How many cats makes a crazy cat lady?
April 18, 2017 11:14 AM Subscribe
Is it fair/feasible to adopt my parent's cat, given my roommate's qualms and the two specific cats involved? I've read previous questions about re-homing, about the dangers of outdoor cats, etc, but am still torn and feeling terribly guilty about even considering saying no.
Pictures of all involved cats inside.
My parents are selling their house and moving to another state. They will be in very tenuous living arrangements for several months: family guest rooms, cheap hotels, etc. They have one remaining cat that they simply cannot take along, they are barely meeting her needs now and this extended displacement would be agony for her. Frankly I’m thinking they are going to regret this (lack of a) plan to spend months road tripping with their health problems; but it would not be remotely possible to bring Molly along. Their final destination is uncertain at this point, but they have committed to being out of the house on June 1.
I grew up in a free-range cat household, with anywhere from 1-6 cats coming in and out. Cats got fixed and vaccinated and then do not go back to the vet except in extreme cases and even then not a lot of money could be spared for a cat. My roommate had a similar background except they did not do any vet care at all, not even spaying. At this point I believe that letting cats outdoors is questionable and needs careful consideration of the neighborhood, the cat, and close supervision.
My parent’s cat Molly is 14, starting to show signs of aging and poor diet but has not been to a vet in many years. She was always the excluded “extra” cat until the older cats passed away, and she is loving being an only cat now. She is afraid of the neighborhood feral colony and does not defend when they come in to steal her food. At this stage of life she wants to sleep in the sun, roll in the dirt, sleep on feet, and get her chin scritched.
My cat Magrathea is 5, is very active and playful and honestly is a bit bored and looking for more playtime than we can manage some days. She is indoor only and is too focused on birds to be allowed outside.
More info:
Should I try to keep Molly? If so, what should I do about litterbox, outdoorsiness, convincing the roommate, etc? I could manage supervised patio time every sunny day, she probably would not get in the hammock with me but she would have plenty of sunny spots.
If not, how could I help to rehome Molly? I don't trust kill shelters for this specific cat given her condition and age. Local rescue groups say they do not accept surrenders (they pull from the county shelters), although there is a very lovely place I have visited that will promise lifetime care for $5000 (at least 20x more than any of us could manage). I see a couple of rehoming agencies that charge fees, does any one have any experience with these?
My parents are selling their house and moving to another state. They will be in very tenuous living arrangements for several months: family guest rooms, cheap hotels, etc. They have one remaining cat that they simply cannot take along, they are barely meeting her needs now and this extended displacement would be agony for her. Frankly I’m thinking they are going to regret this (lack of a) plan to spend months road tripping with their health problems; but it would not be remotely possible to bring Molly along. Their final destination is uncertain at this point, but they have committed to being out of the house on June 1.
I grew up in a free-range cat household, with anywhere from 1-6 cats coming in and out. Cats got fixed and vaccinated and then do not go back to the vet except in extreme cases and even then not a lot of money could be spared for a cat. My roommate had a similar background except they did not do any vet care at all, not even spaying. At this point I believe that letting cats outdoors is questionable and needs careful consideration of the neighborhood, the cat, and close supervision.
My parent’s cat Molly is 14, starting to show signs of aging and poor diet but has not been to a vet in many years. She was always the excluded “extra” cat until the older cats passed away, and she is loving being an only cat now. She is afraid of the neighborhood feral colony and does not defend when they come in to steal her food. At this stage of life she wants to sleep in the sun, roll in the dirt, sleep on feet, and get her chin scritched.
My cat Magrathea is 5, is very active and playful and honestly is a bit bored and looking for more playtime than we can manage some days. She is indoor only and is too focused on birds to be allowed outside.
More info:
- Molly has been indoor/outdoor her whole life, and only uses a litterbox in bad weather.
