Seeking a good home for my cats :(

[Anonymous]

It breaks my heart to do it, but I need to find a new home for my two cats. Between the new baby and the new apartment, and the time, energy, and expenses each requires - it's all gotten to be too much.

Both cats turn 10 in February, and I've had them since they were baby kittens. They're wonderful cats, I'm just too overwhelmed to deal with them anymore.

Walt is the lover, the lap cat. He loves nothing more than curling up with you on the couch, and a nosh on a nice pot of cat grass. He's also a Type II diabetic and gets insulin twice a day. (Don't be spooked - the shots are very, very simple to give, and he's accustomed to them.) http://www.catster.com/cats/58457

Duncan is the fighter, and for the most part is happiest being left well enough alone. But make no mistake, when it's time to go to bed, he's the first one there. He also goes crazy for catnip. http://www.catster.com/cats/58462

I'd prefer to keep them together, but will separate them if necessary. I will provide you with their covered litter box, two very nice wheeled carriers, a full bottle of insulin and a supply of needles (along with instructions and a demonstration on how to use them), a bag of food and their automatic feeder.

If you or anyone you know would consider taking them in, I'd be eternally grateful. I'm also open to any advice/suggestions (excluding the pound or putting them down). We're moving into the new apartment in mid-February, so ideally I'd like to nail down a new home before then.

I'll try to check back here, but I'm more easily reached at [e-mail].

[Anonymous]

Absolutely awful.

[Anonymous]

OMG. I don't even know what to say. This is just too heartbreaking that you are looking to discard 2 elderly cats, one of whom is diabetic, who have been your companions for their entire lives. They are YOUR responsibility. You chose to have a baby and live where you live knowing you had this responsibility. If you are overwhelmed, try anything and everything else before you get rid of 2 family members. Talking to friends, moving, cutting back on other expenses, counseling, whatever. This is truly awful.

[Anonymous]

Good luck -- I can tell you love your cats very much and you must feel very overwhelmed to be looking for a new home for them. I don't know how old your baby is right now, but just wanted to suggest that if your baby is still feeling "new," you may want to wait to see how you feel when things get a bit less crazed. I've got two cats (who are not welcoming to strangers, so I can't help you out with a home for yours, I'm sorry to say), and for several months after my son was born, I really felt like I was not providing them with enough love and attention (and like any time I did spend with them was time that I wasn't spending sleeping, which I was desperate to do...). My son's now 14 months old and it's certainly not easy, but it has gotten much, much better. And the cats even provide some needed entertainment and distraction for my son (when I need to empty the dishwasher, I can get my son to follow one of the cats around by sending the cat chasing a ball, and sometimes nothing stops my son from crying faster than holding the cat's "fishing" toy along with me and watching as the cats leap in response to what my son is doing). Give it a chance for things to calm down -- I think it'll be tough for cats this age and this attached to you to settle with another family, however loving, so even if you're not able to give them all that you'd like right now, they are probably still happier in the long run if they can stay with you until things calm down.

[Anonymous]

Let me be another voice saying that I hope you give this some time. You are in a very transitional state right now. I hope you do not end up regretting that you solved your feeling of being overwhelmed by giving up your cats. Six months from now, when you have settled into a much better groove, you may deeply regret it and realize how unnecessary it was.

[Anonymous]

Get a grip people. Obviously the OP loves her cats, as she has taken care of them for years, even giving one of them shots!! Who are you to judge her?? She has different priorities and responsibilities now and finds it to be too much - things change and she is looking for a good home, not tossing the cats into the streets to fend for themselves. These are CATS not family members. There is nothing wrong with the OP trying to find a good new home for her cats. I believe in treating animals humanely. On the other hand, to crucify the OP for this is ridiculous. GET A GRIP!!!

OP, I hope you find a loving home. Sorry, but I cannot take the cats. I think unfortunately it will be difficult for you to find a new home for them, given their age, and the special needs, but I do hope it all works out.

[Anonymous]

I think it will be very difficult to find a home for these cats. If you offer to continue to cover the cost of medicine/vet bills you might have a better chance. It's a lot to take on.

[Anonymous]

This is the reality: No one . . . will take these cats. I'm sorry to say this but after years (pre baby) doing rescue, I can say this pretty definitively (unless you know someone personally). There are kittens/young adults who can't even get adopted. You have elderly cats, one of whom has a lifelong illness (requiring medical costs and shots for the duration of kitty's life). The costs alone will deter people. The shelter I used to volunteer with started urging people to just have the cats (and sometimes dogs) euthanized b/c it is going to be more stressful for the animals --esp. elderly ones used to a certain standard of living -- to be in a shelter.

