Trying to Place Two Cats in Southern California

[Head416]

I've got two lovable but quirky cats that I've had for 8 years that I'm trying to place in a home, together. My wife has become allergic over the years, and along with a lot of family that are as well we need them to find another place to live. They're both declawed and neutered, and have always been inside cats.

Any takers?

These are two extremely lovable cats. The main "quirk" is they eat paper. I'm not sure why, they just always have. So, we can't leave mail on the counter or anything like that, we have to put it away somewhere or they'll eat it and throw it up. The other major quirk is that one of them likes to play rough... by biting your feet or hands. It sounds worse than it is. He has drawn blood before, but now that I know how to be around him he doesn't get me, and his snappiness has declined with age. Hey, full disclosure!

Here's Eddie:

Ed actually has long hair but we get him shaved now and then to keep down the shedding.

...and his brother Stitch:


Like I said, they're very lovable cats. These guys will climb on you and nuzzle against you all day long. Oh, and each of them is about 16lbs. Remember the tagline: lovable but quirky!

[56 nomad]

bump

[Brando]

How are they with dogs? Namely little ones - got a miniature dachshund that is probably smaller than either one of those cats.

[Head416]

I'm not really sure. They've only ever been with each other.

Ed has been groomed a few times with dogs in the same room, although restrained. He didn't seem to freak out. He normally runs and hides when he hears anybody but us, then creeps out after 30 minutes or so to see if the newcomer is safe.

Stitch isn't timid. I had one year old nephew come at him with a plastic sword and at the end the cat was standing and the kid wasn't (no blood). He swats at the nephews after they've been in his face too much (no claws), but I'm usually impressed by how long he puts up with them before he does that.

Each is about 16 pounds. They are not small.

[Zeke]

Great looking cats. If I had something like a quiet office and small shop, I'd take them in. Can't do it at home.

[mikeesik]

Sad situation.
Hope it works out.
Lots of cats at the SPCA at this age.

[Head416]

Yeah, tell me about it. I'm really not okay with this. It would be a lot less painfull if I could find them a good home. We're willing to sponsor them if there is somebody willing to house and love them.

[Joeaksa]

Good luck, if nothing else put them on CL as a pair. Better than the pound...

[Head416]

Yeah, we tried CL a while back, no luck. We found a no-kill that tries to get them adopted. It's $500 each, which I really don't mind. I just can't stand the idea of my buddies in a rescue. My wife does come first, but these little (big) guys are pretty high up in my book.

[mikeesik]

Is it possible to go to a -'home for elderly people' and ask around who might be interested.
I'm sure some elderly folks homes allow pets and would -hopefully-welcome them.
I have 2 cats myself and am connected with them. sigh.

[Head416]

That is a really cool idea. I've never thought of that.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Head416

Yeah, we tried CL a while back, no luck. We found a no-kill that tries to get them adopted. It's $500 each, which I really don't mind. I just can't stand the idea of my buddies in a rescue. My wife does come first, but these little (big) guys are pretty high up in my book.

Same at my house!

[mikeesik]

Originally Posted by mikeesik

Is it possible to go to a -'home for elderly people' and ask around who might be interested.
I'm sure some elderly folks homes allow pets and would -hopefully-welcome them.
I have 2 cats myself and am connected with them. sigh.

ADDITION.
Especially if you would offer to include some food, cat litter; something for the cats to sleep on and of course toys. The elders would really dig that.

[Head416]

I think it sounds like a good idea, but I wonder if the staff will just see it as their responsibility to take care of a couple cats. I'm going to try calling some places tomorrow.

[mikeesik]

Originally Posted by Head416

I think it sounds like a good idea, but I wonder if the staff will just see it as their responsibility to take care of a couple cats. I'm going to try calling some places tomorrow.

Wish the cats and yourself luck.
Might be better to go down yourself with a couple of pics. of the cats.-serious.
I`d first talk to some elders outside and see what they have to say and know.
Then slowly with the elders you`ve spoken to bring it upon the ones in charge.
You may need the elders wants and backing on this.
I`d do exactly what Im asking you to do.
best.

[mikeesik]

Originally Posted by Head416

I think it sounds like a good idea, but I wonder if the staff will just see it as their responsibility to take care of a couple cats. I'm going to try calling some places tomorrow.

Sure. Unless the staff are Mother Theresa`s offspring they will think about it all as more work. Maybe one or two love animals. Who knows.

I really hope it works out.

[Rick V]

I feel for you.
My grandson can't come to my house because he is deathly allergic to cats and I have four of them. Pets are really just family members, at least that is the way I feel. I wish you luck and hope you can find a good home for them, or a good prescription for benydril for your wife.
I am digging the old folks home idea, i would have never thought of that.

[Head416]

Originally Posted by Rick V

I feel for you.
My grandson can't come to my house because he is deathly allergic to cats and I have four of them...

That really is our biggest problem. My wife's daily allergies are not life threatening. But her mom, sisters, brother, nephews, and at least three close friends have really bad allergies. We had a friend leave with blue lips. My MIL went to urgent care the last time she was at our house. Another friend had to do breathing treatments for a week. A three year old nephew was permanently banned from our home on doctor's orders after a few trips to the doctor.

[Zeke]

Aaron, you're going to have to do some deep cleaning once the cats are placed elsewhere. The dander. From: What is cat dander - What causes dander and how does it afffect allergy victims

Cat dander consists of microscopic pieces of dry cat skin which becomes airborne, landing on bedding, curtains, carpeting, and other surfaces, including humans' skin and clothing. Cat dander particles are tiny, about 1/10th the size of dust mites. Dry skin particles wouldn't be particularly allergenic except for this.... Fel D1* may come from the Latin Felis Domestica. It is a glycoprotein found in the cat's sebaceous glands under the skin, to a lesser degree in cats' saliva, and in cats' urine. When a cat grooms his coat, the Fel D1 present in his saliva lands on the cats' skin and hairs, and combined with the Fel D1 from the sebaceous glands, creates a sort of "double whammy" to allergy sufferers.

*Fel d 1 is a protein that in cats is encoded by the CH1 (chain 1/Fel d 1-A) and CH2 (chain 2/Fel d 1-B) genes. Fel d 1, produced largely in cat saliva and sebaceous glands, is the primary allergen present on cats and kittens (Fel d 1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

[Head416]

Yeah, that's why we can't have them in the new place at all, and hiring cleaners for all the couches.