A Cat I Can No Longer Afford

I really agree with Marriane's reply to you.... Unless there is a medical condition, your cat could do fine for anything up to a week or so with just periodic visits ( maybe once a day ) even by a friend, neighbor, local responsible teen. This would be a FAR better option than being forced to rehome him and would cost much less money and stress on a cat as compared to boarding.

It sounds like the main problem (which is ultimately making you consider giving up your pet) is your ex. Once the situation with why he is at your home when you aren't is resolved, then you can carry on with arranging pet care.

I would try to sort those issues first, and save your pet. The shelters are full due to the economy.... Plus this may be a difficult thing for your child as well. If you do run decide to rehome, try to place him with someone you know/ trust. This beats running an ad or handing him over to a complete stranger. Never list your pet as available for FREE.... This draws the people looking for 'bait' animals that are used to train fighting dogs on the HUGE underground dig fighting market ( yes, it's here in Tampa Bay).... Even if someone sweet shows up,it can be a ploy. Always charge a fee, it eliminates them, most times.

I feel for your situation, everything is tough right now. I think you have several great alternate options that will be perfectly fine for your cat and not break the bank.... As long as people can cone to your home. Best wishes!

1 mom found this helpful

I would cut corners, give up shampoo or something else in order to keep him. I dont know your story or relationship with your ex, but surely there must be someone you know to check on and feed your cat once or twice a day, they have a litter box and are pretty low maintenance compared to a dog that has to be let out to do their business. I'm sorry, but I could never do what I think you are thinking. It would not only traumatize your cat, but chances are he will not be adopted and put to sleep. Your cat is not an object, he a living breathing creature that has feelings.

1 mom found this helpful

I was a single Mom for years. The cat is important to you and your daughter. It's a struggle but it would be a shame to give him up. Get to know your neighbors and find a neighbor kid that wants to make a little money and get him/her to feed the cat when you are gone. Or a neighbor willing to keep him for you when you are gone. Believe it or not there are a few good people left willing to do favors for others. I know I had to leave my dog at a kennel before and never would again. She was in such bad shape when we got her back. They treated her really bad. We paid a lot of money to the kennel on Thonotasassa Road-Part of the Family Kennels. She was covered with ticks and fleas, her nose was ripped open and she was a nervous wreck. It's much better to find a neighbor to sit with your cat.

I don't know what area you live in, if you are anywhere near me I would be happy to help, been there done that. Send me a private message to let me know what part of town you are in.

Hi N.. Can you find a cat-sitter to watch the cat in their home?

my heart goes out to you....i was once in a similar situation. My cousin in Philadelphia took my cats; I shipped them to her by air cargo. They lived the rest of their days in luxury!! I would take your cat myself, but I have 2 big dogs and not sure what they would do. Keep asking around....post signs around your neighborhood, on a community bulletin board, maybe craigs list? "free to a good home" usually gets someone interested. Is Huck neutered? Does he still have claws? I will ask around too.

Your ex should not be coming over for anything other than to see your/his child. He cannot see his child if you are out of town. Him coming over when the sitter is there should not be an issue. Change your locks and use the sitters.

Is there any reason that he would come over when you are not there?

Just a suggestion. You might try setting up an automatic feeder and waterer. Since cats are usually litter trained then set up 2 litter boxes if needed. and leave a radio on then you shoudl be able to leave him there ust fine and you might have someone check on him while you are gone. Good Luck

Maybe take some photos and place an ad on craigslist or send a flyer to some vets and see if they would post it in their office for customers.

Hi N.,

I used to travel frequently too, before my son was born and I used local college students to come in and check on my Lola, feed her, pet her, change water. I used to pay $5/day since I knew it was only about 15 min. of work. Maybe that would work for you?

Also, are there any kids in your neighborhood (with a responsible mom) who would like a "job"? These days, the 8 year old across the street from us, takes care of Lola when we are gone. I pay him $5/day also - but I discussed it with his mom before I talked to him. Make sure the mom agrees, and will be the back-up!

I hope this helps out! See if you can make this work out for you but also your kitty and your son!

C.

I wish I could give you some hope but I was in a similar situation and it took me a couple of years before I could unload my cat and even then it was after I forced him on my father. It seems like most people are anti-cats. My only options (after a lot of effort to find any other options) were to send him off to the humane society or forcing him on someone I knew.

Maybe you could try and post an add on craigslist.
Advertise a good family cat free in need of a family home.

Hi, I'm so sorry this is going on :-( Is there someone you trust in the neighborhood that can watch your cat while you travel? For example, my neighbors go on vacation and I'll go to their house twice a day, check on their 2 cats, clean up the litter box, etc and they only pay me about $7 per day. That could save some money from boarding. If it comes down to it and you do need to find him a new home....Maybe put an ad on craigslist and have interviews for new families so you can at least feel comfortable knowing he found a good home? Also as a last resort, I do volunteer at the SPCA in Sanford. You can be assured that they don't euthanize any animals due to lack of space or if they are up for adoption too long... The only reason they would euthanize any animal is if they were extremely sick or super aggressive and not adoptable. Also that shelter has the highest adoption rate in Florida! Good luck with whatever you decide.

N.,
Please dont take your cat to the Humane Society. If you cannot find a home for him yourself, look on petfinder.com for a rescue group in your area that will take him until they find a good home.
Good luck!
Heather

Hi N.!

