rant about my sister's stupid cat

I have never hated an animal as much as I hate my sister's cat. I honestly get that the cat is being a cat with the crap it does, but my sister is too lazy to work to try to correct the behavior. She likes to scratch my couch so I started cutting her nails. She likes to destroy rolls of paper so I closed the bathroom door and put all paper towel rolls out of the way. She likes to knock over my gecko cages. Those immediately went into my bedroom after the first time and the door to my room says closed. She even manages to escape the apartment from time to time and wanders the halls, usually because my sister fails to pay attention to her and she sneaks out between her feet.

I feel like this stupid cat is out to get me. Right now there are about 2-3 dozen crickets lose in my apartment thanks to her. Somehow she managed to knock those over today. I have a vague idea as to how, but I'm still not clear on the details. She somehow managed to get on top of my shorter snake rack which I have done everything under the sun to prevent (spraying cat off, put lots of stuff up there, telling her no every time she goes near it, playing with her to tire her out, creating a different pearch for her near the window). After she got on the shorter snake rack she made the leap to get on the taller one which is 6-7ft tall. The top of that is full of boxes and the cricket keeper. I'm guess she made the leap and knocked the cricket keeper over when she failed to get up there.

I am so done with this cat and I really want her gone, but my sister seems to like her so I feel like I am stuck. I have been making efforts to make it work with the cat, but my sister isn't even attempting to meet me half way. I'm pretty sure this cat is NOT happy being an indoor cat. She turned up on our door step in September before we moved back to WI. She was half starved so we took her in. She can't be an outdoor cat with our apartment here unless my sister takes her out for walks. I really don't know what to do with this feral monstrosity, but I feel like this is the straw the broke the camel's back. I really just want her gone. She is not an indoor cat and I am tried of having my stuff destroy and worrying about the reptiles that don't fit in my bedroom. :rage:

If she's your sister's cat, can you pass the rule that she stays in your sister's room unless she is being directly supervised in the common areas? If I remember correctly from a previous post, you are supporting the household.

Squirt gun is your best friend when training a cat not to do stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Annarose15

If she's your sister's cat, can you pass the rule that she stays in your sister's room unless she is being directly supervised in the common areas? If I remember correctly from a previous post, you are supporting the household.

---

I tried that but my sister threw a fit about not wanting to lock the cat up. I think I will try it again, this time it gets locked up or it goes. I know she's not too happy that there are 2-3 dozen crickets loose in the apartment.

I have been trying really hard not to use the fact that I am support the household because I want her to feel at home here, but honestly my reptile collection is worth a lot more to me than a stray cat that wandered into our lives. I really feel like I should have brought it to the humane society like I planned to when we found it. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dillan2020

Squirt gun is your best friend when training a cat not to do stuff.

---

The problem with using the squirt gun is that it only works when you are home. :(

I know it's rarely good to play the "I pay the bills" card. However, the safety of all of the animals in your home has to be paramount. If the cat hasn't figured out how to open a tub or break into a cage yet, it's probably only a matter of time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Annarose15

I know it's rarely good to play the "I pay the bills" card. However, the safety of all of the animals in your home has to be paramount. If the cat hasn't figured out how to open a tub or break into a cage yet, it's probably only a matter of time.

---

I have been trying to get my sister to see it that way for the past month. I think I am going to have to pull the "I pay the bills" card here. My beardie and my kenyan are on top of my shorter snake rack and I've been terrifed for them. I actually caught the cat sitting on the kenyan's cage this morning. :mad:

I wanted to keep the beardie in my bedroom but my sister likes him and wanted him where she could see him. The kenyan is in the living room because my bedroom is pretty much are maxium capacity. I have all of my 27 crested gecko (who are mostly individual housed), 3 boas, 1 leo, 1 fat tail, both carpets, a short tail and 5 ball pythons in my bedroom. There is barely enough room for my bed in there.

