I don't know what to do with my mummy's two cats...

[Ember]

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I need some advice, so I'm going to ask anyway. My mummy had two cats, both older now (15 and 13 now, I think). Now that she's gone, I guess they're my cats. I have one cat of my own and I'm not sure what to do.

Initially, I thought I'd keep them. But that really won't work. I'm not planning on staying in Canada and am not prepared to travel with three cats, particularly two senior cats. (I will be taking Molly, my cat, and adopted her with the knowledge of this. Traveling with a pet is not cheap!) I also am not prepared for the eventual vet bills. Again, I fully accepted all financial responsibility for the life span of Molly, but was not expecting my number of pets to triple... Lastly, mum's two cats are not receiving the attention they need. Molly has become an absolute suck and the other two are pining and crying and trying to sit on me, and then fights break out. When the other two aren't fighting for my attention, they're hiding and won't come out...

I feel like a tool for trying to re-home them, and I'm scared of splitting them up because they've been together for over a decade, but I don't know what else to do. I firmly believe you adopt a pet for life and accept responsibility for them. But I never chose to have three pets. If I can find them each a loving home, do you think they'll be okay if they have to separate? I'll try to find a home to take both of them, but I'm not sure that will happen. My mummy loved her fur babies and I want what's best for them. I just don't think I can provide it...

 

[NHdisneylover]

I have never had two cats at atime to know how they might do at being seperated.
I just want to say I cannot imagine that anyone will flame you for this at all. I have followed several of your recent threads and you have handle an awful lot of very difficult things with grace, compassion and dignity. Your question is very valid and i think it is wonderful that you are trying to find out the best possible thing to do with the cats. I do hope someone who can give you some answers posts soon. In the meantime, perhaps you can call the vet, or the humane society and get their opinions.

 

[okeydokey]

If you can find a home for them either together or apart, I say this is the best option. Please be aware that trying to place older or elderly pets is extremely difficult.

 

[mumom95]

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I need some advice, so I'm going to ask anyway. My mummy had two cats, both older now (15 and 13 now, I think). Now that she's gone, I guess they're my cats. I have one cat of my own and I'm not sure what to do.

Initially, I thought I'd keep them. But that really won't work. I'm not planning on staying in Canada and am not prepared to travel with three cats, particularly two senior cats. (I will be taking Molly, my cat, and adopted her with the knowledge of this. Traveling with a pet is not cheap!) I also am not prepared for the eventual vet bills. Again, I fully accepted all financial responsibility for the life span of Molly, but was not expecting my number of pets to triple... Lastly, mum's two cats are not receiving the attention they need. Molly has become an absolute suck and the other two are pining and crying and trying to sit on me, and then fights break out. When the other two aren't fighting for my attention, they're hiding and won't come out...

I feel like a tool for trying to re-home them, and I'm scared of splitting them up because they've been together for over a decade, but I don't know what else to do. I firmly believe you adopt a pet for life and accept responsibility for them. But I never chose to have three pets. If I can find them each a loving home, do you think they'll be okay if they have to separate? I'll try to find a home to take both of them, but I'm not sure that will happen. My mummy loved her fur babies and I want what's best for them. I just don't think I can provide it...

Try and not feel bad about this. It sounds like you are trying to do what you can to help the two cats, and that is all anyone can ask for.

Put signs up at all the vets around, two cats, free to a good home, would be best if they could stay together (but can be seperated if absolutely necessary). Put adds in the paper, put them on craigslist (if they have that in Canada), post it on your facebook page, tell all your friends to mention it to all their friends. Just try the best you can at this point to find them a home. If after a little time, nothing comes of all of that, then you may have to consider a shelter. It may not be ideal, but if you've tried everything else, then you'll know it's your only option.

Good luck.

 

[Planogirl]

When my father suddenly died my mother decided to sell the house and move to Hawaii. My parents had two cats and a huge Collie. I was living at a place that didn't allow pets but took the two cats. I hid them as best I could until I could move. (I know, no flames please.) But how could I hide a large dog?

My mother found someone to take the dog and I always wonder what became of him. My father absolutely adored that dog and I know that it would have broken his heart if he had known.

I mention this only to advise you to carefully think about how you will feel later on. Make sure that you won't have regrets and feel guilty at any point. (You shouldn't!) I agree that tripling your pets is difficult and see nothing wrong with you finding a home for them. One thing, I know that in our area not all shelters accept older pets.

Good luck with this, I know it's very hard.

 

[WizardLarz]

Check with animal shelters in the area. Maybe they can recomend some options for you.

 

[FINFAN]

Hi again Ember
This is a tough situation I am going thru something similar right now. We have to takae my parents Bichon Frise ( we already have one of our own) as my mom will be moving up here in the next 2 months and cannot have a dog at the assisted living place she plans to move into. My concern is if they do not get along which is entirely possible and my moms dog is as spoiled as they come where ours is not allowed in the bedrooms, on the couch etc. Ours eats only dry dog food, theirs eats posh table food...a lot!
I digress...anyway, can you try your vet to see what they suggest? I know the thought of a shelter is not good and I totally understand wanting to keep them together. I also agree with the expense tripling, I am freaking out over doubling ( Her pup has cost over $4000 in medical in the last 3 years) ours...perhaps there is a type pf pet adoption agency/ Again maybe your vet can steer you in the right direction. Sorry , not of much help, just know where you are coming from.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have no advice, just a ...

 

[yoopermom]

Do you have any no kill shelters near you? There is one near us that (for a sizeable donation) takes in quite a few pets left behind by death like this, and gives them a pretty decent rest of life. Not the same as being in a private home, but better than being put down, obviously.

