I may have to find my cat a new home. Really need advice.

[BAM]

Some brief history: My cat was a stray and found me and my boyfriend at his house in May of last year. The poor thing was thin and starving so we fed it and my boyfriend ended up letting it stay in his house while knowing that he did not want a cat permanently. Me, being the rescuer in life, felt I had to take her because “no one” would be able to care for her like I would and at least I’d know that she had a good home. Was I ready for a cat? Not really. Did I need a cat? Actually no as I have way too much on my plate as it is. My mother lives with me and there’s quite a lot going on in that area amongst many other things. My cat has needed some medical attention recently and had some minor complications and now I think she’s having some problems in the bathroom department. Honestly, taking on this responsibility was not the wisest decision but like I said earlier, I’m a rescuer and thought of only the cats’ needs instead of mine. For my own well-being, it is probably best that I find her a new home but how do I reconcile with this in my mind? She knows us, has her routine, we know her and I would feel like I’ve abandoned her and she’d be in a strange environment and would wonder what’s happening to her if I gave her up. Throughout the past few months, I have thrown in out to people asking if they want a cat but no takers. I wouldn’t even know the best way to find her a good home.

As is with many things in my life, I put other’s needs first and I’m the one that has ended up with health issues because of it. At least with humans, you can talk with them and explain things (whether they choose to get it is up to them) but you can’t explain things to animals and they can’t understand what’s going on. I just don’t know what to do and how to handle all this as well as my emotions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Bam

 

[kathryn]

Ask your vet if s/he knows of any animal rescue/adoption groups in your area: the type that foster out animals until they are adopted. Or perhaps the vet's office could help find a home? (My vet has a scrapbook of pets looking for a good new home.)

That would be the first place I'd start with finding a good home.

I would definitely NOT put up an ad for a cat 'FREE to good home," as people who collect animals for vivisection often respond to these ads (and can be very convincing about seeming like a 'good home' when all they are intending to do is sell the animals for live experiments). Also, pit bull trainers might be attracted to a 'free' animal to use as bait in training their dogs.

 

[dr.mel_PT]

I would definitely NOT put up an ad for a cat 'FREE to good home," as people who collect animals for vivisection often respond to these ads (and can be very convincing about seeming like a 'good home' when all they are intending to do is sell the animals for live experiments). Also, pit bull trainers might be attracted to a 'free' animal to use as bait in training their dogs.

I didn't even think of this. Wow, that is scary. It makes me sick how people can be so cruel!!

I agree with the vet suggestion. Have you asked your family/circle of friends/coworkers also?

 

[BAM]

I have casually mentioned it to the vet but I've seen pictures of animals looking for homes in their office so there is definitely an abundance of animals needing homes. I would never advertise in the paper, as you mentioned Kathryn. I need to know that she would be going to a good home.

Melissa, I have been asking people that I know but no luck as of yet.

Bam

 

[Afreet]

I hate to tell you this, but since there are hundreds of thousands of cats currently in need of homes all over the country, the odds of your successfully re-homing a cat with medical problems are INCREDIBLY slim. There are no-kill shelters that might be able to take the cat, but they will likely end up keeping her forever, given the wintry economic climate and the superabundance of people giving up their pets due to job loss, foreclosure, etc.

It's not impossible, and I don't mean to be gloomy, but it will take a lot of work to find an acceptable alternative to just keeping her.

What would it take for you to keep her? What's the problem? How did she contribute to your health issues? I'm not trying to be confrontational or critical - I know that pets are a huge responsibility - but if giving her up will make both you and the cat feel distressed, maybe we could help with some solutions for how you might be able to keep her?

 

[BAM]

I hate to tell you this, but since there are hundreds of thousands of cats currently in need of homes all over the country, the odds of your successfully re-homing a cat with medical problems are INCREDIBLY slim. There are no-kill shelters that might be able to take the cat, but they will likely end up keeping her forever, given the wintry economic climate and the superabundance of people giving up their pets due to job loss, foreclosure, etc.

It's not impossible, and I don't mean to be gloomy, but it will take a lot of work to find an acceptable alternative to just keeping her.

What would it take for you to keep her? What's the problem? How did she contribute to your health issues? I'm not trying to be confrontational or critical - I know that pets are a huge responsibility - but if giving her up will make both you and the cat feel distressed, maybe we could help with some solutions for how you might be able to keep her?