I see a lot of people are telling you to try automatic feeders or to pay a neighborhood kid to care for him, but I got the impression you're short on cash and need to give him up because of your situation, so my recommendation is based on that. If you plan to keep him and get an automatic feeder or a cat-sitter and not give him up, please feel free to disregard my advice, but if you DO plan to give him, keep on reading:

Don't feel bad, times are tough, and now more than ever people are having to let go of their beloved pets. If you're looking to sell or even give away your buddy, I suggest you try craigslist.org. Choose your city, and then a page will come up with different headings. You want the "community" subheading, and choose the "pets" category. Several people use this to find a new home for their pets, and you're allowed to charge a SMALL rehoming fee (or offer him for free), but you cannot use craigslist to sell animals. That's one of the "prohibited" items. Basically, make sure that nowhere in your ad you say you're selling. I have seen people put as high as a $250 adoption fee for a purebred dog, so I'd say anything below that is reasonable for a pedigree cat; if not, a mutt cat should go for between $25-$70 (again, if you're planning to make some money, and I got the impression, you might, considering your situation and every dollar helps). I'd say $100 may be pushing it unless he's very striking. Look at other peoples' ads for ideas on wording, pricing, etc., and I recommend putting a picture, considering that most people will decide on a pet based on their first impression, and many people will do a search for animals with photos only, which would discard your ad if no photo is put along with it. There's also hoobly.com or kijiji.com, those are both classified ad services and are also free. They allow sales if that's what you'd like to do. You narrow down your geographical area and then you can post your ad. Again, I recommend looking at others' ads so you can see the going rate, especially if you have a pedigree cat. For example, say you have a Siamese you think you can get $300 for but others sell Siamese kittens for $150, then this ought to tell you you're asking for too much, especially for an older cat, and you can price him accordingly. I was able to rehome one of my pets in the past and I even made friends with the new owner. She keeps me updated on her status and sends me photos, and this is something you may want to think about since you're attached to your pet. The new owner may not mind you coming by to check on the cat every now and then, even, or she can just send you photos. Try co-workers, relatives or friends, you may be surprised at how many lonely people would want a companion pet. Good luck!

Hi N.,
Have you considered buying feeders? I use a dry food dispenser & a water dispenser. You can buy them almost anywhere. If you are worried about the litter box you could get one of those automatic ones, I have never used those. I just use a regular one & if gone for more than a couple days put out a 2nd one. Just to make myself feel better, I usually leave on the radio for her.
I have had cats most of my life (I am 45). The only time I needed a sitter for my cat when I traveled was when I left the country for 2 weeks. My last cat lived to 11 1/2 years old, my current cat is 2 yrs & 1 mo (they were both indoor cats). I never had a problem out of either one of them or any of the others when I traveled. They would just sit in the suitcase the next day to smell where I had been.
Good Luck!
V.

Hi N. - I feel for you honey. When mine left (6 yrs ago) we had 3 children, 4 dogs and 6 rescued kittens. No wonder he left I hear you say!! LOL

Anyway I eventually moved back to GA and flew from CA with 3 kids, 2 dogs and 3 cats. What a journey. It was one of the hardest days of my life. I had to choose between which dogs to keep, it broke my heart. Then I found out that my ex had given the other 2 dogs away to a shelter! Without even consulting me - I was furious to say the least.

Anyway, I understand your dialema. I agree with the other posts about Huck being OK for a few days by himself. Boarding is very expensive and last resort for me too. If you decide to re-home him. NEVER advertize him for free and NEVER advertize him in October if he is all black - Halloween! Always put a price to him, that gives him value, not a disposable thing. Plus you will only get serious buyers. Be specific with his details, I know you have spent money on him in the past so list his attributes.

I wish I was closer I would take him, I live in the country with 1 acre, 2 cats, 3 dogs and 1 3 week old puppy not weaned yet. Oh and my 3 children of course!!
Good luck

M. F

Hi N., This is a really tough situation. WE know they're not human, but they sure are important.
I was single, living alone with cats for many years (sounds slightly crazy, I know) and you may want to rethink what Huck really needs. Most cats can be left with food and water for a couple of days (Mon-Wed). They are needy when you get back, but it isn't a tragedy. Is there someone who can over once a day and check on him and give him some pets?
Who is keeping your daughter while you travel? Is it a relative who would check on the cat a couple of times?
Unless Huck has medical conditions that require someone to care for him (diabetes), he doesn't actually require a sitter. If he has such medical conditions, the possibility of adoption is pretty slim. Allowing him to have a little time to himself while you're gone is probably a better decision than turning him over to a shelter.
There may be someone at the vet who will come by your house for $5/day.

Also, you made a statement that is worrisome to me about your ex-husband...you don't want to put your regular sitters in a "bad position" is he comes over. Is he dangerous? Why would he show up unannounced at your home? Does he have a key so that he could surprise the sitter?

Cats in general are extremely easy to leave alone for a short period of time. I've gone away for a week and left my cat home with nobody to watch him. I put out a BIG bowl of food and BIGGER bowl of water. Make sure that all the doors to other rooms are closed off and make sure there are no strings or small objects that the cat might play with and choke on. Yeah, the cat litter is quite full at the end of the week, but it's do-able. Aside from leaving the cat home alone, don't you have any friend or family member you trust with your house key to check on the cat every couple of days?

I adopted my dog 2 years ago from a FreeCycler that was moving. You could also list an ad with Craigs List.