Humane Society?
August 6, 2008 11:46 AM Subscribe
Has anyone ever called the Humane Society to put down an elderly cat? How did that call go? Were they judgmental?
I've always had animals put down by the vet, which seemed better for everyone since the vet was familiar with the pet. When my fifteen year old family dog was at the point where she could no longer see, climb stairs, or enjoy life anymore, my father called the family vet and told her it was time. She reassured him that he would know when it was time and that he was doing the right thing. I think that really helped him get through what was otherwise a very painful and difficult decision.
So, have you thought about calling your vet?
posted by bananafish at 12:02 PM on August 6, 2008
So, have you thought about calling your vet?
posted by bananafish at 12:02 PM on August 6, 2008
In my years as a volunteer at the local Humane Society, we have never been judgmental when a pet owner elects to have an animal put down. We recognize that the decision to put a beloved pet to sleep is not an easy one or one that is made lightly. I don't recall an instance when we ever challenged a pet owner's decision, or were ever anything less than sympathetic.
On a purely practical level, it would be a very poor idea for the Humane Society to make it difficult for a pet owner to euthanize an animal, because if we turn the owner away, it's entirely likely that the owner will choose to abandon the animal. We would much rather put an animal to sleep quietly and painlessly, than risk it dying alone and in pain by the side of the road.
posted by SPrintF at 12:24 PM on August 6, 2008
On a purely practical level, it would be a very poor idea for the Humane Society to make it difficult for a pet owner to euthanize an animal, because if we turn the owner away, it's entirely likely that the owner will choose to abandon the animal. We would much rather put an animal to sleep quietly and painlessly, than risk it dying alone and in pain by the side of the road.
posted by SPrintF at 12:24 PM on August 6, 2008
If the cat doesn't have a serious health problem or a low quality of life factor, they probably would not think you're not so hot.
If the animal has a terminal condition or in untreatable pain, they will be great.
posted by quarterframer at 12:26 PM on August 6, 2008
If the animal has a terminal condition or in untreatable pain, they will be great.
posted by quarterframer at 12:26 PM on August 6, 2008
Response by poster: Consider this: the cat is twelve. The cat vomits every single day, at every meal, and urinates on the floors every other day. The cat yowls all night. The vet says the cat's bloodwork is mostly OK, that the cat could benefit from medication. Consider that the cat does not take the medication, actively refuses all manner of medication, to the extent of causing pain to whomever might be dispensing said medication, that literally thousands of dollars have been spent trying to address this issue over three years. Consider this is getting worse, while the vet claims the bloodwork is "unremarkable". At wit's end, really. You may judge if you wish.
posted by xmutex at 12:29 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by xmutex at 12:29 PM on August 6, 2008
There are vets that will come to your home and euthanize your pet. I found one by calling my regular vet. If you go this route, the cat's final moments are in familiar surroundings. A lot of cats get distressed just riding in the car. Hopefully you can make kitty's final day less stressful that way. I didn't have to explain my dog's condition to the mobile vet - so there was no judgement on her part - she just came and did the job. Of course, everyone is different - but you shouldn't really care what other people think, as long as you feel you are making the right decision.
posted by Alpenglow at 12:39 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Alpenglow at 12:39 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
I once had an exploding cat (Well that's what my roommate called it.) Similar symptoms, no known cause. Put it out of its misery.
posted by Gungho at 12:40 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by Gungho at 12:40 PM on August 6, 2008
Not judging you in any way, but I would consider a different vet. My cat's 13 and has had some issues in the past and is very difficult to medicate. My vet worked with me to find a delivery method that was workable for the cat and for me. While at one point we considered that the old man might have to be put down, the vet never once stopped trying to figure out what was wrong and how best to treat him.
Insisting that the cat's bloodwork is "unremarkable" is completely ignoring the fact that the cat is obviously unwell. Failing a better vet or a better understanding of what's going on, it may be a quality of life issue for the cat.
posted by teleri025 at 12:42 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
Insisting that the cat's bloodwork is "unremarkable" is completely ignoring the fact that the cat is obviously unwell. Failing a better vet or a better understanding of what's going on, it may be a quality of life issue for the cat.
posted by teleri025 at 12:42 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
It is your cat or a stray? If you own the cat, you should take it to the vet, not the Humane Society. If the only reason that you are having it put down is that it's old, they will be judgmental.
I second these points. But, if the cat is sick, and/or has bad old-age issues like bananafish described, they will be happy you're there (well, not happy you're there, but happy you're doing the right thing).
