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Wit's End with Four Cats

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes BR564219000

Well, I'm putting it out there for the public.

We are cat lovers.  We'd love TWO cats a whole lot more, but...we have four.

Let me share a little history.

Three cats on a desk
We had two cats.  One was a stray given to us and along about 9 months of age, discovered he had feline leukemia.  My husband was so distraught over this cat that to remedy, I took him off to the Humane Society to save another cat.

Well, there were these two loving brothers in a cage, and we JUST couldn't separate them....and there we were with three cats.  They are all about 4.

On May 11, my father in law passed away, leaving behind a docile, declawed cat that THEY had gotten from the Humane Society about 6-7 years ago.  When the family left to go back to NYC after the funeral, etc., they tried to take "Missy" with them.

Missy wasn't up to traveling.  I'll just leave it at that.  It was a gastronomic disaster in several ways.

My husband took off to the airport and brought home a new cat.

Missy on a ledge

We used a large crate to acclimate Missy for several days.

We gave them all treats in the near vicinity to facilitate good behavior and communal eating.

We tried brushing the cat simultaneously in the same room to show we can all cohabitate.

Frankly, after this much time, it's just not working out.  The tension in the household has escalated.

Poor Missy spends her time taking the high road, (see her on ledge above -- had to move the couch so they couldn't easily access her) trying to avoid our hissing, biting, stalking, backstabbing (backclawing) charter residents.  At night we lock the three cats in with us and give Missy the house free rein.  Off and on throughout the day, we put her in her own room. If we have to go somewhere, we separate them.  So...way too much solitary confinement for a loving, sweet-natured cat used to having our Father as company most hours of the day. 

Ideas?  

And yes, we'd like to give Missy to another family member, but they are all in New York.  My son, in Phoenix area, already has two cats and two dogs.

 

Posted by

If I can assist you in your home buying or selling in Marana, Tucson, Oro Valley, or Vail, please don't hesitate to call me!  Email at Cara@SWDeserthomes.com

Cara Marcelle Mancuso, Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes

520-909-2988   

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Comments (6)

KRISTIE DESAUTELS
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Groveton, NH
Caron's Gateway Real Estate

Hi Cara Marcelle Mancuso .   First of all, bless you and your husband for trying to do your best for these cats.  I can relate.  My Daughter adopted a kitten from the humane society about 8 years ago, about 2 years ago someone asked us if we'd take a kitten they had found in a barn, we did.  Then my oldest son found a baby black kitten on the side of the road in the winter time, he thought it was slush until it moved.  Her feet were all frost bitten and her tail was broke   of course we kept her.  I hope every thing works out for you,  take care 

Jun 28, 2016 01:53 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Oh dear, that is a dilemma indeed. I am wondering if there is a senior in the area what would love the company?

Jun 28, 2016 07:39 AM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso

A wonderful idea, Jane.

Jun 29, 2016 02:13 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Cara.  You do have a dilemma, the only people I know here in the Rain who have cats are, Ron and Alexandra Seigel 

Jun 28, 2016 07:55 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning cara. What a tough story. Have you reached out to a local cat rescue? I will say a prayer.

Jun 28, 2016 09:50 PM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso

Well, the family wants the cat to "stay in the family".  A difficult challenge.

Jun 29, 2016 02:14 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Cara,

It is wonderful that you all have such big hearts...We have had up to 4 cats at one time and they all got along...We have introduced new cats without crates or isolating them from each other.  Even if they hiss for a while, they get over it eventually.  My suggestion would be to just relax and let them be without all the precautions you are taking...eventually they will all settle down... You have to remain calm and not stress...they do pick up on that. A

Jun 29, 2016 11:31 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I have two cats.  They are a brother and sister that I have since they were 6 weeks old.  At first they got along really well; but sometime around the age of 18 months the male, who is much bigger than his runt sister, decided to bully her.  I finally resorted to thumping on him lightly with a rolled up paper, and it has for the most part worked.  They don't sleep together like they once did.  I have no idea what goes on in their heads to create such a personality change. Here's a picture of the two of them in their better days.

Jul 19, 2016 11:43 AM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso

Awww, how beautiful.  I have two brothers that MOSTLY get along, and then they have their days like human brothers.  Cats have a mind of their own!

Jul 19, 2016 01:43 PM