My cat needs a new home Please help

kandicen · Nov 15, 2005

Due to some issues we have been having between our cat and our black lab, we have decided we need to move Nikki to a new home. She is a very good cat when there's no dogs around. She's lovey, likes to cuddle, sleeps on my pillow every night and welcomes me home every day after work. But when the dog even gets in the same room as her she goes completly off the wall and goes into attack mode. Which usually ends up being directed towards our other cat Onyx. We've been trying to deal with this for 2 years but now we've got a baby on the way and we're scared that if she goes into attack mode and the baby is near she might attack her.
The main problem I have is my husband is so mad about it he actually gave me until this last sunday to get rid of her but we were so busy I kinda forgot.. so I'm going to try to let her stay until this weekend.
If ANYONE here lives in Minnesota around the Anoka area and knows of someone who would give her a loving home I would be so so grateful. I really dont want to get rid of her, she's my baby and its making me tear up thinking about it, but I cant risk the baby we have on the way.
Little about her, she's a calico mix (we never did find the daddy), medium hair, about 6 years old, not fixed or declawed. 98% indoors, she does sneak out once in a while and snooze on the neighbors deck funiture. Beautiful girl who will love up your lap once she gets the chance.
I have a few pics if I can figure out how to post here. I'm desperate I just want her to have a good home.
Picture 1
Her cute tail
Please email me, [email protected] i'm in Minnesota, around anoka. And I dont ask anything other than a good home for her.

joecool · Nov 15, 2005

The reason for her attacking the other cat probably has a lot to do with the fact she is not spayed. Before you think about rehoming a cat, do the thing responsible owners do. Spay her. She should be better quickly.

lionessrampant · Nov 15, 2005

Get her spayed and look at the 'Behavior' section of TCS and also this site: http://www.treehouseanimals.org
If it's necessary, give them a call. This girl deserves another chance with you, especially since you've probably never consulted a behaviorist. It's free. Please, just don't "get rid" of your cat without seeking medical and professional help.

catsknowme · Nov 15, 2005

Welcome to TCS, Kandice! My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. It sounds like your husband has given you an ultimatum, and that the decision is now not yours alone, which complicates things. By "get rid of the cat" does he mean by any means necessary, or is he willing to give you some time? Right now, you need peace & calm in your life; that need will only become greater when the baby arrives, so you need to do what is necessary for that to happen. Is there any one in your social support group, a close friend or family member, who would take the cat in, for your sake??? That way you would not have to go through the heartbreak of "getting rid of the cat" but merely outsourcing her care. Please read the article in the behavior forum http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_B...ggression.html - it always pays to check out all the options, just to satisfy your conscience. I hope the best for you & your family!

laureen227 · Nov 16, 2005

Originally Posted by joecool

The reason for her attacking the other cat probably has a lot to do with the fact she is not spayed. Before you think about rehoming a cat, do the thing responsible owners do. Spay her. She should be better quickly.

also, if you do have to rehome her, she'll be much easier to place if she's been spayed. it would make a huge difference in her behavior & adoptability.

gailc · Nov 16, 2005

We got one of our cats Bobber spayed in August after several yrs of unsuccessful breeding attempts (long story). Anyhow she is 6 yrs old and after I lost one of my other cats last she Bobber quickly established herself as alpha. She was a barn kitten and always was a bit moody and quick to swat the other cats. After her spay she is alot different in temperament. I really mean alot!!! She was vocal for the for 4-6 weeks but much more loving-esp to my newest addition. Before the spay he ran when she came near them-now they are best buddies-its really something to see. She would not come around when guests came over-now lots of people have seen and petted her!!! Some didn't believe we actually had another cat!!!
So I would encourage your girl to be spayed-it should make a great difference in all of your lives.

silverbook · Nov 16, 2005

I agree with the other posts, spay her. I think a lot of the problems you are having with her are due to the fact that she is not spayed. Spay her, reintroduce her to the dog and other cat and see if the situation gets better, before you try rehoming her.

kandicen · Nov 16, 2005

I should have mentioned this in the first post but he refuses to let me spend any money on getting her spayed or declawed. We've got a horribly tight budget right now. I wish that was an option, if she was we probably wouldn't be having this problem. But that is not an option.

