What to do? I have a dilemma.

Ok I have a dilemma here. I hope this is the right place to post this. I have had my 6-8 year old cat Eliott for 2 years now. I also have 6 other cats. Over the past year I have realized that, while he gets along great with my other cats, he wants the attention to himself. He comes no matter which cat you call and meows when I move from him on to another cat. Eliott crys constantly for attention when he is not sleeping quietly in his cat bed. He will sit in your lap for hours if you are petting him and scratching his favorite places. I have thought about rehoming him, thinking he would be perfect for an older couple or a single elderly person. I have never set out looking for a new home for him but I thought, if something came along, I would be open to it.

Well now someone came along. I saw an internet post where a woman whose 65 year old single mother, wheel-chair bound, is looking for a Persian or Himalayan lap cat because hers just passed away at 15+ years of cancer and she is heartbroken and would like another.

So, everything I wanted for my cat is here in front of me, but God I don't know what to do. I really hate to give him up, I love him to death, what if I regret it later. This lady lives 2 hours away and I am just worried of losing touch, or something. It's not like she lives right down the street. I know all about rehoming cats and everything, I would take him there, make sure everything is okay and that he is okay. I would make sure the lady really does know about Himalayans, I would make sure they are not going to declaw him or let him outdoors and that if anything were to happen, he be returned to me. Also that she has the money to care for him properly, to feed him great food, to take him to the vet if need be, etc...

I haven't contacted her yet, so they may have found one by now, I am doubting it though. Eliott just seems to perfect but I worry, I have rescued a lot of cats, I have seen the things done to animals, and it is hard to know who to trust I guess. I really think he would be happiest with a single older woman who will sit around holding him all day long. He would love that. Everything is telling me to contact them, but I guess for selfish and overprotective reasons, I am hesitating. Please give me some thoughts here. I want what is best for my cats. Thank you.

I would go first to meet this woman without the cat. Find out how the woman feels about being a pet owner, how responsible she is, look at the home and then evaluate what you want to do on the ride back. But I would, for now leave the cat at home.

Originally Posted by hissy

I would go first to meet this woman without the cat. Find out how the woman feels about being a pet owner, how responsible she is, look at the home and then evaluate what you want to do on the ride back. But I would, for now leave the cat at home.

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but I would also have a hard time rehoming a cat I loved to someone I didn't know personally...that's why I kept Timmy and Bob...

Ok, if I do decide to contact them, that is a good idea to go there first.

I know he is ok here, it isn't like he is traumatized in a corner or getting beat up. My apartment is just small, the cats fight for attention like they don't get it. In the next year or so I will be moving to a house with more room and the cats will have more room too. Maybe I should keep him here where I know he is safe, maybe this woman is a great person and it would be better, but his home here is good, I feed him well, I take him to the vet when needed, I play with and groom him...I think I would worry way too much if I didn't know where he was. 2 hours is far when I can't just go visit him whenever I want.

if you feel that he is happy where he is and you want to keep him then dont feel obliged to give him up.

he may prefer his life with you over that of being a single cat.

It sounds to me like hes fine right where he is. I'd keep him.

Of course you will hesitate when it comes down to the actual rehoming. Of course you will have second thoughts. That is very natural.

Call the lady, see how it feels when you talk to her. This may be a match made in heaven. However, if you feel 2 hours is to far away, keep him. If you get a bad feeling after talking to her and meeting her, just say no.

Sometimes, people even ask for a vet reference, and call the vet to see if the prior animal was well cared for. That might help ease your mind. Then, if he does go to her, be sure she has your contact info, and her family has your info. Let them know that if she becomes ill and goes into a nursing home or something, that you get him back.

I would probably keep the cat myself.

I, too, have a house full and don't really need another cat, but God recently brought Comet into my life (see http://www.catster.com/?242906). I have to believe it was for a reason. Well, to be truthful I have passed up many opportunities to serve the Lord in the past, but am now trying to do his will, not mine. I don't really think that I would be able to trust someone else to care for him like I will and he has had enough of the rough life. But then I'm a neurotic control freak.

Pray about it and definitely check out the situation before taking the cat (as previously suggested). Then sleep, pray, and think about it for at least 24 hours. I am great believer in not jumping in too quickly.

May God guide you in all you do.

Originally Posted by Aries

Pray about it and definitely check out the situation before taking the cat (as previously suggested). Then sleep, pray, and think about it for at least 24 hours. I am great believer in not jumping in too quickly.

May God guide you in all you do.

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