- My neighborhood has a few wandering collared cats, and is significantly safer than where Molly is now - no ferals and no traffic on our cul-de-sac
- Molly is very vocal and sounds like a duck with a pack-a-day habit
- Magrathea was rescued as an abandoned kitten (No feral behaviors but starving and full of parasites). She is terrified of outside when a door is open although she very much would like to hunt birds, so we have never considered letting her outside.
- One neighbor cat likes to sit on our porch outside the security screen door and Magrathea goes nuts, shaking the door and yowling. (Neighbor kitty is actually very friendly with us though we have not seen in her a couple of weeks, but she was pretty heavily pregnant so she has an excuse for staying home.)
- At Molly’s age she might have what my late husband referred to as “expensive lumps”, if I take her to the vet there could be a long list of tests and recommendations that I would not be able to afford.
- Molly has never hunted, and indeed in my mother’s yard is regularly bullied by blue jays.
- My roommate has extreme smell sensitivities, so the litterbox is in my room and my roommate already is bothered by it, there is nowhere else to put a second litter box that would not be worse.
- Molly would actually not physically fit into the current piece of furniture that contains the litterbox, or the Omega Paw box that I would hate to give up.
- We would have to get permission and probably pay an additional pet deposit, the lease limits us to two pets and we have one.
- There is nowhere to segregate a cat other than my room, which is Magreatha's den already, and no where else to put a litterbox.
- We had already discussed and agreed to find a younger, hopefully slightly submissive male cat to join us after moving last year but my roommate seems reluctant now because of litterbox issues.
- Molly was originally rescued by my now-roommate as a lost kitten after wildfires but she could not have a cat where she was living at the time and I had four cats myself back then. My parents have always referred to her as “roommate’s cat”.
- Molly has fleas for sure, and I am allergic to the bites, so would need a vet visit for that at least
- I have previous experience providing cat retirement/hospice to cats abandoned by a neighbor and feel confident I can deal with it emotionally but my roommate is worried about bonding with a cat so old
- Magrathea was aggressively and non-consensually playful to my elder cat Hakit (shown here hiding from her) who had cancer when she was a kitten. I feel it was just kittenly enthusiasm, and that before he got ill he would have played right along because he always loved all other cats, but my roommate now thinks that Magrathea is just anti-cat.
Should I try to keep Molly? If so, what should I do about litterbox, outdoorsiness, convincing the roommate, etc? I could manage supervised patio time every sunny day, she probably would not get in the hammock with me but she would have plenty of sunny spots.
If not, how could I help to rehome Molly? I don't trust kill shelters for this specific cat given her condition and age. Local rescue groups say they do not accept surrenders (they pull from the county shelters), although there is a very lovely place I have visited that will promise lifetime care for $5000 (at least 20x more than any of us could manage). I see a couple of rehoming agencies that charge fees, does any one have any experience with these?
Best answer: I'm agreeing this is probably a bad idea. If you can't afford $5000 to the rescue group, you can't afford to take her on, either - I took in two indoor/outdoor cats from an acquaintance last summer and instantly spent $3000 on dental work and a slew of antibiotics, flea medications, and months of ear and eye drops. It's a lot of work and money, getting a semi-neglected cat up to snuff. (Not that your parents are neglectful! But, you know, the transition from being an outdoor cat to sleeping on a blanket wrapped around a heating pad even though it's 80 degrees outside... it's not always smooth.) And this isn't even getting into the litterbox issues and potential conflicts with your current cat.
I know you feel badly and want to help, but speaking as someone who has jumped right into spur-of-the-moment cat adoption/rescue situations more than once in my life, I think it's okay to not take this on right now.
posted by something something at 11:41 AM on April 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
I know you feel badly and want to help, but speaking as someone who has jumped right into spur-of-the-moment cat adoption/rescue situations more than once in my life, I think it's okay to not take this on right now.
posted by something something at 11:41 AM on April 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I think there's no reason you can't try keeping her. If it doesn't work out in the end, you'll be in the same situation as you would be now if you don't keep her. You can treat the fleas yourself. I have successfully treated a pretty severe flea infestation with just flea dip and flea collar. Add some Frontline or whatever and you're fine.