Regarding SPrintF, I definitely know of shelters that were approached to have a dog put down for reasons no better than "We're moving, and don't want to take the perfectly healthy dog with us" (and variants thereof); instead of putting the dogs down, these shelters worked to get these animals placed with local rescue groups.
posted by inigo2 at 12:49 PM on August 6, 2008
I second these points. But, if the cat is sick, and/or has bad old-age issues like bananafish described, they will be happy you're there (well, not happy you're there, but happy you're doing the right thing).
Regarding SPrintF, I definitely know of shelters that were approached to have a dog put down for reasons no better than "We're moving, and don't want to take the perfectly healthy dog with us" (and variants thereof); instead of putting the dogs down, these shelters worked to get these animals placed with local rescue groups.
posted by inigo2 at 12:49 PM on August 6, 2008
And, reading your response, this cat doesn't seem to be in a good place. You won't be judged poorly.
posted by inigo2 at 12:52 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by inigo2 at 12:52 PM on August 6, 2008
As a former humane society employee, no, we don't judge people when they bring it an old, sick animal in for euthanasia. We put the animal to sleep and you can stand there and hold the animal during the process if you want or you can just have the body back or you can just leave the body for us to take care of. we understand how hard it is for you and we're absolutely not judgemental.
now if you wanted to euthanize a young happy and healthy cat, we might ask you instead to just surrender the animal to us and instead of euthanizing it, we might try instead to adopt it out.
but those people who think humane society staff are going to turn their noses at someone trying to give their animal a peaceful death really have no idea what kind of awfulness humane societies deal with on a minute to minute basis and how responsible people trying to do right by their pets pretty fucking much make our day.
if you do take the cat to the humane society, call ahead and ask when a quiet time to come is so they can be ready for you (i.e., have the staff with the license to euthanize on hand and not out dealing with mauled pit bulls and imbedded collars).
we euthanized lots of animals at owner's request and owners were always miserable and we were always very very kind.
posted by bluenausea at 12:56 PM on August 6, 2008
now if you wanted to euthanize a young happy and healthy cat, we might ask you instead to just surrender the animal to us and instead of euthanizing it, we might try instead to adopt it out.
but those people who think humane society staff are going to turn their noses at someone trying to give their animal a peaceful death really have no idea what kind of awfulness humane societies deal with on a minute to minute basis and how responsible people trying to do right by their pets pretty fucking much make our day.
if you do take the cat to the humane society, call ahead and ask when a quiet time to come is so they can be ready for you (i.e., have the staff with the license to euthanize on hand and not out dealing with mauled pit bulls and imbedded collars).
we euthanized lots of animals at owner's request and owners were always miserable and we were always very very kind.
posted by bluenausea at 12:56 PM on August 6, 2008
Had a cat put down at the vet's office about fifteen years ago.
She was very sweet and even wrote us a little condolence note afterward.
Not in any way judgmental.
Don't worry. They'll be kind and understanding.
posted by jason's_planet at 1:07 PM on August 6, 2008
She was very sweet and even wrote us a little condolence note afterward.
Not in any way judgmental.
Don't worry. They'll be kind and understanding.
posted by jason's_planet at 1:07 PM on August 6, 2008
There are vets that will come to your home and euthanize your pet.
I reccommend getting one. I was sitting next to a couple at the vet a few months ago who were there to put their dog down. They had to wait in the public waiting room for some reason beyond my comprehension, the dog was freaking out, the woman was crying... awful situation.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:20 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
I reccommend getting one. I was sitting next to a couple at the vet a few months ago who were there to put their dog down. They had to wait in the public waiting room for some reason beyond my comprehension, the dog was freaking out, the woman was crying... awful situation.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:20 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
When my cat went from "a hematoma in his ear, we drained it, it'll be fine in a few weeks" to "totally overrun with extremely aggressive cancer" in the two weeks between stitches and followup visit, I ended up putting him down. His quality of life in the last few days before the followup had plummeted, and the vet actually recommended doing it to end the obvious suffering. Likely they'll be kind.
posted by davejay at 2:26 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by davejay at 2:26 PM on August 6, 2008
Oh, and if you're really doing this for the quality of life of your pet (and I have no reason to believe otherwise, nor am I suggesting so) you should push aside what they'll think of you; even if they think you suck, if you're doing the right thing you're doing the right thing.
posted by davejay at 2:27 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by davejay at 2:27 PM on August 6, 2008
We put down a cat about 3 years ago at the humane socitey. They were lovely and kind. Not judgemental at all, but I was prepared for it.
posted by beachhead2 at 2:32 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by beachhead2 at 2:32 PM on August 6, 2008
fwiw, the humane society may be able to help you find someone who will adopt it. it's perfectly legitimate to say, "i can no longer meet this animal's needs. please help me find someone who can."
if it is suffering and you can't find someone who can care for it, though, then by all means put it down.