This whole thing is really getting to me because my cat ended up staying with my mom when I moved back. My mom really fell in love with her and she hates the drive so I figured it was for the best. That cat was awesome, my only problem with her was she liked to sleep on my pillow with me. She didn't cause any problems and loved to cuddle. You couldn't ask for a better cat. :(

It can be such a nightmare trying to deal with other people's animals. Being so strict with my own pets it makes it a particular pet peeve of mine. At our old place the roomie's cat used to terrorize my boyfriend's daughter's leopard gecko and my gold fish. The snakes were away in opaque tubs, so they missed most of the little brute, but he was a clumsy cat to boot. Any pet cats I'd had myself had been like ghosts, they'd go through a room and you couldn't tell (other than some hair in their favorite sleeping spots) but this little guy would push through/past things, knocking them over. Broke quite a few of my roomie's belongings, and I ended up securing/moving any of mine away from the "danger zones"

Anyway, even if your sister throws a fit she needs to take responsibility for her own animals. This includes dealing with them when they are creating problems in the residence. I see it as your house, your rules, but I can understand with family it can get sticky (especially siblings, I'm oldest of 4). I'd lay it out clearly that the cat needs to stay in her room where she can care for it and it doesn't get into things, or it can leave. It's not up to you to work around her pet in your own dang apartment

Im not even going to bother, you guys KNOW how i feel about cats ;)

It sounds like an under-exercised cat. Your sister has to help the cat expend the energy by either walking the cat or playing with it (hunting play not some stupid little petting game). She needs to chase a feather on a rod for 10-15 minutes twice a day. She sounds like an indoor cat. I feel really bad for it since no one is taking care of her. She also needs proper scratching posts in proper areas. Poor cat. No offense but you should blame your sister for not providing the right care rather than blaming the cat.

+1 to the squirt gun. But put a little vinegar in the bottle with water...the vinegar they dont like more than the water and it only helps reinforce that what the cat did was a big NO NO.

Best Feather toy ever: 1 flexible plastic dowel/rod/stick, 1 clump of sewn feathers from like Michael's, 1 Velcro"zip" tie. I used to start with a store bought toy which would torn and frayed rather quickly by the cat and keep that stick and rebuild as needed fasting with the reusable Velcro tie. The flexible stick is important for making that "bird taking flight" sound that will have them begging to play all the time.

Also add another squirt bottle vote.

I'm gonna play the other side here...

First try to see that the cat is important to her, like your reptiles are too you. She loves one animal, you another. So, if you were on the other end of someone wanting you to get rid of your pets, wouldn't you want to work something out?

Ferel cats are more squirelly than a purebred. Regardless what kind of cat it is, you can't lock it in a single room. It does sound like some play may help him. Or maybe a kitty companion?? Maybe a cat condo with a view out the window or something? I don't think outdoor cat is the answer, they can get in fights, and hurt, and fleas, or hit by a car, worms from eating wild mice and rats... Yuk. My cats don't go outside. You could always call the cat whisperer, Jackson Galaxy, lol. Sorry, we watched the show My Cat From Hell. He always solved the cats problems (at least on tv).

I love my cats, and couldn't imagine getting rid of any of them, even though I have one or two who are trouble. I think maybe you guys should sit down and try to figure out something that will work. Maybe she can try to play more with the cat, maybe you can cat proof the house. My anoles tank is secured to the table, because one of my cats thinks they are there for her personal entertainment. She sits on top and watches them. (I think its really the crickets that get her attention though). Once in the beginning, they knocked it over, then I double back taped it to the table. Now the tank won't budge, so I don't worry.

Good luck working something out. I hope the kitty doesn't have to go. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

You don't want to know what I think you should do with it. Squirtbottles would work, too.

I also hate the fact that there is all this talk of an "outdoor cat" vs. an "indoor cat." I'm sorry (no, I'm not) people, but if you want to get a pet then you need to take FULL responsibility for it, and buying a cat that lives outside and comes home every so often is not doing that! Cats kill over 1 billion, that's BILLION bird a year in the U.S. alone. Many of the small bird species that they kill are endangered, but they don't stop there. They also kill herps! Small lizards, geckos, frogs, toads, snakes, etc. If you buy a cat, keep it indoors and look after it, period. Your local ecosystem didn't evolve with cats as a predator, so spare it from your cat by actually being a pet owner.

