I have to take my cat to a rescue center and feel horrible... Any advice to ease the guilt and pain?

Question

I am leaving my relationship of 4 years this sunday... We got 2 cats about 2 during the relationship. The first one we got almost 2 years ago and the second one we got about 6 months after we got the first one. Now that I am leaving, he is a little bitter. He has agreed to keep the first cat that we got, but not the second one. He says because he did not really want the second one and I did that I should be the one to take him. The only thing is that my mom is allergic to cats and I have to take him to a shelter I think. My dad has offered to let me keep him there but he has 4 other cats that have claws and they are putdoor cats, so they probably have fleas. Plus he does not keep them up to date with the vet, and some of them have gotten really sick in the last couple of years. My cat is a fat, declawed, happy indoor cat. He is afraid of his own shadow... literally!!! I am afraid that he will not like the other cats, and also I had planned all along to live with my mom. My dad smokes pot (which I dont agree with), his wife is a mooch, he lives in a small trailor and smokes cigerettes so it smells like smoke. He has no cabel and I am a student so I need the internet and I dont think that he would be willing to get it. I just never really got along with my dad and he thinks that because I asked him to keep my cat that I was going to be living there. He went out and got a bed and everything for me. I told him that I was not going to be there every night and he was like "so what are you going to do with the cat"... I told him that I would buy the food and the litter and I would give him some money to watch him. His wife does not work and they already have 4 cats... what is one more? My cat does not even go outside so they dont have to worry about him not coming home... I just feel like if I keep my cat there I will be forced to live there, which I absolutly do not want to do. I have literally begged my soon to be ex to keep him b/c him and his sister are very close and I know they will miss each other. But he is not going to keep him. He could care less what happens to him.It will be very traumatic for him to drive 10 hrs with me to be dropped in a place that he is not familiar with... then to be around other cats??? I worry that he will be stressed out and I will have to take him to a cat rescue. I am just guilt stricken and feel so bad that I have to do this to my cat. He is just so sweet and nice and he is so smart... he is the best cat or animal that I could have asked for and now I am not only breaking up with my boyfriend but I have to seperate my cats because I absolutly cannot have both... Are the rescue centers nice? Do they treat the cats well? Am I able to visit him if I want if he is not adopted out? Am I able to take him back if he is not adopted out, assuming that I get on my feet again soon?

Answer 1

just give them to your dad  and tell him the needs of the cat  the cat will  get along with the other cats fine  they will get to like each other

Answer 2

Try asking some friends or other relatives if they would be willing to take the cat for a while. You offered your dad money & said you would buy the food & litter, offer the same to friends, maybe they will be able to help you out. Or maybe you could work out with your mom that you would confine the cat to only a couple of rooms, to cut down on her chances of allergic reaction. Taking the cat to a shelter should be your LAST resort.

If you absolutely must take the cat to a shelter please please try to find a non-kill shelter in your area. There are privetely owned ones out there. The other shelters like SPCA & whatnot do a wonderful job & try their best to encourage people to adopt but they obviously cannot keep the animals forever.

You don't say if your cat is neutered but if he is, along with being declawed all ready I think that might give him a better chance of being adopted. Good luck to you & your cat.

Edit: try this link, maybe you can get some info on a shelter in your area.

http://www.1-800-save-a-pet.com/

Answer 3

please do not take him to any kind of animal shelter or animal rescue! they have the right to immediately put the animal down as soon as it comes in the door, and there doesn't need to be a reason! these places are ok. for a stray cat, but a cat like ur's, if it is not put down, will not be happy without love and extra care. im sorry, i can't offer any comfort, but i advise u to give him to a dear friend or relative, besides the ones mentioned. this way, he will be well taken care of, loved, and happy. cats  in the shelters often have fights and don't get what they need, besides fleas and ticks... i really do think that the best path would be to give him to a dear friend, where u can at least check up on him. would it not be horrible to go visit ur cat in the shelter and find that he had been put down days ago??? that would be hard. think about it.

Answer 4

I am so sorry for all of this that you are going though.  It must be absolutely horrible for you.  Rescue shelters are amazing.  They treat the pets well, depending on where you are there may be a waiting list due to the kitty season...  however, they treat cats well, and if you tell them what your cat likes, they will do their best to send him to a home that would suit him best.

I am not sure about that, i know there are some foster cares for cats, you might call up the rescue shelters... let them know you can pay for his food and litter and toys, but you can't just have him for right now because of the situation...  

I'd suggest that you look up petfinder.com for a rescue shelter in your area, also, you might want to call the vet and see if they know of anything in your area...

Answer 5

Dear Hooky,  Don't go home to your folks, either one of them.  You are an adult and you love your cats very much, so make a home for them yourself.  You can do it.  And it is time you took some responsibility.  If you aren't motivated to support yourself, then do it for the cats.  You can work and take night school courses.  I did it.  And you will still have time for your cats.  You will only have peace when you take care of the cats yourself, because you love them and that is what they need the most.  Your second cat has been everything to you, now you be everything to the cat.

Answer 6

My local FreeCycle chapter has a pets section where people can offer their pets to new families.  FreeCycle is free to join, and if your area has a chapter, it might be a good way for you to find your cat a new forever home.  It would also allow you to meet the new prospective owners and choose the best possible home for your cat.

I hope everything works out as well as possible for you and your cat.