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post #61 of 71
7/3/10 at 12:11pm
Thread Starter 
This thread is turning into a debate among posters.
post #62 of 71
7/3/10 at 9:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946 View Post
I was rebuked on this board because my husand shot a coyote at our back door near where my cats were and now some are saying put to sleep two cats who just pee in inappropriate places. I was told that I had posted on an animal rights website. Does all this only apply to me because my husband shot a wild animal?
If this is directed toward me (as you quoted me), I wasn't part of that conversation. It makes me sad to hear that your husband shot a coyote, but I can certainly understand why he did it.

It hurts me deeply when I hear of any animal dying, I know I'm a bleeding heart, but it just does. This issue is a bit more complicated than two cats who pee in inappropriate places. For one thing, there is a human baby involved. Now, me - I don't want human kids, my cat is my baby, but I certainly can't look down on a person for wanting to protect their child from an unsafe environment.

The OP is obviously agonizing over this decision, and I stand by my opinion that putting them to sleep together is better than the alternatives.
post #63 of 71
7/3/10 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946 View Post
I I was told that I had posted on an animal rights website.
This is NOT an animal rights website. If it were, one of us would have pets because it's slavery (according to AR people). This is a website of animal lovers (all animals, not just cats), concerned with animal welfare.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolina View Post
but no, those cats are not going to sleep, they will die. They will be killed. Cats who are sleeping, or napping, wake up, these won't wake up.
This "gently put to sleep" terminology is, IMO, something that has been created by us humans, to make us feel better when killing pets.
Thank you for saying that. I feel the same way. I refuse to use euphemisms like "put to sleep" or even "euthanize" (I do sometimes use "put down" which is almost a euphemism but not as misleading as the others). The word "euthanasia" has been woefully misused. It means, in the original Greek, "good death", and has a strong connotation of mercy killing. If it cannot be classified as a mercy killing it's not euthanasia. It's just plain killing. And mercy killing is only a mercy if the suffering is incurable. Most killings at shelters cannot be classified as euthanasia, not at all. But still we call it euthanasia to make ourselves feel better, so we don't feel guilty about the killing of millions of healthy animals for the sake of human convenience.....but that's a whole different thread.



However, if death is unavoidable, I do think having them put down by the family vet is about a hundred million times better than taking them to a shelter. Anyone who dumps a clearly unadoptable animal at a shelter should be shot. Better to take them to your own vet to have it done so they don't die alone and terrified at the shelter.
post #64 of 71
7/4/10 at 5:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazyforinfo View Post
This thread is turning into a debate among posters.
Sorry but not sure how you expected us to react? I know it's not something a lot of posters would condone so the responses do not surprise me at all. Good luck.
post #65 of 71
7/4/10 at 5:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WellingtonCats View Post
Sorry but not sure how you expected us to react? I know it's not something a lot of posters would condone so the responses do not surprise me at all. Good luck.
Civil to people with opposing opinions.
post #66 of 71
7/4/10 at 7:00am
I feel very bad for you - you are between a rock and a hard place on this one. I don't think I could live in a "litter box". I know I was very worried when I took in my fosters - now MY kitties - that there would be a lot of territorial urination. I lucked out. NONE of that. I don't know what I would have done. The puking and diarrhea were bad enough.

I wish you well and I wish you peace in whatever decision you make. I will say as someone who volunteers in rescue work, cats that pee outside of litter pans do not get adopted or very, VERY rarely. I don't think that is a viable option. Often they get put down right after they come in.
post #67 of 71
7/4/10 at 7:29am
To the OP, I just want to tell you that I feel a great deal of sympathy for you. I'm so sorry you've had to make this tough choice. I won't offer my opinion; you've had enough of those here and it seems to me from your posts that you've responded to the criticism with dignity that I doubt I could muster in your shoes. I want you to know that I realize what a rough spot you're in and that I feel some of the pain you must be experiencing. I'll keep you in my prayers now and especially on Thursday.
post #68 of 71
7/4/10 at 9:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazyforinfo View Post
Civil to people with opposing opinions.
we are being civil, but we do have different opinions... You had to expect that when posting this on a cat lovers site...
What I see here is that you have made your mind... there is nothing are this point that can change that.
Dr. Elsey has a solution for extreme cases, but it involves placing them in a small room or in a large crate with food, water and litter, preferably Cat Attract litter until they use the pan consistently, then add room by room, until they have the roam of the house back. That can take a month or two until they gain new rooms. While they are in the crate, you deep clean the house, you have time to take all the stains out with a good enzyme cleaner.

It might seem harsh, but it very often works for extremem cases like yours, and they get to live. Not nearly as harsh as the alternative, IMO. Think this way: if they were sick, or broke a leg, they would be inside of a crate for that period of time and would be just fine... It is not cruel, you are trying to save their lives. Full instructions can be found inside of the Cat Attract litter bag.

But again, I know your mind has been set and chances are you won't do it...
post #69 of 71
7/4/10 at 9:41am
I don't have any advice because I wouldn't know what to do either, but please know that I'm thinking of you!
post #70 of 71
7/4/10 at 11:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by babyharley View Post
I don't have any advice because I wouldn't know what to do either, but please know that I'm thinking of you!
Thank You Kenz. I really appreciate that.
post #71 of 71
7/4/10 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolina View Post
Dr. Elsey has a solution for extreme cases, but it involves placing them in a small room or in a large crate with food, water and litter, preferably Cat Attract litter until they use the pan consistently, then add room by room, until they have the roam of the house back. That can take a month or two until they gain new rooms. While they are in the crate, you deep clean the house, you have time to take all the stains out with a good enzyme cleaner.

But again, I know your mind has been set and chances are you won't do it...
I want to make this clear that the decision is My Mother's. Yes I have expressed my feelings on both sides but it's her cats, her house and her decision at the end.

The crate theory has been discussed and isn't not an option in this house.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AddieBee View Post
I feel very bad for you - you are between a rock and a hard place on this one. I don't think I could live in a "litter box". I know I was very worried when I took in my fosters - now MY kitties - that there would be a lot of territorial urination. I lucked out. NONE of that. I don't know what I would have done. The puking and diarrhea were bad enough.

I wish you well and I wish you peace in whatever decision you make. I will say as someone who volunteers in rescue work, cats that pee outside of litter pans do not get adopted or very, VERY rarely. I don't think that is a viable option. Often they get put down right after they come in.
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by howtoholdacat View Post
To the OP, I just want to tell you that I feel a great deal of sympathy for you. I'm so sorry you've had to make this tough choice. I won't offer my opinion; you've had enough of those here and it seems to me from your posts that you've responded to the criticism with dignity that I doubt I could muster in your shoes. I want you to know that I realize what a rough spot you're in and that I feel some of the pain you must be experiencing. I'll keep you in my prayers now and especially on Thursday.
Thanks.
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