I also think a cat that's been and indoor/outdoor cat for 14 years should still be allowed to go out. She's not likely to wander far, and you can do this while still keeping your other cat indoor only. This situation really doesn't seem that difficult. When introducing two cats, being able to keep them separate at first is ideal, but not required. They will figure it out. As far as the litter box goes, she'll prolly still go outside most of the time. We've gotten by with one litter box for two cats (who also go outside.) I'm sure you could figure something out. And no, you don't need to take her to the vet or run all kinds of tests. Some people are ridiculous in how much money they will put into a pet in vet bills. It's not a requirement when she's not obviously injured or sick, and if she develops a serious problem, she can be put down. You're not obligated to spend thousands of dollars on a 14 year old cat, but I think you should at least give taking her in a try. A cat that old isn't likely to have a good outcome elsewhere.
posted by catatethebird at 12:02 PM on April 18, 2017 [6 favorites]
I also think a cat that's been and indoor/outdoor cat for 14 years should still be allowed to go out. She's not likely to wander far, and you can do this while still keeping your other cat indoor only. This situation really doesn't seem that difficult. When introducing two cats, being able to keep them separate at first is ideal, but not required. They will figure it out. As far as the litter box goes, she'll prolly still go outside most of the time. We've gotten by with one litter box for two cats (who also go outside.) I'm sure you could figure something out. And no, you don't need to take her to the vet or run all kinds of tests. Some people are ridiculous in how much money they will put into a pet in vet bills. It's not a requirement when she's not obviously injured or sick, and if she develops a serious problem, she can be put down. You're not obligated to spend thousands of dollars on a 14 year old cat, but I think you should at least give taking her in a try. A cat that old isn't likely to have a good outcome elsewhere.
posted by catatethebird at 12:02 PM on April 18, 2017 [6 favorites]
Best answer: What is the probability that in a year your parents will be living in a non-mobile house and would want/allow Molly to live with them there?
What are your feelings about letting Molly's potential health problems go untreated? Cat Hospice is "not done" in modern pet-owning culture, but in the context of casual outdoor cats, it would be perfectly normal to feed and pet a cat, make sure she had places to live and sleep, and minor checkups at the vet (like a rabies vac, and a flea treatment) but if she ever got a lump or diabetes or feline leukemia or whatever, that would just go untreated and she would die of "old age" like all the barn cats before her. If you don't want to have to pay for her treatments, and you can accept that sending her to a shelter and expecting them to pay for those treatments is unlikely, then it sounds like you're at least considering the no-treatment plan. You may need to soft-shoe around the treatment plan issue if you take her in to the vet and they find something of concern, but vets are often pretty understanding, sometimes much more so than cat-champions on the internet (who will judge the heck out of you). If you're not comfortable with cat hospice and you can't afford to pay for possible treatments, that's where the problem arises.
That said, Molly is not actually your problem, I agree with other posters that it's okay to decide not to take her in.
posted by aimedwander at 12:48 PM on April 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
What are your feelings about letting Molly's potential health problems go untreated? Cat Hospice is "not done" in modern pet-owning culture, but in the context of casual outdoor cats, it would be perfectly normal to feed and pet a cat, make sure she had places to live and sleep, and minor checkups at the vet (like a rabies vac, and a flea treatment) but if she ever got a lump or diabetes or feline leukemia or whatever, that would just go untreated and she would die of "old age" like all the barn cats before her. If you don't want to have to pay for her treatments, and you can accept that sending her to a shelter and expecting them to pay for those treatments is unlikely, then it sounds like you're at least considering the no-treatment plan. You may need to soft-shoe around the treatment plan issue if you take her in to the vet and they find something of concern, but vets are often pretty understanding, sometimes much more so than cat-champions on the internet (who will judge the heck out of you). If you're not comfortable with cat hospice and you can't afford to pay for possible treatments, that's where the problem arises.
