfortunately, yes).

I asked a second time if it was okay to bring her back, and they happily said yes. I went inside my house and quickly grabbed my cat carrier and cat food; I needed to move fast to avoid losing her again. When I returned, I saw Marikit was still with her, but she was a bit skittish or semi-feral due to the experience. I immediately got both cats into the crate and brought them home. As of tonight, they have both settled down well despite the ordeal and may go to the vet to be spayed.

For the record, cats, pregnant women, and children can get along well under supervision but should not clean the litterbox or poop. Cats should be gradually introduced to having babies in the house without changing their routine. I find it frustrating that an elderly lady was forced by her family to make such a difficult choice. I was so disappointed that I felt partly responsible. Although Ming Ming was not my cat (my current cat is named Princess), I was feeding her and somehow became responsible for her wellbeing. Unfortunately, we have a one-cat policy in the house, so I cannot fully integrate her and instead will give her to lola's care.

Introducing my cat - Princess. Yes, she rules the roost.

Honestly, abandoning pets is now a criminal act: Leaving cats and other animals is considered an offense under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 or RA 10163. Specifically: “SEC. 7. It is illegal for anyone who has custody of an animal to abandon the animal. ... ‘Abandonment means giving up all rights, title, claim, or possession of the animal with the intent of not reclaiming it or resuming ownership or possession."

I hope that Ming-ming and Marikit will be happy and thrive; I have done my part by bringing them back to where they truly belong.

Note: I wrote this piece last Saturday. I am now pleased to say that Ming-ming and Marikit have settled in peacefully and are recovering from their ordeal. However, not every cat has a happy ending; I saw a dead kitten this morning – it might have been one of the cats I rescued. This is a stark reminder that we should contribute to reducing unwanted kittens/cats by neutering or spaying and donating what we can to support TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Release) efforts of Animal Support Groups like CEU Cats, DLSU Pusa, Cats of BGC, Cats of Makati, and other small groups.

Reference:

For more information on this lesser-known law, please refer to: RA 10163 - Animal Welfare Act of 1998: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2013/10oct/20131003-RA-10631-BSA.pdf.

Additionally, a useful resource on cats, pregnancy, and your babies: https://www.thesprucepets.com/pregnancy-and-cats-4158607