A Serious Question, I Need Your Input Please!

[catmandu]

MY DEAR AUNT JOAN SUGGESTED THAT IF I PREDECEASE MY OLDER CATS, MICHAEL, AND PRINCESS 16, JOSEPH 13 AND BO BO 13, THAT I SHOULD HAVE THEM PTS, AS IT WOULD BE CRUEL FOR THEM TO TRY AND ADJUST TO THE LIFE IN PAMPERED FELINE WHERE THEY WOULD BE WITH STRANGERS AND CAGED AT LEAST PART OF THE DAY.
BUT I THINK THT THEY WOULD BE ALL RIGHT AND THEY DO HAVE OUTDOOR RUNS AND THE PEOPLE THERE ARE CAT LOVERS.
I CANT SEE HAVING THEM PTS IF THEY ARE STILL HEALTHY.
I WONDER WHAT THE POOR PORCH CATS WOULD DO???
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/cat%20photos%202/cats1011497.jpg
YOUR OPINIONS PLEASE!

[cassiesmom]

If it should ever come to that, heaven forbid, I think there will be people tripping over each other trying to care for your cats. Your shoes are awfully gi-normous to fill, though so don't let's think about that happening any time soon.

[jenluckenbach]

At 16 and 13 years old, I would not be worrying about YOU predeceasing them.

Now, add the fact that your cats are all very bonded. I say that as long as they have each other, they could make the transition OK.

I will add though, that I know of people who have cats that this WOULD be the correct plan of action. Semi-ferals, for example, cats who have only learned to trust their one and only human, would probably have a very difficult time adjusting.

So in your case.....NO, but there are cases where I would suggest differently.

[Freedom]

i agree with Jen. All you indoor cats are bonded and as long as they stay together, the younger ones will pull the older ones along and help with the transition. I wouldn't worry about it.

The porch cats? Would the rescue group which helps you with them now take over their care?

A friend of mine has a feral colony just now that we are working to relocate. The caretaker died unexpectedly; she was found dead in her home in mid October. Her only living relative is her deceased husband's brother. He has made it clear to us that the cats must go. :rolleyes: We will trap them, relocate them, keep them confined for 2 weeks in the new location so they get used to the sounds, sights and smells, then release them. The hard part is not trapping them; it is finding a place where they can go. We are working on it.

[G535]

If they're going to be together they should be ok. If they have to be separated then you would have to really think about how it's going to affect them and try to come to the right decision.

I would not have let my Finnigan go to someone else as he was always just my cat only. My new cat is a totally different critter, he loves everyone, he even likes going to the vet.

[Emeraldgreen]

Last year I typed up written instructions along with photographs of each my cats just in case something happened to us (car accident or whatever). All of my cats do not get along so I wrote a page for each cat and wrote down who they got along with and who they want to kill (i.e. my cat George wants to murder my cat Jimmy for some reason and they can never be in the same room, ever) and if they were particularily close to another cat, (my cat Tiny would be lost without my other cat Teenie) if they could somehow be adopted out together. I also included a few lines regarding the health and age of each cat and what meds if any that they are on and what food they eat. I even wrote down some of the endearing things about each cat in the hopes that it would help them if they ever needed to find new homes. For my cat Stinky, I put that her favorite thing on the planet is a little tiny stuffed bear in a ladybug suit and that she often carries it around in her mouth making a meowling sound for a few minutes each day. I figured, how could someone resist her if they knew that! :)
Maybe you could put something like that together. I felt so relieved after I did this because I felt like at least now, a shelter would have a good idea of who is who and what they're personalities are like and who should not be adopted out by themselves etc.. I also included the names of a few friends who happen to be partial to a few of our cats and I put their phone numbers and addresses and requested that they be contacted and given first dibs. :)
Of course, I hope that you and I both outlive our cats so we can rescue even more of them down the road!

[Medusa]

in your case.....NO, but there are cases where I would suggest differently.

I agree w/this, albeit reluctantly, because the idealist in me says that every cat deserves a chance. They are, after all, wild creatures but we've domesticated them and now they must pay the price if they can't adapt. My uncle passed away leaving behind 6 cats and they were all rescues who bonded to him only so, sadly, they were PTS.

[moosmom]

Like Emeraldgreen, I have a Will that has very specific instructions when it comes to my cats, who they go with, making it perfectly clear that Maya Linn and Mollie Rose MUST stay together (although I doubt Mollie Rose will be around since she's going to be 15).

