Please be kind - Rehoming positive stories

[Wilson12]

Hi,

Has anyone got any positive cat rehoming stories.

I rescued two cats five years ago and they were like my ‘babies’ along with my dog. They would sleep on the bed and follow me around and my husband when home. We put a lot of work into them as they were very nervous but blossomed and came out of their shell. If there was any change or building work they would occasionally pee in protest which was frustrating.

Fast forward we now have an eight month little girl and the cats have consistently peed in protest since her coming home. We have confined them now to just two rooms to make it easier to clean but one cat just hides when she comes downstairs.

Deep down I know they are not content and it breaks my heart as i can’t change the way they feel. I contacted Cats Protection to see if they could go in a foster home until being rehomed as I would hate for them to go in a pen. They called to say a place was available but i bawled my eyes out and they said i can call them when i am ready. I struggle most with the thought of them going and not knowing when they are happy and settled. They are 10 years old and could have many happy years in a peaceful house.

Sorry for the long post but I want to make sure i am doing the right thing. I love them so much and just want them to be happy. Does anyone have any stories from having their cats rehomed?

I rehomed a cat? He was less than 6 months old two of his brothers lived with me and his new owner put him up for free on Facebook he has been here over a year and apart from anxiety in the cat box he has settled nicely

We got two rescue cats when DC started school, who had lived with an elderly couple who couldn't cope with their behaviour. Fourteen years later, the surviving one is still at the heart of our family and was genuinely my ASD son's best friend for many years when he struggled socially. Maybe someone needs your cats more than you do now. They will find a loving home.

Why are you considering rehoming the two older cats, and not the new kitten?

Sorry, I realise you mean baby - doh! As you were....

I have a rescue and an 11 week old. She did not take to him at all. We got a bunch of feliways and they seem to have helped. If that's something you've tried I apologise. Cats protection are picky about who they'll allow to adopt so I'm sure they'll go to a lovely home.

Have you given the vet a urine sample? If it’s cystitis it’s treatable.

Try this first because I don’t think you really want to re-home them deep down.

1. Three big litter trays.
2. Ultra clumping litter about an inch & a half deep.
3. Cystease capsules. One a day mixed in with breakfast.
4. Water filter jug, cheap Sainsburys one will do. My cat drank more when we started using filter water.
5. Simple solution for clean ups.

@AConvivialHost I'm guessing the eight month old girl is a human not a kitten. [still a valid question in my opinion:)]

And I agree with pp that you need to try to resolve the weeing problem and then think if you still need to rehome them. So how many litter trays do you have and where are they?

I really don’t want to rehome them deep down.

Over the years when there has been a change they have peed and this change is just too much they haven’t got over. One cat just hides whenever my little girl (Baby not kitten) :) enters the room. I am conscious he’s nervous so have made she she has not made a beeline for him.

We have 2 big litter trays for them to use, which I clean as soon as they come out. They have their own cat den under the stairs (quite large) with their litter trays so they are not disturbed. We have tried the feliway but not the cystease I will try that and I will try a wee sample but I don’t think it is because of their past behaviour.

Their pee is potent even the simple solution is not ridding the rugs or wooden floors of the smell. I have also tried using biological washing liquid as well. Any tips welcome to get rid of the smell!!

I feel like i am in a rock and a hard place as i love them but i know one of the cats is not happy. Thank you everyone for your suggestions, i will keep trying.

have you tried Zylkene? That can really help nervous cats adjust. I'm sorry things are so tough for you

When our departed boy had a uti it stunk but soaking in the house was the only outward symptom. Usually with infection you’d expect them to be off food and hide away to sleep but we had none of that. Barely even a temperature.

Do try ultra clumping litter, there was a cat behaviourist show on the bbc with a cat peeing on the bed & they gave him a 50l storage box as a tray filled with ultra clumping & he stopped doing it.

Once he had a really bad fight with next doors cat, came in to spray & I knew by the smell he had a uti.

Our vet offered to put him on amitryptiline which is an anti depressant , it’s very good at calming the nervous system down & very cheap because it’s such an old drug.

For the wee you need an enzyme spray. I bought one from Amazon

I just wanted to update everyone and say thank your help. The cats stayed with us and we made a chicken coup into a cat den where they can escape and be safe outside. It is safe to say they are happier than ever and so are we :)

Such a great update!!

We have a chicken coop that we got for our rabbit as it was bigger than a standard hutch. Rabbit died a few months ago and the cats have taken up residence in it if they get locked out. So I carpeted it and bought some cheap pillows and they are also loving it!

Didn't see this post originally but saw the update. This is amazing well done to all, what a happy ending 🥰

That's great news!

Brilliant result.

That's brilliant! How are you all getting on? Also , feliway plug ins really helped our two cats when we moved house and introduced a third cat further down the line (I know neither is the same as having a baby but they were both big changes that caused our cats a lot of stress) xx

Aww I’m so glad you made it work, your DD and cats will hopefully be so happy together once she’s a little older!