Pleading for someone to help me find a good, loving home for my husbands' two cats.

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and am here to see if anyone can help me find a good, loving home for my husband's two cats. The cats are actually my step-children's cats, but you know how it goes - kids rarely take the responsibility for their pets. My husband of course, has gotten very attached to them, and understandably, is having a difficult time with the reality of our situation. 

I was diagnosed with severe allergies to the cats, about a year ago. I am currently taking 5 different types of medicine all year round to try to combat the reaction to them, and their dander. We have put a door keeping them from coming upstairs to the living area, and they stay downstairs in the very comfortable living space there. Our upstairs has been cleaned, extensively over the past year, but my husband carries their fur on him since he tries to keep them company in the evenings, and on the weekends. This is not helping since the door we put up is only a 1/2 door from the upstairs to the downstairs, and there is a 1/2 railing - keeping a large area open. 

In addition, the A/C and Heating vents blow fur, dander, and smells through the house all year long. The only place for the litter box is downstairs in our laundry room - so I am not even able to completely get away from them.  

My stepson has gone to college, and my step-daughter is not moving out on her own until sometime next year. Even then, she is not sure she will be able to take her cats with her. We have posted on Facebook, asked friends, relatives and this might be our only outlet.  I cannot go through another fall/winter season like this. And my doctor has advised that I will have to remain on the medication until at least a year after the cats are gone because I am worsening, not getting better like many often do. 

I do not have pictures yet, but will get them and post them this week.  There is a Female (Nora), about 5 years old. And a Male ( Lightning), about 12-13 years old.  They must go together as you can understand.  Unfortunately Nora is not declawed, or spayed (another issue for me). Lightning is front paw declawed, and neutered. 

We do NOT want them euthanized. We want to find good, loving homes for them as soon as possible.  We live in Illinois, about 45 miles West of the city. 

If anyone has a serious outlet, please email me here, and we can discuss further.  An in-person visit will be necessary, as we feel it is important to screen anyone interested. 

Thank you for helping. 

Belleiams

I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.  Where do you live in case someone sees this and is interested? The Chicago area?  Finding homes for a senior cat and one who is younger but intact is going to be tough. would you consider spaying Nora? Are both cats up to date on their vaccinations and FELV/FIV negative? Do you have any pictures of them? 

You're in a difficult position and I give you credit for doing the best you can for as long as you did. many people with allergies wouldn't even try. Please skip Craigslist as a way to try to find them homes. It rarely works out and there are a lot of horror stories out there about things that happen to pets that were "free to good home" 

Do you have a local shelter or Humane Society branch that might have fosters that they work with who might be able to take them? I have a cat that is a permanent foster for a local shelter. You never know unless you try. Good luck and thank you for caring about them. 

Afterthought- have your stepkids been asking around to people they know about finding a home for them? 

Hi, and thank you for replying.

Yes I live in the Chicagoland area. About 45 miles West of the city near Algonquin, IL.

Even though both cats have been house cats, my husband felt no need to get them updated on their shots. We will do so if we can find them a good home. We will also have Nora spayed.

I have not tried the local Human Society yet, but I will - thank you for reminding me they may be able to help. I will also look into Fostering.

And - to answer your question - yes my stepkids have been asking around. To date, they don't have anyone that is able to take both cats.  We are afraid that if someone takes just Nora, Lightning won't make it too long. Even when she gets "lost" in the basement, or locked in a room or closet (she is very quick and sneaky) - he gets very upset, and cries until someone comes to her rescue.

Thank you for your advice. We are still trying!