Bruce I couldn't have said that better! Where I live it seems like 80% of the cat owning people let their cats roam and have babies outside its terrible the only break we get is being so far north it gets so cold that some of the feral population doesn't make it thru the winter but enough do that it grows rapidly every spring.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by barbie.dragon

It sounds like an under-exercised cat. Your sister has to help the cat expend the energy by either walking the cat or playing with it (hunting play not some stupid little petting game). She needs to chase a feather on a rod for 10-15 minutes twice a day. She sounds like an indoor cat. I feel really bad for it since no one is taking care of her. She also needs proper scratching posts in proper areas. Poor cat. No offense but you should blame your sister for not providing the right care rather than blaming the cat.

---

I know it's my sister's fault, but it's hard not to get mad at the cat first. I have tried exercising the cat by playing with it but honestly between work, taking care of my hyper engergetic dog that needs to be exercised daily, caring for my reptiles and the thousand other things I need to do I don't have time to devote to the cat. I've tried doing what I can with the time and energy I can devote to the cat, but my sister refuses to do anything with her. The cat does have scractching posts, but my sister decided it would be a great idea to teach her to use one of them right next to my couch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

I'm gonna play the other side here...

First try to see that the cat is important to her, like your reptiles are too you. She loves one animal, you another. So, if you were on the other end of someone wanting you to get rid of your pets, wouldn't you want to work something out?

Ferel cats are more squirelly than a purebred. Regardless what kind of cat it is, you can't lock it in a single room. It does sound like some play may help him. Or maybe a kitty companion?? Maybe a cat condo with a view out the window or something? I don't think outdoor cat is the answer, they can get in fights, and hurt, and fleas, or hit by a car, worms from eating wild mice and rats... Yuk. My cats don't go outside. You could always call the cat whisperer, Jackson Galaxy, lol. Sorry, we watched the show My Cat From Hell. He always solved the cats problems (at least on tv).

I love my cats, and couldn't imagine getting rid of any of them, even though I have one or two who are trouble. I think maybe you guys should sit down and try to figure out something that will work. Maybe she can try to play more with the cat, maybe you can cat proof the house. My anoles tank is secured to the table, because one of my cats thinks they are there for her personal entertainment. She sits on top and watches them. (I think its really the crickets that get her attention though). Once in the beginning, they knocked it over, then I double back taped it to the table. Now the tank won't budge, so I don't worry.

Good luck working something out. I hope the kitty doesn't have to go. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

The big difference here between my reptiles and her cat is that I take the time to ensure they get what they need. I don't have the resources, the time or the desire to take care of her cat on top of all my pets. I also want to be clear that I don't hate cats, I hate THIS cat.

Everytime I try to talk to her about the cat she freaks out and just tells me to get rid of it. I am tired of going out of my way to take care of HER cat. I don't want to lock the cat up either, but I can't fit all of my reptiles in my room and I shouldn't have to either. She needs to take the time to work with her cat to train it and exercise it. As I said, she refuses to meet me half way and honestly that is was infurates me the most. I also feel the cat is a danger to my reptiles who were here first.

The scratching posts are probably in awkward places the cat doesn't want to go to. Also IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO EXERCISE THE CAT! It's not yours and you have to put your foot down. You pay bills, it's your rules whether she likes it or not. Also explain to her your other pet's lives are in danger! And the cat will probably start a fire when you're not there knocking things over. Set firm boundaries and rules now to avoid anymore headaches. Letting her be irresponsible is detrimental for you, your reptiles and the cat!

Get a large enough and hungry snake that if the cat ever were to get into its tank.....OOOOPS!! :P:D;):gj:

I decided to take a gamble today and see if I can knock some sense into my sister. Last night I told her that if she wanted to keep the cat she needed to do two things: 1.) play with the cat for an hour a day and 2.) keep the cat in her room when no one is home. She told me to just get rid of the cat then. I don't think she took me seriously which is why she said to just get rid of it. I told her it would be gone today then. As she was leaving for work I told her when I picked her up from work we had a few errands to run. She asked what, and I told her we needed to go get more crickets and drop the cat off at the humane society. She didn't look happy about that last part.

