how do you choose just one cat??

[NbyNW]

oh, my. what a tough decision.

[Catrin]

Allergies do get worse though, at least for some of us. I've always been allergic to cats but learned to deal with it because I love cats. A couple of years ago, however, my allergies got much worse and my beloved Jasmine had to go to another home. I can be around cats for short times, but can no longer live around them. Claritan, etc., just didn't help. The asthma attacks were just too severe. Since Jasmine went away, my asthma has completly disappeared...

I can't say how much I miss having a cat or two around, and there is no other kind of pet that I want... can't think of anything else that can curl up beside me or on my lap and purrrrr... Somehow the idea of a bird or reptile just doesn't do it for me, and they say I am also allergic to dogs

I am sure that people make all different kinds of excuses to get rid of a pet...

Badger, good luck on your decision - I wish that I could say something that would help with the decision. It is a tough one, for sure.

[PscyclePath]

My lady friends who have cats all say that if you're going to get _A_ cat, you might as well get two while you're at it. With two cats, they'll either play together and not pester you as much, or they'll both gang up on you and pester you anyway.

Sounds like you have an opportunity there for two good friends, if the budget will allow it...

Tom

[tulip]

The condo association won't allow two, that's the problem.

Badger, I think you're overthinking this and making yourself crazy. You cannot save all the cats. You know this. But hemming and hawing is not doing any of the cats any favors. Take one, whichever one, and be happy with that decision. You are doing a good thing. Don't beat yourself up about it.

[badger]

thanks, Tulip, you've hit the nail bang on the head.

I did go back to the shelter again to check out Gizmo a bit more. She's a nice cat, but the reality is we'll only be taking her out of pity. If that's the case, why are we overlooking the other cats who are seniors, have medical and/or behavioural challenges? Their chances of adoption aren't that great.

Gizmo happens to be there a long time, but hopefully by putting her in a different room where there will be more exposure, she will find someone to adopt. While she's a nice cat and never denied my affections, she "just wasn't that into me". She didn't look at me as I left the room, whereas Boo was looking.

This really has been a lot more difficult than I ever imagined it would be. In a perfect world, all animals would have loving forever homes, but the reality is so few do

[badger]

we went and got Boo. He's at my parents' place. He's apparently hiding under the sofa right now.

What should be a fun and exciting time, why is it that I feel so drained and depressed? I even had to cry when I got home.

It's not just Gizmo, it's the massive scale of animals that are homeless. I do think the shelter's not doing enough to promote Gizmo, though. Even the staff are passing her over I told them I'll come by on the weekend to try and promote her to potential adopters. I think I just may do that.

[NbyNW]

Badger, you put so much care in this decision I'm not surprised that you're probably still thinking of some of the cats that you took a really close look at, as well as the bigger picture.

The reality is you can't save them all. This is probably an overwhelming decision for anyone who visits a facility like you described.

I think as you and your folks spend time with Boo and he gets accustomed to his new home, you'll know you did a good thing.

For anyone interested, I dug up this old article about strategies that some shelters were using to promote adoption, especially of black cats and dogs.

[Catrin]

Badger, it is totally understandable why you feel the way you are, it is hard to see all of those beautiful animals without a home.

I would take a black cat, or pretty much ANY cat, if I could

[PamNY]

Badger, congratulations. As in all animal rescue, you must -- at least most of the time -- focus on what you did do.

It's impossible, and ultimately self-indulgent, to obsess over the fact that we can't save them all (and I'm sure you know that already).

Hoping for funny cat stories from you very soon, and much happiness and love for the new family member.

[indysteel]

Badger,

You and your parents did a good thing; try your best of focus on that.

My DH and I are just starting to look at the available shelter cats/kittens to find our next fur baby. I'll be honest that I was nother previously aware that black cats are harder to place. I will definitely keep that in mind when choosing.

We actually already saw a young black cat from the local humane society that we both liked. He's male though, and I'm a little nervous about having two males cats. I've been trying to research whether gender matters when mixing cats, but I've ready somewhat conflicting things. If anybody has experience with that, I'd like to hear about it.

Henry, our current cat, is 10 years old, but has the playfulness of a much younger cat. He likes to be the center of attention and is a big momma's boy (although he's also quickly become a daddy's boy, too). Sophie--the cat we recently lost--was really laid back and wasn't as attention seeking as him. She was definitely the Alpha though. He knew she was in charge. So, I'm trying to find the right dynamic with a new cat/kitten.

[Veronica]

My sister has had good luck with multiple males. I think they just eventually work it out. She either has 6 or 8 cats, some male, some female. They are indoor/outdoor babies (I wish they weren't) so that may help some - more territory.

I've got two feral neutered boys in my backyard - pretty sure they are a father/son pair as they are both orange with tails that curl. They totally hang out together, groom each other, take turns playing with the mice they catch, curl up together to snooze... I think neutering is the key.

Veronica

[redrhodie]

What should be a fun and exciting time, why is it that I feel so drained and depressed? I even had to cry when I got home.

(((badger))) I cried at the shelter when I picked Eddy. You did great. Hiding under the sofa is completely normal. Soon he'll act like he owns the place.

[gfbikernyc]

Hey, congrats on the new cat. I volunteer with PFLNYC (it is a pet surrender prevention program and I do follow-up on new adoptions) so if you have any questions about the new cat, just give me a shout.

It's tough but now I have learned to focus on the animals we can/have saved instead of the ones we can't. Good luck

[badger]

thank you, everyone, for your kind words and support.

I just spoke to my mother and apparently he meowed a lot throughout the night. I know there's a period of adjustment they go through, and as he is a fairly fearful cat, I'm not surprised. I do know that in time he'll be comfortable and the nice cat I glimpsed will come out in leaps and bounds.

I've always been very passionate about animals (overly emotional), and I suppose my reaction isn't a big surprise. When I'm at the spca hospital, there's a certain amount of blinders I wear, or I would be coming home with every cat that needs help. But through this process, I took them off, so I was pretty vulnerable.

thanks again, everyone. I'll take a picture of him when I go there next time.

[nancielle]

we went and got Boo. He's at my parents' place. He's apparently hiding under the sofa right now.

What should be a fun and exciting time, why is it that I feel so drained and depressed? I even had to cry when I got home.

It's not just Gizmo, it's the massive scale of animals that are homeless. I do think the shelter's not doing enough to promote Gizmo, though. Even the staff are passing her over I told them I'll come by on the weekend to try and promote her to potential adopters. I think I just may do that.

Love the cat's name .

I think many of us here feel the same way about homeless animals, we'd like to be able to save all of them but just can't. You made a difference in Boo's life by adopting him. Someone will make a difference in the lives of the others. One of our local shelters regularly posts pictures (and some videos) as well as brief bios on the pets they have for adoption on one of the public access channels. For months they had an elderly dog (17 years old) waiting for a new home. Every time I saw his face I'd say "I'll bring you home" but knew I couldn't provide the home he needed (I'm on the 2nd floor, he has arthritic knees...not a good match). After more than a year they had his picture up and the words "He's found his forever home!" I teared up when I saw that. I was so happy for him.

Anyway, when I'm out getting food for my pack I pick up some extra to drop off at the shelter and some for a local rescue group. I figure that it's my way of taking care of the ones I can't bring home and it keeps me from being featured on Animal Planet's "Animal Horders".