OP, it is hard for me not to be judgmental on this issue b/c this is a familiar tune and many animals lose their homes for this reason. To me, personally, it is not a good one as you took on this responsibility for the duration of their lives. They didn't choose you. I know how the tone of what I just said sounds in black and white on a screen. And, I don't mean it to sound how it comes off.

That being said, may I suggest that you give it some more time? I have 2 dogs/2 cats. The early weeks I thought would do me in. Some days it is still a chore. But, it does get easier with time. If not, go through a qualified rescue. DO NOT post "free to good home" as people troll those adds to find "bait" animals for dog fights and to sell to medical labs. Also a sad fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Who are you to judge her?? She has different priorities and responsibilities now and finds it to be too much - things change and she is looking for a good home, not tossing the cats into the streets to fend for themselves. T

It's OK to judge people who push away living, sentient animals that you've made an implicit commitment to when it all gets to be "too much." Especially when the odds are that they'll be euthanized or, best case, live in a cage at a no-kill shelter. Anyone who's worked with feline adoption and reading this knows that the chances for these geriatric cats -- one of whom has a chronic disease -- knows that their chances for finding a new home are low.

Yes we certainly can support her attempts for trying, but we're also free to think her choice sucks. I hope she's successful.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I certainly appreciate the support you've given to a completely overwhelmed woman and new mother. You really needn't chime in with another post about how much I suck and what a terrible pet owner I am as though I don't already feel like dirt for even considering this option. I get it. I am also tired, and frazzled, and stretched too thin, and giving as much as I can to as many people as I can, and always falling short in one arena or another. So thank you, thank you for piling on. Your helpful suggestions of ways to get through this trying time are appreciated.

Odds are they will stay with me, because as I clearly stated above, a shelter is out of the question.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm sorry you're frazzled and stretched thin. Everyone on this board --me in particular as I as a VERY overwhelmed new mom w/ no help a few months ago-- knows what that feels like and that is why some of us suggested giving it some time to see if things improve (they will). I just think that not only is the idea bad for the cats but, in the end, YOU will regret it as well. You obviously love them. Hope it works out for you, if you're still reading.

[Anonymous]

I cried every day for months after DS was born, I was completely overwhelmed. I PROMISE it gets better. Have you read Mother Shock by Andrea Buchanan? It really spoke to me.

I barely looked at my beloved kitty after DS was born.
I felt guilty for a while but now my kids ADORE him and he has actually diffuses tantrums just by walking in the room.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

So sorry things are overwhelming. When my baby was two months old, I swear it could have been me writing your post. I was convinced that I had not one drop more to give to anyone--including my two cats. Things did settle down and I starting sleeping more and getting more help from my husband. My one cat has since died from liver failure, but we still have the other. My 3 year old loves our kitty and I am so glad it all worked out. The first six months were hard for me. Things will get easier and you'll learn new ways to make the routine work.

But I agree with other posters--its very doubtful anyone would adopt 10 year old cats. I love cats and am looking for a second to share my home and I would never consider an elderly cat.

Hoping you are doing better!

[Anonymous]

OP, I feel for you! I think many of us can sympathize with your feelings of being overwhelmed after a new baby.

Is there anyone locally who can give you a hand with either the baby or the cats? Maybe watch the baby for you while you take a nap or try to relax? If you can get back to near equilibrium, I bet your sense of perspective will get clearer and you'll feel better.

I'd be happy to meet you at Tyson's Corner playland or a coffeeshop for a momchat! Good luck and please don't consider a shelter for those kitties - they will be very hard to place, and I bet things will settle down for you personally very soon.

[Anonymous]

Mine was the 19:10 post. I'm so sorry if it came across as mean or rude. I just know where you have been. I cried almost every day until my daughter was six months old and sleeping through because I felt so overwhelmed and even disassociated from my former organized self. I only mean to encourage you to hang in there.

Like one of the other posters, if I knew you personally, I would come over, clean your house for a couple hours, have a momchat, cuddle with your kitties, cook a meal, or watch your baby for a couple hours so you could go the gym or have your hair done. (It's so easy when you get 8 hours sleep a night. It will be for you too.)

Do you live in Silver Spring/Mo Co....please let me know.