Rehoming a cat ... advice needed.

[bpuppydog]

Hey everyone,

Firstly please don't tear strips off me I'm just miserable about this.  It's the last thing I want to do.

We have a little cat, Cara, who is 9.  Last September, we accidentally took in a stray (he looks EXACTLY the same as Cara, he was in our house for an hour or so before we discovered he wasn't Cara).   His name is Gene.

We keep waiting for them to settle down, but it's just not happening.  Cara's life is an absolute misery - she's a gentle little thing and every time we turn our backs, and sometimes right in front of us, he hassles the hell out of her.  Scratching, biting, and chasing.

I took Cara to the vet tonight because I thought she was off her bikkies - she seems to only want tinned food at the moment.  The vet said her teeth are fine, and checked her over and can't find anything wrong with her.  He feels that our little stray boy is just too much, and told me it's never going to get better.  He told me to section off the house for Cara to have some space of her own, but firstly there is NO way to keep Gene from getting in there at some point, and secondly that would just be putting Cara in a guilded cage.  I don't think she'd be any happier with that outcome than she is now.

So I have to try and find somewhere for Gene to go.  How on earth do I find someone trustworthy enough to look after him properly?  I don't want to give him up at all.  I'm certainly not sending him to a shelter, he's not a kitten and I know what the odds are of an adult being adopted, even Gene.  He has a lovely, playful personality (when he's not beating up Cara) and he's so much fun to have around.  And I've never met a cat who chats as much as he does!  No idea what he's saying, but it's clearly important.

If anyone's done this successfully before, I'd love to hear about it.  

Thanks... x

[twinkles**stars]

maybe your vet could keep him in mnd when someonehas lost their beloved cat (passed on). Let other vets know you are looking to rehome him.....at least vets get to know who cares for yheir pets.    I have a dog and cat that dislike each other even after 5 years so understand.

[monstersinthedungeon]

Bpuppy, first of all, please don't feel bad about this. You did a kind thing by taking the stray in in the first place, unfortunately yours was just a stepping-stone home until he finds his fur-ever home. Sometimes, even with the very best of intentions, things just don't jell.

We had a similar thing happen; some years ago our next door neighbours moved out and left their cats behind, we took them in. Unfortunately one of the new cats and one of our original cats just hated each other and took every opportunity to seriously beat each other up - you know those cartoons you see where it's all a blur and flying fur? That was literally the two cats.

I ended up rehoming him to my cleaning lady (at the time, too poor for that now :^O), she had another cat and they ended up getting on so very well together, best buddies.

The second cat came with us when we moved, but his life was pretty miserable as our dominant cat took every opportunity to bully him - he didn't beat him up seriously the way he had the other cat, but this poor kitty just wasn't a happy camper. 

I ended up rehoming him to the lovely lady who owns our local general store (small rural town). Just got chatting with her and found out that her mum's cat had just passed and she was desperately missing him.  I offered her the cat on an "appro" deal - i.e., if it didn't work out, then I would take him back. Well many months later he's still there, very much loved and living a life of absolute bliss, much, much happier than he was with us.

I think you need to stipulate that if it doesn't work out, you'll take him back, that way you will know that he won't get dumped if anything goes wrong. If he is microchipped, when you transfer the microchip paperwork, then put yourself on it as the second contact person.

Ask around locally first, put some flyers in neighbour's letterboxes. If you start close and are successful, then you may be able to keep in contact and will know for sure he is being well looked after.

If you advertise, please don't advertise him free, at least put a nominal amount on him - the theory is that if people have to pay for the animal he will be less disposable.

[katydidthat]

Maybe, OP, it would be a good idea if you posted your location in case someone here can help.  

[monstersinthedungeon]

Oh, just thought; have you tried a Feliway diffuser? They are supposed to be very good at settling cats. They spray a feline pheromone into the air (plug it into a power point), which apparently soothes the cats. May be worth a try as it sounds very much like you would like to keep Gene. But ultimately your first loyalty has to be with Cara.

[bpuppydog]

Thanks :-x

Monsters I won't advertise for him, I can't bear the thought of some random taking him away.  I know there are caring people out there who would love him but how do I know which ones they are?  I think the only way this can work is if I find someone I know to take him or at least a friend of a friend.  Hopefully I can make them promise to call me if they can't continue to keep him or whatever.  The second contact on the microchip form is a GREAT idea.

I'll go get a diffuser thingy tomorrow and see if I can get them to settle down.  I wish I could make him understand the consequences of this behaviour!  My poor little boofhead :_|  He's only 1, how many one year olds have any sense anyway?  

I think it's going to take a while to find someone suitable for him.  I'll ensure they're separated at night so at least he's not harassing Cara while we're sleeping while we get this worked out.

Katy we're in south-east Victoria.  He seems to quite like dogs, so I think he'd be OK in a household with a dog, just as long as there are no other cats around!

Thanks for this - I really appreciate the ideas :-x

[my2cuddlycats_not]

Was going to suggest the feliway, but see monsters has already :-), surprised your vet didn't suggest it.

I know a lot of people don't believe in Naturopathy/Homeopathy, but if you are open to them and the feliway doesn't help, you could discuss it with one and they could probably make up a Bush Flowers Remedy to try to help the situation.

Good luck, it is a hard thing to go through. :-x