I don't want my cat anymore?

Question

My wife and I are tired of him. He is 9 years old.
We won't abandon him or do anything we would regret,
so what choices do we have?

Here's his story:
When we went to the vet to get shots, he was scared and wouldn't sit still. The vets decided they would give him the shots at all costs, so 2 of them put on leather arm covers, held him down, and gave him the shot. I could hear him screaming from the waiting room, and it was so horrible sounding that I barged in. He was so traumatized he had urinated and was huddled in it. He has been afraid of strangers ever since. He sometimes scratches at people. He scrathed my wife on the head a few days ago (thinking she was the guest we had over).

Anyway, we are sickened by what the vet did to him; it ruined him.
But because of it, we don't want him anymore.
What are our humane options?

Everyone seems to think I am cruel. I have loved him for 8 years since this happened! He cuddles on my lap every evening. But we are growing tired of being scratched and embarassed when our friends get hurt. A 3 yr old boy got a bloody scratch in the face 1 inch below the eye. We were MORTIFIED. We live near Portland, Oregon.

Answer 1

Your vet should be sued for the cruel treatment of your cat. And you are right. You don't deserve to have a pet. Pets mean responsibility for the rest of their lives.

Try taking your cat to a holistic vet who could find a real solution to the problem without causing your cat further stress. Your cat may have been injured by the vet and is truly afraid for a very good reason. Cats don't urinate all over themselves unless they have been traumatized and very likely injured internally.

Find a good home for your cat. Put an ad in the local paper for help with your cat due to allergies or something and let someone come and take it away from you.

Call the local shelter and let them know that you have a cat who needs a home with someone who has a lot of patience and lots of love. Maybe they know of a senior citizen with time on their hands who could take your cat in if you foot the bills for vet visits and food. At least you wouldn't have to deal with your cat and your cat could learn that not all people are cruel.
(I don't recommend taking your cat to the shelter to live out its life in a cage. 9 year old cats are hard to find homes for - especially if they scratch. The shelter may know of a volunteer who could help you.- SEE LINKS BELOW)

Cats can only tell us as much as we're willing to listen to and observe. If you are getting scratched when you pick it up, your cat is hurting! Your cat is suffering and needs help from someone who cares.

Answer 2

Firstly, I'd find another vet. There are others out there that are more qualified, and are more sensitive to a cats needs.

Secondly, your cat has had a bad experience with a stranger. Therefore, anyone he doesn't know he sees as a threat to him. You need to see things from his point of view. He's scared of being mishandled and abused. What you need to do is when you will be having company, put him in another room with some food/water and a litterbox. This way he has all his needs close by him.

Thirdly, you need to re-introduce your cat to people slowly. One at a time. He needs a positive experience with a strange person. Have them give him catnip, or a treat of some kind. As your cat gets a little more comfortable, he will get closer to people and become more friendly. This is not going to be an overnight thing. It will take some time. Until then, you need to make sure he's comfortable and feels safe.

Getting rid of your cat will not help. If he does not like or trust strangers, finding him a new home will NOT help. Anyone who takes the cat may get rid of him for the same reason.

If you really MUST give your cat up. The best thing to do is to put an ad in the paper. Anyone who is interested, should fill out an application. They will need vet references. Check with their vet to see how often and what type of care they give their pets. Do a home visit ( do not schedule one. Just have them give you times that are okay to stop by. This way they can't cover things up.), and after you find your cat a home, do several more home visits. You want to make sure that the person that's giving your cat a new home, is taking proper care of him. You don't want the potential new owner to end up putting your cat out on the streets, or put him in the humane societies. (They get TONS of animals in, and if they are not people friendly...they WILL be euthanized.) It's better if you find a loving home for your cat.

I have had to deal with several cats with different emotional issues. It takes time and love to help them come around, please be patient with your cat, and he will come around.

Answer 3

Do some networking to find him a new home.

Since you're in the Portland area, I'd try contacting Mark Mason the Cat Diary guy (URL below). He might not know of a home, but he'll probably know who you can call.