My hope is that she will realize that if the cat goes to the humane society it's going to be locked in a small cage and most likely stay there for a while. She's past the cute kitten stage so she wouldn't get adopted immediately. I don't really intend to drop the cat off there because I can deal with it for a few more weeks while I try to find a good home for it and I'm sure the humane society wouldn't take her because most are at their capacities for cats.

If my sister hasn't changed her tune by the time I pick her up from work I will be stopping at the apartment, getting the cat and driving to the humane society, and I will be making my sister come with me. I can only hope that my sister will take me seriously by the time we pull into the parking lot if not sooner. If she calls my bluff then I don't know what I am going to do. I really would hate to give her pet away, but she doesn't seem to care about the danger her cat poses to my reptile collection or the damage it is causing to my property. The cat isn't getting the attention that it needs and I'm starting to doubt my sister is responsible enough to take care of it. :(

Good luck :( Some people just aren't suited to owning pets (Or sometimes just a particular type of animal). Doesn't mean she'll never be suited to it! Or that she won't change her tune later! But it doesn't make it any less disappointing when things aren't going well for the animal

Make her pick up the cat, take it to your car, hold the cat while you're driving there. Explain the cat will probably spend the rest of its life in a small cage with no one to love it and it is her fault. And have her hand over the cat to the shelter and take a tour of the shelter. I sounds incredibly harsh but pets especially cats live terrible and sad lives in the shelter. And because like you said she's not a kitten, she will probably never get adopted. Good luck. And you're not doing the wrong thing by putting the cat in the shelter so don't worry about it. The cat's fate is entirely in your sister's hands. And maybe you can show her how fun it is to play with the cat. Most people don't realize exercising a cat is quite fun.

playing with a cat doesn't even require work. get a little lazer light and you can have a cat exausted in 10 minutes just moving your hand around. if your sister is to lazy to do that drop her off at the shelter and keep the cat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Valentine Pirate

Good luck :( Some people just aren't suited to owning pets (Or sometimes just a particular type of animal). Doesn't mean she'll never be suited to it! Or that she won't change her tune later! But it doesn't make it any less disappointing when things aren't going well for the animal

---

I am holding out hope that she will take responsibility for the cat. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by barbie.dragon

Make her pick up the cat, take it to your car, hold the cat while you're driving there. Explain the cat will probably spend the rest of its life in a small cage with no one to love it and it is her fault. And have her hand over the cat to the shelter and take a tour of the shelter. I sounds incredibly harsh but pets especially cats live terrible and sad lives in the shelter. And because like you said she's not a kitten, she will probably never get adopted. Good luck. And you're not doing the wrong thing by putting the cat in the shelter so don't worry about it. The cat's fate is entirely in your sister's hands. And maybe you can show her how fun it is to play with the cat. Most people don't realize exercising a cat is quite fun.

---

I like that plan, I just hope she doesn't hate me for it. I have volunteered at a shelter before and I know those cats don't live happy lives. Their cages are usually barely big enough for them to move around in. I feel responsible for this cat though because I told my sister she could keep it when we found it and because I feel responsible for everything that lives with me (including my sister). I hate to see an animal suffer and this cat will not do well if locked in a shelter cage for long. She loves to be with people and play. :(

I do agree that exercising a cat is fun. I have played with this cat before and I find it hilarious when she has to stop and pant for a few minutes before she will chase the toy again. I just don't have time during the week to play with her, my dog and reptiles are my priority when I get home from work. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dillan2020

playing with a cat doesn't even require work. get a little lazer light and you can have a cat exausted in 10 minutes just moving your hand around. if your sister is to lazy to do that drop her off at the shelter and keep the cat.

