Which is worse?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

When we hear of a cat that has been booted outside for whatever reason, we say "How can those stupid people be so mean, especially when the cat is declawed?"

When we hear about a family dropping off a 10 year old cat at the shelter because of urinating problems or some such reason, we say "How can those stupid people be so mean as to just dump a family pet like that?

But my question is, which is worse? You have three choices, either the cat gets booted outside to fend for itself, the cat is brought to a high-kill shelter because none of the no-kill shelter's will take her or she is brought the vet and put to sleep.

The cat is a 10-11 year old female who has grown up with the family kids. They are heartbroken but dad says the cat must go because twice now she has peed in his bed. She is declawed and has always been an indoor cat.

Taking her to the vet to see if it's a UTI is not an option. Why you ask, because he doesn't believe that's what it is and isn't going to spend any more money on her to try and find out.

So, these are the options he has given, which do you choose? And yes, this is a real life situation with someone who is very important to me but who, sadly, I have very little influence over. :(

[jazzcat]

I think booting a declawed 10-11 year old cat outside is probably worse, especially if she has always been an indoor pet. At least at the shelter or vet she will be humanely put down but on her own she may be attacked by another animal, abused by a cruel person or hit by a car and suffer needlessly.

I wished you had more influence over this person.:(

[Logan]

So impossible for me to answer that I can't vote. :o

Given the choices, if it were me, I guess I have to choose allowing the cat outdoors, but I would only do it in a protected environment (a cat run, supervised trips outdoors, something......). Darn declawing! If the cat had it's claws, introducing it to the outdoors would be so much easier! Is there no way to try to find a home for this cat before taking the choice of the high kill shelter? Surely that can't won't be adopted, especially if the history of inappropriate wetting is disclosed!

This breaks my heart, Debbie. I know you feel the same way.

[moosmom]

ALL of the above!!!

[heinz57_79]

If it were up to me, I'd keep the cat and put the owner to sleep. :mad:

Suggestion: Can you offer to take the cat? They might be willing to give her to you. You can then take the cat to a no-kill shelter or to a rescue, or if you'd be willing, take it to a vet then find it a home. I realise the latter can be expensive, but it may be something simple that just requires anti-biotics.

Just an idea......

[CatMama78]

YUCK!!!! I cannot pick - it's all so awful. There has got to be a no kill shelter around that will take it! I guess if I HAD to pick, I'm talking there's a bullet at my head, then putting the kitty outside would be the worst option. Here's a thought, if they take it to the vet, perhaps the vet will not put it down without a fight to find someone. With all the animal lovers coming in and out of a vet office everyday, I bet one would adopt the cat.

[kimlovescats]

Gosh, talk about being between a rock and hard place!!! :(

Well, let's weigh the options ....

Being put outside .... if there were an enclosed area, cat run, or something of that nature, this would be best ... because she would still be near her family. :rolleyes: If she is an older cat, spayed and such ... hopefully she might not be one to roam, and therefore not prone to cat fights. But then there are the other animals .... big dogs, etc.... Hmmmm .........

Taken to a high-kill shelter .... older cat, not very good odds. She spends a given number of days in a cage, strange environment, scared and confused, only to be coldly PTS by a stranger. This I think is the worst fate for her ... possibly. :confused:

Taken to HER regular vet (assuming she has one) and being gently PTS by a caring and experienced person, with hopefully a kind and loving person loving and petting her during the process ... the best of 3 evils! :confused: :(

[PayItForward]

Debbie,

I would opt for a no-kill shelter, they must BE one near the cat.

[ramanth]

I can't vote.... :( How terribly sad and how horrible of the dad. :mad:

[lynnestankard]

What a terrible decision - couldn't a new home be found for the fur lady?
Otherwise I'd have to vote for a no-kill shelter - sorry it's the only way to go. I can't decide any other way. I didn't vote vote Debbie.

Lynne

[CatMama78]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom

The cat is a 10-11 year old female who has grown up with the family kids. They are heartbroken but dad says the cat must go because twice now she has peed in his bed. She is declawed and has always been an indoor cat.

I really do not understand this. The cat is 10/11. What did they expect as a cat ages? She's getting on in years and her body is responding. Pee in the bed doesn't equate to throwing away a precious life. I know you know this, but I'm just venting. Hmm maybe when Dad gets older and loses control of bladder function, his kids might be kind enough to put him away somewhere, leave him outside.

Do they have a family member that might take her? Or have they tried giving her to someone else, maybe taking out an add and doing some strict interviewing? The cat could still have a good 10 years+.

[Grace]

Originally posted by heinz57_79

If it were up to me, I'd keep the cat and put the owner to sleep. :mad:

I second this!

[DJFyrewolf36]

Originally posted by heinz57_79
If it were up to me, I'd keep the cat and put the owner to sleep. :mad:


Yep, what a jerk!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr wheres a fly swater when you need one?

