What's a good way to get rid of a cat-humanely-not merely ending its life-kind answers please?

Question

We have cat that is 3 years old. He's been neutered, had all of his shots, and has always lived inside. Yesterday he bit my wife's hand-it was DEEP into the flesh between her knuckles. The doctor today said she may have to be hospitalized because the bacteria in a cat's mouth is foreign to a human's body.

It happened accidentally when the cat got startled and my wife was trying to hold him to calm him-he bit her to make her let him go-but my wife's occupation is as a massage therapist-hand injuries are costly in the most literal sense.

This cat cost us over $500.00 during the summer when we had him boarded at a vet's office and to pay for all of his shots. I'm sick of how expensive he is-and my wife and I have agreed to get him out of our house as quickly as possible.

Any suggestions on the best way to do this?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Dwight

We don't plan on killing him or setting him up to be killed-that's why I'm asking in a pet friendly environment.

We got the cat for our daughters two years ago-since then they've been begging for a dog. Parenting issues aside the cat's treated well, and he gets affection often from our daughters and until yesterday from my wife.

He bit my wife in response to being startled by a hair dryer-previously he'd been blown dry by one-and loved it-saw it happen. Yesterday it scared him and my wife turned it off-she was consoling him and drying him with a towel when my two year old picked up the hair dryer and turned it on-my wife tried to hold him and he bit the heck out of her hand.

Did I mention that my wife's hand is injured-regretably no one has commented on this portion of the question. We have no plans for his demise-it is a bit annoying that some folks will step over a human laying in their own urine to spit on someone wearing a fur coat. Weird world we live in today.

Wow really opened up a can of worms with this one.

My daughters are qualitatively and quantitatively more valuable than the most expensive, rarest, most docile, lovable furry creature on the planet. Hands down-forever-twice on Sunday.

Of course I wouldn't get rid of my child for being expensive.

My wife didn't carry the cat in her womb for nine months, the cat doesn't have half of my DNA in it, and it also doesn't have cognisant thought processes nor does it in my opinion have remotely the same worth as human life.

I think animal cruelty is horrid and irresponsible-but me looking for a new home for a cat who may have cost my wife her career is A BIT DIFFERENT.

Please don't answer if you're going to preach to me about your passionate love of animals-I love them too-I just don't equate their value with that of a human-and I have no malice for them either-spare me the argument that thinking of getting rid of a cat is the same as getting rid of a child.

All the folks who have defended my animal in wonderful self righteous indignation I ask you-did you read my question? Did you read any of the edited amendments to it.

I regret that folks here have seemingly jumped on my stance ranging from
irresponsible...immature...intolerant...
overly emotional...

All of your answers have an element of either radical animal rights activist, or just plain judgmental.

Ask yourself-why would someone who has any ill intentions for an animal open themselves up to such critique if there was any real intention to harm him.

I don't think he's "bad" or "useless" or anything of the like-I think a lot of you are taking out your aggression towards actual cruel people on me and that's ok-just read my question and use some intellect and not emotion to answer it.

For those who offered good suggestions I appreciate it.

He was boarded because we moved and had no home for him-he was kept by a veternarian fed well and cared for.

Oh and one more thing-

Would any of you who are highly critical risk YOUR CAREER because of a cat? Then you're morons.

Answer 1

Try and locate a no-kill shelter in your area. Sometimes you can find them through the link I have posted (you pretend you are trying to adopt, and places will come up.) Then, contact them, and if you explain and offer some financial assistance to them, they may be willing to help.

I understand your situation, and am happy you simply don't want to do what too many do which is to throw the cat out the door.

Answer 2

The best thing you can do is contact either your local branch of the ASPCA or a county shelter in your area.

This cat's temperment needs to be assessed to determine if it can be rehomed. Some cats, unfortunately, will bite or claw with little or no provocation and will continue to do so. Some cats can be re-socialized but others can't.

The ASPCA can make this determination. If the cat is found to be unsuitable for adoption, it will most likely be euthanized.

While it's normal for a cat to be frightened by something, to bite that hard and cause that much damage shows a tendency toward violent behavior. The cat could possibly inflict even more damage in a similar situation.

I'm a cat lover to the bone...I have two myself...and they have both been scared by something (my Himalayan is scared to death by thunder storms), neither one of them has ever reacted in a manner that yours did.

You have a dificult decision to make. Take some time, think about it and go from there. You can also talk to your cat's vet and ask him what he would recommend.

EMT

I will add that if you try to find the cat another home with a friend or family member or even a stranger, please be honest about why you are giving him up. Inform them that the cat is a biter and might act aggressively. They need to be aware of this.

Answer 3

Are you going to get a dog now? He'll be every bit as expensive as a cat.

Find a no-kill shelter, make a donation, and wait. There will undoubtedly be a waiting list.

But if you are at all responsible, you will wait. If you give the cat to anyplace other than a no-kill (including to another person) you risk his life. What's to stop someone else from giving him away? Do the right thing and care for the cat until the slot at the NK shelter opens up.

I'm sure your daughters are wonderful. So enjoy them in your petless home because I don't think another animal is appropriate for you at this time.