That said, Molly is not actually your problem, I agree with other posters that it's okay to decide not to take her in.
posted by aimedwander at 12:48 PM on April 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I completely disagree that you can't keep her. Your roommate is already agreeable to 2 cats. You can let her outdoors without letting your cat outdoors. You don't have to take any of the recommendations of the vet aside from treating her for fleas. In general, I agree that cats need regular vet care and are safer indoors, but this cat is old already and things are what they are.
This cat has no other viable options, it sounds like you are looking for a free cat camp that takes in elderly cats and gives them a good life, and I don't think that exists, or if it does, it would be overrun. If you bring her in and compatibility with your cat turns out to be a huge issue, then that's another story, but it sounds like it's either your house or putting her to sleep, letting her go free in the wilderness or some other impossible option, so give her a chance to lie in the sun and get chin scritched a little longer.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 1:04 PM on April 18, 2017 [11 favorites]
This cat has no other viable options, it sounds like you are looking for a free cat camp that takes in elderly cats and gives them a good life, and I don't think that exists, or if it does, it would be overrun. If you bring her in and compatibility with your cat turns out to be a huge issue, then that's another story, but it sounds like it's either your house or putting her to sleep, letting her go free in the wilderness or some other impossible option, so give her a chance to lie in the sun and get chin scritched a little longer.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 1:04 PM on April 18, 2017 [11 favorites]
Although my opinion above still stands, I would say on re-read of your question, it looks like you are looking for reasons not to take her. If you don't want her, then don't take her, but if you are willing - it's only a few months and then hopefully you can shuttle her back to your parents, right?
posted by treehorn+bunny at 1:06 PM on April 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by treehorn+bunny at 1:06 PM on April 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
My roommate has extreme smell sensitivities, so the litterbox is in my room and my roommate already is bothered by it, there is nowhere else to put a second litter box that would not be worse.
I think you need to gain your roommate's full approval before going forward. You need to keep that relationship ok, right? Unless you can find another roommate or landlord who's ok with three cats? A third cat will undoubtedly add to the smell.
I'm allergic to cats - I can tolerate being in a cat residence if smell and dander are really well controlled (not sure what brand of litter helps; am sure daily change of litter does; hard floors, regular vacuuming, HEPA filter etc make a huge difference). If you think you really can commit to a setup that would minimize smell for your roommate, and also talk in advance about options if it doesn't work out, maybe give it a try. Have that convo. But I think it's unfair to your roommate to bring in another animal if they're already having issues with the ones that are there.
posted by cotton dress sock at 1:48 PM on April 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think you need to gain your roommate's full approval before going forward. You need to keep that relationship ok, right? Unless you can find another roommate or landlord who's ok with three cats? A third cat will undoubtedly add to the smell.
I'm allergic to cats - I can tolerate being in a cat residence if smell and dander are really well controlled (not sure what brand of litter helps; am sure daily change of litter does; hard floors, regular vacuuming, HEPA filter etc make a huge difference). If you think you really can commit to a setup that would minimize smell for your roommate, and also talk in advance about options if it doesn't work out, maybe give it a try. Have that convo. But I think it's unfair to your roommate to bring in another animal if they're already having issues with the ones that are there.
posted by cotton dress sock at 1:48 PM on April 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
First an answer to your stated question: the crazy cat lady danger zone is above N+1. That is, when you have one more cat than people that is enough cats usually. This doesn't mean it's wrong or a problem but just... that is the fact. Three cats for two people. So you're fine there.
Realistically I think you have a choice but this is going to have more to do with your roommate than anything else because it seems like that is the bigger deal. And have an honest chat with roommate about whether the issue is ANY litterbox or whether it is "Litterboxes, the way you deal with them" I have been in a lot of cat houses that have meticulous litterboxes and others that dont. No big deal but maybe see if you can have a straight chat about that.
