Moral Dilemma

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm having a real dilemma.

Very dear friends of ours, who have a great deal on their plate (3 kids under 9, 3 kitties, 25 chicks (as in egg producing), a bee hive, an organic garden for their catering business...) have an older kitty who we'll call Puss. He is 19 years old, showing some signs of age, but nothing serious. They want to put him down because there seem to be behavior problems in the younger kitties. Am I wrong in thinking this is cruel?

[Medusa]

It doesn't make sense to me. They want to have the old cat PTS b/c the younger cats are misbehaving?

[Freedom]

[lvpets2002]

Thats so Sad.. Well what I would have to ask them is == Hey if you are about to give birth to a new baby ,, then does this mean you will have your grandfather put to sleep??

[Catty1]

Is there any way you can 'poof' him, even with permission, and give him his own room at your place temporarily?

Poor guy - all he did was get older!

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

It is such a personal decision, deciding to euthanize...But if the cat is not ill...All I can say if it were mine, I'd provide him with his own room and spend as much time in there with him as I could. Let him finish living his life as King of His Room.

[Prairie Purrs]

This brings tears to my eyes. What I wouldn't give to have my kitties live to 19 or beyond! And what a horrible lesson for the children to teach them that they can just dispose of an older pet when it gets inconvenient.

[gini]

This brings tears to my eyes. What I wouldn't give to have my kitties live to 19 or beyond! And what a horrible lesson for the children to teach them that they can just dispose of an older pet when it gets inconvenient.

All I can do is echo Prairie Purr's thoughts. A kitty gives you 19 wonderful years - and this is your thanks?

[krazyaboutkatz]

This brings tears to my eyes. What I wouldn't give to have my kitties live to 19 or beyond! And what a horrible lesson for the children to teach them that they can just dispose of an older pet when it gets inconvenient.

I totally agree. I hope you can talk some sense into them or get the older cat into a much better loving home. Please keep us updated.

[pomtzu]

Ugh!!! Makes no sense at all. Just cruel and heartless IMO.

I would definitely view my "friendship" with this couple in a different light if I was in your position.

[Asiel]

Ugh!!! Makes no sense at all. Just cruel and heartless IMO.

I would definitely view my "friendship" with this couple in a different light if I was in your position.

My thoughts exactly. It's sad enough when you have to do it out of necessity without doing it for no good reason.

[Pinot's Mom]

I know, this is driving me crazy. I wish I could take Puss in myself, but that might be a death sentence in itself with Pinot's status. I hope either they back off this decision or the vet refuses. Puss is such a sweetie...

[Medusa]

Can you tell them about Pidgie who lived to be 21 1/2? Maybe that will change their minds. To be PTS b/c of old age is just plain heartless.

[Cataholic]

There is simply no way that I would be able to NOT discuss this with them, vehemently. I would point blank make my position known. And, my friendship would be strained, at best.

Have you said anything to them???

[Catty1]

If you know who their vet is...maybe you can give him/her a heads-up and say you will look for a home for this kitty. Or offer that to these 'friends'.

Maybe there is a seniors' home looking for a resident kitty. A senior kitty!

I just don't understand their mindset. SHEESH!