19 November 2010

Neighbourhood Meet

EJ opened the front door early one morning and was greeted with this sight - a neighbourhood meet.

Can you see four cats? 

These cats belong to various neighbours. EJ believes they concregate here to escape the rough handling and disturbance by their owners including children. These cats are not neutered nor spayed and EJ doubt they were not even brought to a vet.

Since these cats are not exactly healthy, EJ would not touch them for fear of bringing parasites and diseases into the house and then transmitting them to the indoor house cats. It is sad that their meals are not exactly regular and EJ has seen these cats drinking from puddles on the road.

On seeing EJ, they moved on. One went up the roof. They roamed everywhere.

This little fellow rested on the pot of plant placed by the neighbour on top of the shared common wall.  EJ recognises this plant as ZZ plant.

Please do take note of this plant especially pet lovers as it is poisonous.

Also known as the Aroid Palm, the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a tropical perennial plant that originated from the eastern portions of Africa. Other names include Zanzibar Gem, fat boy, eternity plant and Jin Qian Shu.

All parts of the ZZ plant are poisonous. The ZZ plant is part of the Araceae family and contains insoluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic when high levels are consumed.

In pets, insoluble calcium oxalates can cause varying degrees of toxicity. Some pets may experience mild oral irritation while others can require hospitalization or in rare cases when extreme levels of the plant are consumed, die.

Source: http://www.ehow.com

17 comments:

Ellen Whyte said...

poor kitties. so many of them, and so few homes.

Linens and Royals said...

Sad to see such pretty cats not treated properly. I don't think I have seen that plant around here but I am not much of a gardener.

Brian's Home Blog said...

I constantly purr for the sweet ones that don't have what they need.

Catherine said...

It's so sad. Sending warm thoughts and wishes to the sweet kitties who have no one to love them. :(

xo Catherine

Marg said...

That is so sad to see kitties like that. That is why I have so darn many cats is because I can't stand to see that. But we can't take them all in, that is for sure.
Hope you have a fun weekend.

Kea said...

It's makes us very sad, and our mom's eyes leaky, to see neglected cats (any kind of animal) like that.

We're so glad you all have EJ to take care of you!

Cezar and Léia said...

I need to confess that I've enlarged the picture but I could see only two.Thanks so much for all information about the ZZ plant!
purrs and a nice weekend
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA

Hannah and Lucy said...

We wish those kitties could have a loving home and plenty of cuddles and food on demand. We hadn't heard of that plant that is toxic thank goodness.

Kay L. Davies said...

Isn't it sad when animals are neglected like that? If they're neither neutered nor spayed, then there will be kittens, and I hate to think what might happen to them.
I'm glad you're not trying to rescue any of them, EJ, because, as you said, they might be a danger to your own dear pets.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Old Kitty said...

Awww those poor kitties!! It's so sad to see them - they're surviving as best they can, poor things. We hope that kitty sitting on that poisonous plant finds another pot to sit on!!

Me and Charlie will be thinking and praying for these poor souls! Take care
x

Mr Puddy said...

EJ, Is it possible to inform them about that plant ? Because my mom think, some time they just doesn't know it's poisonous.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

EJ
We see this situation too.Right now we have our own Mr Kitty who is so sad, we do our best to ease his situation.
It's hard...

purrin
xoxox
Abby

Mickey's Musings said...

We are sad that some kitties do not lead the good lives that we do. We purr for them .
We will also stay away from that plant, though it may not grow here and Mom would not have one ;)

Purrs Mickey,Georgia & Tillie

Gattina said...

It always makes me sad when I see living like that. Fortunately where I live all cats are well fed and taken care of. They are all spayed too.

Kat said...

True Gattina, I feel so sad to see them too. WE have a few such kitties in my Malacca house garden. I'm afraid I feed them so they are encouraged to hang around but I really could not bear to see animals so ill used.

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

It is sad....

The Lee County Clowder said...

We hate seeing kitties living like that, especlly since most of us are adopted strays.

Does EJ have anyplace safe where she could leave a bowl of water for them, at least?