My 34 year old wife was very ill for a long time. She suffered so badly every single day. One evening 2 years ago she decided to give up the fight and end her life. My life would never be the same from that night on. I love her dearly and I died that evening with her. It so happens that she had 3 cats whom she loved very much. She was always with them and always giving them love and affection. I am left with these precious animals and I am afraid they are starving for the love and affection that they once had in her. I don't know what to do. I cant keep up with them and they are definitely starving for love. I don't want to take them to a shelter because I don't want them to suffer a bad fate. Dena would not have wanted that. I have 2 spayed females, 1 all white about 2 1/2 years old and 1 tiger about 4 years old. The tiger loves to go outside and the white one is afraid of the outdoors. I also have a Blue Russian male that I would like to keep . Does anyone know what I can do to find these 2 beautiful females a loving home where they will be loved and taken care of, I am out of ideas but something must be done, I live in the south east Florida area. Anyway, have a wonderful day and God Bless.
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HELP!!!!!
- Thread starter tomw
- Start Date
I am so very sorry for your loss. It sounds like all if you are still grieving and missing Dena, which is understandable. If you can, I would encourage you to try to keep the cats together. It may be very tough on them to separate from their home and you and the male cat. There is no guarantee they will bond with another family. It is very tough to find a good home for adult cats. It's kitten season right now, so there are so many cute kittens availabile. 
I know you must feel overwhelmed with the events that have transpired. I assure you the cats feel the same way and this certainly could be leading them to be more demanding of attention and reassurance.
The first thing I would do, if you have not already, is invest in some Feliway diffusers (you can purchase off Amazon or in pet stores.) This can help relieve some of the cats' anxieties. I would give this a good try BEFORE considering rehoming any of the cats.
Also, perhaps hire a pet sitter or ask a friend to come in and play/love on the cats while you are at work. I know that may sound crazy; but, if you are still grieving and dealing with the stress that comes with a loved ones sudden death, I can certainly understand where the cats' demand for attention would overwhelm you.
Give this a go for several weeks to see if this helps the issue. As Vball91 said, trying to rehome cats that are already grieving is not in the cats' best interest.
Second, if you decide that you must rehome, contact area vets and see if they can recommend a no-kill rescue that might be able to assist you in placing. If you are willing to continue caring for the cats while the rescue looks for a new home that will certainly help. (And I agree, best to keep the 2 females together.)
Be sure to read over the rescue or shelter's adoption policy and make sure you agree with it before you start working with them.
And, yes. It IS kitten season. Most rescues and shelters are overwhelmed with kittens right now. Summer can be a slow go time for adoptions too. Just a few things to keep in mind.
Other options would be to talk with family and friends and see of anyone would like the cats. This would certainly be the best option should you decide you absolutely cannot keep them. This way you can still check in on them and make sure they are adjusting ok.
The first thing I would do, if you have not already, is invest in some Feliway diffusers (you can purchase off Amazon or in pet stores.) This can help relieve some of the cats' anxieties. I would give this a good try BEFORE considering rehoming any of the cats.
Also, perhaps hire a pet sitter or ask a friend to come in and play/love on the cats while you are at work. I know that may sound crazy; but, if you are still grieving and dealing with the stress that comes with a loved ones sudden death, I can certainly understand where the cats' demand for attention would overwhelm you.
Give this a go for several weeks to see if this helps the issue. As Vball91 said, trying to rehome cats that are already grieving is not in the cats' best interest.
Second, if you decide that you must rehome, contact area vets and see if they can recommend a no-kill rescue that might be able to assist you in placing. If you are willing to continue caring for the cats while the rescue looks for a new home that will certainly help. (And I agree, best to keep the 2 females together.)
Be sure to read over the rescue or shelter's adoption policy and make sure you agree with it before you start working with them.
And, yes. It IS kitten season. Most rescues and shelters are overwhelmed with kittens right now. Summer can be a slow go time for adoptions too. Just a few things to keep in mind.
Other options would be to talk with family and friends and see of anyone would like the cats. This would certainly be the best option should you decide you absolutely cannot keep them. This way you can still check in on them and make sure they are adjusting ok.
The first thing I would advise is for you to make yourself give them love even if you don't feel it initially. Pet them, brush them, get some toys like the DaBird toy and a laser light and give them a couple of 15 minute play sessions every day. This will be good for you as well as them, and I bet it would please your Dena who will be watching from the other side.
If you continue to want to rehome the girls, you should do it privately, do not take them to a shelter, Dena would hate that. These are her babies. Also avoid Craig's list or the newspaper. There is a web site called "RescueMe.org where you could place a free ad and you could carefully interview prospective adopters and also offer to take the cat back if she doesn't adjust. You should charge a small rehoming fee also because people do not value what they do not pay for. You can donate the fee to a no-kill animal shelter if the adoption works out, or return it if the cat doesn't adjust. As @vball91 noted, it is currently kitten season and adult cats have less chance of adoption at this time, but it is not impossible. Someone may have lost a beloved white cat or tabby to an illness and may be drawn to one of yours. Until then, try your best to give them all the attention you can.
If you continue to want to rehome the girls, you should do it privately, do not take them to a shelter, Dena would hate that. These are her babies. Also avoid Craig's list or the newspaper. There is a web site called "RescueMe.org where you could place a free ad and you could carefully interview prospective adopters and also offer to take the cat back if she doesn't adjust. You should charge a small rehoming fee also because people do not value what they do not pay for. You can donate the fee to a no-kill animal shelter if the adoption works out, or return it if the cat doesn't adjust. As @vball91 noted, it is currently kitten season and adult cats have less chance of adoption at this time, but it is not impossible. Someone may have lost a beloved white cat or tabby to an illness and may be drawn to one of yours. Until then, try your best to give them all the attention you can.
