Senior citizen needs to go cat-free ASAP
June 26, 2017 10:04 AM Subscribe
My octogenarian mother in Portland Oregon needs to give up her cat, as she is no longer able to deal with taking care of it.
My mother has called around to various places, but has been told that while the cat is relatively healthy, it is "old" at nine years old. Basically, the places she called said they won't take the cat.
I believe she originally got the cat from The Humane Society a few years back. She called them and when they called back and left a message, they mentioned her filling out some paperwork, being put on some sort waiting list, coming in for a meeting so that the HS could establish what was going on, but in the end that the cat was old and that old cats don't really "move" (like kittens do, apparently).
I am hoping that there is some sort of organization or procedure that helps seniors with pets that now are causing more trouble/danger than companionship.
One of the reasons she needs to get rid of the cat, is that the cat regularly (every two to three days) vomits up it's food shortly after eating. So, my mom finds clumps of half-chewed kibble barfed up on her floor, where it presents a continuous un-seen slipping hazard, and is a pain for her arthritic self to constantly be bending over and having to clean up.
She has taken the cat to the vet several times. They have tried different foods, different dishes, brushing her every day, and feeding the cat in smaller amounts, but nothing seems to help.
My mother does not have family or friends that would be able to take over the ownership of this cat. The cat is a small tabby that is affectionate and loves to spend time sitting on her owner's lap.
If anyone has any information about organizations she could turn to, I would greatly appreciate hearing about them. I spoke with my mom today and she was getting teary-eyed from feeling at the end of her rope.
My mother has called around to various places, but has been told that while the cat is relatively healthy, it is "old" at nine years old. Basically, the places she called said they won't take the cat.
I believe she originally got the cat from The Humane Society a few years back. She called them and when they called back and left a message, they mentioned her filling out some paperwork, being put on some sort waiting list, coming in for a meeting so that the HS could establish what was going on, but in the end that the cat was old and that old cats don't really "move" (like kittens do, apparently).
I am hoping that there is some sort of organization or procedure that helps seniors with pets that now are causing more trouble/danger than companionship.
One of the reasons she needs to get rid of the cat, is that the cat regularly (every two to three days) vomits up it's food shortly after eating. So, my mom finds clumps of half-chewed kibble barfed up on her floor, where it presents a continuous un-seen slipping hazard, and is a pain for her arthritic self to constantly be bending over and having to clean up.
She has taken the cat to the vet several times. They have tried different foods, different dishes, brushing her every day, and feeding the cat in smaller amounts, but nothing seems to help.
My mother does not have family or friends that would be able to take over the ownership of this cat. The cat is a small tabby that is affectionate and loves to spend time sitting on her owner's lap.
If anyone has any information about organizations she could turn to, I would greatly appreciate hearing about them. I spoke with my mom today and she was getting teary-eyed from feeling at the end of her rope.
Speaking as someone who adopted 2 cats from a senior who had to go into assisted living, I think your best bet is search out an individual who might take these cats, not a group. Lean on your social circles -- via email or Facebook or whatever you've got handy. Ask your close friends to lean on their social circles. Start spreading your message as far and wide as you can.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:18 AM on June 26, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:18 AM on June 26, 2017 [8 favorites]
No advice on rehoming but the vomiting problem can usually be solved easily by feeding the cat from an ice cube tray. You spread the kibble out where the ice cubes would go and the cat is forced to fish the kibbles out one by one, which slows them waaaay down. It doesn't take any more effort on the part of the human and this has entirely stopped the vomiting in my three-cat household.
posted by AFABulous at 10:20 AM on June 26, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by AFABulous at 10:20 AM on June 26, 2017 [20 favorites]
For the very short term, is there a neighbor kid who could come by to feed the cat and check the floors?
posted by AFABulous at 10:22 AM on June 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by AFABulous at 10:22 AM on June 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Could you perhaps ask the mods to post a throwaway email address for you? I reached out to some PDX cat lover friends, but there's no way for me (or other MeFites who might adopt her) to get in touch. Thanks!
posted by carmicha at 10:27 AM on June 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by carmicha at 10:27 AM on June 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Many pet stores (especially the big chains like Petco and Petsmart) host weekly adoption days with local cat rescues. Maybe try calling local stores and seeing who works with them.
posted by karbonokapi at 10:29 AM on June 26, 2017
posted by karbonokapi at 10:29 AM on June 26, 2017
Portland specific advice: Pixie Project, Cat Adoption Team.
Try both of these.
posted by msamye at 10:40 AM on June 26, 2017 [4 favorites]
Try both of these.
posted by msamye at 10:40 AM on June 26, 2017 [4 favorites]
I once fostered an 8-year-old cat offered for adoption by Cats Cradle Rescue in Hillsboro. It looks like they have an "offered by owner" program where they will list cats being surrendered. They may be able to direct you to more resources as well.
