Time For Us To Move On
@newzealtralian (3930)
Australia
June 28, 2009 11:13pm CST
A few years ago, we were forced to give up our 3 cats. Ok, so we could have taken them with us when fleeing from a nasty landlord, but we were moving to a pokey caravan where we couldn't see them being happy, so we surrendered them to the local animal welfare league. and believe me, I have cried bucket loads of tears since (and still do 6 years on). I'm not the kind of person who takes on an animal, and just gives them up, so things were very bad for the decision to be made.
Any way, 6 years on and we are living in a house that is guaranteed to be ours for the next 10 years, and I am finally over beating myself up for giving up our other cats. The plan now, is to take our time and find a kitten through our local animal shelter (or maybe 3?). No rush, no pressure, just looking for the right one.
I've actually dreamt about what type of kitten I am to get. It is fluffy (but not long haired), grey and full of personality. Now, I just have to buy all the things required for housing a cat (it will be mostly an indoor cat) and keep my eyes out for the one in my dreams.
Anyone like to share their stories of having to give up a pet? Or maybe finding the perfect kitten from an animal shelter? Include pictures if you like, because I'd like to meet the kittens/cats that got a second chance.
2 people like this
7 responses
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
29 Jun 09
my house is FULL of cats, some of whom are looking for that second chance! Some have found that second chance here. Sure, there are some that are higher on my list of favorites than others, but what can I say, I'm known to pet any that will accept my pets and even try to pet those who don't!
2 people like this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
1 Jul 09
Yes, I do wonder how on earth you manage to move at your place! LOL. 3 was more than enough for a 1 bedroom flat, but they were happy enough and never went outside if the door was left open by mistake (a very rare thing to happen). They had their birds to guard and my bed to keep warm. I was even able to train them to sit in a row for special treats.
Now they are gone, I am hoping to give second chances to other cats, and possibly enter into a foster care program for kittens too. Our family would be perfect for it as part of the program is making sure kittens are child friendly.
I'm hoping by christmas, I will be completely ready for another kitten/cat, though whether a kitten/cat is ready for my 5 kids is another story! lol.
Thanks for adding the photo of some of your cats.
2 people like this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
I understand. I still cry too, even while writing this discussion and responding to it.
The other day, I found their cat collars and tags, and am now thinking of reserving part of my (under construction garden) as a memory corner for all my pets, but especailly them as I was very close with them.
2 people like this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
29 Jun 09
i'm so sorry to hear about your story... i never have to abandoned a pet before and so far i only had one dog in the past to be my pet... good luck in looking for another kitten from the shelter... hopefully you will get the kitten of your dream... i never do it before as well... so i don't know the process... please share with us the picture of your new kitten once you got it... take care and have a nice day...
2 people like this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
1 Jul 09
Thank you. I hope you never have to give up your pets. I will be looking for the perfect cat/kitten. I've already got the type in mind.
The process of pet adoption is pretty easy. You go and have a look, they recommend the best ones suited to your needs, family and home and once you have the match, you pay and take your new bundle of trouble home with you! LOL.
In Australia, all cats that are adopted from animal shelters are desexed when you buy them, even if they are only 12 weeks old (which is the earliest age of sale). That cost is factored into the price of buying the animal, but still worth it. We will probably be spending about $180 australian for a cat, but it costs that much to buy one from a pet shop and then have it desexed later any way.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
1 Jul 09
I am sorry dear at the same time very much excited to see your dream come true. Keep on looking. I once had a long association with a small puffy dog. It belonged to my neighbour but she was more comfortable with me and i was with her. We had to part when they changed their house to a different city. I really used to miss her. Then again, they came back to the city I was living and we became neighbour again and guess what she was still the sweetest thing ever! But since all good things have to come to an end, we had to part. She left us. I still miss her.
2 people like this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
1 Jul 09
Thank you. Yes, it is very exciting to think that I will have a lap baby again that will actually just sit there and sleep! I'm hoping that the perfect one will be there after Christmas, as that is when the RSPCA here has the most animals surrendered to them (unwanted pets etc).