EDIT: Your cat is not a biter. I don't think you have to mention an accident as a reason for surrender. Tell the shelter the truth: You're not committed to his care at this time- your heart is not into cat ownership and he deserves better.

Answer 4

Post an add in the classified section of your local paper...I have always noticed that people will put "to good home only" but how do you know if it will be a good home or not? What I do when my dog has had puppies is sold them for a small price-I think that someone who will actually PAY for the animal will probably give it a nice home. Other than that, you can spread the word through friends and associates that you have a cat you are willing to give away, and maybe you can find a home for it that way. Good luck!

Answer 5

I think all of the people who answered your question are right. Try, and I mean really try hard to find this cat another home. Obviously he got very scared and reacted the way cats do when they get scared. But, on the other side of the coin, who really knows if he will or will not ever do that again. But, please, make every effort you can in finding this cat a home. Don't just end his life like snuffing out a candle. He really should get another chance at life.

Answer 6

Try posting a message at local vet clinics...many times they have a board you can put a picture of the cat and your info.

By the sounds of it he needs to be in a different home anyway. You guys don't need a cat if you're sick of him. Sounds like he's sick of you too! He's doing what most cats would have done in that situation.

Kudos, though, to wanting to find him a home rather than put him down or just put him on the side of the road. Please don't do either of those. He's a normal cat and responded the only way his brain knows how.

Answer 7

You obviously understand full well the reason that your cat bit your wife and comprehend that this was out of fear and not genuine aggression. It is therefore most likely to be a one-off experience, which is why it saddens me that you feel the need to get rid of your cat.

I appreciate that your wife suffered an injury, but it was not through an act of aggression. My previous cat bit my hand on two separate occasions when she was scared at the vets. Both times my hand swelled up like something out of a cartoon due to infection, but it was easily treated with antibiotics. It never even occured to me to admonish her for reacting that way, because I realise that fear can make all of us act out of character. I don't know what the employment insurance system is like in your country, but would a sickness certificate from the doctor exempting your wife from work qualify her for loss of earnings?

You've mentioned how much he has cost you at the vets, that your daughters have been begging for a dog, your wife's career. I think his days as your family pet were numbered, long before the bite episode.

You seem to be forgetting that you invited this cat to become a member of your family. You sound educated enough to be aware that pet ownership brings great responsibility, as you become the care provider for another living creature. Rather than rushing to "get him out of our house as quickly as possible", please do the decent thing and try to re-home him with friends, relatives or at a no-kill shelter. He might be happier in a home without very young children. Please don't simply give him up to the first person that offers him a home. Do the decent thing and take your time to vet potential new owners, he deserves to have a good home.

You may think people, myself included, have been harsh with you, or are trying to imply that you should put your cat before your human family. I cannot speak for others, but to me, pets are the furry members of my family for their natural lifespan.
Your children are unaffected (already thinking of their next pet) and your wife's hand will recover, but the poor cat has a very uncertain future.

Answer 8

It is extremely rare for a cat bite to actually cause an infection. Bites are usually very benign. And unlikely to ever happen again. Would you get rid of a child because it hurt you? This is life, you should not take innocent occurances out on innocent animals. You guys should not have a pet, or kids for that matter, if this is how you react to things. For now, donate him to a no kill shelter or find a friend who likes cats. But don't kill him -- he probably picked up your angry vibes and reacted. He is innocent and not a "biter." From the sound of it, it is your kids' fault for teasing him and freaking him out with the dryer, not the cat's fault. If I purposely scared my cat -- duh, I would not be surprised that it hurt me. You should not be bathing or drying cats anyway, that is abuse and hurts their furr and skin. These animals are alive, not toys.
And PS< if a cat is startled, leave it alone. Don't force it to be handled and then kill it becauase it freaks out. Use some common sense folks -- your wife asked for it by handling this scared animal that was probably still freaked out from last time it was dryed -- something you should not do to cats. This poor cat was set up. I pet if I freaked you out, you may react, stab me, etc...

Answer 9

Well, I wouldn't be too hasty about this. But after some calming down, and rational thinking, if you still don't want the cat. Try to find someone who would like to take him. A friend, relative, friend of a friend. Remember, the cat was scared by something, this was an accident and most likely a one time event. I realize that your wife is upset, but I really doubt that your cat wanted to hurt your wife. Sometimes when we just react to a situation, we don't realize what is going thru the animals head. His natural reaction if he was scared was to lash out. He probably didn't even know who was picking him up at the time. I have had one of my cats try to bite me because I grabbed her while she was fighting with another cat. She didn't realize it was me. You said yourself that you have spent a lot of money on him and you wouldn't have done this if you didn't like having him. If you think he is a problem because of the cost of his care, just think what it cost to raise a child? You wouldn't get rid of your kid because his shoes were too expensive or he broke something would you?

Answer 10

The best thing would be if someone you knew personally adopted the cat, and you knew that he/she was responsible and would take good care of him.

If you do decide to give him up to a shelter/animal rescue organization make sure it's a "no kill" shelter, and definitely don't take him to the pound. They'll most likely put him to sleep in those places, especially if he has aggression problems.