Dilemma - opinions sought. *PICS ADDED*

[Freedom]

You feel the cat would not be adoptable and would in foster home forever because . . . of age? Or because of the heart murmur?

Is the cat on any meds for the heart murmur just now? Any info if this is a life long heart murmur or an age related one?

This would be a special needs placement, I think. There ARE people to adopt them, it just takes a lot longer.

You can opt out of the ultrasound, and have the dental work done.

My Chaplin has a heart murmur; he is just 7 months old. I asked IF we get the ultrasound done, what difference will it make to you neutering him? He said they use a different anesthesia for cats with heart murmurs, and they won't keep the cat under as long. Well, just do it that way!

In the end, I took Chaplin to a not for profit clinic for a low cost neutering. I did not mention his heart murmur, and they never said or did anything differently. He was fine. Then I took him to another vet, who said he does still have the heart murmur.

A knowledgable vet will use the alternative anesthesia for the dental work, due to the heart murmur.

The bad teeth will only give rise to other health issues. Getting that taken care of makes this cat feel better, healthier now AND healthier in the long run.

If the cat stays in the shelter, what will happen? A few weeks and then euthanized? I don't see any reason for this cat to be PTS at this stage. I say take her!

Edit: I was typing when you and cassies mom posted the 2 items above me; that clarifies some of what I have in here.

[jenluckenbach]

At this point we do not know if his bad teeth has already caused other health problems. So we "assume" LOW adoptablility due to a combination of age and health. IF it turns ou that the heart murmur is high, his life might be short anyway.

I am also unsure how long the kill shelter will give him before putting him to sleep.

I don't have a lot of facts, that is why the decision is made harder.

[columbine]

I'd also consider the quite real possibility that word will get out, and OBO will become a dumping ground for impossible-to-adopt cats (or at least you'd be faced with decisions like this much more often.)

Love, Columbine

[jenluckenbach]

I'd also consider the quite real possibility that word will get out, and OBO will become a dumping ground for impossible-to-adopt cats (or at least you'd be faced with decisions like this much more often.)

Love, Columbine

HA! This is the exact reason our shelter is not public! We only give the address/directions to potential adopters when they want to see a cat that is there.

[columbine]

HA! This is the exact reason our shelter is not public! We only give the address/directions to potential adopters when they want to see a cat that is there.

I meant among humane societies, but I'm glad you've got that aspect covered!

Love, Columbine

[IRescue452]

Great news! Any older or special needs animal can be adopted. Often quite easily with the right sob story. Hiding them away in a permanent foster until they die of old age without giving them a chance at adoption is pretty sad. Sorry, but I'd rather see the animal euthanized than being taken only to be put aside without getting a chance. You can definately find the right match for this cat.

[Sparklecoon]

If I were closer and wasn't starting a stressful home addition in a few months I would jump at a chance to adopt braveheart. I Love Persians. My two girls have been a joy to share my home with. They're definately not for everyone.

Chloe came to me with ringworm, a uri, conjunctivitis (pinkeye) in both, as well as sebborhea (known as cradle cap in infants.). Both have breathing issues and one needs to be shaved on a regular basis.

I'm sure you'll find a great home for him.

[doolittleky]

Jen, I only read the first three posts because I am at work and don't have time right now to read all of them but I DO have a suggestion. Contact
http://www.purebredcatrescue.org/pur...on/default.asp. They are very good about taking purebred cats in and getting all the vet work done on them and then adopting them out. That is who took those eOcicats that I found on craig's list last year. That is what I would do.
Hope this helps!
Melissa

[jenluckenbach]

Here is BraveHeart.










He goes to the vet at 4pm. But I can't update until after 7pm. But I will let you know what we find out today.

[lizbud]

At this point we do not know if his bad teeth has already caused other health problems. So we "assume" LOW adoptablility due to a combination of age and health.

I agree but, you don't know that getting some needed dental work wouldnt
cure a lot of the problems he has besides the heart murmur. If your group
can do the dental, the cat would at least have some chance for adoption.

[Medusa]

Bad teeth can cause all sorts of problems. I'd definitely get the dental work done to be sure he isn't in pain. Keep him comfortable and then try to make him adoptable.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Bad teeth can cause all sorts of problems. I'd definitely get the dental work done to be sure he isn't in pain. Keep him comfortable and then try to make him adoptable.

I totally agree. Please continue to keep us updated.

[Catty1]

Posting some PA rescue links that might help (still searching for breed-specific). I don't know what county you or OBO are in, but maybe someone has connections there.

I've also read that many breed-specific rescues are also breeders, so found a couple that might rescue, or know someone who does.


http://catangel.org/

http://www.kittycottage.org/aboutus.html WE ARE MOVING! We will be closed starting January 21 to complete our move. Please check the web site for updates on when we will reopen. Our new address is 317 W. Johnson Highway in East Norriton, 19401. The phone # will be the same. We hope all of you can come visit us real soon.

http://paw.00freehost.com/contactus.html NY Cats Cattery breeds beautiful Persian and Himalayan kittens with CFA Champion bloodlines in Brooklyn New York and Stroudsburg Pennsylvania.

http://www.artemiscats.com/contact.htm

http://www.byhishands.com/

This is a link to a page of PA breeders...you or other folks at OBO might recognize some of them as being nearby, so I'll let you look at the rest of them

http://www.kittysites.com/breeder_pa.shtml