I posted a big long rant on the mainpage about us trying to adopt out our cats.... we're going to be posting some pictures of them here tomorrow, but I wanted to make sure the thread was created so I can respond to any questions in an open manner.

So ask away!

I must insist on some pictures. From your novel I've been intrigued as to what these cats, more specifically George and Vash, look like.

I do apologize but my curiosity is simply just that. I'm in the same boat you are and even the cat I have now is more than my apartment complex is aware of. Taking on anymore will just raise more suspicion towards me and alas if they knew, the deposit alone is more than my car payment.

I commend you for doing the right thing though. Giving up a pet you've had for even a short while is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do, whether its to the vet to be euthanized due to a disease or to the shelter because of un-reconcilable circumstances.

Your cats loved me. But then all cats do because I'm allergic to cats. Hell my tabby is spooning me presently.

Yes, spooning me. I don't know why he likes my groin.

Edit: We need pictures of the golf course. You sir, are one lucky, lucky man.

Good for you Greg that you don't see your cats/animals as disposable as so many people do. I wish I were currently in a position to get a cat. My house currently has 2 adult dogs and 5 puppies. 4 of the puppies will be leaving in another week *cry* but that will still leave me with 3 dogs. I love cats and usually have 1 or 2 in the house over the years. I had to put my cat of 9 years down last spring and the dogs have kind of taken over. I'm sure you will find their "forever" home and a little positive karma for both of you.

pretty kitty pictures? pretty please?

Wish I could help you out with the kitties, but since I am out in Texas and have 4 dogs and two cats, I think my husband would say no to me going out to California to bring another home. You aren't kidding about the ferrel cat problem here. My neighbor feeds about 20 or more cats in our neighborhood, and my mother in law has taken in to her home 17 cats. I hope you find a good home for your bunch!

ampersand wrote:Your cats loved me. But then all cats do because I'm allergic to cats. Hell my tabby is spooning me presently.

Yes, spooning me. I don't know why he likes my groin.

There's plenty of room down there?

Oh, and I'd love to help. But I already have two cats and I loathe them both.

Of course you're going to have to do a strip with the cats, you know that right?

I'd take one, but I'm a) in Canada, and b) my apartment complex doesn't allow pets.

I'd suggest my in-laws, but they already have like 3 cats.

Pity the anniv. is on the 15th, as I'm in SF for business from the 8th-11th.

Man...if I didn't live just about as far away as possible(Florida) I'd be tempted...

My cat is pretty mellow most of the time...she runs if anyone knocks on the front door though

How would any of the kitties deal with being home alone for 9 hours a day? My wife and I work full time and have talked about getting a cat, but I always worry about the cat tearing apart the furniture while we're at work...

Yes, I am in Sac. Just moved back from the coast. Weee...

I'm sure you've already checked... but I do hope you were 100% certain all cats you take in didn't already have families. I'm mad on cats, I've always been around cats my entire life, I've even got a baby photo of my parent's cat refusing to let my parents near me! I always make it a point to always get rescue cats. I love my cats to pieces and would be devastated if anything happened to her, but I'm the polar opposite to you both about the indoors/outdoors issue - I don't want to get into the subject as it's not the point here but I have extremely strong feelings about letting cats outdoors. Just as well, my cat *loves* being outdoors and is utterly miserable if she's kept indoors so I let her out anyway. My cat also hates collars, and I did try to put one on when I first got her, but she just rips it off - she knows how to bypass the safety release, and I refuse to use a collar without a safety release. She does have a microchip, and she's fully vaccinated with yearly boosters, and taken to the vet straight-away if there's any issues so she's healthy, well fed and doesn't look like a stray. However, a couple times already, a few people assumed she was a stray and started to keep her. I've had to go around knocking people's houses trying to find her and getting her back. I've lost a cat in the past because a family fed her and gave her space away from my current cat (which is as mad as two hatters and hyper). I found her, and tried to take her back and she was so unhappy, so I had to give her back to the family after a week, that broke my heart, and I only had her for a month! I asked everyone that tried to keep my cats why they tried to keep him/her while he/she is v. healthy, no fleas, well fed, has a microchip, etc., is that "Oh he/she doesn't have a collar". Sigh. I see their point, but still a well fed, flea-free cat tend not to be strays.

So again, I'm sure you both are doing this, but I do hope you make 100% sure the cats you take in doesn't have families already

Good luck finding lovely homes for the cats - I know you both will make sure they go to good homes! I would love to take in a couple of your cats but my cat is fiercely independent and will NOT be happy to have another cat in HER house! That, and the small issue of me being on the wrong side of the pond...

samizdat wrote:How would any of the kitties deal with being home alone for 9 hours a day? My wife and I work full time and have talked about getting a cat, but I always worry about the cat tearing apart the furniture while we're at work...

Despite the stereotype, cats *can* be trained. I was lucky, my 15 week old kitten was already toilet trained. She wasn't trained on scratching, but I was lucky there - I just got a scratching post from the pet shop, and when she started scratching chairs, I just picked her up, rubbed her paws on the post. She immediately went off but came back and scratched the post - and never ever scratched any other furniture ever since. Other cats will need some time to "get the point" but all tame cats can be trained not to scratch furniture. My cat, however, is incredibly mischievous and like to threaten to scratch my chairs to get a reaction out of me! You must get a scratching post - they need to scratch *something*.

What he said. They do have a tendency to scratch, as all cats do. They are usually home alone most days though, as Liz and I both work, so they're not destructive just for being left alone.

A scratching post is a good idea... you can also train them to avoid certain bits of furniture with double-sided tape.

Also, Eddles - yeah, we knew for certain Shera had been abandoned. Our neighbors had mentioned that the previous tenants to our house had been her owners, and for whatever reason, didn't take her with them when they moved. And Kali was given to us by family, so we know her history.

Greg Dean wrote:Also, Eddles - yeah, we knew for certain Shera had been abandoned. Our neighbors had mentioned that the previous tenants to our house had been her owners, and for whatever reason, didn't take her with them when they moved. And Kali was given to us by family, so we know her history.

Excellent! I'll sleep happy tonight then!

Good luck with the re-homing and the house move!