My elderly parents just lost their cat, want to get another. Good or bad idea?

[Dr_Doolittle]

My parents are 85 and 86, in good health, ambulatory (especially my father, who is a museum docent and plays the Bass in a Jazz band ;)), and they just had to euthanize their beloved cat, who was 21.

Obviously they are grieving, and thinking of acquiring another cat to ease the pain of losing this one.

They do realize that the cat might outlive them, which is the concern! My husband and daughter and I live relatively close by (40 minute drive), but we have 2 dogs and a cat in our household already–I am reluctant to agree to take on a second cat if something happens to my parents. What to advise them? I was thinking of suggesting that they adopt an older cat from a shelter, but whatever cat they get would be an “indoor/outdoor cat”, as all of their cats have been. Since I was a child (and even before I was born), they have ALWAYS had a cat (or more than one), and their cats have always been allowed outside. 60 years of cat ownership later (if you can be said to “own” a cat :lol:), they are missing theirs, and feeling bereft.

Would a shelter even ALLOW them to adopt a cat, under the circumstances?

[JB]

If they are up to another cat, they should get one.

What’s 1 more cat when you have 2 dogs and 1 cat already? :winkgrin:

I think it would be a wonderful choice to find an adult cat who is listed as “needs to be an only cat” at the shelter. If they got a kitten, it really should be two kittens. Not all adults are happy being only children. But there are absolutely adult/order cats who simply want to be the only one - I see many of them every time I’m at the shelter

[Liberty]

So sorry about your parent’s loss of their beloved kitty.

While this organization doesn’t currently have any cats available (or at least not yet listed on their website), perhaps they could still help in steering you towards one available elsewhere under similar conditions;

http://pawsforseniors.org/

On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/PawsForSeniors#!/PawsForSeniors?sk=info

Oh wait - here’s an organization in Herndon that I know can help.

http://www.fancycats.org/

On Facebook (and they are currently trying to find a foster or permanent home for two adult siblings that need a home by Feb. 17th!):

http://www.facebook.com/#!/fancycats?sk=info

[Bluey]

Our animal control shelter euthanizes so many cats a day, they are not very particular about where any one may go, as the alternative, well, …

Do ask around, especially at vet clinics and tell them to be patient, as someone’s cat, that may be moving or going to assisted facilities/nursing home may come up.
Our vets try to help place such cats and dogs regularly, but you have to wait until one is available.

I guess that if they want a cat and you find a match, a cat that suits them, you can then, if the time comes, go ahead and try to place it again, don’t have to take it in if you can’t.

I know that my dog is my last one.
Once she is gone, I really don’t want to have to worry about where another may go when I can’t care for it any more.

Each one of us has to evaluate our wishes and needs against the realities of getting old and the situations we may be living in then.

I think that those questions you have to ask directly from the places you will be looking for a cat.
Myself, I think it is shortsighted for adoption agents to restrict ownership too much, in a world full of homeless pets.
No one wants any pet to fall in bad hands, but good owners come in all kinds, even very old ones and some are overlooked by too strict adoption rules.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Good ideas, thanks!

[Dr_Doolittle]

[QUOTE=Bluey;6139374]
Our animal control shelter euthanizes so many cats a day, they are not very particular about where any one may go, as the alternative, well, …

Do ask around, especially at vet clinics and tell them to be patient, as someone’s cat, that may be moving or going to assisted facilities/nursing home may come up.
Our vets try to help place such cats and dogs regularly, but you have to wait until one is available.

I guess that if they want a cat and you find a match, a cat that suits them, you can then, if the time comes, go ahead and try to place it again, don’t have to take it in if you can’t.

I know that my dog is my last one.
Once she is gone, I really don’t want to have to worry about where another may go when I can’t care for it any more.

Each one of us has to evaluate our wishes and needs against the realities of getting old and the situations we may be living in then.

I think that those questions you have to ask directly from the places you will be looking for a cat.
Myself, I think it is shortsighted for adoption agents to restrict ownership too much, in a world full of homeless pets.
No one wants any pet to fall in bad hands, but good owners come in all kinds, even very old ones and some are overlooked by too strict adoption rules.[/QUOTE]

What a thoughtful post, thanks Bluey.

[Canaqua]

They could adopt an elderly cat, there are plenty looking for homes and they are hard to place.

