A very sad dicovery

[jenluckenbach]

Yes, you tell them.

And the answer would be...not too many. And I too wondered the same thing. BUT, I was told by people with a whole lot more experience at placing cats than I have that there are people willing to give them a chance and that quite a few known pee-ers have stopped once they were in a new environment.

I myself, many years ago, took on a cat that was returned to a shelter for litter box problems. And at first he gave me problems. But we worked through them and I had him for 12 years (11 of which were accident free).

Maybe I should have just kept my problems to myself.

[Christiansmommy]

Maybe you can do a google search on how to stop cats from spraying...i guess that might be the best suggestion...hope you find an answer that works best for you and your family...

Robyn

[jenluckenbach]

hope you find an answer that works best for you and your family...

thanks

[PayItForward]

Jen, I do agree with you.

All cats deserve to be part of a family not alone and outside, that is a life of a stray cat not a loved one

But I am confident you can sort this out, if the worst came to the worst, you might have to stop fostering but I don't think it will get to that stage.

PS. Did you buy that blacklight torch I found for you ?

[jenluckenbach]

PS. Did you buy that blacklight torch I found for you ?

as a matter of fact, I ordered 2 (but they are not here yet)

And, you know what. I do not think this would cause me to stop fostering. Many people often talk about how they have an obligation to THEIR cats first, but my fosters ARE my cats! I made a committment to them, too. I feel I NEED to foster as it is the only way for me to help more than the 15 I call my own. If I could not help others, I would not be using a God-given talent.

So the bottom line is:

I don't expect an easy answer. I just thought my "friends" would be interested in my life enough to care to share in the bad stories (peeing problems) as much as in the good stories (kitten pictures, etc.).

[ChrisH]

Jen, I am sorry you are having such problems. No advice to offer, just a hug and a hope that you find a solution.

Chris

[Logan]

Jen, I just think there is no easy answer and that everyone is trying to give you their support, even if they don't know what to tell you! Of course, we're all interested in knowing what is going on with your gang. I can't imagine how troublesome this is for you. We have been so fortunate, with our two, that they don't do this sort of thing (at least not right now). But I have had the wetting problem with two of my four dogs. Dogs are so much easier to contain when something like this happens, although it breaks my heart not to have them all over the house where I can love on them constantly.

I hope you can figure out an answer and soon.

You have our support and concern, even if we don't know exactly what to suggest. I hope you know that.

Logan

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
I would NEVER condemn my cats to an outside life even if they were "safe" in an enclosure!!! I do not think that is a suitable solution. If I would find I could not live with the problem, rehoming is the ONLY acceptible solution.

So glad I just found this!!! Not only do you have a hissy fit on PIF's board, but you come here and do the same.

Nice, Jen!

[shais_mom]

All I can say is



WW The truth comes out in the strangest places.
I KNOW that your friends DO care and DO want to know the bad with the good, and I don't think that suggesting they be limited outdoor kitties was said in nastiness. You know your kitties best and what is best for them. I wouldn't even begin to know how to help but other people with multiple cats can give their advice.
I think feelings were hurt here is b/c of the angry way you replied. Sometimes when emotions run high our posts come across as nasty and I think when that happens we have to take a breath and re read what we said.

Good Luck

[Logan]

Everyone handles their own situation in the best way that they know how to. Probably the reason I don't have a problem with mine is that they go outdoors mostly, and use the litter box inside as their last resort. I know that there are many who disagree with my having indoor/outdoor cats, but I have weighed the options, and given their history, it works best for us. Would I prefer that they stay inside and be content? You'd better believe it!!! But they don't and won't, and thankfully, all has been well with those two for a long, long time.

I hope this thread won't turn into a "he said/she said" sort of thing, and that we won't be passing judgement on anyone for the decisions they have made. We all know each other to be pet lovers, lovers of all animals, and we each make our own decisions about what is best for our particular animals.

Every one of us has had to make tough decisions before and we will have to do the same in the future. But any information I receive through reviewing these threads is just "food for thought" and might help me in making these tough decisions going forward.

It makes me so sad when people respond in the best way they know how and end up getting blasted for what they said, whether it be here or on another forum.

[sasvermont]

Hey, I do believe Christiansmommy had only good intension when suggesting an outdoor enclosure/pen as a remedy. She is such a sweet, loving and kind person who loves people, pets and everyone..... and she deserves a better response than what you gave! And maybe an apology - not a "back down" from, just an apology.

The peeing thing would drive me to complete misery and I can only assume it has gotten the best of you at this point.

I try my darnest to stay out of the messes when they do happen here, but Christiansmommy is undoubted one of the nicest persons here....and you are too....so what gives?

You are way off base on this one Jen. We all think so highly of you .... and respect your opinion and yet I wonder what it took to set you off on this one?

Hope you are not totally offended by this missive.

I forgive everyone for temporary steps away from grace!

Fondly,

SAS

[sirrahved]

Oh Jen! *big hugs* I know first-hand how frustrating this can be! I also had no luck with the feliway. Pickles is now on meds and it has made a world of difference!

We did have a relapse (he sprayed twice) when I had a houseful of visitors about a month ago. I think the constant commotion scared him.

Pickles is on cyproheptadine. It's been a big help. I don't know what I would have done without it!

I would also suggest investing in a battery operated stink light. Also, are you keeping these two in a limited part of the house? This will cut down on the search area that you have to cover

We've had great luck with the enzyme cleaners. All of the ones that we've tried have worked the same-- so I recommend staying on they low side

Big hugs to you, and good luck!

Devon

[carole]

I don't think Jen really meant to upset anyone, even if her comments were rather to the point,she is obviously having a hard time with this problem and sometimes we lash out unintentionally, I agreed with Christianmommy and I know her intentions were indeed to be helpful nothing else.

Sometimes things get said in haste, and things said by very well meaning people taken the wrong way, we should forgive and forget and try to continue to offer advice to Jen in this stressful situation. We all bungle under stress sometimes. Peace everyone.

[AvaJoy]

Just as some people can't withstand crowds, some cats also seem to get stressed when other cats are about. Many times sprayers DO change their ways when introduced into another environment, so re-homing may be successful, especially if no other cats are in the new domain.

Replacing cinder blocks due to the smell??? Sounds like an extreme measure, so must have been intact males because I notice no odor from my neutered cats' urine, and I have a female that has sprayed outside the litter box on many occassions. If it wasn't for the fact that I SAW her do it (and other times noticed a wet area) my keenly sensitive nose would not have detected it. Simple Solution sprayed on the area works great, and I only do it to eliminate any odor that probably the other cats could detect. I have even asked visitors to level with me if they notice any offensive odor, and I have been assured not.

Jen, I hope your kitties behave themselves soon, and appreciate all the love and care they are fortunate enough to receive from you.

[wolf_Q]

Originally posted by PayItForward
[B]

All cats deserve to be part of a family not alone and outside, that is a life of a stray cat not a loved one

B]

I totally agree that all cats deserve to be part of a family and not alone and outside. However I don't think what is happening with Livvy is the same thing as a stray cat at all.

A cat that is in a SAFE enclosure where their location is known at all times seems much less of a stray cat then cats that are outside and allowed to roam as they please IMO. At least if the cat is in an enclosure they are protected from cars, dogs, etc. Cats that are allowed to go outside freely are not, reguardless of the location..those dangers still exist.