Nursing Boundaries...can I go feed my patients cats?

PennyWise · Jun 1, 2012

Not finding much information...actually any. I have discussed with case managers and received advice against this..
My patient gave myself and another nurse permission to go into his unlocked home to check on his cats, he has no one its just him and his cats and he will be hospitalized for at least another 6-8 days. Is this against the rules? Mind you I called APS for my patient as he is neglecting himself/hoarding etc. so he will be upset when they do come and he will automatically think it was me that called since he warned me about his home before going. I really want to help these animals and thought we could go out with animal control. Its so frustrating on what we cant do for our patients. I know it's crossing the line, but I am such an animal lover and knowing these cats will be w/o food for a week is heartbreaking. Sure there's so many hungry animals but these cats I KNOW about. How much trouble could I get in really?
Any advice?

I didn't even read the responses, but I already know that, for the most part they advised against going to his home.

Im so right there with you though. Im a cat lover. I have two brothers I got from a no kill shelter. Names are Calvin and Hobbes. If I were hospitalized and no one could check on them for me, Id leave AMA...........without a pause. No doubts about it.

You'd have to know them to understand.

We all float down here.

PennyWise · Jun 1, 2012

This is something else to consider. Hire a pet sitter. Inform the pt that you cannot go into his house, but you can have a pet sitter check on the animals. The sitter can come by the hospital and have the pt sign a release to get into his home. You are not liable, and the cats get fed. Cats are ridiculously hearty. If he will be out in a week, I bet they could leave a weeks worth of food out and a bucket of water and they would be content.

I was thinking this too. There is a retired couple in a neighborhood near me that does this sort of thing. They give very large discounts if you are hospitalized too. I'll never forget how I met them one day (coming to get info for a job our unit had needed them to do) and a week later they were on the news.

We all float down here.

wooh, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

He's hoarding? Chances are, the cats WILL find food.

wooh, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

Of course, if he leaves the doors unlocked all the time, there's no telling WHO left food and water for the cats if nobody sees who was there.

*4!#6 · Jun 1, 2012

Could a neighbor help?

*4!#6 · Jun 1, 2012

Just an FYI, cats are not all hearty. If cats go without food for more then 24 hours, they will enter liver failure and will most probably die (look at Jack the Cat, a famous case -- lost in an airport, found, but died due to this). Also, cats can have health problems that make it crucial that they have fresh food and water available. My cat has renal failure and has specific dietary requirements as well as treatments (we give her veternary Lactated Ringer's twice a week through a subcutaneous infusion).

Also, if the cats are living in an unsafe and unclean environment, they need to be removed. If a human should not live there, then a cat shouldn't. I saw an episode of "hoarders' where they found a dead cat flattened under a pile of rubber. People with hoarding believe they love the cats, but in reality the cats are often suffering and miserable.

Resident cat lover =)

Aongroup1990, CNA · Jun 1, 2012

Honey just stick to doing your job. it could be alot of trouble... but im sure you could just put the cat food outside of the house without going in. or try putting it in the backyard... there's a solution to every problem.... or tell the patient's frined or neighbor or family member to help out by putting the food in the house... tell him to get someone he trusts dearly and contact them ...... dont involve the police trust me it'll get worse, and done inform the animal control because you don't want to make matters worse....

Kitsey · Jun 1, 2012

I'm a cat lover, I could not live with myself if I knew about cats who had no food or water...they can't last very long without before they end up with liver failure...I am not sure WHAT I would do, but I know one way or another I'd get food and water inside.

grownuprosie · Jun 1, 2012

This is exactly why sending someone who works in the animal community to the home is a good idea. If a sitter shows up and the animals are indeed in danger, they are likely to know who to talk to. Also, the cat gets fed. My comment about cats being hearty came directly after stating that food and water could be provided for them in bulk if they cannot have their owner take care of them. As in, they can handle themselves for a few days.

I see that you are trying to prove a point with the example about your cat, but it is the exception, not the rule. If the majority of cats required that much maintenance, they would not be a popular pet. I could use a story about how my cat got locked in a shed for a week without food or clean water. We thought he ran away. We found him haggard, but very much alive and very much angry with us. Neither story really proves anything. But mine gives hope that the cats are not yet dead, so I am sticking with that one. Also, i am not getting the feeling that this guy is footing large cat medical bills for diabetic cats...

RNnbakes · Jun 1, 2012

Dont lose your job over this. Get his permission to call a neighbor. Let the patient ask the neighbor to feed or check on the cats. As nurses we have to be resourceful and learn how to delegate. I frankly believe that since you are not a home health nurse, you will be crossing the line by going to the patient's house. If two cents get missing from his house, the patient might sue you for stealing. And I dont think Samaritan's law applies here.

rn/writer, RN · Jun 1, 2012

This might sound heartless, but if this poor guy is a hoarder, having animal control come in could be a blessing for all involved. He might feel emotional attachment to his cats, but, really, in a hoarding kind of environment, how well do you think he is providing for them.

Whatever you do, don't go into the house. There are too many bad possibilities for you to put yourself on the line. If a neighbor decides to intevene, that's a different matter. No one is going to report them to the Board of Neighbors or take their Next Door license away.

The most important things here are what the man and his cats need. Good solutions may involve things that he might find upsetting, but if he truly cares for the animals, he won't want them to die to spare himself embarrassment. Animal control should be able to assess whether any or all of his cats should be boarded and returned or whether there are just too many in conditions too dire for a fragile man to care for.

As I said, this may not be to his liking, but if his main concern is for his pets, he'll understand. Even if he doesn't, the cats shouldn't have to pay.

I commend you for your concern, but good boundaries exist for a reason. Do what you can while taking care of yourself professionally, or you won't be there for the next patient who needs your help.

dream'n, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

This is so upsetting to me, I have 3 fur-babies of my own. Can't you advise the patient to contact the local police for assistance in getting the animals food/water? If he loves his pets he should be willing to do so. Please let us know what happens, these little kitties will be on my mind.