(The cat I fostered was successfully adopted within a few months.)
posted by rabbitbookworm at 10:45 AM on June 26, 2017
(The cat I fostered was successfully adopted within a few months.)
posted by rabbitbookworm at 10:45 AM on June 26, 2017
Have her talk with the vet. Our local vet will sometimes do a "matchmaking" service in situations like this, helping to rehome animals with another family who frequents the practice.
posted by anastasiav at 10:46 AM on June 26, 2017
posted by anastasiav at 10:46 AM on June 26, 2017
By far the most success I've seen with finding homes for cats is through personal networking. Network like you're looking for a really awesome job and you're good at networking. Tell the whole sad story, mention but don't dwell on the barfing problem (use the least-disgusting terms you can), emphasize how sad your Mom is to have to find a new place for her, and give your friends, and your Mom's friends, and the person who regularly sells her warm beverages, and her/your yoga instructor, and your dental hygienist, something with contact information and photos of the cat being adorable that they can send to their friends.
Even when I fostered kittens, I found a lot of homes for them through personal acquaintances.
Bonus: if the cat does get adopted by a friend of your Mom's, then she might be able to visit the cat occasionally (as I was able to visit my teacher's other student's kittens and my neighbor's kittens and so forth).
posted by amtho at 11:31 AM on June 26, 2017
Even when I fostered kittens, I found a lot of homes for them through personal acquaintances.
Bonus: if the cat does get adopted by a friend of your Mom's, then she might be able to visit the cat occasionally (as I was able to visit my teacher's other student's kittens and my neighbor's kittens and so forth).
posted by amtho at 11:31 AM on June 26, 2017
Yeah, I'm almost certain OHS will take the cat.
posted by TomFoolery at 11:53 AM on June 26, 2017
posted by TomFoolery at 11:53 AM on June 26, 2017
It's a bit far (washington state) but try calling purrfect pals (website is currently acting up but they have a facebook as well). No kill and take in harder to adopt cats (old, ill, behavioral issues, etc). Nine years old doesn't sound "too old" to me at all. (full disclosure I volunteer with them)
If not them or they're too far, they may be able to connect/network with a rescue that can help.
posted by Orca at 1:45 PM on June 26, 2017
If not them or they're too far, they may be able to connect/network with a rescue that can help.
posted by Orca at 1:45 PM on June 26, 2017
Sounds like you've already tried many ways of fixing the barfing. A friend was in a get the barfing under control or the cat has to go situation with roommates in a group house. Eventually he found an automated cat feeder that fixed the problem: The feeder could be set to spit out just a smidgen of food every hour. No more barfing. Unfortunately it only works with dry food.
posted by forkisbetter at 3:09 PM on June 26, 2017
posted by forkisbetter at 3:09 PM on June 26, 2017
Cat barfing is normal, nine is not old, and I think someone is out there to adopt this cat. If you want I can put an ad up for him on Portland Nextdoor (maybe even a couple of different neighborhoods). Memail me if you'd like to set that up.
posted by hungrytiger at 3:42 PM on June 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by hungrytiger at 3:42 PM on June 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
That much barfing is not normal. Has the vet gotten an x-ray to look for a bowel obstruction, intestinal cancer, or IBD/IBS?
My barfing cat turned out to have intestinal inflammation. A daily dose of medication plus a specially processed prescription food fixed him right up. If that's the problem, your mother might not need to give the cat up yet.
Even if it's cancer or an obstruction, there are things owners can do to make everyone's life better.
posted by Ahniya at 4:27 PM on June 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
My barfing cat turned out to have intestinal inflammation. A daily dose of medication plus a specially processed prescription food fixed him right up. If that's the problem, your mother might not need to give the cat up yet.
Even if it's cancer or an obstruction, there are things owners can do to make everyone's life better.
posted by Ahniya at 4:27 PM on June 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
@Ahniya, my barfy cat has been thoroughly vet-checked and is normal and cancer free, but does barf frequently. I don't want to derail the thread with a discussion of cat-barfiness, but I do want to say that a barf every couple of days is within normal range. My cat, for example, eats quickly, then feels thirsty, then drinks quickly, then throws up relatively undigested food. Fortunately my greyhound then eats it, so circle of liiiiiife
@anon, I hope your mom quickly finds a lovely home for a cat I'm sure is well loved. This is never an easy decision to make and my heart goes out to her.
posted by some chick at 5:13 PM on June 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
@anon, I hope your mom quickly finds a lovely home for a cat I'm sure is well loved. This is never an easy decision to make and my heart goes out to her.
posted by some chick at 5:13 PM on June 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
First off, the cat isn't "causing trouble". Just remember it's not doing this on purpose, it's just an innocent cat.
It doesn't sound like the vet has done any kind of medical testing at all. If your mom has tried all kinds of non-medical solutions, it honestly sounds like it's time for a medical checkup is in order to make sure the cause isn't disease or dysfunction.
Multnomah County Animal Services has a page with re-homing advice and links to shelters you can talk to about re-homing. If it's an emergency or you can't find anyone to take the cat, you can call MCAS at 503-988-7387.
posted by i feel possessed at 6:34 PM on June 27, 2017
It doesn't sound like the vet has done any kind of medical testing at all. If your mom has tried all kinds of non-medical solutions, it honestly sounds like it's time for a medical checkup is in order to make sure the cause isn't disease or dysfunction.
Multnomah County Animal Services has a page with re-homing advice and links to shelters you can talk to about re-homing. If it's an emergency or you can't find anyone to take the cat, you can call MCAS at 503-988-7387.
posted by i feel possessed at 6:34 PM on June 27, 2017
Mod note: From the OP:
Throwaway email: askmetafilter310497@gmail.composted by restless_nomad (staff) at 7:14 PM on June 27, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 10:13 AM on June 26, 2017