A litterbox in your room is already suboptimal. Would an outdoor litterbox be an option if the patio is somewhat protected? Could you build a cat kennel? I guess a lot of this hinges around whether you and roommate can come to an agreement and then what you're willing to do as the result of this agreement. Fleas are pretty preventable and I agree with others, this may be a better deal than whatever other options Molly might have, though if you want someone to say "Sounds complicated, I'd avoid this" I could see that being a sound answer as well.
posted by jessamyn at 1:55 PM on April 18, 2017 [5 favorites]
Realistically I think you have a choice but this is going to have more to do with your roommate than anything else because it seems like that is the bigger deal. And have an honest chat with roommate about whether the issue is ANY litterbox or whether it is "Litterboxes, the way you deal with them" I have been in a lot of cat houses that have meticulous litterboxes and others that dont. No big deal but maybe see if you can have a straight chat about that.
A litterbox in your room is already suboptimal. Would an outdoor litterbox be an option if the patio is somewhat protected? Could you build a cat kennel? I guess a lot of this hinges around whether you and roommate can come to an agreement and then what you're willing to do as the result of this agreement. Fleas are pretty preventable and I agree with others, this may be a better deal than whatever other options Molly might have, though if you want someone to say "Sounds complicated, I'd avoid this" I could see that being a sound answer as well.
posted by jessamyn at 1:55 PM on April 18, 2017 [5 favorites]
Your roommate originally rescued the cat? She can suck up a three month visit. Maybe get your parents to pitch in for the flea visit and just let the vet know the situation -- yard cat, caring for her temporarily, no I can't afford to give her orthodontics, etc. I don't know how things are with your roommate, but my view is that litter boxes belong in the bathroom. Have you tried all the various types of litter and cleaning approaches? Maybe you and your roommate can split one of those fancy self-cleaning ones that supposedly totally keeps smells from being an issue if desired.
posted by salvia at 1:56 PM on April 18, 2017
posted by salvia at 1:56 PM on April 18, 2017
One suggestion that could help you manage both of these cats, depending on the weather where you live, the configuration of your house/apartment, and the agreeableness of your landlord: 99% of our cat problems (indoor-outdoor; ethics of bird predation; traffic concerns, litterbox smells, sarcastic cat peeing in the sink, and young-versus-old cat dynamic that demanded lots of options for separation) disappeared when we bought one of these and stuck it in my daughter's window. Then we ran some chicken wire around the unused alley-like space outside the window and put a chair and a potted plant out there. Now we have a cat run, where Cat Who Likes Out can go lie in the sun for hours, and Cat Who Likes In and Hates Cat Who Likes Out can just go out to pee. The only downside is the occasional dead lizard in my daughter's bedroom.
I think you might try taking the older cat temporarily, see how it goes, and in the meantime keep an ear out for other re-homing options. You are a good person for wanting to help, but you are not obligated to ruin your life in the process.
posted by helpthebear at 1:57 PM on April 18, 2017
I think you might try taking the older cat temporarily, see how it goes, and in the meantime keep an ear out for other re-homing options. You are a good person for wanting to help, but you are not obligated to ruin your life in the process.
posted by helpthebear at 1:57 PM on April 18, 2017
Two cats in the same room, and the aggressive one will be defending her territory? And the new one gets bullied by birds? No no no. Asking for trouble. It seems cruel to subject a 14 year old cat in ill health to the stress of a move + an aggressive cohabitant.
posted by AFABulous at 2:01 PM on April 18, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by AFABulous at 2:01 PM on April 18, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think the key question is whether your parents will commit to taking the cat back whenever they get where they are going. A few months is likely doable, in a number of ways, but it doesn't sound like a long-term good situation.
