To put my four elderly cats to sleep even though they are not dying?

[Turningtiger]

DH lost his job and we've had to move to a cheaper area of the city we live in. The house we have found to accommodate our family and within our price range does not allow pets. We will also probably have to move abroad next year because most of the jobs that DH can get are in Europe.

We have gone through periods of boarding our cats while we have been looking for somewhere new to live and all the turmoil it has brought about. It has been expensive boarding as each cat has a different health condition which needs a lot of attention, giving meds, vet visits etc, so we've had to pay extra for the very kind lady at the boarding to do that too.

I have volunteered for animal rescues in our area for 20 years, and I know what pressure they are under. I know that most people abandon their animals without a second look, and if they do make a donation to the shelter before they disappear, it's usually just enough to cover the initial vaccinations and perhaps a spay. I've also had these cats so long that I don't feel I could trust someone else to look after them in a way that they wouldn't suffer. I know that doesn't sound rational, but I've just had them for so long, I know them so well.

There is also an element for me of feeling terribly embarrassed, after all these years of volunteering and donating, to present the same story as everyone else who we have rolled our eyes at over the years. In the "rescue" world I volunteer in, there is no excuse to abandon your animals.

I am temped now to put them down, so that I can know that they had a fantastic life and that they did not suffer. It will save me a lot of anxiety (yes I'm aware I am thinking about me). I know also that this doesn't sound rational either. But to me it feels like the right thing.

What do you think? The cats are all 16 from the same litter.

It seems to me the lesson to be learned from this is not to roll your eyes at others. Its not just you that is affected this way by the thought of the self-congratulating judgement of the people who would "rescue" their animals from them.
Its a shame that out of all the rescue people you have had contact with there is nowhere and no-one you can think of who would help the cats without the added pleasure of rolling their eyes at you, and gleefully gossiping sharing your story.

The whole fashionable rescue industry could do with a wake up call on this. For the sake of the animals.

No one can tell you how long they have left. My first cat was diagnosed with kidney problems at 10 years old and was given a few months to live. He lasted another 13 years, and umpteen house house moves another cat and a dog added to the mix. House moves or country moves shouldn't be a reason to put to sleep.

I really don't know why living in a different house should have an impact on a cat.

No animal lover would ever contemplate this

Well I consider myself an animal lover; got my elderly cat on my lap right now and am hand rearing a baby pigeon that my younger cat caught, but I am a realist, death comes to us all sooner or later.

And this is why people who private rent shouldnt get cats/dogs/other animals with long life spans. Home owners and council tenants with secure tenancy fair enough, but if youre going to be moving every few years reliant on the landlords rules about pets, you shouldnt take one on. Same way you should insure them and spay/neuter. If you cant reasonably believe you can guarantee to look after them for life (obv sometimes things happen, sudden ill health, loss of job, im talking people who know they wont have a secure home for the duration of pets life) you could do more harm than good.

There's hundreds of thousands of us private renters who absolutely adore our animals and would never move somewhere they can't have the dog, not really fair to say we shouldn't be allowed animals.

OP only you know your cats and exactly how elderly they are.

BuggersMoggy is a similar vintage, but is an active mouser, no medication beyond a joint supplement (optional but recommended) and so I could not in good conscious PTS. I absolutely know at his age he could decline quickly, but he is not in obvious decline right now. DPILs cat was elderly at 13. A friends cat was active until nearly 20 and had a quick decline. It's so individual so I couldn't judge.

For me, if they don't have a terminal diagnosis, I'd want to explore options. Can your vet give a view on their health? BuggersMoggy has slowed a little, but there's nothing in his check-ups that suggests whether he will be around for one more year or ten. I'd find it really hard to PTS without some kind of negative prognosis at least tbh, But not judging, because I know this is hard and obviously kids come first.

Also you might be surprised. We were lied to about BuggersMoggy's age when we took him on (told he was super old and he actually was in late middle age - we were told he was 15). We took him on regardless as he's such a handsome, independent cat with a great personality (ideal for two people working full time) and we can afford vet fees. You might be pleasantly surprised.

@Titanz There's threads on here with alarming regularity of people needing to rehome / put to sleep their animals because their new landlord won't accept pets. With the best will in the world, sometimes you simply can't find a landlord who will accept pets. In fact it's becoming less and less common as the rental market becomes ever more competitive. I'd love a cat but as a private renter I just wouldn't feel comfortable that I could provide it with a forever home yet so will wait until I've bought my own. And if that never happens I'll never have a pet. Which is sad, but better than the horrible dilemma the OP is facing.

As a landlord I nearly always accept pets.

It is very short sighted not to. The way I see it is if people have pets and as a landlord you accept them then people don't move every 5 minutes because getting another private rental is not so easy so I get less void periods. For me it makes good business sense and am always amazed people don't do it. The only time I don't accept pets is when in flats there is a t & c in the flats lease where pets are not allowed.

