Need honest opinions.

[Miss Z]

Putting him up for adoption is only part of the puzzle.

How will applicants be reviewed? Will some one be looking at financial resource to be able to support his needs? Will you consider how near / far they live from a specialist?

In foster care, the cost of caring for him is spread out through all the donors. I think the best thing would be to keep him in foster care and look for some "angels" to sponsor him in a foster situation.

I also think he should stay put! Moving a cat from one home to another is stressful on the cat; but they adapt. Moving a cat with this type of illness could -- COULD, not WOULD - trigger all sorts of added problems.

Can he not only stay in foster care, but stay with you? Do you have the space for him? I sure hope so but if not, I think a diligent search should be made to place him ONCE in a furrever foster home.

I agree, it would be difficult to be sure that a potential owner can definitely handle an ailing cat. In foster care, whether he remains with you or another foster carer, at least you can be safe in the knowledge that he is being cared for by highly experienced and cat-loving people.

[jenluckenbach]

Thanks for all the great opinions. It is so good to hear from others because even though I TRY to see both sides, I often miss things.

#1) No, cancer is not 100% confirmed. But it is easier to ask the question based on one fact and not a choice of diseases. And, as SAS can confirm, dealing with IBD is not a heck of a whole lot easier than dealing with terminal cancer.

#2) Mr. Meow, can and WILL stay here with me. I love him and he fits in with my cats 100%.

#3) As Jennie fears, our director Joyce tends to take the "no-kill" to the EXTREME! There is no way I would allow that to happen. While he is in my home he is my responsibility. I will be the one who knows him the best.

[kb2yjx]

Jen, I voted NO. I think Mr. Meow does not need to have his life(no matter how long it may be)be throw into a tizzy, having to readjust to another home. If he has the lymphoma, and is put on the prednisone, Mr. Meow willl have anyway from 45-60 days(give or take)until the end. That was the route I chose for Ralph. I couls not see subjecting him to several days a week at the vet for chemo and blood draws. I wanted a better quality of life for Ralph than that. However, if Mr. Meow has IBS, I think I would think my vote would remain the same. Leave him where he is happy and lovingly cared for. I hope that helps....Sandra

[Laura's Babies]

I voted no because he don't need the upset of having to adjust to new surroundings and new people. Moving him could cause him a lot of stress and make him sicker. He needs to feel secure, loved and safe to insure the best quality of life for the time he has left. Moving him could send him into a downward spiral that he wouldn't get out of.

[jazzcat]

Jen, I didn't vot just because I can't get past the thought that he would do best with you. Sorry. I mean you've already made good progress with him, have him eating and you obviously care for him very much. I think he needs to stay put with you because moving him to either another foster home or even a forever home will just set him back and who knows how much more his body can take of not eating till he gets adjusted.

Guess I'm not much help.

[catfamily]

I guess I agree with everyone being the cat is best with you.I said he should be adopted because you have so much on your plate right now.But if you can't find anyone that really wants a sick cat.He should stay with you.But don't give up your search.You never know if someone super nice may come along and want to love that cat till he goes to the bridge.Maybe someone retired that has no other pets and home all the time.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I voted other even though I think he'll do the best with you. If there was a wonderful new family interested in him and they knew all of the facts about him and were also financially able to care for him then maybe this could be another solution. I sure hope that he doesn't have cancer.