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Original poster

Need to rehome my cats, really sad and want to find them an excellent home. Where do I start? And how to cope?

39 replies

chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 12:17

Really, really sad about having to do this but I know it is for the best. I need to find my cats a new home. But I only want them to go somewhere really nice.

Where do I start? I don't want them to go to a cattery or anything while looking for a new home.

And how the hell do you deal with it? I am so attached to them and love them to bits. It brings me to tears just thinking of it but I know it needs to be done.

Don't want to "sell" them but also a bit wary of people just wanting a free cat and not that bothered?

OP posts:
Seeline · 21/01/2009 12:19

Speak to your local branch of the Cats Protection league, or ask round at school.

downanddowner · 21/01/2009 12:24

whereabouts are you? When I had to rehome my cats a few years ago I took them to Battersea, who were so nice about it. I still get tears in my eyes when I think about them though
Whereabouts are you?

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 12:24

I have local rescues, I am very wary of coming accross like I am being irresponsible and not caring about them. But we have done EVERYTHING we can and just think it is for the best, for them as well as us.

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Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 12:25

I am in UB9 - borders of middlesex and buckinghamshire

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downanddowner · 21/01/2009 12:27

You're doing the responsible thing by rehoming them and any decent rescue centre will be pleased to help.

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 12:30

At least one of them (I know which one, but can't garantee the others don't) is weeing everywhere, but I think she just needs to be an only cat. I am worried that nobody will want her, or that she will end up being passed on from one home to another

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downanddowner · 21/01/2009 12:31

I had one just like that. He was old and a bit crazy and used to wee where he was sitting and them move. I was honest with Battersea about it and they did find a new home for him.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 21/01/2009 12:32

Definitely try Cat Protection League- they are very good and patient at rehoming cats- they often stay with foster parents until just the right home can be found. Good luck FWIW, I am a vet, and have been following your cat-saga- you really do seem to have tried everything- sometimes there ends up no choice but rehoming. I took on a cat from the CPL on a trial basis, but he was so stressed and unhappy in our house- not sure if it was the kids or the dogs! Anyway, he was peeing and pooing everywhere, and hiding under the beds. he was rehomed through the CPL to an elderly couple, where his behaviour has been exemplary!

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 12:33

Meant to say, if she finds a good home and all the problems go away with the other 2, we will be happy to keep them. But it is the one with the problems I will miss the most, she is the most perfect cat in most other ways - she even loves my 1 year old and will lie down and pur when she "strokes" her and would never go for her, like most cats would if provoked. I know I wil never find a cat like her again which is why I am so sad.

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downanddowner · 21/01/2009 12:34

Could you get rid of the other 2 instead?

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 12:34

jooly - had you seen my thread a while ago about the problems I have been having?

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Joolyjoolyjoo · 21/01/2009 12:38

Just be honest with the CPL about your reasons for rehomong, and they will do their best to find a home where she will be happy. I know it is sad, but if she as sweet as she sounds, she will soon find a home where she will be loved. No, you will never find another cat just like her, but you won't forget her. . I have had many cats, but my favourite remains my very first cat, who had the biggest personality I have ever known in a cat. The other cats I've owned have been lovely, but the memory of Hobbes always makes me smile.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 21/01/2009 12:40

Yes, I saw your previous thread (think I might even have answered on it, not sure!) You really are probably doing the right thing for your cat- as things stand she is telling you she is not happy in her present situation, and I think lots of cats find it very stressful living in a multi-cat household. sadly, it is becoming a reasonably common problem.

SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore · 21/01/2009 12:44

You need a mat cat lady. Interview for one. Sreiously. We had to rehome a feral we took in who needed to be an only cat.

She peed places and she was terribly nasty towards other cats.

We placed an ad to run over the course of a week and got people to phone up. We gave all the details about the cat inc. her peeing problem. If they were still interested after that we asked them to come to the house to meet the cat and explained that we had spent a lot of time taming the cat and nursing her and her kittens and didn't want her to go to just anyone and that we would be in touch with them to let them when we find someone suitable. Most people weren't interested when they heard that bit and went and bought a kitten.

She ended up going to a lovely old lady whose treasured cat had just passed away.

