<p>I’ve become aware of a sweet 16 year old male cat in southwestern CT who is in desperate need of a home for his waning years. The owner is moving to a no-pets apartment (I know, I know, but judging won’t help now). He’s a stripey orange fellow with a white bib, very snuggly and people-oriented. Gets along with other animals, but is also happy as the only pet. No medical issues that I’m aware of, except his age. If there are no takers in the next few days, he’ll be left at a shelter where he’ll likely spend the rest of his life in a cage, since shelters in this area are filled to bursting with cats, and old guys are hard to place. I have two set-in-their-ways felines who won’t take kindly to an interloper, plus a spouse who is adamant that three cats is way too close to crazy cat lady territory, so I can’t take him. Please PM me if you know of a good home in SW CT or Westchester, NY.</p>
<p>We are a few hours north of Westchester but are in the early stages of looking for a pet. I wish that we were closer…</p>
<p>Good luck with finding a home for this fellow! He seems like a real sweetheart and I hate to see animals live out their golden years in cages. It breaks my heart. :(</p>
<p>I feel the same way. I put out the word everywhere I could think of, but an old animal is hard to place–poor chap. I’m hoping if he does go to the shelter, they’ll let him be the office cat or lobby cat, since he’s so sociable. Maybe he can finish his life as a goodwill ambassador. We can hope, anyway.</p>
<p>Is there an assisted living facility near by that might like a mascot? This thread makes me sad. Not only will the kitty be missing its family of 16 years but then…</p>
<p>Just bumping this to let you know that no home or shelter was willing to take the cat, and he will have to be euthanized.</p>
<p>I wish I could help , but my ginger cat who saw his cat mates dwindle really loves to be the only cat…and my two herding dogs do not make good company for cats . I do hope that he gets a reprieve and a home</p>
<p>So sad … I am trying to help a young mother who has just lost her husband and her house to place a cat. She’s able to move her kids to a rental, but her 3 year old neutered male tiger is going to be homeless.</p>
<p>Also in southwest Connecticut. Shelters have been no help. I am asking individuals I know.</p>
<p>I googled “no-kill shelters Connecticut” and found a number of listings for no-kill shelters for cats. However, if no home can be found, I’d suggest that helping him have an easy death–a nice meal and a comfortable lap while he dies–might be the most humane thing for him. </p>
<p>cnp55–have you tried Craigslist? I know several people who have found homes for older cats that way.</p>
<p>Good luck to all of you trying to help people place pets. That is very kind of you.</p>
<p>Euthanasia may be the kindest thing to do.</p>
<p>MommaJ, I’m so sorry to hear about the kitty.</p>
<p>I used to volunteer at a no-kill shelter for cats. The sad truth about such places is that they operate on a shoestring budget with mostly volunteer staff, and many turn away cats because they just do not have the capacity and resources to handle them. Very often, preference is given to kittens, because they tend to get adopted quicker, freeing up space for new cats.</p>
<p>Yes, I knew it was unlikely the shelters would have room for a senior citizen (just go to Petfinders and see how many animals need homes in your own area–it’s crushing), and I agree that a peaceful passing is not a horrible solution, but I was hoping against hope he might be the perfect companion for an empty nester, widow or widower that someone might happen to know. Of course I tried many other social connections besides CC, as did the owner. </p>
<p>Bunsen Burner, it’s so admirable that you volunteered at a shelter–I’ve often considered doing the same, but I don’t know if I could cope with all the unhappiness–takes a strong constitution. I go to pieces just paging through Petfinders–and really need to stop doing that!</p>
<p>Gonna go hug my kitties now.</p>
<p>MommaJ, thanks for trying to find a home. So very sad for the love lost. </p>
<p>I’d like to go hug my own cat now, but she’s enjoying these warm summer nights too much. Ah well, I know she loves me when it’s cold outside.</p>
<p>Hope you find a home for this cat.</p>
<p>Aargh, now I also have on my mind the cat cnp55 is trying to place. The slippery slope to crazy cat lady territory is getting easier to understand! I wish landlords were more willing to give our feline friends a break. I know an intact male can cause hellish damage by spraying, but a letter from a vet certifying that a cat is fixed and consistently uses the litter box should be enough to satisfy any property owner. We rent out an apartment, and that would certainly be good enough for us.</p>
<p>Also, regarding shipping a cat…I have some personal experience planning this. So far, we have expended well in excess of $200 to have a kitty shipped…and this does NOT include the actual shipping. This is because the airlines are very clear about the requited shipping crate specifications…require metal hardware for example. If the animal is accompanied by a passenger on the plane, it costs far less than if the animal is traveling without a passenger on the same plane.</p>
<p>Plus, to be honest, I’ll say that shipping a 16 year old cat is really going to be tough on the kitty.</p>
<p>I hope you find someone close to home to take the kitty.</p>
<p>So sorry. If I wasn’t terribly allergic to cats I would come and get that baby. Not a happy ending.</p>
<p>My husband is terribly allergic to cats, but I happened to have cats when we met. One of my wedding presents to him was a bottle of 100 antihistamines. :). No more kitties for us.
I am uncomfortable with the way this thread has changed to talking about other posters. Hopefully a home can be found for this senior cat that does not require a plane ride. That could be traumatic for an elderly animal.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone putting your heads together for this sixteen year old cat.</p>
<p>Happy ending!</p>
<p>I’m thrilled to report that a home was found for this cat. Many thanks to everyone who expressed concern and offered ideas.</p>