Problem - i was looking at the "Cats for Sale" section of eBay, quite surprised at the very inflated prices. Then I noticed a BSH, 15 years old, for sale (no picture).
I am inquisitive and wanted to find out more - what sort of person wants to rid themselves of such a senior cat. Or perhaps the owner had died, was moving and was no longer able to look after a cat.
Anyway, the family was honest - since the children were getting older and louder, and after a recent move - the cat (spayed, BSH) was peeing outside the litter box. So, they were looking for an experienced, quiet cat-person to look after a rather distressed cat.
I wrote to ask if they had taken the cat to a vet recently and, if so, what were the results from the geriatric blood test. Peeing outside the box could be a health problem. No-one would pay for a sick 15 year-old cat (not even a BSH with the breeder's papers) only to find out that she would need expensive treatment for the rest of her life or had to be euthanised. The answer shocked me: vet costs are too high and that is the reason why she hasn't been to the vet and why we think it would be better to rehome her. The picture they sent may have been a bad photo - but it did nothing to make me feel that this was a healthy, happy cat. Eyes closed, fur .....not good.
Will they take the 50 Euros they hope to get for their poor senior cat, and buy a kitten? What do I do now?
I could offer to pay for a visit to the vet. This they will probably refuse as they would have to take my word for it that I would pay (but only after the event). I live at least a good hour's drive away.
I could advise them to get in touch with their local cat charity/shelter who may help with vet costs.
I could forget the whole subject.
I am inquisitive and wanted to find out more - what sort of person wants to rid themselves of such a senior cat. Or perhaps the owner had died, was moving and was no longer able to look after a cat.
Anyway, the family was honest - since the children were getting older and louder, and after a recent move - the cat (spayed, BSH) was peeing outside the litter box. So, they were looking for an experienced, quiet cat-person to look after a rather distressed cat.
I wrote to ask if they had taken the cat to a vet recently and, if so, what were the results from the geriatric blood test. Peeing outside the box could be a health problem. No-one would pay for a sick 15 year-old cat (not even a BSH with the breeder's papers) only to find out that she would need expensive treatment for the rest of her life or had to be euthanised. The answer shocked me: vet costs are too high and that is the reason why she hasn't been to the vet and why we think it would be better to rehome her. The picture they sent may have been a bad photo - but it did nothing to make me feel that this was a healthy, happy cat. Eyes closed, fur .....not good.
Will they take the 50 Euros they hope to get for their poor senior cat, and buy a kitten? What do I do now?
I could offer to pay for a visit to the vet. This they will probably refuse as they would have to take my word for it that I would pay (but only after the event). I live at least a good hour's drive away.
I could advise them to get in touch with their local cat charity/shelter who may help with vet costs.
I could forget the whole subject.