Had to give up 2 cats yesterday - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

godxzilla · 09-12-2005, 04:35 AM

I have had 4 cats for a while now. 2 original cats that were friends for the most part, and we got the 3rd from a shelter. the 4th just found his way into our house after a long ride under the hood of my wifes car at 7 weeks old

. The problem is, the 2 newest cats (owned 2 years + now) have always tormented the other cats. So bad that one of them cant ever make it to the litter box and often times is forced to use the bathroom all over the house. It was getting pretty bad and we needed to do something. We had talked about finding homes for them but its very hard to do that. We rescue all of our cats from shelters and KNOW about the homeless animal problem in this country.

That being said, we were forced to bring them to the humane society yesterday. It was a long time in the works but finally my wife and I decided that it was no longer healthy for the other 2 cats to live this way. They were stuck under the bed, fighting to use the litter box (had 2 boxes, one upstaris, one down, no help) and separating all cats to eat just so they wouldnt starve. I loved them, but thought it would be my wife that would need the most support.

Unforunately, that was not the case. I dropped them off (and made a $100 donation to the humane society) and as I was leaving I started to tear up. By the time I got home, I was crying uncontrolably, and it didnt stop. I cried all day yesterday and really missed them. Seeing the other 2 cats still in the house made me happy they would get their lives back but upset that they were allowed to stay and the others had to go. I still am not over it. I am sad, and I dont know how long this will last. I am 27, married with a 10 week old son, and I feel so strange. Is that normal?

They were great pets alone. just didnt like the group thing. My only hope is they can find homes for them but I know the odds of that happening are not that great. They have a 95% placement rate at this shelter but I still am pessimistic.

Sorry for rambling, just wanted to get that off my chest.

denim · 09-12-2005, 06:43 AM

You feel how you feel. There's nothing wrong with it.

amonkie · 09-12-2005, 06:50 AM

*Hug*

Know you are doing the right thing by keeping the cats happy... there will be another family out there just waiting for the chance to shower love on your two later cats.

JustJess · 09-12-2005, 08:32 AM

You did what you had to do. It was the best thing for all the cats involved. Don't worry, you didn't abandon them - you put them in a place that works very hard to find them a home.
I'm sorry you had to go through that. My heart hurts just thinking about having to give up one of my cats. You're feeling what you feel, so that what you should be feeling. Does that make sense??

*hug*

Rodney · 09-12-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godxzilla

They were great pets alone. just didnt like the group thing. My only hope is they can find homes for them but I know the odds of that happening are not that great. They have a 95% placement rate at this shelter but I still am pessimistic.

You shouldn't be. A lot of people have, and want, just one cat. Our local Petsmart hosts a cat adoption service (in cooperation with an animal rescue group), and the info listed on each cat's cage indicates whether or not the cat gets along with other cats. Some are clearly marked "does not get along." And yet those cats are adopted.

So buck up. Odds are very good that your cats are going home with somebody.

Sweetpea · 09-12-2005, 07:16 PM

You have compassion, that is not only normal but a wonderful thing. That you feel things deeply is wonderful i think... It sounds like you have made the right decision, but I am sorry this has been so difficult...

Sweetpea

godxzilla · 09-13-2005, 07:50 AM

Well, I want to thank all of you for your kind words. At work yesterday, it seemed to help. As soon as I walked into the house and they were not there, my mood changed and I couldnt take it anymore. Being unsure of their fate is something I am not prepared to handle. I know they need to be taken out of my home, but the chance of death is not an option. I am going to pick them up today and isolate them in a room at our house for a while until we can find them a healthy home, NOT a cage

Anyone have a home for 2 wonderful cats that dont like other cats?

Thanks for your support!

Mike

spongy · 09-13-2005, 07:57 PM

Mike , we recently found out that my wife has asthma, and we were forced to give up our two cats. It was hard to do because as my wife put it they were our kids before we had kids.

Don't fret that you felt bad, and i am glad you get them back, I envy you that.

I miss my cats.

calvin88 · 09-13-2005, 10:56 PM

I feel for you, and I believe what your going through is perfectly normal. If I had to give up my 2 cats, I would probably cry too. Be strong, at least you still have your other 2 cats.

aurigus · 09-15-2005, 10:14 AM

My wife and I are in a similar situation. We have 2 cats. One is really nice and friendly, the other is mean, outgoing, aggressive, and bites. The bad one has his moments but more often than not he is trying to attack us or the other cat. I think she is afraid to go down to her litter box at times so she'll pee upstairs sometimes (though not often). We've put up with it for 3 years but my wife is pregnant and there is no way we can let this cat near a child. We've tested him out a few times with small children, and he will growl and/or hiss at them if they get close.

We tried to find another home for him, but everyone we know knows they are mean and for those that don't know - we do not want to mis-lead them. So I called the SPCA today to see if they had any other suggestions - they didn't and recommended I bring him in. I don't think he will act nice for anyone; the last time he was at the vet it was a fiasco.

I know exactly what you mean - on one hand it seems silly to be this emotionally distraught over a cat; but there is absolutely no way we can keep him with a baby on the way. The plan right now is to drop him off at the SPCA and I plan on giving them food and cat litter as well. I know what will most likely end up happening to him but I guess it is best for all involved.