Gary, you're gonna live FOREVER, dude.

[Laura's Babies]

We had a elderly friend that had cancer and knew it would kill him. He had no family, except for his lovely, 14 year old Cat, Jenny. He had it written that she was to be PTS when he died. We talked him out of doing that, promising him she would have more years ahead and we would look after her because we loved her already. He agreed so when he died, he left Jenny and his house to my friend so Jenny got to stay in the only house she ever knew until her time to go came which was a few years later. She was buried in the back yard of the only home she ever knew..

If you only had someone who could move in and take over your hotel for you, that would be the perfect answer for them. I agree with everyone else, as close as they all are, I think they will be fine as long as they have each other and a place to pile.

I'd like to leave my house to mine and some money for their care. I think they would be alright here in the only home they have known with someone to take care of them. I don't think they would like it anywhere else.

However, I would want Boo PTS IF they couldn't stay here after all she has already been through because it would take someone so very, very special to take her and understand. I do question how Samantha would be with someone else because she is so devoted to me. It would also take someone understanding and special to take Amy but they JOY they would get from her will amaze them. I think Giz wouldn't care as long as she had her TOYS with her.

[Medusa]

Another thought here: sometimes we humans let our egos get in the way. Cats do fine w/out us, as much as they love us and are close to us and bond w/us and all that good stuff, they still do fine w/out us. It's we who need them emotionally, not the other way around. Yes, they do need someone to care for them and provide them w/food, shelter, the basics. So many of us here on PT are/were involved in rescue and we see how badly animals can be treated and how they come around after some love and good vet care are administered. However, I think we underestimate our feline friends in their adaptability and we overestimate what we mean to them.

[catmandu]

I HAVE MY LAWYER WHO IS AN EXPERT ON PETS AND WILLS, SO EVERYTHINGS SET UP THAT WAY. I ACTUALLY HAVE JUST REALIZED THAT IF THERE ARE OLDER CATS, THEN THEY SHOULD BE THERE TO HELP THE YOUNGER CATS ADJUST. IT WOULD BE A LOT HARDER ON THEM TO COPE WITH NOT ONLY MY LOSS, BUT THIER COMPANIONS AS WELL.
I KNOW JANICE WOULD COME AROUND TO HELP THE PORCH CATS AS MY HOTEL WOULD NEED SOME WORK BEFORE IT WAS SOLD. SHE MIGHT EVEN KNOW A PET LOVER WHO I COULD SELL THE HOME TO SO THAT THE HUNGRY WOULD NEVER GO AWAY WITHOUT A FULL TUMMY.
THIS MIGHT BE JUMPING THE GUN, BUT I LIKE TO BE PREPARED!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.
MOOSE 2 SAYS MMMMEEEOOOOWWWW!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/cat%20photos%202/cats1011499.jpg

[Medusa]

Hey, Gary, it's better to be prepared than to, God/dess forbid, something would happen and your cats would be left to fend for themselves. Yes, they're adaptable but it still would be unfortunate. You're thinking ahead and thinking of someone other than yourself, which is becoming a rarity nowadays.

[KitCat]

Try to find a way to have a guardian or some no kill shelter to take cats. they could still be happy and well.

[jennielynn1970]

My grandfather had left arrangements for his cats in his will. He didn't leave much of anything to his family (which was fine by me), but he made sure that his cats were taken care of.

[Catsnclay]

We have several no-kill shelters around who make up wills and such for this very purpose. Not only do they take in your animals, but they also have a sheet for you to fill out their names (with a current picture) and their habits, likes & dislikes, medication and who their best buddy is (another animal or stuffed), just like Emeraldgreen did (great idea BTW- it is good for the fire or police if there is need for them).


Of course this does cost, but it eases your mind knowing that 'IF' something happens to you, your babies will be well taken care of.

I am associated with one shelter, and this weekend is their annual Cat/Artists show.

There is all sorts of different cat art, paintings, jewlery and anthing related to cats and the shelter gets 50% of what is sold! :D

This year I made a whole bunch of stoneware dishes - let's hope they all sell so we can raise some money for the shelter!!

It is a really nice show and we have had really good press and people at the last ones........it is suposed to rain this weekend, and most of the show is outside, so cross your fingers & paws it doesn't rain on opening day!

[phesina]

I'm in the process of writing a new will right now, and I am trying to answer some of these same questions.

