Why do I feel like a criminal? Very OT.
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| Wed, 12-28-2005 - 3:22am |
We have had four cats for about two and a half years. I will be 50 in February and have had cats and dogs my entire life. This is the first time I will ever be giving an animal away and I am so sad!
A little background: Our third cat was adopted from the pound as a kitten but was feral (wild). It took about a year before we could even reach down and pet her, and sometimes we still can't do that. Forget about picking her up--won't allow it, scratches and goes crazy. So, not the most affectionate of cats, but okay, cats are like people, they all have different personalities.
Enter our no. four kitten about 2.5 years ago. Cat no. 3 took an instant dislike to this kitten (although she got along with #1 and #2). We have been chasing #3 away from #4 all this time. She attacks him, scratches him, keeps him away from the food, and basically #4 has found a hidey-hole in the house and stays in there whenever we're all out. Also, we have just discovered that #3 is peeing and spraying all in front of the hidey-hole and it took me all day and night to clean the area (about 10 square feet) with four different kinds of disinfectants, etc. before we left for vacation. Whenever we go out of town, we have to board #3 at the kennel because we can't leave them together.
And #3 can open the doors in the house by hanging on the doorknobs, so we can't keep her in a separate room, and what kind of life is that anyway?
By the way, #4 is Supercat. Affectionate, intelligent, extremely sweet, loves everyone.
So, DH and I have made the very difficult decision to leave #3 at the kennel until we can contact the local pet placement agency tomorrow. DS (17) is pretty much devastated because of all the humans in the house, #3 is the most attached to him. And attached isn't a very good word for it, she "tolerates" him and sleeps on his bed as long as DS doesn't try to pet her. DH and I feel that if she is the only cat, she might take on a very different personality, and be the "queen." We feel #3 will be much happier in a different household. So, this is why I am up at 12:15 typing this. I can't stop feeling like I am betraying #3, and in some ways, DS.
There's really no other solution, and I am so tired of trying to keep #3 and #4 separated all day, and carrying #4 to the litter boxes and sitting while he does his business, so that #3 won't chase him away from the box. My office is in the basement of our house, and taking care of #4 is an all-day job because of #3.
We also have two dogs, and they are a piece of cake compared to this cat situation.
I'm sorry if I've bored everyone to pieces with this long post. I just feel so guilty.
Laura

Oh, I can feel your pain from here! It is so hard to give up on an animal, but at this point I don't know what else you can do. I don't suppose you can put cat #3 outside, can you? Previously being feral perhaps she would adjust?
I have an extra-toed siamese that sounds just like your cat. And she sprays, too! You've got the only other female cat that sprays that I know of! I would have loved for her to be an inside cat but she just couldn't adjust so now she lives outside with no problems.
Most cats will eventually accept a new cat in the home, but after 2.5 years it doesn't look like it will happen. Good luck with the placement agency. If I lived near you I'd take her. One more outside cat wouldn't be a problem around here, lol.
zz
I would LOVE to put her outside, but unfortunately we are in heavy coyote and owl territory. She wouldn't last one day. I even asked my DH about building a huge enclosure out of chain link (sort of like a batting cage) and he looked at me like I had lost my mind (the cost of heavy fencing ((coyotes are wily)) plus a roof, etc.). He had a good point--she would still somehow find a way out of there and then what.
I'm just going to bite the bullet and call the agency. Especially since DS is out of school until next week, so he'll have time to recover also.
It was so nice to come home yesterday and not do the "pee smell search." I have an extra-sensitive nose. I'll leave her at the kennel until I can take her straight to the agency.
Thanks for your support.
Laura