Thanks Afreet. This is very kind of you to try and help. First of all, I'm not working. I thought I would have had a job by now but it hasn't happened. I've had health issues before I got the cat and I'm caring for my mother which is very challenging to say the least. There are other major areas of stress but I think you get the picture. As far as the behavior of the cat, she has clawed apart one of our chairs, her fur is all over the place and she doesn't like to be brushed. I have to try and find another brush that she might be better with. I've covered up the furniture, gotten multiple scratch boards, put tape on furniture, etc. She's the most fussy eater and has reduced the 4 cat foods that I found she would eat down to one and she still has issues at times with that one. I have to take her to the vet, again, (more expenses) which is about 1/2 hour away because it appears as though she has a UTI. It's snowing and the roads are bad so I don't think I'll be able to take her today. I've been giving her a probiotic but so far it hasn't helped. I just have so much going on in my life that adding this additional responsibility on is honestly adding more stress which is not what I need. You know, our gut tells us everything and when she first came here, my gut was telling me that it was not a good idea but because of my rescue nature and feeling sorry for her, I ignored it. Obviously I should not have kept her but I can't turn back the hands of time and my heart was in the right place. I certainly didn't think that things in my life would continue to get worse but they have.

So that's my story. I hope I've given a clear enough picture as to what is going on. Again, I appreciate any help. Thank you!

Bam

 

[kathryn]

As far as the behavior of the cat, she has clawed apart one of our chairs, her fur is all over the place and she doesn't like to be brushed. I have to try and find another brush that she might be better with.

For brushing, I've found some cheap (2/$1 or some 99 cents each) scalp brushes in the human hair-product aisle (by the regular brushes) in Walgreens or CVS that cats LOVE! I use them on all the cats at the shelter, and I haven't come across ANYONE who refuses to be brushed by them. (I can see why they like them, because they feel good on the scalp--they're supposedly for distributing shampoo and conditioner through the hair--and cats are pretty much ALL scalp).

As for the chair: now that it's probably pretty shredded, it will be even more appealing to kitty (they are attracted to 'used looking' scratching surfaces like this). Could that be designated "her" chair now? (at least it will keep her from other furniture).

HTH?

 

[Afreet]

So that's my story. I hope I've given a clear enough picture as to what is going on. Again, I appreciate any help. Thank you!
Bam

Wow - this is very difficult. I can certainly see how this could be overwhelming for you!

Could you talk to your veterinarian? - I know you mentioned that you had seen a book of animals up for adoption - maybe given your circumstances, they could "highlight" your cat particularly? Or maybe, if you spoke to someone there, they could offer advice about reducing the cost of care for the cat until you're working again? I know it sucks to ask for things like this, but vets are generally good people and might have some solutions. Worth a shot, right?

You could contact local shelters and see if anyone might be willing to foster the cat, or maybe help defray the costs of her care. No-kill shelters can be very resourceful. It sounds like your plate is pretty full right now, but perhaps you could swap a skill or service in return for some help from a local organization?

I'll keep thinking on it. I know what you mean, by the way - stray animals always find their way to my door, like I have a big neon sign out front that says "Softie Inside." And I can never ignore them! So I sympathize and I really hope there's a good way to help both you AND the cat! What's her name, by the way?

 

[pixiesis]

Hi Bam. Until you figure out what your next step is, I thought I'd share what cured my kitty boy of his UTI issues. He eats Wellness wet 2x/day and grazes on Wellness dry. He also gets a Pet Naturals UT support vitamin 1x/day (he loves it and thinks it's a treat).

I know Wellness is expensive, but both the wet and the dry food last a very long time. The wet because I buy the biggest cans they offer (14 oz?). This size offers the best price/oz. And then I add A LOT of water to it. One can lasts my 3 cats 2 days (and they eat 2x/day). So I get 12 individual meals out of a can (and I think it's around $2.30/can). I realized that I can water it down to a very runny, soupy consistency and they still lap it up. They get tons of water this way. I believe that this keeps them all very healthy.

The dry food lasts quite a while because it's not full of filler and is very nutritious. All Wellness food (wet and dry) contains special ingredients that support UT health. I go to Petco for the best prices and selection. I also joined the Wellness newsletter and get coupons about 1x/month.

Good luck! I know this is not easy for you or for your kitty girl.

 

[Beavs]

Since I switched my kitties to Wellness there has not been any green fog wafting from the litterbox. Well worth the $28.00 in my book.