Desperate and heartbroken--I don't know how to find my kitties a home!

My kitty Sundae was like my baby. It was so hard to leave her when I moved out of my parents' house, but my fiance is severely allergic to cats (he has a multi-focal reaction including asthma attack 

 ). This is going to sound overly-dramatic, but I swear that it is true--there were several years of my life when Sundae was my only friend, and I know God put her on Earth to help save my life. I have been living with multiple serious, chronic illnesses since my teens, and being in poor health has also caused my to become clinically depressed.  I lost almost every friend I had, due to missing school and not being able to do things like the other kids.  Many of my family members became distant, out of misunderstanding and discomfort with my illness.  So, after a while, my cat, Sundae became my closest and nearly my only friend, as I said. She always knew when I was having a difficult time with my chronic illnesses and pain...she would almost always come to me and lay by my side or in my lap whenever I was suffering--even when it was "less painful" than usual (I am still very ill, and I wish I could have her with me).  It was incredibly hard, but I made peace with leaving Sundae with my parents, when I moved, because they love her, too.  But now I am afraid she will never have a family again--my parents lost their house, and had to move into a place that will not allow pets.  We've been trying to find Sundae and her fellow kitty, Peanut, a good home...but it is not going well at all.  I think Peanut is relatively "adoptable," (under 10 years old, spayed, good behavior, shorthaired, and a popular color--although she is missing an incisor, which she lost due to poor dental health-not sure why it's poor, though) BUT my Sundae is over 11 years old (I'm not absolutely sure, as she was a stray/probable abandoned kitty), unaltered, an unusual mixed color, semi-long hair, and has anxiety problems (and she gets agitated sometimes, and will swat at you (sometimes for no apparent reason-although it's often because she gets startled easily-or nip at your hand if you touch her when she doesn't want you to).  I don't want Sundae to die before her time, and it is killing me...it's bad enough that I'll never hold my baby again, and my heart will never be the same. The following paragraph is what I've listed on Facebook for my friends to consider.  I don't want to just put this on Craigslist or something, because I am afraid the kitties might be taken by someone awful or just end up in the pound because they aren't perfect.  Anyone have any interest, suggestions, anything?  I'm desperate.  These two kitties might have a week or so, max--before my parents will have to take them somewhere...  

My family has the two beautiful cats pictured below, who need loving homes. Peanut, left, is a Red (AKA "Orange") Mackerel Tabby with White, and has Jade Green Eyes; and Sundae, right, is a Chocolate Bi-color Tortoiseshell Point, and has Indigo Blue Eyes).  So now the two kitty-members of the family have no place to go, except a no-kill shelter...assuming we can find one willing to take them very soon. Can anyone accept a cat into their home?

-Veronica (brand-new here, so sad it's under these circumstances)

Sorry--I forgot to attach the pics.  As I said, the Orange Tabby is named Peanut; and the Chocolate Tortie Point is named Sundae.

Veronica, I am so very, very sorry for this situation and the circumstances. Peanut is absolutely adorable and his face is so darn cute and Sundae is gorgeous. It will be very hard to find them homes due to their age. Is there any family members? Any close family friends? Could you reach out to someone to take them in and keep them together? I would definitely want to keep them together at the very least and not separate them. This will be very hard on them and having each other will help. Where are you located?? You may be near one of our forum members whom may have a suggestion for you.

Also, put up flyers of those darling photos in all of the vet offices in your area. There are people whom open up their hearts and homes to senior kitties whose lives have taken this turn. :cross:

I know it's tough to find a home for kitties their age. Sadly,I haven't found any family members or friends who could take them in. I would like to keep them together, but they actually aren't very attached to one another, so it would probably be okay to separate them if necessary. I am located in Bellevue,KY (the Northern KY/Cincinnati area); and the kitties actually live in Huber Heights, OH (just outside Dayton, OH). I'm willing to travel to help get them a new home; I could probably go about 400 miles max, I think (from either Bellevue or Huber Heights). Maybe further if I could work something out.... I didn't think about posting at vet offices! Thank you so much for the idea! I'm going to do all that I can. Let me know if anyone could use any more info. P.S. I didn't actually say in my posts that both kitties are females. Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it.

I would be veryvery careful about where Sundae is placed. Even at her age, she could still get pregnant, and I don't think that would be healthy for her. Very few people are equipped to keep an unspayed cat. If a rescue will require her to be spayed before she comes, are you willing/able to do that? I know some won't take unspayed cats but most will and have their vet spay her on intake.

Call every cat rescue place within your driving distance. If you have any spare money, offer a nice donation. Ask if they have a program where they will provide lifetime care in exchange for a certain amount of money. If worst comes to worst, see if you can board the cats for a while to give you more time to find a home for them. Ask all local vets if they can help you find new homes. Put posters up everywhere. List them with the local shelters (some will put them on their adoptable page of their website). The more publicity, the better.

Thanks for your reply, Willowy. I am totally willing to have Sundae spayed if it helps get her into home or no-kill shelter/ rescue. I am trying to get together some money to offer a rescue, and I've been contacting numerous ones, like you suggest. I'm also working on getting posters wherever I can. I hope something will lead to a home, or at least keep the girls from being "euthanized" (I think that word is far too pleasant for what often happens to innocent pets). Thanks again for your reply.

I second Feralvr and Willowy's comments/adviice.

My thoughts exactly.

You are correct, at their age, as beautiful as they both are, their age is against them there, and you know already that outcome unfortunately.