---

I don't get why my sister refuses to play with the cat. She spends so much time sitting on my couch watching TV anyways. You don't have to be involved in the play to tire the cat out, just move the toy while you are watching TV. :(

I would do it, but I don't usually sit down to watch TV and I really feel that she needs to be responsible for her pet.

Poor little kitty :(

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Poor little kitty :(

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

I agree, but I don't know what else to do. The more I think about the more this seems like a case of neglect and boarder line abuse. This isn't much different than the rescue ball pythons we see. This animal is not having it's care requirements met and the owner refuses to do it. In this case the best thing for the animal is to find it a new home.

If my sister was willing to make an effort to take care of her pet then I wouldn't consider surrendering it, but she won't. As I have said before my priorities are not to this cat, my animals have to come first. While I may have been financially responsible for this cat (buying cat food, toys and paying vet bills), she is not my pet and I don't have the time to meet her needs that my sister should be fulfilling. :(

I am happy to report that after tormenting my sister (and to some degree the cat) we were able to reach a compromise and the cat is still with us.

I did end up driving my sister and the cat to the humane society and when we got there, I asked her if she was sure this was what she wanted to do. She said of course not and then we actually talked and worked out a deal. We are going to convert our laundry room into a kitty play house and when no one is home she will be in there. My sister also agreed to play with the cat daily. The beardie and kenyan sand boa cages will be moved into my bedroom (not sure where they are going to fit just yet >_<) and we will let her use the snake racks as perches. I'm not worried about her opening tubs because one rack as a sheet tied to the front of it and the tubs on the other one are hard to pull out.

My sister doesn't know it yet, but she will be buying the cat more scratching posts once she starts getting regular paychecks. I am going to be picking up a laser pointer either today or tomorrow and another toy with a feather. She's pretty much completely destroyed the feather on the one that we do have but it's funny to see the flips she will do when you play with her.

This is going to sound really backwards (trust me I still can't wrap my head around it), but while we were at the humane society (with our current cat secured in the car) we looked around and decided to get her a kitty playmate. We are hoping having a kitty playmate will give her someone to play with while we aren't there. This could totally blow up in our faces and instead of solving one problem create another, but I am hopeful. The cat we agreed on is an orange and white male. He didn't come home with us last night because he still needs to be neutered, but he's right around the same age as my sister's cat and is also a stray. We will be taking her cat in to get spayed tomorrow and hopefully the new cat will be joining our family this weekend.

Haha! Pet addiction isn't limited to BPs! That's great that you two have worked out a plan. Best of luck to all of you! :rolleye2:

Squirt gun? Nah, garden hose! :D

You're a good sister for taking care ofyour sister AND her cat. Good luck with the new arrangement...I really hope it works..........and get more litter pans (litter pan per cat PLUS one) and keep them in different locations in the house if you can, and have your sister clean them daily:banana:.

Congratulations on your new cat! When my SO and I were looking for a cat we ended up adopting two, as well. They don't seem to get into anymore trouble between the two of them that one would by itself. Even if they did it'd be worth it to me to know a single cat isn't lonely all day while I'm at work.

My cats love watching (and sitting on) the reptile tanks. I put a towel over the ball python's tank so he doesn't get freaked out by them during the day, but he doesn't seem to mind their presence when I'm feeding him. With two cats and my SO and i watching him eat, it's become a family affair!

The cats' favorite perch is our blue tongue skinks old tank, right next to the heat lamp. The BTS is super curious and would come out and sniff at them. They never seemed overly interested or aggressive with each other, so I let them sit up there. The tank was always double-checked for security, of course.