Tonight I plan to let him go out on the deck; he has always been an indoor cat but is always trying to get outside so I figure I will try to give him some happiness while he is still free.

So sad...

09-12-2005, 04:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
godxzilla Crazy Location: Columbus, OH	Had to give up 2 cats yesterday I have had 4 cats for a while now. 2 original cats that were friends for the most part, and we got the 3rd from a shelter. the 4th just found his way into our house after a long ride under the hood of my wifes car at 7 weeks old . The problem is, the 2 newest cats (owned 2 years + now) have always tormented the other cats. So bad that one of them cant ever make it to the litter box and often times is forced to use the bathroom all over the house. It was getting pretty bad and we needed to do something. We had talked about finding homes for them but its very hard to do that. We rescue all of our cats from shelters and KNOW about the homeless animal problem in this country. That being said, we were forced to bring them to the humane society yesterday. It was a long time in the works but finally my wife and I decided that it was no longer healthy for the other 2 cats to live this way. They were stuck under the bed, fighting to use the litter box (had 2 boxes, one upstaris, one down, no help) and separating all cats to eat just so they wouldnt starve. I loved them, but thought it would be my wife that would need the most support. Unforunately, that was not the case. I dropped them off (and made a $100 donation to the humane society) and as I was leaving I started to tear up. By the time I got home, I was crying uncontrolably, and it didnt stop. I cried all day yesterday and really missed them. Seeing the other 2 cats still in the house made me happy they would get their lives back but upset that they were allowed to stay and the others had to go. I still am not over it. I am sad, and I dont know how long this will last. I am 27, married with a 10 week old son, and I feel so strange. Is that normal? They were great pets alone. just didnt like the group thing. My only hope is they can find homes for them but I know the odds of that happening are not that great. They have a 95% placement rate at this shelter but I still am pessimistic. Sorry for rambling, just wanted to get that off my chest. __________________ Mike

09-12-2005, 06:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Hug Know you are doing the right thing by keeping the cats happy... there will be another family out there just waiting for the chance to shower love on your two later cats. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

09-12-2005, 08:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	You did what you had to do. It was the best thing for all the cats involved. Don't worry, you didn't abandon them - you put them in a place that works very hard to find them a home. I'm sorry you had to go through that. My heart hurts just thinking about having to give up one of my cats. You're feeling what you feel, so that what you should be feeling. Does that make sense?? hug __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

09-12-2005, 07:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sweetpea Fade out Location: in love	You have compassion, that is not only normal but a wonderful thing. That you feel things deeply is wonderful i think... It sounds like you have made the right decision, but I am sorry this has been so difficult... Sweetpea __________________ Having a Pet Will Change Your Life! Looking for a great pet?! Click Here! "I am the Type of Person Who Can Get Away With A lot, Simply Because I Don't Ask Permission for the Privilege of Being Myself"

09-13-2005, 07:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
godxzilla Crazy Location: Columbus, OH	Well, I want to thank all of you for your kind words. At work yesterday, it seemed to help. As soon as I walked into the house and they were not there, my mood changed and I couldnt take it anymore. Being unsure of their fate is something I am not prepared to handle. I know they need to be taken out of my home, but the chance of death is not an option. I am going to pick them up today and isolate them in a room at our house for a while until we can find them a healthy home, NOT a cage Anyone have a home for 2 wonderful cats that dont like other cats? Thanks for your support! Mike __________________ Mike

09-12-2005, 06:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	You feel how you feel. There's nothing wrong with it.

09-13-2005, 07:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
spongy Psycho	Mike , we recently found out that my wife has asthma, and we were forced to give up our two cats. It was hard to do because as my wife put it they were our kids before we had kids. Don't fret that you felt bad, and i am glad you get them back, I envy you that. I miss my cats. __________________ The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. Stephen King

09-13-2005, 10:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
calvin88 Tilted Location: socal	I feel for you, and I believe what your going through is perfectly normal. If I had to give up my 2 cats, I would probably cry too. Be strong, at least you still have your other 2 cats.

09-15-2005, 10:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
aurigus Insane	My wife and I are in a similar situation. We have 2 cats. One is really nice and friendly, the other is mean, outgoing, aggressive, and bites. The bad one has his moments but more often than not he is trying to attack us or the other cat. I think she is afraid to go down to her litter box at times so she'll pee upstairs sometimes (though not often). We've put up with it for 3 years but my wife is pregnant and there is no way we can let this cat near a child. We've tested him out a few times with small children, and he will growl and/or hiss at them if they get close. We tried to find another home for him, but everyone we know knows they are mean and for those that don't know - we do not want to mis-lead them. So I called the SPCA today to see if they had any other suggestions - they didn't and recommended I bring him in. I don't think he will act nice for anyone; the last time he was at the vet it was a fiasco. I know exactly what you mean - on one hand it seems silly to be this emotionally distraught over a cat; but there is absolutely no way we can keep him with a baby on the way. The plan right now is to drop him off at the SPCA and I plan on giving them food and cat litter as well. I know what will most likely end up happening to him but I guess it is best for all involved. Tonight I plan to let him go out on the deck; he has always been an indoor cat but is always trying to get outside so I figure I will try to give him some happiness while he is still free. So sad...