Honestly, you need to talk about any possible shelter (even a no kill shelter) about her chances of being rehomed. At her age and with health problems, her chances are likely not very big. And if it's cruel to keep her inside in your house, imagine her life in a cage long-term or her fear and confusion at finding herself away from everything she knows. I hate to say it, but it might be better in that case for your parents to consider having her put down in the arms of people she loves than subject her to a shelter where she will have little or no chance of homing.
That doesn't make it more your responsibility. You're kind to take this on, but this is really your parents' task.
posted by frumiousb at 4:10 PM on April 18, 2017
Honestly, you need to talk about any possible shelter (even a no kill shelter) about her chances of being rehomed. At her age and with health problems, her chances are likely not very big. And if it's cruel to keep her inside in your house, imagine her life in a cage long-term or her fear and confusion at finding herself away from everything she knows. I hate to say it, but it might be better in that case for your parents to consider having her put down in the arms of people she loves than subject her to a shelter where she will have little or no chance of homing.
That doesn't make it more your responsibility. You're kind to take this on, but this is really your parents' task.
posted by frumiousb at 4:10 PM on April 18, 2017
Best answer: Is the roommate on board? That is the big line in the sand.
If yes, then get the fleas sorted out, rabies shots updated, a second litter box, and some kind of high / low arrangement so each cat has her "space" in your room.
This is not the time for a third cat, by the way. Three cats with "who's on first?" issues would be very stressful for Molly, which along with acclimating to life without her family may trigger a decline. Temporary adjustment issues should be expected, but watch her feeding and litterbox habits during the first week or so.
Vets will go with you on what you do. If the one you choose doesn't, get another vet. Most of the ones I've used appreciate that cat owners have different expectations, and tailor their advise for the realities of financial costs, indoor / outdoor lifestyles, aged pet care, etc.
Supervised outdoor play for Molly sounds reasonable, as long as she is protected from traffic and stray dogs. Maybe this will get Magrathea into playing outside, too, if that's what you want. But cats don't "have" to be outdoors. That is for your convenience. So are the number of rooms you choose for her to be in.
Are your parents chipping in for food and other necessities? Are they up for paying for things like the pet deposit?
Have you had the hard talk with them about what to do if she suddenly stops eating (at this age I suggest separate feeding places and keeping an eye on daily consumption), or otherwise goes into decline? Do you have their go-ahead to make end-of-life decisions?
Nope, you are probably the only realistic choice they have for her remaining years if your parents cannot take her with them. I'd get a firm idea of how much physical and financial care they expect out of you for "their" cat.
At 14, Molly has had a good life. I hope the lessons she still has to teach are powerful and positive ones. Good luck!
posted by TrishaU at 4:21 PM on April 18, 2017
If yes, then get the fleas sorted out, rabies shots updated, a second litter box, and some kind of high / low arrangement so each cat has her "space" in your room.
This is not the time for a third cat, by the way. Three cats with "who's on first?" issues would be very stressful for Molly, which along with acclimating to life without her family may trigger a decline. Temporary adjustment issues should be expected, but watch her feeding and litterbox habits during the first week or so.
Vets will go with you on what you do. If the one you choose doesn't, get another vet. Most of the ones I've used appreciate that cat owners have different expectations, and tailor their advise for the realities of financial costs, indoor / outdoor lifestyles, aged pet care, etc.
Supervised outdoor play for Molly sounds reasonable, as long as she is protected from traffic and stray dogs. Maybe this will get Magrathea into playing outside, too, if that's what you want. But cats don't "have" to be outdoors. That is for your convenience. So are the number of rooms you choose for her to be in.
Are your parents chipping in for food and other necessities? Are they up for paying for things like the pet deposit?
Have you had the hard talk with them about what to do if she suddenly stops eating (at this age I suggest separate feeding places and keeping an eye on daily consumption), or otherwise goes into decline? Do you have their go-ahead to make end-of-life decisions?