My attorney and I are putting together a trust with the primary purpose of attending to the needs of my cats for the rest of their lives. When they are finally gone (of natural causes after long, healthy, happy lives, of course), then whatever is left (if anything) is to be divided among several non-profit charitable organizations, most of which care for cats, of course. I'm still trying to decide just which organizations and what percentage for each.

In the will itself, I'll make specific bequests. The lawyer advised putting organizations that might not last long here, because it's easier to change a will than a trust. I have no human descendants, so aside from a good chunk to my sister and token bequests to my two nephews, I'll give more money to more deserving cats.

My sister will be my executor and will see that my cats are looked after, but I don't know if she could take them herself. And if anything happened to her, I don't really know anyone to be backup or who will agree to take them. My sister knows someone who says she will take them, so she's possible but I haven't met her or talked with her about it yet.

I wish there was an organization like you describe, Catsnclay, around here.. especially one that would have a Cat/Artists show! As far as I know, there isn't. I think the shelter I work at would take them, though they don't have a program set up to do wills or contracts for that purpose. And since the shelter is funded primarily by the wealthy couple who began it and own it, if anything happened to them the shelter could become history.

Lots of things to track down and figure out and make decisions over.. but I really want to get this set up as well as possible!

Pat

[catmandu]

THE PAMPERED ELINE IS A BOARING FACILITY , A GOOD ONE AND WITH MY LEGACY MY SURVIVING FOUND PARADISE HOTEL CATS WILL ALL LIVE IN THE LAP OF LUXURY AND WILL BE INDEED PAMPERED FELINES.
PLEASE LOOK UP PAMERED FELINE, BEAMSVILLE ONTARIO AND I THINK THAT YOU WILL THINK I MADE A WHISE CHOICE.
I HAVE BEEN THERE AND THE FACILITIES ARE FIRST RATE.
AND WE WILL VISIT TO SEE THAT THEY ARE HAPPY CATS, UNTIL WE ARE ALL REUNITED.
ONE FINE DAY.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/cat%20photos%202/cats1011512.jpg

[phesina]

Thanks for the information about the Pampered Feline, Gary. I just looked it up with Mapquest. It's about 250 miles away from me, which is much closer than another wonderful place in Ringoes, New Jersey named Tabby's Place: A Cat Sanctuary (http://www.tabbysplace.org), which is about 600 miles away.

Tabby's Place runs a "Guardian Angel Program" which agrees to provide a home for life for each cat delivered to it pursuant to the agreement. It is NOT cheap: $15,000 per cat ("Note that lifetime care for many felines may exceed this amount.").

Would the Pampered Feline set up such an arrangement for others besides you and your cats, Gary? Cats from outside the Hamilton area? Foreign cats? I looked them and the Animal Welfare Association up on the web (http://awa.xux.net/PetServices/PamperedFeline.html) but didn't find anything about such a program.

Catsnclay, you said the shelter you are associated with does this. Do you know if there is any blanket organization for these places? I'd like to find out if there are any nearer to me. Does your shelter have a web site? I'd love to look at it and see what they do (also see anything from Cats/Artists that might be there!).

More than anything else, I want my will to GUARANTEE that any of my cats surviving me will be taken care of for life.

Thanks, folks.

Pat

[catmandu]

I Am Not Sure About American Cats And The Pampered Feline , But Iw Ill Ask. This Arrangement Is Being Set Up By My Attorney Who Also Works With The Animal Welfare Association , And Maybe Because I Have Close Ties With Them.
I Will Ask Though, But You May Have To Stay In The Usa As They May Not Be Able To Bring Your Cats Over The Border.

[phesina]

Thanks, Gary.

[catfamily]

I know a lot of cases where older cats...even some middle aged cats that stop eating...refusing to eat because they were so bonded with their owner.
Hopefully they go to someone who knows how much love is needed for this transition.
Lots and lots of love.

[catmandu]

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT CARLA!!
I NEVER THOUGHT THAT AS MUCH AS MY CATS LOVE ME, THAT THEY WOULD STOP EATING.
I THINK THEY WOULD I HOPE MISS ME, BUT THE ANGELS AND I WOULD VISIT AND REMIND THEM TO EAT EAT EAT.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/th_1c2656e5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/?action=view&current=1c2656e5.pbr)
WE WOULD BRING KITTY BAGS TO ENTICE THEM AND THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR JANCICE TO BRING THEM FOODS THAT THEY CANNOT RESIST.