Help!!!!! Buddy's new owner wants to declaw him

[Catlady711]

What were his expectations? Does he realize that all cats have their own distinct personalities and Buddy is no different? I can't help but wonder if Hal only wants to replace the cat he once had, if so he's in for disappointment after disappointment. Hal claims to be "attached" to Buddy yet seems always annoyed with him.

I was kind of thinking that myself. We have many clients that have lost a pet for various reasons and have gone out to get another one that looks exactly like the one they're missing. In some cases they even give the new pet the same name as the old pet (which gets a bit confusing with our records at times.)

A new pet may look just like the old pet but I can guarantee you it won't act just like the old pet. That's why when I lost my first guinea pig (consequently named 'Pig') I went out of my way to make sure the next one I got was any color but black. I didn't want to expect the new one to be like Pig and then be sad because he wasn't. I ended up with a very nice Agouti I named Sam.

[moosmom]

I blew out of work early because this was on my mind and it was literally making me sick. I took a ride to Hal's house and sat and talked with him. I explained that yelling at Buddy will make him a nervous nut. I also told him that I found a declawed cat that looks just like Buddy at the Humane Society. Buddy seems to be very comfortable where he is. He's only been at Hal's a month so Mary, I think you're right. I just need to give it more time. Hal is trying VERY hard and is doing all the things I'm suggesting including the squirt bottle instead of yelling. He promised me he would turn him back to me should the scratching of the carpet continue. Hal says that I miss Buddy and want him back. I told him I just want what is best for Buddy.

So, we left it at giving Buddy and Hal more time to get used to each other. Hal is wising up and taking down stuff he doesn't want Buddy knocking over. So maybe this will turn out okay.

I guess I just have to wait and see. I WILL be monitoring the situation though.

[phesina]

Sounds to me as though you are doing all the exactly right things with regard to this situation. Well done! Keep on keeping on.

Paat

[Anikaca77]

I agree 100% keep checking on him, with every new cat there are new things to learn and adapt as much as possible.

Sounds to me as though you are doing all the exactly right things with regard to this situation. Well done! Keep on keeping on.

Paat

[moosmom]

I was having dinner with my best friend at her condo which is right around the corner from the Humane Society, so I stopped by and took a peak at Sam, the declawed cat. He is a real sweetie. Big like Hal's deceased cat and very sweet. I stopped by Hal's again tonight to drop off a corrugated cardboard scratcher to put in the area where Buddy is scratching his carpet. He called me this morning to tell me (or complain to me) that Buddy was still scratching in front of the basement door.

Hal said he doesn't want to think about giving Buddy up. I explained to him that Sam was alot more like his deceased cat (he keeps trying to compare Buddy to him) in that he was BIG (so big the cage he was in was a little cramped), was front declawed and had a splotch of orange under he nose. I told him that Sam was in desperate need of a home because he was depressed. I'm hoping that'll give him something to think about.

I go over there unannounced and it doesn't faze Hal a bit. The director of adoptions (a friend) at the Humane Society said I've gone WAY beyond the call. But I can't just pick Buddy up and walk out with him. What I WISH I could do is go get Sam and bring him to Hal's and take Buddy back.

*sigh*