HELP NEEDED THIS IS URGENT

soopermouse

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This is a cat alert.

 The house I live in in Leicester , UK, has a "house cat", a very old ginger tabby named Shandy. He belonged to a neighbour who moved away in 2005. Shandy is at least 20, very old but healthy, not neutered, big but not fat and very brave. Three years ago he got into a fight with a fox and killed it. He got torn up, but I took him to the vet who stitched him up and estimated to be at least 18 years old.

I can't take him in. He is an outdoors cat and he is scaring Midnight. I have fed him a lot, taken him in when it was cold, but he would not be happy indoors. 

The new neighbours moved in and one of them has a cat allergy, so they requested the cat be removed.

I am very angry at this because the cat has been here for at least 10 years. It's a good cat, he sleeps in teh hallway, is friendly and all the people who ever lived here love him.Why are these damn intruders thinking they have more rights?

The landlord wants Shandy to be put down. I found out that the RSPCA would probably put him down because he is too old and unadoptable.

Please help. Any ideas? Any no kill charities that wouldn't kill him? 
 

Draco

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Do you know of any friends or family that would take in this old guy? Even if any no-kill shelters would take him in, the odds are against him for being adopted (for his age). He would be even more stressed in a shelter. 

I've asked a mod to move this to the SoS forum
 
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soopermouse

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I do not have friends or family in the UK... I asked everyone I know but people already have cats- and bringing in an old dominant cat can be an issue. I cannot find any shelters interested... I don't want the poor guy to be put down. He hasn't done anything wrong
 

eb24

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I hear what you are saying that this is a horrible situation, and I agree that it's not right that he be given a death sentence because of new tenants. 

Before you try anything else have you tried talking to the new couple? Perhaps if you explained the situation in detail they may feel differently about asking that he be removed from the premises. They may be under the impression that he is someone's outdoor cat, or may not know the reality that their request is a death sentence. If you are feeling too emotionally heated to talk to them face to face perhaps you could write them a letter. You want to be diplomatic and polite. Otherwise they will be offended and won't hear what you are saying. Sometimes a letter is the best way to do that. 

I also agree that, even if you find a shelter who will take him that is a very stressful situation for a cat his age and no way to live out his golden years. Perhaps you could also try placing an ad on Craigslist or similar site seeing if anyone is interested in giving him a home. You never know who is out there and there are good people who would hear your plea! 

You could also try contacting local nursing homes. Oftentimes they have senior cats living on the premises to give residents some love and affection. There are also some "seniors for seniors" adoption groups that try and match senior cats with senior citizens. Google and see if there are any in your area. 

Just out of curiosity, how come you can't take him in? Certainly you would need to do some slow integration between him and your cat but that can easily be done with some time and patience. If you are willing to try we are more than willing to walk you through the steps! There was a thread on this yesterday that may be helpful to you: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/262456/introduction-feels-really-overwhelming-help#post_3384813

As much as I hate to say it, if the only options are euthanasia or living out the rest of his life in a 2x2 cage I would probably choose to put him down. You are right that he doesn't deserve it, but he also deserves a life with happiness and dignity. Many cats at this advanced age that are relinquished to shelters don't live very long because they just can't handle the stress. In my opinion it would be better that he leave this world not knowing that kind of suffering, and as awful as it is sometimes putting them down is the kindest gift we can give. If that has to happen and you think you can handle it emotionally I would offer to be the one who takes him. I think it would make a world of difference if he had a friendly face and a loving spirit to help guide him across the Rainbow Bridge as opposed to someone who doesn't care and simply sees him as a nuisance. 

Thank you so much for caring about his life and doing everything you can to try and spare it. You are a blessing to him! 
 
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soopermouse

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Thank you for your reply.

I have tried to talk to the new tenants, but they just don't care. The wife has an allergy apparently, and that means that she can't be around any cat ever. Funny enough my top was covered in Midnight's hair and she seemed just fine. Just saying. They just won't budge and became rather rude.

 I would love to have Shandy in for myself, but I have a couple of problems:

1. My flat is very small, a studio flat with a small conservatory. It is barely enough for one cat and me- Midnight is still to learn to sleep at night and this means i've been living on 4 hrs of sleep a night for two months. I don't think I can cope with two cats. 

2.  Shandy is mostly an outdoors cat. I want to keep Midnight as an indoors cat. How can I give Shandy access to in and out whenever he wants while preventing Midnight from following?

