how do you choose just one cat??

**Eden** · 08-17-2010, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by indysteel

Granted, I'm sure some people who give up their pets use "allergies" as a pretextual reason, but for those who truly suffer from them, I don't think it's my place to minimize or dismiss how they feel.

It's not minimizing those with allergies (I have seasonal allergies and I wouldn't adopt a birch tree....). It's about people probably who do not have allergies just using it as a convenient excuse.....

If you've had a cat for a few years its not all that likely that all of the sudden you'll have developed terrible, untreatable allergies to it (and definitely unlikely in the huge numbers of pets who are given up)...... If someone adopted a cat and a few weeks later realized that they had terrible allergies (like the doc I worked with) I could see it, but on the intake forms there was also a space for how long have you had this pet - most people suddenly develop their allergies after they've had the cat for quite some time, usually around right the age they stop being a cute little kitten....

You won't convince me that most people don't tell the truth when they drop animals off at the shelter.... I'm not saying they shouldn't shelter their unwanted pets - better they go to the shelter, especially a no kill shelter, than the worse things that could happen. Then again if you aren't willing to commit to a pet for a lifetime, better to not get one in the first place....
(and for goodness sake spay and neuter!)

**indysteel** · 08-17-2010, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Eden

It's not minimizing those with allergies (I have seasonal allergies and I wouldn't adopt a birch tree....). It's about people probably who do not have allergies just using it as a convenient excuse.....

If you've had a cat for a few years its not all that likely that all of the sudden you'll have developed terrible, untreatable allergies to it (and definitely unlikely in the huge numbers of pets who are given up)...... If someone adopted a cat and a few weeks later realized that they had terrible allergies (like the doc I worked with) I could see it, but on the intake forms there was also a space for how long have you had this pet - most people suddenly develop their allergies after they've had the cat for quite some time, usually around right the age they stop being a cute little kitten....

You won't convince me that most people don't tell the truth when they drop animals off at the shelter.... I'm not saying they shouldn't shelter their unwanted pets - better they go to the shelter, especially a no kill shelter, than the worse things that could happen. Then again if you aren't willing to commit to a pet for a lifetime, better to not get one in the first place....
(and for goodness sake spay and neuter!)

My season allergies started when I was about 30 and didn't start gettng really bad until age 35, so from my limited experience, it's possible for allergies to develop seemingly out of nowhere and/or to worsen over time. My allergy symtoms also change from year to year. Some years, I have itchy, watery eyes. Some years I have a lot of sneezing. This year, I had a mean case of post nasal drip to the point that I had trouble swallowing. Some symptoms are easier to tolerate than others. Some years my drugs work better than others, too. It's a moving target.

It's one thing to blame allergies when that's really not the reason a person is getting rid of a pet. I think we both have a problem with that. But your original post seemed to suggest, at least to me, that people with pet allergies should just take a drug and deal with it. I'm sure some do and feel like it's an acceptable solution. Allergy meds do work for many. For others, however, rehoming might either be the necessary or preferred way to deal with the problem.

**NbyNW** · 08-17-2010, 11:01 AM

How goes with the decision-making? It must be agonizing. Boo seems like a sweetheart, but I think it's true about black kitties taking longer to find homes...

Our black puppydog was in foster care for a long, long time! But we're lucky he waited for us!

**badger** · 08-17-2010, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by NbyNW

How goes with the decision-making? It must be agonizing. Boo seems like a sweetheart, but I think it's true about black kitties taking longer to find homes...

Our black puppydog was in foster care for a long, long time! But we're lucky he waited for us!

well, I believe I made the decision with Boo. But a part of me feels SOO guilty for not choosing Yang because I know her colour will play a part in her future adoptability. But Boo is quiet and might get overlooked and a bit older.

Boo's just plain lovely. Who knows, he may change once he's adopted and turn out to be a pain, but I'll take full responsibility and take him if worse comes to worst.

There are just so many homeless cats, it's oh so depressing.

**badger** · 08-17-2010, 12:35 PM

as for the argument on allergies, I guess that's my fault as I was the one who brought up the 15 year old cat who was brought in due to someone's allergies.

Rehoming is a lot more difficult than just dumping at the shelter, which is what people seem to be doing.

I would imagine a lot of those allergy cases are cat owners hooking up with partners who are allergic. Probably the usual "it's me or the cat" thing. I'm just so thankful that my boyfriend's not allergic, and while he's not overly fond of cats, he will never deny me from having them. It would kill me if I fell in love with someone who was allergic.

**TsPoet** · 08-17-2010, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by badger

Boo's just plain lovely. Who knows, he may change once he's adopted and turn out to be a pain, but I'll take full responsibility and take him if worse comes to worst.

There are just so many homeless cats, it's oh so depressing.

Your first description of Boo, you said you couldn't get him out of your mind - I thought right away that was the cat that had chosen you!
Murphy (dog) chose me in an odd way, and he's my heart dog. Finn (dog) didn't choose me and it took months for the two of us to decide we liked each other. I almost brought her back to the shelter.
Boo will be good right off the bat. Good choice.

