The Crazy Cat Lady and the animal shelter....

story1267

story1267

Cathlete
I prevail upon your patience once again....hear my tale.

Upon my recent marriage to DH we had promised my DD that, once settled, we'd let her get a cat of her own who would live with DH and I (shared custody..yada yada).

We already have DH's sons two boy cats (adorable, lovely, naughty (sprayers both), fabulous). Plus my rescue barn cats (also adorable, but mostly elusive).

Here's my problem...I'm afraid to go to the shelter. I have always avoided the shelters - my cats have come to me one way or another. I'm afraid that I will have an emotional break-down because I can't adopt them all.

Plus I must be strong because I have to be steady for DD - she's a soft-heart as well.

Any words of wisdom? Her birthday is coming up and we'll use the occasion to go to the shelter.
 
I understand and don't know what to say. I am so fortunate because our cat shelter is the type of place you go to and don't worry about the cats too much-- most are running around free unless they are on some antibiotics.
Just bite the bullet and be happy you are helping one cat is the best advice I can offer.

good luck!
 
Suzanne, no real words of wisdom but lots of sympathy. I can't even look at the cats that they have up for adoption in PetSmart (they are rescue cats, not "pet store" cats) or I would be living in a house with 25 cats instead of 4! When we were last looking to adopt, my DH had scoped out the rescues at PetSmart and found one that appealed to him and he brought me to look at her but then there was this brown striped number with a long lean body and eyes that wouldn't quit and he had me at meow (that's him as my avatar)....so we ended up with both of them to join our 2 cat family household. Maybe DH could scope out the shelter in advance like mine did?

Another possibility is to check the paper---sometimes people are looking for someone to take in a cat that they can no longer care for (like they're moving overseas or to a place that doesn't allow pets).

Good luck!
 
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Suz - My best advice would be to take someone along who isn't a soft heart! ;) My mother and I went to a ferret shelter to adopt 1 ferret once and came home with 3. DH was less than thrilled. It's good to have a voice of reason in the group.
 
Our local shelter has a big sunny room with lots of windows, soft music and the cats are just hanging out. There are cat trees, sofas, chairs, rugs etc. It is actually a really nice place to hang out. There are people visiting or looking to adopt all day. Sometimes I think the cats are happier there than home in an apt by themselves all day. Anyway--you can also go on petfinder.com and check out your local shelters or maybe a rescue organization. Some shelters have improved a great deal since the "old days".
 
Thanks everyone! DH has been to this shelter and says it has this wonderful area where the kitties (who are healthy enough) can all roam around and climb things.

I think what might save me is the fact that the cat is FOR my DD and it'll be up to her to make the match. Plus it's a family event and DH will take us and he knows what a softie I am so I'm sure he'll help me be strong.

Cataddict - your avatar makes me say "Kitty!" out loud whenever I see it. I can understand why he stole your heart. :)
 
I got my dog from a shelter 12 years ago. She was the underdog in her cage. She was the smallest and the other dogs would nearly trample her at feeding time (this was a very low-budget shelter with little room and lots of dogs in each run). I think the pride of rescuing the littlest, saddest puppy overshadowed the fact that I couldn't take more home. Just know that adopting one pet from a shelter helps to relieve the burden and gives that one pet a great life he/she otherwise wouldn't have had. :) Good luck!! And post pictures of your fur baby when you get him/her!!!
 
I understand completely how you feel, Suzanne! I can't go without wanting to bring several home! Cats and dogs! I always go visit the rescues at Petco when we go on Saturdays!

Good luck! We want to adopt 2 new cats but are waiting because Simon who is also a rescue, is set as the sole king of household kitty and would not take well to a new family member! He gets a UTI whenever we leave him for vacation, when we moved, etc. It stresses him out! So, we are waiting.

I can't wait to hear how you make out!
 
I leave the humane society in tears everytime I go. I want them all, they make me so sad. All of my pets are resucues and I wish I could have many more. Adopting a cat is a wonderful tihng to do.
 
One thing that really makes me shaky is the deep discount for "senior" pets. And senior in this case is over 8 years old. That just breaks my heart into many tiny pieces. I have (well, she lives at DX's) a 16 year old cat who is still pretty sprightly. :(
 
I volunteer at my local shelter, and if I brought home every cat that touched my heart, I'd have a houseful!

I just have to tell myself that 4 is enough (at least for now ;)) and give them my affection and attention when I'm there, leaving them with positive vibes for finding a loving home.
 
Just remember that if you really want to make the difference in the life of an animal, you will get over how it makes you feel and go in there to do something good for one of them. You can't change the world but you can change the world for one cat.
Lisa
 
lrayburn said:
Just remember that if you really want to make the difference in the life of an animal, you will get over how it makes you feel and go in there to do something good for one of them. You can't change the world but you can change the world for one cat.
Lisa
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Thanks Lisa, that's a very good way of framing it. Certainly whoever DD chooses will have a fine and cushy life. She does love her kitties as much as I do!
 
marazoe said:
I used to work at my local Shelter. Alot of Shelters have a Foster program where the cats/kittens are cared for in someone's home. Maybe you could see if your Shelter has a website and see if they have a Foster program. That way you would visit them at someone's home and it is not so overwhelming.
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Marazoe, that's how I acquired my recue barn cats. There's an organization in the state that doesn't have a location per se. They're all volunteer and they run their adoptions through the adoption days at PetSmart and places like that.

I had originally thought I would foster ferals (I figured there had to be some that couldn't be returned to their location). But I ended up with these barn cats who are feral for all intents and purposes.

But, I digress. Since this cat is for DD I want to let her have a larger pool of kitties to choose from and have it be in a slightly more structured environment - therefore the trip to the local shelter.

My plan is to just suck it up and be strong......it's her thing, not mine. (She said, still trying to convince herself she can do it.....)
 
Meet the new member of the family!

Here's Michelle!



I survived the shelter although there were about a dozen cats there I would have loved to take home.

DH met a huge black cat named Rocco and they formed an instant bond. Rocco didn't want DH to put him down! Very sweet. If we didn't already have a house full of cats and teenagers he would have come home with us.

This kitten - she's 7 months old, is very sweet, very inquisitive, not scared or shy. I think she'll be a great addition to the menagerie.

Thanks for all your help!
 
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story1267 said:
Here's Michelle!



I survived the shelter although there were about a dozen cats there I would have loved to take home.

DH met a huge black cat named Rocco and they formed an instant bond. Rocco didn't want DH to put him down! Very sweet. If we didn't already have a house full of cats and teenagers he would have come home with us.

This kitten - she's 7 months old, is very sweet, very inquisitive, not scared or shy. I think she'll be a great addition to the menagerie.

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!!!! She looks like she could be the sister of our boy Pasquotank (the boy in my avatar picture). Enjoy!!
 
I'm sneezing and wheezing just thinking about it!! :p Sorry, deathly allergic to cats as is my DS. No words of wisdom, just a sneeze in your honor!! :D
 
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