Good luck with your new little friend! :)

My girlfreinds cat discovered my tegu he is small about two feet with tail so i figured we would see how it goes and let him out. The cat is scared of him now and wont go near him i know it isnt the best way bt it worked

Yay :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks everyone. I'm really hoping this will work out. :)

And since pictures make every thread better here is a picture of Angel from this weekend. I took them while I was playing with her. You can see she's panting from the work out. :P

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...08689201_n.jpg

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...03236583_n.jpg

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...47882181_n.jpg

The new cats name is going to be Oliver and I will post a picture once we get him. :)

Aww, what cute kitty. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Aww, what cute kitty. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

Yeah, that was what saved her from going to the humane society when we found her. :P

Well that and she's a very cuddly cat when she's not causing trouble. :)

Do not use laser pointers. It messes with the cat's brain and defeats the purpose of a made up hunt since she can't actually catch anything. It just leads to frustration. She'll eventually stop destroying the feathers on the toy when she gets an established exercise routine. Hope the cats get along well! I'm glad everything worked out :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by barbie.dragon

Do not use laser pointers. It messes with the cat's brain and defeats the purpose of a made up hunt since she can't actually catch anything. It just leads to frustration. She'll eventually stop destroying the feathers on the toy when she gets an established exercise routine. Hope the cats get along well! I'm glad everything worked out :)

---

I hadn't considered that aspect of playing with the laser pointer. I will just get two feather toys then. I'm not concerned with her destroying the feathers. The toys she likes cost $5-6 and if she's playing with that other things are safe from her. :P

I am hoping the cats will get along, but I am also worried about how this new cat will react to my dog. I'm not worried about the dog harassing the cat. He barely notices the one we have now and she jumps all over him and lays with him. He's only interested in people and tennis balls but it still took our current cat a few days to adjust to him.

If things don't work out after the first 2-3 weeks we will probably have to bring the new cat back. The humane society we are adopting from won't do introductions on site, but we can bring him back within the first 30 days if things don't work out.

I have heard something about the laser pointers, but idk... My cats like rafia and mink wands too. I have a lady who custom makes the best cat toys ever.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

I have heard something about the laser pointers, but idk... My cats like rafia and mink wands too. I have a lady who custom makes the best cat toys ever.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

As long as you don't use laser pointers exclusive or as a main play item it's ok. But it is much better to use feather toys on a "fishing rod" to stimulate "hunting" as realistically as possible. Laser pointers are fun to use once in a while.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by barbie.dragon

As long as you don't use laser pointers exclusive or as a main play item it's ok. But it is much better to use feather toys on a "fishing rod" to stimulate "hunting" as realistically as possible. Laser pointers are fun to use once in a while.

---

I don't have any laser pointers, we use the other stuff. But hubby told me something (can't remember what) about a gal at his work and her little dog and a problem with the laser, like it made the dog crazy or something??

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

I don't have any laser pointers, we use the other stuff. But hubby told me something (can't remember what) about a gal at his work and her little dog and a problem with the laser, like it made the dog crazy or something??

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

This is anecdotal but when I see animals that play with laser pointers they seem very... Neurotic. Little dogs especially because they don't get any exercise so they fixate on laser pointers. And since laser pointers don't provide a physical outlet of energy they just go completely insane... The gal needs to walk that little dog at least an hour a day.. Well all dogs should be walked at least an hour. Poor dog. That's why you see so many aggressive/neurotic little dogs more often than larger ones. :<

I adopted two feral cats and they are wonderful.

Both cats get correction. You cant spray them it doesn't work try putting them in the bathroom for no longer than a few minutes.... they hate being alone but leave them too long and they freak.
Also sounds like it wants more attention they are like toddlers without enough love... they are s**** holes.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

Well, the new cat came home on Thursday night. Angel is not too happy, but she also just got spayed so I'm sure that is playing into it as well. We've named the new kitty Oliver. He's a cuddler, but really hates my dog. The dog could careless that he's being hissed at and he doesn't even seem to notice either cat, even when Angel is jumping on him or cuddling with him so I am hoping Oliver will come around to accepting him. :)

Oliver and Angel:
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSCN2984.jpg

Oliver (he's POed because he knows the dog is in the room):
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSCN2989.jpg

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSCN2992.jpg

I'm not normally a fan of orange tabbies, but he's a pretty handsome boy. I bet he'll adjust to the dog when he realizes that the dog doesn't pay any attention to him. :gj:

I'm glad you guys came to a happy agreement! Cute kitties too: the last pic of Oliver made me lol

Cute babies! It will take some time, but I bet everybody will settle in just fine. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2