How do I socialize my cat? I can't get her spayed because of her behavior!?

Question

I took my cat to the Humane Society to be spayed this morning. She's exactly 2 years old, but very small for her age. An hour after dropping her off, I get a call from them telling me to come get her immediately because she's charging at them, hissing, spitting and trying to bite them. She wouldn't let them stick their arm in her cage. The vet stated that if any of the Humane Society are bitten by an animal, the animal must be quarantined for 10 days at their shelter and they stated they couldn't risk it. There were about 15 other cats there and none of them behaved like she did. I've had her since she was 6 weeks. My son and I are the only ones she's used to since she's a house cat. We have never let her out since she isn't spayed. She's very sweet and affectionate towards my son and I.............I don't know what to do. How am I supposed to take her to vet visits and how can I get her spayed if this continues? The worst part is that the Humane Society would have saved us $90.00.

Answer 1

Take them to a regular vet who knows how to handle them and isn't afraid of a kitty in a cage. Have handled cats for years some quite aggressive farm cats. You just have to know how to handle them.

Answer 2

My veterinary clinic spays/neuters adopted shelter cats for free.  You will be much better with a clinic performing the surgery as spaying is a more serious operation than neutering.  Call around to see if there is a vet nearby who has a free alter policy for shelter cats - a cats-only veterinary clinic is a good start.  My first Russian Blue was sweet until he got to the vet's where he became a terror.  However, no vet would back down from treating him - probably because of professional pride!  And I hope you plan to make your little girl an indoor cat so you can have her with you a very long time.

Answer 3

what do you mean you CAN'T get her spayed? Get her spayed, it will save you a lot of trouble.

Answer 4

what?? That makes no since at all. They deal with cats like that all the time, they should know how to handle her.  I would just take her to your regular vet and get her spayed.

Answer 5

My cat was like that UNTIL she was spayed. Contact Friends of Animals, they will help you pay for the spaying. Then, call around the list of vets for your area, tell them about your cat, you should find one that will help you. God luck!

Answer 6

There are vets that spay feral cats that have been caught in traps, so you should be able to call around and find someone who will do it.  Frankly the humane society should be able to do it.  I work with a humane society and we regularly spay and neuter trapped feral cats for a trap, neuter, release (TNR) program.  There are easy ways to manage them and your humane society obviously doesn't know how to do it.

Unfortunately, spaying will probably cost you more if you can't find a shelter organization who will do it.

It's tough to improve the socialization of cats once past early kittenhood (8-12 weeks) and some cats just get aggressive in vets offices no matter how much you can improve their behavior at home. I suspect there is little you can do about it except warn the vet ahead of time so they can take precautions.