I have horrible news from my good friend Nikki, but it could be very good news for someone who wants to adopt two wonderful kitties:
For the past couple of months, my five month old has been dealing with a lot of skin issues. Rash, itching, scratching, and occasional hives. She’s been to her pediatrician, a dermatologist, and most recently, an allergist. Two weeks ago she had allergy testing and we found out that she is allergic to our cats. We have discussed our options and have decided to follow the allergist’s advice for what’s best for baby. We need to rehome our cats.
The cats don’t deserve this and if we could keep them and the keep the baby healthy, we would. We have reached out to our family and our friends, but people are reluctant to take in a “used” cat. But let me tell you – these are GOOD used cats. Chelsea (the gray shorthair cat, female) is about 10 years old and is very affectionate. She loves to be held and and rubbed and enjoys napping all day. She likes the occasional can of wet food and loves to look out the window. Jozy (the fuzzier cat, male) is about 7 years old. He loves winding around our legs and is very friendly. He prefers to lay near the humans and not ON the humans. He purrs like a jackhammer and is a big, happy boy.
Both cats are fixed and have been indoor cats their entire lives except for the rare visit outdoors when we forget to shut the front door. Chelsea will explore outside for 5-10 minutes and then come back to the door. Jozy will demand to come back inside once he realizes that he has escaped, which is usually less than 30 seconds. They are good with kids. We have a 2 year old that loves on them every day. We have never had a dog, but my mom’s small dogs used to visit and they tolerated them just fine.
We would prefer that they find a new indoor home together, as we assume they are good friends. But more importantly, we want them to find a new home that isn’t a shelter, because we know what their fate would be if they were to go there.
To be clear, we are devastated to have to get rid of these two. We love them so much but our baby is clearly suffering. We are hopeful that someone else will see their potential, take a chance, and love them like we do.
I recommended putting the five month old up for adoption because she’s so young she probably wouldn’t remember anyway and the cats were there first and will be less expensive and less trouble in the long run, but apparently Nikki has become quite attached to her, so I guess we need to find a home for the cats. I’ve met both of them and spent quite a bit of time with Chelsea who is an absolute dear, and I feel just horrible for Nikki.
As you can tell, they are happy, healthy, well-adjusted kitties, and if you are interested, please email me.
Mike S
I found out I was allergic to cats after I got married and my wife moved in with two of them. Knowing that she’d choose the cats if I made her choose between us I opted for Allegra d and a life of low grade misery with rashes and constantly blowing my nose. Funny thing is those cats were replaced with three others in our 19 years of marriage. The happiness they give me outweighs the misery.
narya
where in the country?
Bumper
Sorry I can’t help with these two but the sweetheart kitty that cckids needed a new home for is doing just great here. He’s settled in wonderfully. He loves the kids, tolerates the other cats and tries to avoid the dogs. Billy the cat is the perfect example of how awesome ‘used’ cats can be.
John Cole
@narya: West Virginia but we will get them to the right person.
Betty Cracker
How awful to have to part with beloved pets — my sympathies to the family! Here’s hoping the kitties find a great home where they can stay together. I would be in for a transportation contribution if they need to be relocated at a distance.
Yarrow
Awww…they are gorgeous. Love that photo of Jozy in the box. Hilarious. Wish I could help, but I’m helping a friend find homes for cats locally and that’s a struggle.
That reminds me, I’m on cat duty for my neighbor again starting tomorrow. Need to check and make sure everything’s still set for that.
rikyrah
Awe.. they are both beautiful. I hope that they find a loving home.
dexwood
Can’t take the cats, but I can toss in some cash for their bus fare if needed.
lahke
Would take them in a heartbeat except that I have two elderly cats now, one of them on insulin. Also, I’m in Massachusetts.
On the other hand, willing to be the last taker short of the shelter if no one else steps up. .
TaMara (HFG)
I’m in for cash if needed for transport. I would love to be their home, but we are kind of small here…and my family/friends would probably do an intervention if I did. They are adorable and knowing our track record here, we will find them a good home together. I feel for your friends, but they are clearly good parents and good pet parents.
Jerzy Russian
@Mike S:
You or the cats, at least you know where you stand.
Chris T.
“We got rid of the kids — the cats were allergic”
Mnemosyne
I’ll put in a plug for pre-owned cats. One of my coworkers took in an older cat after the owner passed away and now she doesn’t know how she got by without her. They’ve already had 5+ good years together and kitty is still cruising along.
(Kitty was supposed to have been 10 when my friend adopted her, but now they’re thinking she was more like 7 or 8.)
eclare
I just “inherited” another cat myself, on top of my very shy older cat and very rambunctious dog. I just can’t do it, but like others, will donate for bus fare.
Mary G
I would also chip in for transport.