3. In may next year after getting my post graduate degree I am moving to Germany to be with my boyfriend. While he's OK with Midnight, we cant move 2 cats, and there's no outdoors access for Shandy there.

There are a few care homes in my area, I will ask. Thank you kindly for your suggestions. I have called all the shelters I know- all have space problems and are reluctant to take on an old and unadoptable cat.
 

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This is so sad, what a shame the previous home owners didn't take him. Or did they take him and he found his way back perhaps?

Have you asked at your local vet surgeries if they know of anyone who might want to take in an older cat more locally or could put a notice up, or asking local shops/newsagents if they would be willing to put a notice in their window for you?  Anything that might find a home for him somewhere close to where he has been living. Some people don't want younger cats but feel happy to take on an older one if they are fairly sure it's quite healthy. I'm sorry I'm not local to you and share the issue of small flat - though with an indoor bouncy young boy who's never known any other cat except his mum! 

 
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soopermouse

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The previous owner left years ago. I have been keeping my eye on Shandy, taking him in in the winter, feeding him- but he loves his freedom :)

I will ask at the local surgeries... and I think I'll go put an ad at the news agents.

The vet says that he is in real good health- and judging by the number of tabby kittens in my area I believe it :)
 

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I think talking to the vets in the area may be a good idea- he would be a great conversation piece for their clients since he is such an old cat so they may want to take him as an office cat. If this does not work I would just say he is your cat. You say you take care of him and do bring him inside so I do not think they can remove him if you say he is yours and you have paid for his vet bills and bought him food, so they can not remove him without your consent. Do other people let their cats outside in your building? If they do than this woman has no recourse to just go after this one cat. I would tell everyone involved that this is your cat and you have paid for him and they are not allowed to remove him- I would also be clear to alert the shelters to not take this cat as he is yours and you do not want to surrender him. You can maybe take him into your place at night and keep him in the bathroom at first and let him out when you leave for school/work in the morning let him outside. Since you are leaving in a year I would keep looking for spots for him- a farm would be ideal and sometimes vets will work with farmers to rehome ferals. For now though claim him as your own to save his life and then start working on more permanent solutions. Since you have taken him in before it should not be too bad and like I said you only have to bring him in once and let him out once during the day so it should not be too disruptive for your cat and you can still keep your kitty as an indoor cat. 
 

eb24

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I agree with other suggestions about seeing if someone needs a barn cat or asking vets to advertise/adopt him. All really good ideas!

Quote:

Originally Posted by soopermouse  


The vet says that he is in real good health- and judging by the number of tabby kittens in my area I believe it :)

This is the only point that concerns me, as it seems he is still intact. Unless keeping him as a strictly outdoor cat whoever falls in love with him is likely going to want him altered (and, frankly, he should be in an effort to control the pet overpopulation, though that was not your responsibility). But I wonder if he would be able to handle the stress of that. I don't know if altering such an elderly cat is risky (other than the possible increased risks of anesthesia). I also don't know if they remain fertile for their whole lives (my guess is yes but probably not as potent of swimmers). It may be a factor worth looking into. 
 

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Yes I would think neutering would be to tough on him at his age as you really do not want to put a geriatric animal under. I would also assume he would be less fertile now though apparently queens have had litters into their 20s according to Wikipedia.
 

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This is a really sad story. It seems to me that if the new tenants are so allergic to cats that they can't even stand to walk past one then they really should be living in a bubble. (Just kidding. 
 )

This might be a long shot, but have you tried contacting your local newspaper to see if they'll run a story on Sandy? Something along the lines of "Poor old cat needs to find a new home or he will be put down"

You might be able to find someone willing to give him a new home that way.

I hope something works out for him. I have cat lover friends in the UK but they all live a long way from Sandy.

 
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soopermouse

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I've asked my boss at work who apparently does a lot of work with cat rescues etc, he said he'd ask around. For now, I have confined him to my conservatory- he doesn't like it but he likes Midnight and she's only 4 months so I hope nothing bad would happen.
 
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soopermouse

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Midnbight seems to be a bit less scared of him but he is getting really restless - this is second day. He is scratching furiously at the door and howling... I think I'm gonna have to let him out soon.
 

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I think you should keep him. At that age it is unlikely that he will find a home. Under the law where I live, if you feed it, it is yours. So in other words by feeding him and taking him in during the winter, you have made him yours.