Nope, you are probably the only realistic choice they have for her remaining years if your parents cannot take her with them. I'd get a firm idea of how much physical and financial care they expect out of you for "their" cat.
At 14, Molly has had a good life. I hope the lessons she still has to teach are powerful and positive ones. Good luck!
posted by TrishaU at 4:21 PM on April 18, 2017
I'll just mention as a possible alternative (not one I am particularly recommending, but one you might want to at least think about a little), that you could re-home your current cat & take on your parents' cat as your only cat.
I'm sure that has some downsides from your perspective, but upsides are: 1. You end up with only one cat, which is more manageable given your current situation and 2. Your current cat could probably find a happy new home fairly easily whereas a 14-year-old elderly semi-outdoor cat, probably not.
posted by flug at 5:55 PM on April 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm sure that has some downsides from your perspective, but upsides are: 1. You end up with only one cat, which is more manageable given your current situation and 2. Your current cat could probably find a happy new home fairly easily whereas a 14-year-old elderly semi-outdoor cat, probably not.
posted by flug at 5:55 PM on April 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone, you've given me a lot to think over.
some answers:
I am comfortable with cat hospice, as unpopular as that is on the internet. I've cared for several cats in similar health as Molly and concentrated on comfort and quality of life rather than intervention.
My parents don't intend to keep Molly after the move; they are going ~1300 miles from San Diego to the Olympian Peninsula. Neither of them can lift her anymore (dad is partially paralyzed, mom has arthritis in her shoulders and hands). they want to take her to the county shelter and I'm trying to find another solution.
My roommate really does have a lot of smell issues, she's hyper sensitive and cat pee is a major trigger for her. She also can't use many public restrooms without becoming physically ill.
We've tried just about every litter available and I do roll the Omega Paw box every day. I tried an electric box many years ago and it went nightmarishly badly, so I've not wanted to invest again.
Neither bathroom has floor space for a litter box, there is barely room to get in there and do your thing. Tiny old house.
posted by buildmyworld at 10:58 AM on April 19, 2017
some answers:
I am comfortable with cat hospice, as unpopular as that is on the internet. I've cared for several cats in similar health as Molly and concentrated on comfort and quality of life rather than intervention.
My parents don't intend to keep Molly after the move; they are going ~1300 miles from San Diego to the Olympian Peninsula. Neither of them can lift her anymore (dad is partially paralyzed, mom has arthritis in her shoulders and hands). they want to take her to the county shelter and I'm trying to find another solution.
My roommate really does have a lot of smell issues, she's hyper sensitive and cat pee is a major trigger for her. She also can't use many public restrooms without becoming physically ill.
We've tried just about every litter available and I do roll the Omega Paw box every day. I tried an electric box many years ago and it went nightmarishly badly, so I've not wanted to invest again.
Neither bathroom has floor space for a litter box, there is barely room to get in there and do your thing. Tiny old house.
posted by buildmyworld at 10:58 AM on April 19, 2017
Response by poster: Well we did it. We brought Molly to the vet, got her all checked out and de-fleaed, and brought her in to our home. We compromised on a litterbox in the entryway, as it was the only place with room enough where my roommate would not be trying to sit for extended times.
She and Maggie gradually got used to one another, though Maggie really wanted more physical contact than Molly would allow. Here's some pictures of them together.
Unfortunately Molly had congestive heart failure on Monday, but at least we were able to give her a few weeks of quiet rest with familiar people instead of a crowded scary shelter.
posted by buildmyworld at 10:53 AM on June 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
She and Maggie gradually got used to one another, though Maggie really wanted more physical contact than Molly would allow. Here's some pictures of them together.
Unfortunately Molly had congestive heart failure on Monday, but at least we were able to give her a few weeks of quiet rest with familiar people instead of a crowded scary shelter.
posted by buildmyworld at 10:53 AM on June 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Ausamor at 11:27 AM on April 18, 2017 [10 favorites]