I don't know what you have in your area, but here in Northern California, there are high kill shelters, no kill shelters, rescue groups including mine, but also sanctuaries.

These sanctuaries will take cats to live out their lives, be cared for and be safe.

They do require a fee, and no telling what that will be, although this is where their age works for them. In other words, a 2 year old cat is alot more than a 10 year old cat.

One more thing I want to suggest. Anytime we get a senior cat, we focus on adopting them out to seniors. This is best all around, and less chance on the person's life ending before the cat's.

The close up pics of them are excellent, I would find any/all senior housing and apt complexes specifically for seniors, who allow pets, and get those pics posted on their boards in the office.

Nice big pics and their stories.

Many seniors live lonely lives, and will do them alot of good to feel that they have saved a life and gained a companion as well.

Best of luck to you, I don't envy your mission.

Ugh. This just sucks. I am so sorry for all that you are going through right now. I have a girlfriend who was in almost the exact same situation as you are now. The allergic hubby and everything. She ended up buying a big insulated tool shed/turned apartment for the cats with an outdoor access to a run. It was all connected. She carpeted the shed and had a recliner, tv, and loveseat in there so she could hang out with them everyday when she got home from work. While it's an option, it's a very expensive one! Other than that, I would just recommending taking them to the shelter and hoping for the best. :-(

Oh - I must have missed somewhere that Sundae is NOT spayed and I re-read your first thread and yes, unaltered was there. That explains why she gets agitated at times, has anxiety, sensitive to being touch and swatting. Please, yes, do get her spayed asap. Will make things much more difficult in placing her. Even at her age, she could still be spayed and yes, as Willowy said, have kittens.

Good to hear that they are not too attached to each other and that you could separate them. Good suggestion by Catwoman on possibly finding an elderly person to take one or both. Also, will see if I can help you find a sanctuary in your area- another good point raised by Catwoman. I know of one in Illinois, but in all honesty, it is still like being in a shelter. Although, the one I know of the cats are all seniors and they are well cared for. Just that there are too many of them living together in a renovated old barn.

You are so willing to do so much for them to try to find them a home, bless you. Drive around to as many vet offices as you can, hun. Honestly, they are just beautiful. Actually, Peanut has stolen my heart just from his picture. What a darling, silly face. PLEASE keep us posted on how things go for them.

I guess I would beg and plead with the apartment complex to allow them to have the cats.  Sometimes they take an extra security deposit to assure the cats will not pee/spray or damage the apartment.  Have the cats ever been to a vet in the Dayton area?  If so call and explain the situation and ask for recommendations.  There is also the Montgomery County Humane Society. 

Has your fiance looked into allergy shots or spoken with a doctor about what could be done so that he might live with your cats?  Even if you had to keep them in a room where he never entered.  My DH was very allergic to cats when he was growing up.  We never even attempted to get a cat.  As he grew into adulthood, he noticed when he went to homes with cats, he didn't react.  He had outgrown the allergy.  My DS fell in love with a cat while we were volunteers at the Humane Society.  We did all kinds of research on what could be done to prevent my DH from reacting.  Do some research on the internet and see what is possible. 

My thoughts are with you.  I cannot imagine how difficult this all must be.  Keep networking and thinking.  What about old neighbors, friends of your parents, coworkers, etc... 

Here are a few places to try in the Dayton area

http://www.thetenthlife.org/

http://www.pawsadoptioncenter.org/

http://www.purrfectfriendscatrescue.org/about.html

http://www.catnipandcarrots.org/page/sheltersandrescues.htm

I grew up in Fairborn, not far from Huber Heights and will keep my ears open if I hear anything.

ShadowsRescue said:

I guess I would beg and plead with the apartment complex to allow them to have the cats.  Sometimes they take an extra security deposit to assure the cats will not pee/spray or damage the apartment.  Have the cats ever been to a vet in the Dayton area?  If so call and explain the situation and ask for recommendations.  There is also the Montgomery County Humane Society. 

Has your fiance looked into allergy shots or spoken with a doctor about what could be done so that he might live with your cats?  Even if you had to keep them in a room where he never entered.  My DH was very allergic to cats when he was growing up.  We never even attempted to get a cat.  As he grew into adulthood, he noticed when he went to homes with cats, he didn't react.  He had outgrown the allergy.  My DS fell in love with a cat while we were volunteers at the Humane Society.  We did all kinds of research on what could be done to prevent my DH from reacting.  Do some research on the internet and see what is possible. 

My thoughts are with you.  I cannot imagine how difficult this all must be.  Keep networking and thinking.  What about old neighbors, friends of your parents, coworkers, etc... 

Here are a few places to try in the Dayton area
http://www.thetenthlife.org/

http://www.pawsadoptioncenter.org/
http://www.purrfectfriendscatrescue.org/about.html
http://www.catnipandcarrots.org/page/sheltersandrescues.htm

I grew up in Fairborn, not far from Huber Heights and will keep my ears open if I hear anything.

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How wonderful is all of this information!!!!!! :bigthumb:

Any updates, Veronica??? :cross:

Are they indoor or outdoor cats ? Have you found them a home ? I think they are both very pretty.

It would be super great for both you and the kitty if you could manage a way to keep her... after all, you mentioned God put her here for you, and conversely it sounds like you are the only one for Sundae. She swats at others only? May be it's that you are the only one for this great little life. Let Sundae live out her life with you! Make it work!

They are both beautiful kitties.
I hope you are able to find somewhere to place them