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:21 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
if it is suffering and you can't find someone who can care for it, though, then by all means put it down.
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:21 PM on August 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
When our dog's time came a few years back, we had a vet come to the house. He was 14 and had been diagnosed with skin cancer and over the course of a weekend... well, he just gave up on the whole "living" business. No one was judgmental in the least, we all very obviously loved him very much and couldn't bear the thought of him dying in pain.
The house call was absolutely the best thing for everyone. None of my family members (or the dog) would have been able to handle having to travel out of the house for such an ordeal. It was quiet and peaceful, they took the body and cremated it and gave us the ashes a few weeks later.
It's a little bit creepy to know that my old dog is sitting in a drawer in my mom's desk.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:54 PM on August 6, 2008
The house call was absolutely the best thing for everyone. None of my family members (or the dog) would have been able to handle having to travel out of the house for such an ordeal. It was quiet and peaceful, they took the body and cremated it and gave us the ashes a few weeks later.
It's a little bit creepy to know that my old dog is sitting in a drawer in my mom's desk.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:54 PM on August 6, 2008
I found my emergency pet hospital to be incredibly kind, understanding, and not at all judgmental. They sent a condolence card and made a donation to the Humane Society in my name as well. if you can't afford to take your pet to the hospital, I would still recommend a vet over the Humane Society, if you can make an appointment so you have private time to say good-bye to your cat.
posted by misha at 4:54 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by misha at 4:54 PM on August 6, 2008
I am a little confused as to why you are seeking the services of the Humane Society? Sounds like you need a new vet.
posted by radioamy at 7:04 PM on August 6, 2008
posted by radioamy at 7:04 PM on August 6, 2008
Xmutex, the level of frustration you are describing is the biggest indication that you need to find a new vet. You have my sympathy with this.
"Unremarkable" as the blood work may appear to your existing vet, the vet is failing to find the cause of the problems. Twelve isn't particularly old for a cat, but it is an age where common and treatable health problems can start. A good cat vet will work with you and offer some help with methods for medicating your cat. They will also examine all aspects of the cat's behaviour and its care/environment. Often in cases where there doesn't appear to be any significant cause, all it takes is a fresh eye to ascertain what the issue is. Problems such as vomiting and inappropriate urination usually have a physical cause, and sometimes they are stress/environment related. Your exisiting vet has recommended medication, a new vet might suggest a way you can cope with administering it.
I think it's worth one last shot with a new vet (a cat only or small animal only practice preferably) mainly due to the effort you have put in already but also the symptoms you describe could well be easily treatable. I don't think any vet or humane society is going to be judgemental about your situation, especially if your are as candid with them as you have been here. They may, as others have suggested, offer to help sort the cat out, but if not, it's far easier to live with a decision to euthanase a pet, if you know deep down you have done all you can to resolve these health issues.
Good luck.
posted by Arqa at 1:52 AM on August 7, 2008
"Unremarkable" as the blood work may appear to your existing vet, the vet is failing to find the cause of the problems. Twelve isn't particularly old for a cat, but it is an age where common and treatable health problems can start. A good cat vet will work with you and offer some help with methods for medicating your cat. They will also examine all aspects of the cat's behaviour and its care/environment. Often in cases where there doesn't appear to be any significant cause, all it takes is a fresh eye to ascertain what the issue is. Problems such as vomiting and inappropriate urination usually have a physical cause, and sometimes they are stress/environment related. Your exisiting vet has recommended medication, a new vet might suggest a way you can cope with administering it.
I think it's worth one last shot with a new vet (a cat only or small animal only practice preferably) mainly due to the effort you have put in already but also the symptoms you describe could well be easily treatable. I don't think any vet or humane society is going to be judgemental about your situation, especially if your are as candid with them as you have been here. They may, as others have suggested, offer to help sort the cat out, but if not, it's far easier to live with a decision to euthanase a pet, if you know deep down you have done all you can to resolve these health issues.
Good luck.
posted by Arqa at 1:52 AM on August 7, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by MegoSteve at 11:58 AM on August 6, 2008