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 12:44

Well that is another thing I have been thinking. I love them both loads too, but, understandably, don't like my daughter. They are not bad with children or anything, and wouldn't hurt them unprovoked - just like normal cats and would rather children left them alone so stay out of the way.

The cat with the problem is a persian, who are apparently bad for having this problem with weeing everywhere. We had wee on the bed last night (which I didn't notice till I got into bed) which was the final straw. They are not usually allowed in the bedroom because of this, but have now learnt to open the door at the bottom of the stairs.

Need this problem sorted before our next baby arrives really.

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PinkTulips · 21/01/2009 16:10

so sorry to see this CJM

was really hoping for you that she'd improve with the new territory arrangments.

i've got to say, if being seperated from the other cats didn't improve the problem you'd be taking a huge gamble rehoming the other 2 and hoping she gets better when they're gone.

we had a cat who was a disaster for peeing and pooing everywhere and he was an only cat. the only thing that worked was keeping him contained to a small area of the house and even then the few times i went out and forgot to close the kitchen door i could be 100% garuanteed he'd have gone upstairs or into the playroom and peed or pooed... he wasn'r perfectly behaved within his territory either, he didn't poo but he definitely peed a few times.

i think seashells is right, you need to advertise and be perfectly honest with whoever asks to meet her about her behaviour.... someone will be willing to put the time and effort into her i'm sure. persians are notoriously difficult but they are very rewarding and someone who understands this and is in a better position to deal with accidents (ie not pregnant with a toddler to deal with!) will be happy to have her.

combustiblelemon · 21/01/2009 16:44

If your cat is pedigree one of these might help you.

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 19:37

Thanks for the link.

Oh it's so hard to know what to do .

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Original poster
chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 20:10

IF I were to rehome the other 2, and the problem still persisted, do you think it would be ok to shut the cat in the areas with lino? It would mean cat would have access to the kitchen (not huge but big enough for a catbed etc, catflap to outside, and the bathroom, which is a good size (for a bathroom anyway) and could have the cat litter tray in here? We could then gradually increase the areas we let her in, IF she stops weeing?

We don't do this now as I feel the area is far too small for all 3 of them, esspecially when they don't really get on that well. AND I know what the other 2 are like, they would be on the surfaces etc and would hate to be refined to that area. Persian cat not very active though.

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PinkTulips · 22/01/2009 11:04

of course.... lots of cats are restrained to certain areas of the house and are perfectly happy about it.

especially if she's allowed outside i don't see any harm in keeping her to easily cleanable areas of the house, at the very least it'll make the problem more managable for you and that will reduce the stress levals in the house drastically.... possibly even helping to solve the problem.

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 23/01/2009 23:16

Great thanks

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Original poster
chloejessmeg · 25/01/2009 11:32

I put the 2 cats on gumtree last night and somebody has been phoning this morning. My Phone was upstairs so didn't answer but they have left a message. Seems nice, must be keen as she rang several times. How do I tell if she is guinuine? I put on the add that I wanted to meet the people first, here so they can see the cats and we can have a chat and see if we are both happy.

I just feel so that we have had to do this, but I know it is best for everybody.

There are now 2 patches of carpet that are getting wee'd on daily. It STINKS. I am going to wash the carpet again but it never really helps. Don't want it to put people off though and worried about the fact I am CM on monday.

Have ordered some urine off spray from Amazon and some more Feliway so I can give some to new owners. Have also ordered a black light, which shows areas where the cat has urinated, which I Thought would be very useful.

Does anybody know if I can use Washing powder in my Vax carpet cleaner? I know you should only use washing powder but the Vax does such a better job than me on my hands and knees?

OP posts:
poopscoop · 25/01/2009 11:34

tell her you have had a few calls and that you would like to see everyone before you make your decision, then if she is not what you are looking for you have an easy way out of it.

Original poster
chloejessmeg · 25/01/2009 11:35

Good idea.

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Original poster
chloejessmeg · 25/01/2009 11:45

Have just shut Chloe in the kitchen (access to catflap) to see how she copes in there, while I clean the rest of the house. I will also then know that if any wee appears in the meantime, it wasn't her. Will let other 2 out window if needed - or front door, although it is raining anyway.

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