well, i sure don't understand how animal control says it's ok. if YOU parked your car next to this RV and left a kitten in your car all day, would that be ok with animal control? i see no difference unless he is running a/c in the summer and plans to heat it in the winter.

does the RV stay parked in the same place day after day after day? if this is some sort of "permanent" living space for this guy, maybe a letter to the local newspaper calling attention to the kitten's situation would be appropriate.

That is so sad and I don't understand why he did not take you up on your offer, he sounds selfish. Or maybe he is lonely and got the kitten for companionship. Since he's living in a van, he has probably fallen on hard times and is trying to get back on his feet again? If so, things might improve for the kitten once he has enough money for an apartment.

It just occurred to me, maybe you could offer to foster the kitten for him until he is able to find better accommodations? That might sound better to him than relinquishing custody altogether.

I think it's unlikely that he would be receptive to any communication from me at this point, since I called Animal Control on him.

I think it's wrong to subject the kitten to very high temps. Other than that, I have no problems with him owning it. I used to live in a shoebox studio apt. & had a cat, who was a pretty happy cat.

A lot of homeless people are very lonely & it would be a huge comfort to me if I were homeless to have a pet, someone who loves me & doesn't judge me, etc. Maybe if the vehicle were ventilated, parked in the shade, and/or had a little fan going, the kitten would be better off. It's better than a lot of pets receive sadly. At least it's not being abused.

I'd hope that animal control gave him some advice on keeping the temperatures comfortable for the kitten.

As far as space goes, the kitten has a lot more room in the RV than a shelter cage.

Where does the guy have the RV parked? Is there space for the cat to go play that isn't in the parking lot? It might find a safer place on it's own to play.

As far as space goes, the kitten has a lot more room in the RV than a shelter cage.

Sure, but not as much as space as a home; you make it sound like the only options are the RV or a shelter -- we offered to give the kitten a good home. And at least in a shelter, the cat wouldn't have to worry about roasting to death (it's going to be in the mid to high 80's for the next several days). The guy lives in a parking lot in a massive suburban shopping area; if the kitten leaves the parking lot, it will just be in another parking lot. Or in the middle of a busy street.

I find it interesting that no one is concerned about a human being living in the little, cramped RV in a parking lot.

I guess I didn't make this clear in my first post; after talking to the kid, we found out that this is not some guy who lost his job and is living in a van because he has no other place to live. This is a hipster college kid who is working in the same place that he is living, and going to the community college across the street. He's living in the van because it means he can live within 30 seconds of his job, and 5 minutes of his school, and doesn't have to pay rent.

That's 100% his right to do, if he wants to live that way to save money. What I object to is his choosing to bring a small kitten into such a living situation, as some sort of experiment, and because he thinks it's "cool" to do.

you left out a lot of pertinent info in the OP, OP. But the crux is of the matter is, you're moralizing his right to own a cat. If AC doesn't do anything, you may have to swallow your pride & let it go. It's still true whether you like it or not, that a van/RV is lot larger than a cage, and there are MANY MANY cats waiting for homes in shelters, the reality is most won't get them. There are also a lot of animals that suffer mistreatment, and it doesn't sound as if he's mistreating the animal. He may not be caring for it in your preferred way, but that's you judging him.We can't control many things in life, I suggest you put your energies towards something you can have meaningful impact on. This probably isn't one of those things.

I'm not trying to slam you here, but feel the need to play devil's advocate. This situation can be viewed in a couple different ways.

I'm not planning on doing anything about it, or putting any more of my energies towards it. I've already done what I can by calling Animal Control. I merely brought it up as a topic for discussion, and to see what others thought. Thank you for your input.

I have always felt that it's our duty to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves--children, the elderly, animals--when we see abuse. I once called child protective services when I found two children under the age of 5 swimming and shivering in a flooded playground structure in January. I asked their names and found their mother sitting 50 yards away with her back to them, unconcerned. I couldn't live with myself if I hadn't reported it. I just wish there'd been cell phones then so I could have called 911 and got immediate action.

So I don't think you are out of line in trying to protect a kitten who is let outside to play in a busy parking lot. You are an advocate for animals and you have a big heart.

Doesn't the town have ordinances against people living in a parking lot? It is private property. If he doesn't care about the kitten's safety, maybe he'll care about how the poor person who runs over the kitten will feel.

thanks riv. Lots of food for thought in this thread all.

Not the best place for a kitten but if it is getting love, food & shelter it's better than being a stray. Leting it play in the parkinglot has got to stop though.

I am sure the cat will end up pregnant to impregnating another cat.

One thing Ive learned in life - sure, you have to know when to back off, but I will never apologize for speaking up when something seems a bit off or not right.

As human beings, we are not solitary creatures, we interact with each other - for better or worse - and I reserve the right to give advice esp. to those younger than myself. This is one of the perks of being an older, post menopausal woman. You can say just about anything to anyone - even the most outrageous things!

The thing is, you can't control what other people do with the information - but at least you can have your say.

I was young and stupid once and did lots of things that werent very responsible. Sometimes things people say to each other in passing can have a profound effect later on that you will never know about. This guy may think you're nothing but a busy body but then again - you cared about the well being of his kitten so he may come to have some appreciation of that.

Kashka kat, truer words have never been said!

"Sometimes things people say to each other in passing can have a profound effect later on that you will never know about."

The guy lives in a parking lot in a massive suburban shopping area; if the kitten leaves the parking lot, it will just be in another parking lot. Or in the middle of a busy street.
People are allowed to live in parking lots in your area?? If he's allowed to set up shop there, why not pick him up some cat play tunnels so the cat can run safely around the RV. They have collapsible tunnels that can be hooked together and wouldn't take up too much space in his home. Kitty can get some fresh air, exercise and be safe at the same time. They also advertise cooling mats for dogs that don't require any power that a cat could sit on in an RV. If the kid holds a job and goes to college, he must have something upstairs. It sounds like he was just in need of some guidance - first pet maybe? I called animal control on these people once that moved into an apartment (no dogs allowed) so they left 2 big dogs in the CAR. They said the car could be considered a kennel. Not much help I'm afraid.

And if you were willing to take this kitten because you could give it a really nice home.....there are a lot still left at the shelter you could save from the fate of an RV :)