**badger** · 08-17-2010, 01:01 PM

this is what happened with Morley, too. I saw him at the hospital, all full of staples after being hit by a car, unable to see or move, but was purring (I didn't realize then he was probably purring because he was in a lot of pain) and I just couldn't get him out of my mind. 10 years later he's giving ME pain, but I love him to bits.

I'm just having really bad guilt trips not choosing Yang, but it's wrong to choose her simply on the reverse logic of black cats being overlooked, no? Don't get me wrong, she's lovely, too, but something about Boo just really got me.

**Crankin** · 08-17-2010, 01:09 PM

Thanks for understanding my point. We didn't get another cat (although we missed our cat who died at age 14) because we know we don't want the responsibility and that wouldn't be fair. I come from a family of animal haters and just having a pet was a really big deal for me... it was great for my kids and I really came to love her. But, the kids are gone and I knew my limits.
I guess some people don't. But both of my kids have cats (one has 2) which at this point, are their children.

**jessmarimba** · 08-17-2010, 01:18 PM

I'm sure Yang will find someone...you did what you could do! Thank you for helping Boo find a home

**redrhodie** · 08-17-2010, 01:40 PM

Yay for Boo! It's such a hard decision, but you've helped all of them by making it one less for the next person to choose from.

**Eden** · 08-17-2010, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Crankin

Thanks for understanding my point. We didn't get another cat (although we missed our cat who died at age 14) because we know we don't want the responsibility and that wouldn't be fair. I come from a family of animal haters and just having a pet was a really big deal for me... it was great for my kids and I really came to love her. But, the kids are gone and I knew my limits.
I guess some people don't. But both of my kids have cats (one has 2) which at this point, are their children.

Nobody thinks you should get another cat..... you did the right thing. You knew you didn't want to commit to a pet and you didn't, rather than getting one and throwing it away when you tired of it....

I know some of the pets there do end up in the shelter for legitimate reasons, but so many of them are there because their owners have lost interest. It's sad.

**badger** · 08-17-2010, 06:33 PM

Ok, I SERIOUSLY need help...

I was all set to get Boo adopted, but he's in an area where he's locked up so I waited for the volunteer to open the door for me. During that time, I started looking at the black cat I decided against (not Yang, the other one that's been there since January). I just started feeling so bad.

I then had to make the bad decision to ask the volunteer who's been there the longest. She said Gizmo, she's been there since November of last year. Which, to that shelter, is a long time. She also said that Gizmo's lost her spark and you can tell she's starting to give up.

That broke my heart. She said Boo's very charismatic and he will just sell himself, whereas Gizmo has and will be overlooked.

Long and short, I just couldn't do it so we left both at the shelter for me to think about it some more.

I'm honestly torn. Boo has adoption appeal. He's a VERY nice cat with a very serene soul. Anyone would be lucky to have him. Then there's poor little Gizmo overlooked because she's black and quiet.

My mother understands my dilemma, and said she will be happy with either of them, though her heart does tug on Gizmo's long stay there. Boo's been there since April, so it's not like he's been lapped up, either.

I really wish they could take both. I'm reluctant to take one myself because I always figured that I'll open my home to a really unadoptable one with special needs of some kind (as are both of mine).

Please, I need guidance, and nobody's able to give me

**Veronica** · 08-17-2010, 06:43 PM

I love black cats. My first cat ever was a black cat named Swinger. I was 8 or so when we got him. My mom didn't believe in getting cats neutered or keeping them inside then, so we only had him for a few years and he disappeared.

Gizmo has such a pretty face and wonderful eyes.

Veronica

**jessmarimba** · 08-17-2010, 07:50 PM

Gizmo is cute too! I couldn't be in your situation - I won't even go to a shelter now because I wouldn't be able to leave empty-handed. Whichever decision you make will be right. Honestly.

Very cool about the special needs animals though. My cat who died of cancer was blind (and black, and disgustingly skinny with greasy-looking fur and a bald spot on her back) and I ended up with her because I knew she wouldn't be given a chance at our shelters, but she was absolutely an amazing cat. I'm hoping to someday adopt another blind one.

**PamNY** · 08-17-2010, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Eden

If you've had a cat for a few years its not all that likely that all of the sudden you'll have developed terrible, untreatable allergies to it (and definitely unlikely in the huge numbers of pets who are given up)......

Actually, that has happened to two people I know -- one of them I live with, the other is a veterinarian. In these two cases, it was heartbreaking and life-changing. Asthma is not a joke.

Having said that, it is true that people make all kinds of excuses when relinquishing a pet to a shelter or rescue. I'm sure many of those allergies are fictional, or at least manageable.

Badger, good luck deciding on a cat. It is heartbreaking to visit a shelter at all, but there's a happy ending awaiting some lucky feline!

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