Catsknowme - Yes we've fought over this a lot and it is an ultimatum. Him or the cat. Its gotten that bad. He initially said February but then she went psycho again and he said I had until the end of last week, but I've gotten him to give me to the end of this week. I make my husband sound awful here and he's really not, he just is tired of the fighting.

And by getting rid of her means either finding a home or a shelter. That's why I'm trying to find a home because the no-kill shelter here has like a 3 month waiting list and wants donations which I just cannot do. SO then it would be the local pound. I've asked everyone I know and no one is looking to take in a cat right now.

I just need to find her a home, quickly. We're running out of time.

maverick_kitten · Nov 16, 2005

there are pleanty of places that will spay her for free or at a very low cost to you. if you pm TNR1 i'm sure they will help you.

please dont get your cat declawed though

tnr1 · Nov 16, 2005

Originally Posted by KandiceN

I should have mentioned this in the first post but he refuses to let me spend any money on getting her spayed or declawed. We've got a horribly tight budget right now. I wish that was an option, if she was we probably wouldn't be having this problem. But that is not an option.

Catsknowme - Yes we've fought over this a lot and it is an ultimatum. Him or the cat. Its gotten that bad. He initially said February but then she went psycho again and he said I had until the end of last week, but I've gotten him to give me to the end of this week. I make my husband sound awful here and he's really not, he just is tired of the fighting.

And by getting rid of her means either finding a home or a shelter. That's why I'm trying to find a home because the no-kill shelter here has like a 3 month waiting list and wants donations which I just cannot do. SO then it would be the local pound. I've asked everyone I know and no one is looking to take in a cat right now.

I just need to find her a home, quickly. We're running out of time.

Here are low cost spay clinics:

MINNESOTA
Spay, Neuter, Aid Program (SNAP)
Contented Critters
PO Box 385
Makinen, MN 55763
218-638-2153
Low cost spay/neuter for pets of qualified low income people.
Duluth Animal Allies Humane Society
& City of Duluth Animal Shelter
2627 Courtland St
Duluth, MN 55806
218-722-5341

SO then it would be the local pound. I've asked everyone I know and no one is looking to take in a cat right now.

I'm going to be very blunt about this...you do realize your cat's chances at a kill shelter are very slim. So basically what your husband is requiring you to do is end her life. Now....is that something you truly want to have happen? Because a week is not nearly enough time to find her another home.

Katie

lionessrampant · Nov 16, 2005

Oh, please, please check out the list of places Katie gave you! This poor little kitty deserves another chance.

As far as your husband goes and those issues, I personally take a 'love me, love my cats' stance, but in this case I think it's definitely something you need to talk to him rationally and calmly about. I fear that he hasn't given the consequences of this decision enough thought. But again, just one woman's opinion. Not to offend

jen · Nov 16, 2005

What a horrible husband, I would never even want to be around someone who is like this. Does he care about your feelings? Find this low cost clinic listed above and tell your husband that not being spayed at 6 years old is the reason she is behaving weird and spending a little bit of money at a low cost clinic with help and hopefully stoo her behavior.

It could be a medical issue too. I assume that if you husband won't let you spay her he also won't let you take her to the vet? What would you have done if she got sick or injured or when she "sneeks" out and gets pregnant and you have a litter of kittens tearing your house apart. That is majorly expensive right there with food and litter and shots...

Geez, your husband makes me mad. People like this make me mad. What a jerk. Doesn't he listen to you and care about your concerns and feelings?

carolpetunia · Nov 16, 2005

If your husband is concerned for your wellbeing during your pregnancy, he should not put you under this kind of pressure.

Also -- and I apologize in advance for any offense this may give -- your husband should recognize you as an equal partner in the marriage, and should not presume to give you ultimatums. All issues should be open for discussion.

I think you should investigate all the possible spaying resources in your area, find the best choice with respect to timing and cost, and make the appointment. If nothing else, you can certainly find a vet who will let you pay it off over time.