No flames, just hugs.

Terri

 

[Disney Doll]

I would try to rehome tham together. I think if you split them up, they'd probably be very traumatized. Obviously, as a last resort, you might need split them, but I'd try to play on some cat lover's sympathies to take them both.

Start with friends and family that knew your mother. Co-workers, neighbors, your vet, her vet, other area vets. My nephew is a vet, and often they have an "office cat" or two...they live at the office and are sort of "everyone's" cat. He has also been known to adopt a pet that no longer has an owner if he becomes aware of it...

My last resort would probably be craigslist because I just always worry that you are virtually giving the cat to a stranger. I'd prefer to have some sort of "connection" between the person that gets the cats and I, if I could...

 

[Shyvioletisme]

Do you have any no kill shelters near you? There is one near us that (for a sizeable donation) takes in quite a few pets left behind by death like this, and gives them a pretty decent rest of life. Not the same as being in a private home, but better than being put down, obviously.

No flames, just hugs.

Terri

I agree with this...we have a great no kill shelter in our town that will take older pets and give them an amazing rest of life if they can't adopt them out...I would look around and see if one of those exists in your area.

 

[2Eskiedogs]

Maybe try the vet office that they went to, to see if you could put flyers up. Being that they have been together so long, I would first try to keep them together if possible. If the vet staff is familiar with them, that would know their health history. Otherwise try the humane society, to see if they have any ideas. You do have people that are looking for an older animal.

As long as they are healthy, no litterbox issues, and friendly that would help their chances of getting a new home. As a last resort, you could put an ad in the paper. Good luck.

 

[minniebeth]

I can't imagine how difficult this is for you. It's ok to want to find options for the cats~I have seen two older cats be split apart, and it was not a good situation, so if there is any option of trying to keep them together, that would be ideal. Like others said, even a shelter may be a good option.
In the meantime, is there a shelter or organization by you that could help you provide food, shelter (while you travel) and even assistance with vet bills while you find them a home? I know there are a few by us that provide that type of assistance.
Even a lot of our Girl Scout troops help to collect pet food for shelters and food pantries.
Best wishes with a hard situation~

 

[nmmom95]

Talking to your vet may be your best option. As others have suggested, a no-kill shelter is a good last resort. I wish you all the best. I know you are dealing with so much right now.

 

[MIGrandma]

I completely understand you not wanting 3 housecats. Could you put an advertisement in your local paper? Or put up notices at the post office, restaurants, etc. A lot of places here (including the post office) have bulletin boards where people put up notices like that.

My Mom has an indoor cat, and I don't know what I would do with her cat if she were to pass away. I'm hoping, of course, that she outlives the cat. But if she doesn't, I know that I wouldn't want to bring her to my home. She is a very anti-social cat. She's affectionate with Mom but runs and hides when anyone comes to visit. I already have an indoor cat, so wouldn't want to bring her around my cat either. I would probably ask family first if anyone wanted to take her in, then I would resort to the advertisement in the paper and putting up notices.

Good luck to you, in finding homes for the cats.

 

[kacaju]

when my aunt died i took her two cats. My mom took one and I kept the other I already had 3 cats and 5 was just too much. My mom had two so we split them up. They did fine, but that was because they didn't like each other too much!!!

This is actually a good reminder to anyone who has pets... you need to make sure your pets will be provided for if you go before them.

 

[Gigi22]

Ember, from reading your email, I am going to assume that you are still visiting Canada now. If so, I suggest you contact the closest Humane Society and see if they have a program for the adoption of older pets, or ask for any suggestions they may have. If you have access to your mom's will, she may have put in provisions concerning the care of any pets she might have at her death (DH and I have provisions about our pets included in our will, and we are in our mid-50s). Alternately, have you contacted any of your mom's friends, or other nearby family members concerning her pets?

 

[Ember]

Ember, from reading your email, I am going to assume that you are still visiting Canada now. If so, I suggest you contact the closest Humane Society and see if they have a program for the adoption of older pets, or ask for any suggestions they may have. If you have access to your mom's will, she may have put in provisions concerning the care of any pets she might have at her death (DH and I have provisions about our pets included in our will, and we are in our mid-50s). Alternately, have you contacted any of your mom's friends, or other nearby family members concerning her pets?

I actually live in Canada, so there's no huge rush. I'm not in anxious to be rid of them, I just want them to have a good home. If it takes a while, that's okay.

I've been in contact with a shelter, but they have declined to take them due to their age. She does have the name of a sanctuary she's going to send me, and I'm also going to contact a condo complex that houses people with disabilities (also at the suggestion of the shelter). They are such gentle fur babies that they would be wonderful with anyone who wanted a lap cap, just to sit and purr and love them.

I've also put a query out on Facebook, but I doubt anything will come of that.

 

[dakcp2001]

Could there be any family, friends or friends of your mum that would take them? Elderly pets are great companions for elderly people who live alone. As a nursing student, I have got to tell you, there are quite a few visiting nurses and home health personel that end up taking the pets! Might be worth a try to ask if there was anyone visiting with your mum. Any neighbors? Who was the cat sitters for vacations? Best of luck to you!

 

[DMRick]

We run into this with our rescue group, more times than we wish. We don't have a shelter, just foster homes, so we can't take them when people call. What we do offer to do, is list them on PetFinder under our name, and on our website. We ask for write-ups, and pictures and we put the phone number of the person who owns them in, and there is a note saying we are doing this as a courtesy, and these are not connected to our group. Each and every time the cats we have done this for, have gotten homes. People have been great at taking two, (even older ones) if that was what we requested. See if you have a rescue group in your area who will do the same for you.
Good luck!