It sounds like you had a very special pond with the neighbours dog. At least you didn't have bad neighbours, which is always nice.
1 person likes this
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
29 Jun 09
I've never been in the situation were I've been forced to give up a cat like that and I can imagine that it'd be extremely hard for me to do that - if not impossible. I have, in the past, been living in situations were it would have been difficult or impossible for me to have a cat, but now I'm living in a house that is a secure home for both me and my cats, (Four cats) and the only reason that the cats'd end up in a rehoming shelter now, is that I myself will have passed on.
2 people like this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
1 Jul 09
It was truly the hardest thing I've ever had to do, especially with the looks people were giving me as I was handing them over. I felt like I was a bad person, and i couldn't look anyone in the eyes (except my partner) for what seemed like a lifetime.
I hope you are never in the situation of having to give your pets up, as it is very hard to do. It isn't something you expect to have to do, but you never know. For us, having a landlord that was threatening us and only gave us 12 hours to move (the courts didn't want to protect us either), it was the only choice as I knew they would never be safe or happy in a caravan, and we had a baby on the way too, so had to think of that little bundle as well.
You enjoy your precious furry little angels. I'm sure they make for excellent hot water bottles in the middle of winter. I know ours did.
1 person likes this
@ronacruz2007 (650)
• Philippines
29 Jun 09
i have a heart for dogs and cats really. i dont want to see cats astray or uncared i get sad so it is very nice to know that there is someone who really cares for them. Right just look for a cat that would really mean to you.
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
1 Jul 09
I don't like seeing stray animals either. About 10 years ago, I was catching feral kittens and changing them to cats that were happy to be kept as pets. I did this for about 12 kittens, and they all found loving homes.
I will wait for the right cat, or us humans here might end up living in our car
I love cats and would have them all if I could!LOL.
Dogs are great too...only problem is, training them. I am not the best at puppy training, especially when said puppy is no bigger than your foot! LOL
I love cats and would have them all if I could!LOL.
Dogs are great too...only problem is, training them. I am not the best at puppy training, especially when said puppy is no bigger than your foot! LOL1 person likes this
@inkstainedheart (455)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I have only gotten one cat from a pet store. The rest have all fallen into our laps in one way or another.
The cat my family has now was abandoned in a parking lot. He was very fluffy and looked like a baby skunk--we think he was abandoned by a breeder because although he had great coloring and very soft fur, he has polydactylism (extra toes on his paws--it's a mutation, so breeders cannot show or breed these cats). He's been one of the best cats we ever owned, and he's still doing well at 15 years!
The cat before was from a wild litter of kittens. Although she did try to climb the Christmas tree (twice), she ended up being a great pet. After having her for a decade, she was stolen by a guy in our neighborhood (and probably sold--many of our neighbors' pets disappeared, too).
I would strongly recommend getting a cat/kitten from the local shelter. They'll be grateful for the second chance, they come spayed/neutered and have all of their shots before you take them home, and they won't get put down because the shelter is too full.
Good luck in finding a cat!
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
That was the same for me. I bought one at the pet shop, and rescued another from a friend, and we kept one of her kittens too.
I can just imagine how cute your little 'baby skunk' looked, extra toes and all. The unusual tend to be quite endearing at times. 15 years and still going strong, I'm sure there are plenty more happy times yet.
Yes, a cat/kitten from the local shelter will appreciate a second chance. I dream that one day, I will have a property big enough that I can take the 'last chancer' cats, and let them live out their days in style. Not sure how I would staff it though.
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
1 Sep 09
There are plenty of people here on the dole who would be signed up in order to keep getting their payments. And then of course, the local disability services are always looking for placements for their clients.
1 person likes this
@inkstainedheart (455)
• United States
4 Jul 09
You could staff it with volunteers! Who wouldn't want to come and play/take care of cats? (especially kids/teenagers who can't have pets)
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