Moral Dilemma

[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???

[krazyaboutkatz]

I've been thinking about this thread a lot today. Maybe you should tell them to just rehome the younger cats because Puss was there first. Usually younger cats are much easier to place and will adapt to their new homes much faster too.

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

I am wondering...
Are the younger kitties actual kittens?
Did these people educate themselves on what it's like to add kittens to an only older cat? Did they do a proper integration? And do they fully appreciate how lucky they are to have a 19 year old cat without a lot of difficult-to-manage health issues? I'm guessing it's a no to all but the first of these questions.

This families children definitely don't need to learn that just because something is old, it gets disposed of.

I know what it's like to have people as friends with pets which they don't treat properly, or at least properly in my opinion. Of the closest families to me either by friendship or blood relations, 5 have pets and only 1 of them treats their pets even close to what I think is right. It's hard to hold your tongue. You have to weigh: Is my friendship with these people worth letting our differences in what we do with pets slide? Or is the way I think pets should be treated strong enough to strain or end a friendship? I'm not confrontational enough to say a whole lot to our friends who, in my opinion, are lacking in their pet parenting....so I pretty much let the pet thing slide and keep our friendship going. It doesn't always sit well with me to be that way, but.....

[Pinot's Mom]

Momto4:The kittens were adopted last Christmas and are just over a year old. They did not do a proper integration and are really very lackadaisical in their treatment of all the kitties. Every time I go over there I pay special attention to Puss because I know he gets no attention whatsoever and I make sure he has food and water. The cats are indoor/outdoor at will and can spend a good deal of time outside before anyone lets them in. I hate it, but, as you said, I'm not confrontational, either. I did tell the husband what I thought of his plan with Puss, and what could be causing the problems (the problem, by the way, is the young ones have started improper bathroom habits; no wonder!), but it fell on deaf ears.

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

Ah, deaf ears...one of the worst things a person can have no matter what you are trying to enlighten them about.
Poor Puff. I will send vibes that some other solution comes up besides euthanization!

[pomtzu]

Sounds like you're up against a brick wall Maggie. What a shame that this is happening. It seems like they shouldn't have any pets at all since they pay no attention to them. I can't imagine why they would go to the "bother" of taking on 2 more, when they ignore old Puss. Poor kitty. I hope your friends don't carry out their plan to eliminate him - it just breaks my heart thinking about it.