I sent my, now 20 year old, cat to live with my elderly mother after my father died three years ago. She was worried about a pet outliving her, but was lonely. My old cat wasn’t that happy in our house anymore, it was too busy and noisy, with boys and dogs, and she was spending more and more time hiding. She has THRIVED at my mother’s house, she owns the place…follows my mother around all day and sleeps with her every night. That cat probably wouldn’t still be alive if she were living here, the stress would have gotten to her. She’s still incredibly healthy for her age. Perfect setup, two little old ladies, living life on their own quiet terms, without the constant noisy activity.

My mother wants our 14 year old dog now, but dogs are different. The dog is my husband’s and very devoted to him, I’m afraid her heart would be broken if she were separated from him, much as she also loves my mother. We’re going to look for another elderly dog for her in the spring ;).

[Alagirl]

There are so many adult cats that are often overlooked.
If the shelter does not give them one, there is always Craig’s List…on ours are always a lot of adult cats!

Sure, they might go themselves at any time, but they could very well have 10-15 wonderful years ahead of them. A long time to be without a cat!

[Liberty]

Dr. D. - I edited my earlier post with info on cat-based rescue org.

[Liberty]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150660046080126&set=o.92930868347&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150660046080126&set=o.92930868347&type=1&theater#!/media/set/?set=o.92930868347&type=1

[Dr_Doolittle]

Thanks, everyone!

[LauraKY]

For the poster whose parents are looking for a dog, some rescues will adopt out older dogs on a long term foster agreement. Win for the dog, win for the foster. I remember reading about one rescue that would arrange transportation for vet visits too.

[shiningwizard255]

Another option is they could foster a cat or cats. Or like others have said, adopt an old cat - they are so hard to place but are so sweet (have a soft spot for the seniors myself :))

[Burbank]

try going to a cat rescue for an older lap cat for a long term foster, both sides should be happy and then you have a known lap cat for comfort

not sure if you are close to Cary NC but second chance pet adoptions usually has plenty of adult or only cats for adoption and they are easy to work with

[Wayside]

@Bluey;6139374

Our animal control shelter euthanizes so many cats a day, they are not very particular about where any one may go, as the alternative, well, …

Yes, around here there are some shelters/rescues that are very picky, and others that are willing to let cats go to indoor/outdoor or even completely outdoor homes.

I can completely understand their concern about outliving a cat, but there are so many more cats that need homes than there are available homes that I still think it makes sense fo them to adopt one, particularly an older kitty that would otherwise be difficult to place. If it’s a choice between that kitty sitting in the shelter and being euth’ed in a month, or going home with an elderly couple to maybe live out it’s life and maybe be euth’ed after a few happy comfortable years, I still think going home with your parents would be a better option.

[Laurierace]

I think it is a fantastic idea. I know at some point we have to be realistic but my Grandma lived to 102 and my husband’s Grandma is still alive at 103. I was just doing some work at a nursing home and there was a positively ancient man who was bedridden there. He had a cat snuggled up against him on each side. He isn’t likely to outlive them but they sure are making what little life he has left more comfortable.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Everyone is making me feel much better about this as an option for them…

I will forward this thread to my father tonight, I know it would make my mother feel better to have a cat (in her lap) to love; their house feels a little empty (even though when we came over to visit with our somewhat boisterous Whippets, the late cat would always “make herself scarce”, poor thing!)

[GotGait]

I’m all for seniors having pets. Pets relieve stress and loneliness. Even a fish can be great company!

[BLBGP]

There are so many benefits to pet ownership, even beyond the great companionship. Our shelter discounts adult pets for senior adopters. We also have a program to take in your pet should you pass away. Ask around - I’m not sure where you are but if you have a progressive shelter in your area (either open or limited admission) it shouldn’t be a problem at all.

[3020HV]

Dr Doolittle

I hope this doesn’t bring the Mods down - but I had to write.

My Dad died about 2 years ago, and my sister took his cat home with her, to her two other cats. Things are going badly - his cat, Sophie, is very unhappy and aggressive towards my sister’s original two cats. Since my sister adopted her, she has spent much of her time outside, to avoid the other cats. My sister has been looking for a home for her, where she would be the only cat. She is quite used to elderly folk (my Dad was 93 when he died), and is very personable - except to other cats.

She is all white, but is not deaf (she can hear a cat food can a mile away). Please think about it and PM me if you might be interested… she’s probably 7 or 8 years old.