Poor Nikki and her partner. I had a horrible cough all last year and had multiple tests and cures to no avail. My pulmonologist was convinced that it was due to my cats and wanted me to get rid of them. I refused. Fortunately my rheumatologist diagnosed me in two seconds flat and the cough is gone. The cats are still here.
lahke
Is there a way to chip in that doesn’t involve PayPal? Of course, if that vampire Thiel doesn’t have a piece of it anymore I can sign up.
Steeplejack
That gray one looks like a ’nip addict. Just sayin’.
Roger Moore
@Mike S:
Sadly, not everyone can get away with taking allergy medication and suffering in silence. My sister had to find a new home for her cat after both her husband and son needed trips to the hospital when their allergies triggered asthma attacks.
trollhattan
@Roger Moore:
True. When I was an infant my allergies were bad enough to hospitalize me. Dad had a German shepherd who evidently loved me and I’d break into instant welts whenever he licked me and they had to give him away. Sad, really.
Yarrow
@Mike S: Medications that you can take as an adult are not necessarily something a five-month old can take.
cain
Kid should just suffer, damn new generation – when I was young, we loved allergies and considered it a badge of honor. Meh!
Id be interested since I would like pets. I’ve been walking around for the past 7 months talking (because Im by myself) like htere are cats or dogs around. Im speaking to spectral pets. :( But I haven’t because I don’t have a job after being laid off. But that could be changing< i was offered a job, and hopefully I'll get that job offer letter and hten I can get some cats! I'm also omving back to Portland! :D
Ohio Mom
@cain: Sounds good, I’ll knock on some wood for you.
Mike S
I wasn’t suggesting she do the same. No child should start out even with the lowest grade of misery. It’s bad enough that she will never know a pre trump America. I was just reminded of my own version of this story.
FlyingToaster
Allergic as hell to anything with fur, so are HerrDoktor & WarriorGirl (my SIL has two cats and a dog, Zyrtec will do for Thanksgiving or XMas Day, but when WG tried to overnight there, she couldn’t sleep for coughing). Most meds are off limits for us grownups (to avoid conflicts with existing meds). If we ever move out of this hovel in H₂OTown, WarriorGirl so wants a toy poodle.
I’m totally in for transport costs.
Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes
I could do one as a friend to current cat and dog, but two would be a bridge too far.
Steeplejack
Zhena Gogolia unexpectedly lost a couple of cats a few months ago. I wonder if she and Mr. Gogol might be ready to take in a new pair.
John Cole
@cain: Cain- that would be great if you could take them.
Aleta
She’s not there for that “time to take responsibility for the negative effects of your actions” stuff either.
MazeDancer
@lahke:
Everyone here will help pay for the transport to Massachusetts. If these kitties bring a little tug on your heart, go for it. Chances are high they’ll be getting transported somewhere, can be you.
opiejeanne
Chelsea, the gray shorthair right? She could be our Annie’s twin.
Annie
Steeplejack
@Aleta:
Yeah, no. She’s not having it.
Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes
The Countess has expressed interest in a young cat to add to the household, if one should arise within transportable range. We offer one friendly neutered male cat (adopted as a 5 wk stray), a super sweet cat loving Tervuren (Belgian Shepherd), frequent cat sitting with a daughter’s spayed female (really sweet girl) and a loft and jump able exposed beams in a country home with lots of room to wander and windows to look out….
Comrade Colette Collaboratrice
Rats. I’d love to, but I’m in California, so it’s too damned far, and we are still adjusting to the loss of Peter kitty and Scoot’s new position as Sole Cat and Master, and we are really only built to be a two-cat household, etc., etc., but I would certainly chip in for transport.
lahke
@MazeDancer: Sounds like cain is the winner this round, but I can be the backup.
MazeDancer
@lahke: Sounds good. Back-up is essential in so many things.
BubaDave
@cain: Assuming you’re moving to the correct Portland (that is, the one in Oregon) I’d be glad to introduce you to some awesome veterinarians and possibly raise a glass or two to your new feline family….
Dan Weir
Have just lost three of my older cats in the last 6 months and am ready for a new challenge. Am retired and have the room to take on those two beauties. In Texas (unfortunately), and would need help getting them here, but would welcome them with open arms. Have owned cats (well or I should say they have owned me) for over 40 years and with much experience with older cats and have a terrific vet.
Another Scott
@cain: Excellent. Here’s hoping the good news continues!
Cheers,
Scott.
MazeDancer
@Dan Weir Email your info to John Cole. And Anne Laurie (Via front page) Cats come through here and no folks available, much less back-up. Good to have people to alert.
cain
@John Cole:
I’ll see what I can do.. I’m out in Denver right now. But I gotta wait till my employment is finalized before accepting cats. (and never mind that I have to go back to PDX and find a place.. my friend who I’m staying iwth is allergic.. so I have logistical issues. :-) But they look lovely The yellow one is an exact dead ringer for my cat I lost last year.