EDIT - Of course, you should work on keeping the cat, like many other answerers have said. When I first put my answer up I had the impression you were thinking of having him put down .... and I was thinking, "You should find him a new home FAR sooner than doing **that**."

Answer 4

I really doubt that the vet visit had that much to do with his behavior. We have a 6 year old who was severely abused by his previous owners- he has an acid burn on his back. After about 2 years he was fully recovered emotionally from the trauma and is the sweetest cat. Just being held down by someone and peeing on himself shouldn't turn him into an unfriendly monster. Just give him time. You didn't mention how recently this vet visit was. If it was just recently, please don't get hasty. He will snap out of it, he's just ticked off right now. If it was a long time ago, I don't know what to suggest. He just seems to be temperamental and not like strangers. Is he an only cat? You might look into getting another. Cats are very social and like being around their own kind (believe it or not) once they get used to the other. All I can suggest is to give him his space and try not to put him in situations which will frighten him. Sorry about your problem, but try to think of his well-being also.

Answer 5

I'm curious to know how long ago this incident took place. If it was a few weeks or even a few months ago, there's still a chance that he might get over it and go back to being the sweet cat you loved!

If you got him through a shelter or another adoption service, check your contract. Most places require that if you decide to give up the pet for any reason, you return it to them.

You may also want to try listing the cat on your city's craigslist.org website. They have a pet section where you can list pets available for adoption. Just make sure to screen potential adopters to assure that your cat is going to a good home. Best wishes to you and your cat!

Answer 6

That horrible that you had to go through that...this is your cat though warn people about him or put him in a room when people come over. Don’t let him go. The other thing you need to do IS SUE THE HELL OUT OF THAT VET!!!!!!!! Mental anguish torture mal practice and make sure you let people know that vet did that horrible thing to your cat don't let other people end up in the same situation as you. You might be affected but don't let other people go through what you have to go through. Go to the media with your story they love that kind of stuff just get that vet exposed to animal mistreatment. If you can't help your self at least help others!!! :) Good luck

Answer 7

Tsk! TSK!! I don't believe you're asking this question! Why, if after 8 years of "loving" this cat, would you just get rid of it? You took it to that horrible vet, it's not the cat's fault that it's anti-social! You could do what I did and put it in another room while guests are visiting. How did you let that little boy get close enough to the cat to get scratched anyway? If you truly love your cat, you wouldn't just abandon it now. Build or buy it a cathouse it can hide in and feel safe in. And take care of your cat! You're the only ones he trusts and that understand what he's been through - so don't give up on him!

Answer 8

personally I would kick up merry hell with the vet.. They caused this problem with there ill treatment of your cat.. you now have a very unstable animal on your hands.. Personally I would have gone into the treatment room with the cat, far better for you to hold and sooth him whilst the vet injects..

I would go back to the vets explain the problem that they have caused and say tht you will sue them unless they come up with an idea that will return your cat to normal.. A cat therapist perhaps..
iT is diffcult because now you probaly will not be able to rehome home him due to his aggressive behaviour.
Even the animals shelters may find it difficult..
If he is an indoor cat .. letting him loose on the outside is only going to cause more trauma..
a nice county home where he can spend his time mousing perhaps..
But if you really do think that he isgoing to be a risk to other peopel the most humane think to do would be to put him to sleep..

Answer 9

that is really sad...if you have company over i would make sure the cat is secured in a room, but come on you have had this poor guy for 9 yrs and since the vet traumatized him he is going to be further traumatized being sent somewhere else!!! cant you just work with the poor little guy, god if i was near you i would take him rather than put him through anymore...by the way he isnt "ruined" he just needs reassurance that he is loved and cared for

Answer 10

You have lived with him for 8 years couldn't you handl eit a couple more until he dies? When you know guests are coming put him in a seperate part of the house. But if you have to give him away put an ad in the paper and make sure people know why you are giving him away so that he doesn't move from house to house or worse. Also have you thought about having his front claws removed?