If I knew this person, I'd probibly be so mad that I A couldn't make a choice and B Id prolly smack the crud out of em.

I know I have bad temper but yeesh!

[leslie flenner]

tell them to go ahead and throw out their pet and wish it good luck. Hide around the corner and pick her up. Then call authorities and charge them with "abandonment" under neglect/cruelty charges. Make sure you have the vets name so authorities can get paperwork proof that they are owners (rabies vaccine is proof of ownership). Let them ride out the consequences and send cat to me (or my friend there who lives in Aurora!). Please let us know what this is all about!

[catlady1945]

I vote for having Dad PTS.

[catcrazylady]

I can't vote either Debbie. Sorry but non of those options seem any good to me. There has got to be a no-kill shelter somewhere that she could be taken to. If it meant going a few extra miles then so be it. After being a great family pet for 10 years I think that would be the very least she would deserve.

Has anybody thought of closing the bedroom door?http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/mad.gif

If my life depended on making a decision I would have to go with Kim's scenario. My other question is...if they can afford the vet to have her put to sleep then why can't they afford a vet check for urinary problems?

I think I'm having so much trouble with this because I just can't imagine any relationship where one partner has that much control over the other. Yes, we all compromise and bend to keep peace but not when a life is at stake. At least not in my world and I can't comprehend it any other way no matter how hard I try.

Sorry I wasn't any help.

[Randi]

I'm afraid I can't vote either. :( This is such a sad situation, just awful!! :mad: :( I can't believe how someone can have a cat for 10 years and then dump her. I'm sure a vet visit would clear up the problem.

I would say the best solution is to take the cat to the vet to get treated, and if they still don't want her inside, then build an outside cat run, and start looking for a loving family for the cat.

Whatever they do, this family should not be allowed to have a cat again - or any other pet , ever!! :mad:

I hope this cat will find a loving home!! Best of luck - and thanks for helping, Debbie! :)

[catmandu]

The worst , is throwing the Cat out , as I have seen too many Cats that come to the Hotel , for food , and they are so sad , as Cats do not like to be dirty , or hungry. Being put to sleep , is merciful , but at a shelter , they would have a chance , however slight , to catch someones eye.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I've decided that I'm going to ask about her status today, and if she's still outside I'm going to ask if I can bring her here to the office and once again I'll be a foster mom. It's raining like the dickens outside right now, and I just can't fathom how this poor kitty feels being thrown out and left out in such weather. :(

Thanks all for your advice. It really is not a good situation, but I'll see if I can make roses out of dog do-do....or however that saying goes. ;)

I actually agree that being on the street is the worst. They're not going to build her a cat run or anything like that, I just don't think they care enough and god forbid they mess up their backyard. :rolleyes: As awful as it sounds, I would rather see her put to sleep than to be left outside for the rest of her life. That way at least she won't be suffering. :(

Oh, and this will all be done under the stipulation that they do NOT get another cat. I will tell them that since she has already peed, another cat will likely do the same no matter how much they clean. I know that's not the case, but they don't need to know that.

[sirrahbed]

Since the poll asked what is WORST - I went with being booted out and left to fend alone. The others are bad, too, but in my mind, not as bad as the first choice which is like throwing a defenseless baby to the wolves! I would rather have her PTS by a vet.:mad: IF those are the ONLY 3 options that is.

[Randi]

Oh Debbie, you're an angel for trying to help this cat. :) I really hope they'll let you keep her in your office for a while, until a solution is found. If not, any chance she could stay a little while in your garage?

I hope the family who is dumping this cat, is not considering getting another!! If so, could you contact the right authorities and tell them the story, so that they won't be allowed? In fact, what they are about to do now, should be reported!! :mad:

I agree that dumping her in the outside would be too cruel, especially when she has lived an inside life all the time. So if you really HAVE to decide at a point, I'd say the best for her would be to have her put to sleep - but very, very sad!! :( :(

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Debbie, I feel so sorry for you being stuck in this situation! If you are able to foster her, then that would be great. How about if it IS a bladder problem and the appropriate tretment was given? Would the Dad then allow her back into the house? I'm sure some of us PTérs would help with the treatment costs - I know I would, if it comes down to it.

[DJFyrewolf36]

What a good idea Ally Cat! I'd put in for helping this cat too...I so hate to see a cat that is clearly an indor kitty be thrown outside. I'd put into a fund to make sure that this guy NEVER ever gets a pet again too. How can people be so heartless? :(

[catland]

Booted outside is by far the worst. We had a stray in our neighborhood that suffered this fate. He became severely matted and afraid of humans. We don't have cold winters so he didn't suffer from cold, but he did suffer from neglect and then started to get into terrific fights with my Sidney (after all, he had nothing to lose). We caught him finally and brought him to a shelter that yes, was a kill-shelter - but we did give them a sizeable donation with the hopes that they could do something for the poor guy and at least give him half a chance.

While I sometimes feel sad about what we did, I remind myself that we were not the ones that abandoned him.
:(