Then explain to your husband that spaying will almost certainly solve the problem, and you're having her spayed on such-and-such date. Surely he will respect your feelings.

huggles · Nov 17, 2005

oh this is very very sad

catsknowme · Nov 17, 2005

Any updates on your kitty's situation? The more I think about your situation, and re-read your post, I think that it might be better, after all, for you to re-home your cat, and I am praying that you get a very positive answer soon!
Also, I wanted to make clear that here at TCS, all the members are very valued & precious to the rest of us. And not only do we love cats, pregnant ladies & new mommies are REALLY special to us, too!

So, of course, we share concerns for you, too, because we are as protective of you and your new oncoming baby as we are of our feline babies.

As a New Kitten on the Block, it is important that you realize that we want "older cats" want you to always feel safe & welcome at TCS!!
BTW, we'd love to hear more about Onyx & see some pics, too!

I hope to see you in the forums soon!

Susan

kandicen · Nov 17, 2005

Ok, I obviously phrased things incorrectly, my mistake. My husband isnt out to hurt me, or the cat. He is putting me and the child first, over a cat who will injure you if your not careful. As I said, money is *TIGHT* if the cat was sick then yes she would go to the vet, infact she has when she got the kitty flu. But that was medically nessassary. Spaying is not. There is a reason I havent done it for 6 years, I dont like the idea. 95% of the time she is a Very good cat. Its just when the dog upsets her she goes insane. Its this 5% of the time that we cannot deal with anymore.
Anyways, I'm not here to defend myself or my husband. I came here because I was hoping to find her a home, since I havent gotten any replys here I will probably move on.
catsknowme, thank you for the kind reply. I have a few pics of onyx & nikki on my old webshots album, your welcome to look if you want. Its at... http://community.webshots.com/album/18308404GRvHGGPiaf
He's a lot cuter in person, the camera doesnt like him for some reason heh

kandicen · Nov 17, 2005

Oh and TNR1, thanks for looking those places up, but both of them are over 200 miles away. Not really something I can do on a thursday night!

silverbook · Nov 17, 2005

Spaying does keep a cat healthier. Cats who are spayed/neutered are less likely to develop tumors and some diseases. Think of it as preventative medical care.

You can try posting an ad on petfinder. But a 6 year old cat is not easily adopted, since that is one year off from being a senior and young cats are easier to place in homes.

slitty_kittay · Nov 17, 2005

Originally Posted by KandiceN

Oh and TNR1, thanks for looking those places up, but both of them are over 200 miles away. Not really something I can do on a thursday night!

Your kitty has been with you for six years, it would be a real shame if you had to move her on to another place. Like some other people have said - her chances of finding a good home via a shelter are low. When you take in an animal it is a life commitment. You are supposed to be an adult and care for them until the day they die - even if they make you mad sometimes, just like family. You said you are letting her outside so I suggest you find the money to get her spayed. If you cant care for your cat, how do you expect to care for your baby?

I think you need to take a closer look at why she may be so upset and take steps to make her more comfortable. Cats don't just "go psycho".

I really hope you can sort something out. I hope I don't come across to strong, it's just because I really hope this kitty gets a second chance!

tnr1 · Nov 17, 2005

Anyways, I'm not here to defend myself or my husband. I came here because I was hoping to find her a home, since I havent gotten any replys here I will probably move on.

You gave your cat a week to find a new home..that is the tragedy of the situation.

As I said, money is *TIGHT* if the cat was sick then yes she would go to the vet, infact she has when she got the kitty flu. But that was medically nessassary. Spaying is not. There is a reason I havent done it for 6 years, I dont like the idea.

Spaying actually IS a medical necessity in cats that aren't in a breeding program:

Spaying and neutering helps cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, especially when your pet is spayed before her first heat.
Spaying can prevent various reproductive tract disorders

If it were my cat...I would sell anything I have in order to give her what she needs to remain healthy and happy. This cat was in your life BEFORE you became pregnant....you are making a choice for her that will most likely lead to her being PTS.

Katie

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