The comparison between horses and cats is relevant I think. Although my pony didn't live in our home she was a pet. She was unriddable for 10 years. Retired, living in luxury, pampered and a much loved pet. Same as my dog or guinea pigs. There isn't a hierarchy of animals here. I don't love our ponies less because they live in a field or stable.

Too many rescues and rehoming places are full to bursting with animals that it will be impossible to rehome. I would rather the charities focused on the healthier animals that do stand a chance. That way they could potentially help more animals. Elderly or ill animals or even those with behavioural issues are much more difficult, use more resources and will be in the shelters for longer. Meaning healthier, younger animals are turned away and end up been given away to possibly unsuitable homes.

PTS animals because they are old and/or ill is a far better end than spending the last few months or years of their life in a shelter or in foster care then another new home. The comparison to old people and children is absolutely ridiculous. As is the fact that lots of people in this thread (myself included) will have eaten 10 week old chicken, 2 year old beef or 8 month old lamb at some point.

It isn't a decision to be taken lightly. And if the cats are 16 they have had a good life. If you could ask a 12 year old cat with health issues in a rescue centre who has been there for a year whether they would have preferred a PTS option from previous owner or to be in the situation they are in now I am sure they would chose PTS.

Turningtiger, there are quite a few posters here that are willing to try and help you. We need to know where roughly you live and it would also help if you could let us know what the cats have wrong with them.

There is no way I could take 4 cats but I could possibly take 2. I will be looking to get 1 or 2 cats later in the year as I am moving.

I would also be happy to look at rescues for you. As I have already said, I know of at least one rescue that mainly takes in elderly cats and they almost always have health problems. They are not far from me and, depending where you live, I would be happy to pick the cats up from you and take them to the rescue (if they accept them) if you can't get to them. Me and DH do dog rescue runs all the time and some of them have been up to 5 hours drive each way

We have a very elderly pony. She is in excellent health for her age, but if we were unable to keep her any more, I would not put her through the stress and uncertainty of a move to a new place with new people and having to either be alone (which she hates) or sort out the pecking order with new fieldmates. It would, in my opinion, be very cruel to do so.

almostaJillsandwich, I can't believe you're saying that people who private rent shouldn't have animals. It's exactly the same as people being told they shouldn't have had so many children when their circumstances change and they need help.

Here's hoping nothing shitty unexpectedly plops into your life to disrupt your oh-so-superior air!

Isn't it just murder? I'm sorry you are having a rough time op, I truly am. Can they not be rehoused? I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing I'd done that to my beloved cats.

And if someone comments with 'they are just cats' I'll aaaarrrggghhh!

OP, PM me. I know a lady who runs a lovely rescue sanctuary for elderly cats (in her own home). They stay with her for the rest of their days. She's absolutely lovely and the cats are all very happy!

Isn't it just murder?

No, because it's a cat and not a person.

I just adopted two fifteen year olds, one of which is recovering from cat flu, one of which has a heart murmur.

Why? Because I volunteered in a cat shelter too, and I knew they needed me more than the others did. There are plenty of decent people out there willing to give them a chance.

I support you OP. They're 16, youve given them a lovely life, and in short youre avoiding those distressing failing health years. They will not be rehomed at that age and a rescue would euthanise without a second thought.

The mindset that sees animals abandoned, rather than taking this very difficult but grown up decision is wrong.

Vets do indeed euthanise for social reasons, without any form of judgment on the owners. There is nothing cruel or painful in veterinary euthanasia. Its very warm and fuggy and they simply go to sleep. (Exactly as administered for anaesthetic). Personally, I hope the law has changed by the time I get to 90, and I can choose my exit! Its a very grown up and responsible decision OP, so well done you for airing your considerations. Thousands simply abandon to a remaining life of fear, hunger and predators.

Oh dear god. No, it is not 'just murder'. And yes, they are 'just cats'. Beloved, well cared for, deserving of consideration and dignity, but nevertheless 'just cats'. I find it really disturbing that people can't see that.

PS as a slight derail, it utterly gets my goat how many dogs that bite end up in rescue. (Owner lying of course that theyve never bitten or shown aggresion

The mindset that comfortably passes on these issues to new unknowing owners, is downright obscene.

Good god. YA absolutely BU. Poor mogs.

Ivymaud it would be easier to rehome one pony than 4 cats I think. And the costs involved in buying medication and vets for 4 cats is probably a lot more than the meds of 1 pony.

But the point was it's irrelevant of the type of animal. The decision should still be made for the best interests of that animal, regardless of species.

I really dont get the outrage unless people are vegans

If you eat pork you are already complicit in the killing of animals that are smarter than cats, so what's the problem?

There is really no ethical difference between having a cat put down and eating a pig. In fact, IMO killing the pig is actually worse as it's a far more traumatic experience and the pig doesnt get to live very long. The cat just goes to sleep. Probbaly better to go out on a high in some ways.

"Isn't it just murder? I'm sorry you are having a rough time op, I truly am. Can they not be rehoused? I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing I'd done that to my beloved cats."

But you'd be able to live with yourself if you took them away from everything they know and even probably each other to spend the rest of their lives in a rescue centre?