I would not be concerned about him crying and being upset about being locked up. He needs time to get "used to" life inside.  As for moving to Germany, I'm certain you "can" take him with you. This is more of a matter of you "not wanting too".  I had 3 cats while I lived in my apartment - never had any issues.  I took everyone with me when I moved. Of course if he and midnight fight than that is a different story. I'm met some strays that are extremely aggressive.

The only issue with you keeping him is getting him neutered. Otherwise he may spray the apartment. I would go ahead and try and get him neutered (assuming the vet says it is okay with his age). Then focus on trying to get him re-homed.  Have you stopped at the local vet's office? Maybe they will let you put up fliers?

It sounds like Midnight needs some training to get her to sleep through the night. I would start by teaching her to be locked in a crate or the bathroom at night. If she scratches the door, use a squirt bottle to tell her no. Also, wake her up if you catch her sleeping during the day. The more she sleeps during the day, the more she will be up at night.  If you can, spend 20 minutes playing with her before bedtime. Try introducing the crate slowly (I often feed in the crate to make it a positive experience).

If Shandy gets along with Midnight this might be even better, as hopefully they will play together. This will make Midnight tired and hopefully you will get some sleep!

I think the reason Shandy is crying so much is because he isn't neutered. Once you neuter them, they tend to calm down. Also, even if Midnight is a kitten, he may try to mount her if he is not neutered. I would get him neutered ASAP and go from there.

I'm not a big fan of keeping cats by themselves. If you are working or going to school, they tend to get really lonesome and find trouble to get into.  Also lone cats are likely to develop behavior problems (not learning bite inhibition) or proper socialization.  My first cat was a lone cat and he started biting all the time, until I got a second cat.  My last rescue was isolated as a kitten and never socialized with other cats. This means she beats on everyone (even kittens) and has had a really hard time adapting to life in a group.  Another issue you may eventually run into is separation anxiety.

People tend to think of cats as being "loners" and independent. This is far from the truth.  The majority of my cats sleep together, kiss each other, play and are really social. In many ways cats are like dogs and do better with companionship. 

One other option is to only let Shandy out at Night (so you can sleep) and keep him in during the day. 

Good luck.
 

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Re the above advice this site is anti squirt bottle. They really are not the most effective training method for cats and they tend to instill a sense of fear in the cat of the person squirting them. You can try locking her in the bathroom with a litter box and water though I am not a huge fan of this. I think tiring them out before bed and them giving them a meal is most effective. Also ignoring her if she tries to wake you up is good.

As for the poor old guy he may adjust. Is there anyway you can let him out during the day? Like I asked before do any of the other cats go outside in your apartment. I hope you can find a farm for him bc that would be ideal.
 
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soopermouse

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Thank you all for your input. I have spoken to some people over the weekend and they all said he can't be rehoused until he is neutered, which the vet says it's not a good idea in a cat his age.

But as I was returning home with him in my arms- I only have one carrier and that is Midnight's, I walked past a retirement home  and this very nice lady said she had recently lost her cat due to old age... long story short, Shandy will now live at the retirement home where there is a nice garden and everybody likes him and are spoiling him rotten :)

The manager said that it's fitting for an elderly cat to get to stay with elderly people, and that cats are known to help  elderly and ill people with their soothing purring and presence.

 I was getting very scared because he really wanted to go out and was making a lot of noise which scared Midnight, she hid under the bed and didn't come out for hours.

All's oK now. Hope the old guy gets to rest and relax and be happy. There are no other cats there so him being uncut shouldn't be much of a problem.

last I saw him yesterday he was stretched out in a nice lady's lap and purring like a tank engine
 

eb24

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Oh yay I'm so glad to hear this! I had hoped that another senior might be the answer he needed. Sounds like it all had to happen to get him to where he was supposed to be. 

Hopefully the rest of his life will be filled with mutual love and respect with the people in the home. 
 Thank you for working so hard to come up with a solution! 
 

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Oh, that's so good!



I love a happy ending. I hope Sandy is going to enjoy spending the rest of his days with all those lovely old folk.
 

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That's wonderful! :clap::clap::clap: If the retirement home is close by, you'll probably have to keep an eye out for him, since he may decide to keep coming "home" until he's settled in there. :vibes::vibes::vibes: that this works out for him and everybody involved!
 
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