Rehoming Cats

Adopting a kitten or cat means a commitment of at least 15-20 years. We often find that when people say they need to find a new home for their cat, the underlying problems are ones that are easily solved. Please read through our tips below to see if a few simple changes could make a difference. But if you do find yourself in a situation that requires that you find a new home for your companion, please do the right thing and put in the effort to find your friend a good home. Abandoning or dumping pet cats - even in places where it is known someone is feeding cats - is cruel and illegal. Feral cats were born into that lifestyle and know how to survive, dumped and abandoned pet cats become confused, depressed, frightened, and likely won't survive.

Below is a list of solutions to some of the reasons owners give for needing to rehome a pet followed by steps you can take to ensure your pet gets a new home if there are no other alternatives.

Behavior Solutions

Spraying, Marking, Inappropriate Urination

• Spay or neuter all household pets. Marking is more common among unaltered cats so if your cat is not spayed or neutered contact your veterinarian or the Athens Area Humane Society Spay and Neuter Center. Call: 706-353-2287, ext. 2 to schedule a spay or neuter for your pet today!
• Consult a veterinarian. Some inappropriate urination can be a result of a urinary tract infection, a bladder infection, a prostate condition, or some other medical condition. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule this out.
• Try Feliway. This is a pheromone that is odorless and colorless. You won’t even know it's there but your cat will. This has been very effective for many households especially those with more than one cat. Be sure to follow the directions on box for the best result. If there is a specific location where cats are urinating or spraying, use the Feliway spray. If there are multiple areas, then use the Feliway diffuser which plugs into an electrical outlet. Feliway can be found at most pet stores or online.
• Change cleaners. Some cleaners remove the smell of urine and spray from carpet and furniture while others only mask the smell or make it scentless to the human nose. The key is to find a cleaner that removes the scent so even cats can’t smell it. The best products are enzyme-based such as Simple Solution and Nature's Miracle. Talk to the local pet store or your veterinarian for other carpet cleaner recommendations. You may need to replace the carpet and padding if the area is too saturated with cat urine to be spot cleaned.
• Keep the litter box clean! You would not flush your toilet every other day would you? At the very least the litter box should be scooped once daily. Make it easy on yourself and keep a scoop next to the box in an empty plastic whipped topping container, and hang a bag of empty grocery bags on a nearby door knob so you have something to scoop waste into. If you use a covered box, don't fasten the hinges so the top is easy to remove for scooping. Covered boxes hold in the smell even more, so should be scooped twice a day. All litter should be dumped out and the box washed with hot soapy water, or hosed off and left to dry in the sun, every 3-4 weeks. A good rule of thumb is to change out the litter when you can just begin to smell the box even after waste has been scooped out. Again, you can make the job easier if you keep extra litter boxes on hand. For example, if you have one cat and one litter box, have a second litter box stored so that when it is time to change out the litter, you can carry the used box outside to deal with later and set up a clean box right away.
• Change the brand of litter. Cats can be finicky so it may be as simple as changing the type or brand of litter your cat is using. Try Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract cat litter, or switch to unscented/unperfumed cat litter, as many cats find the perfume overpowering and offensive. Gradually mix new litter into the old litter to help the cats get used to it. You may also want to set up another litter box with a different type of litter to see which the cat prefers. Always fill boxes with at least 3-4 inches of litter so there is enough for digging and covering waste. If you are personally tired of heavy bags and boxes of cat litter, switch to Feline Pine and use their "sawdust" litter (as opposed to the Feline Pine pellets).
• Change the location of the litter box. Location is important to cats too. Some cats prefer a little privacy and do not want high traffic areas while other cats may not be able to travel long distances to the bathroom. Older cats in particular may need the option of a litter box on each floor of the house or on both ends of a long house. Try moving the litter box or adding a new one in a different location to see which your cat prefers. Also, be sure to keep the litter box a significant distance from the food and water bowls.
• Add an additional litter box. Sometimes more litter boxes is all it takes. As a general rule of thumb there should be about one litter box per cat. If your cat or cats have a marking problem “to each his own” is best.
• Change the type of litter box. Larger is often better, even for small cats. Some like the privacy of litter boxes with a lid, while others feel trapped and need the open air. Some cats need two entrances in the same litter box so making your own out of a Rubbermaid container might be the solution. Some cats refuse to use the kind that is battery operated. Always buy a new litter box because used ones can hold the scent of previous users.
• Consider medication. If you have tried many solutions and your cat is still marking then it may be time to consider medication to help stop the problem. Some medications can be taken for a while then gradually reduced until the problem is eliminated. Talk to your veterinarian about the different medications available.
• Recognize that none of these solutions may have immediate results. It may take as little as 2-3 days to solve the problem or as long as a month.

Scratching

• Get a STURDY, HEAVY scratching post. Scratching is a very important behavior for cats - both for their mental health and to keep their claws in order. The reason cats like to scratch on furniture such as couches is that they prefer tall, sturdy posts that do not move when they stretch up to scratch. The short, easily knocked-over cheap scratching posts are worthless. This is where you may need to spend a little money to solve a problem, or you could make a post yourself with carpet scraps and/or sisal rope. You could also try a large piece of firewood that still has the bark on - this may work for some cats, but most do seem to like carpet covered posts. If your cat is already using furniture as a scratching post, you may need to place the new scratching post near the furniture until they start to use it, and then move it gradually to a new location. To stop cats from using the furniture, use a product such as Sticky Paws, which is clear, double-sided strips or rolls of tape that you can place where you don't want your cat to scratch. For cats who like to scratch the carpet, those cheap cardboard scratchers that lay flat on the floor actually work wonders. Place them where your cat likes to scratch, sprinkle with a little catnip, and make scratching noises with your own finger nails - they'll get the idea! They work because the cat can stand on them so they won't move when they scratch. You may need more than one scratching post - scratching is another way cats mark their territory, so you may need multiple posts in multiple-cat households, or if your single cat has multiple places in the house they like to mark.
• Keep your cat’s claws trimmed. This may be difficult at first but some cats come around. You can try cat treat rewards to make the process easier. A once-a-month trip to the vet for nail trimming might be needed if your cat won't let you clip her nails.
• Apply Soft Paws. Soft Paws are little caps that are applied to the nail. These last from two weeks to over a month if applied properly. The cats keep their nails and are able to scratch but not leave even a mark on the most delicate fabrics.
• Use a squirt bottle. Give the cat a quick spray when you catch him scratching. The key to this is consistency.
• Use a squirt bottle. Give the cat a quick spray when you catch her scratching on an inappropriate surface. The key to this is consistency. BUT, scratching is a very important behavior for a cat's mental health, so you want to offer alternative places that are okay for scratching, and place the cat there when you find her scratching on off-limits surfaces.

Allergies

• Restrict access. Do not allow your cat into the bedroom. Getting a goodnight's sleep in a dander- free room may reduce or eliminate your allergic reaction.
• Always wash your hands after handling your cat and before you rub your eyes.
• Keep your house clean and well-ventilated. Remove carpet and keep windows open when the weather is nice, and use room or house air filter systems.
• Use medication. There are numerous over the counter medications and even more prescriptions available for feline allergies. There are even allergy injections that can be given so consult your doctor for more information.
• Some people find they can get a young kitten and build up a tolerance to the cat that they live with - it's almost like getting allergy shots. Visiting cats at friend's or relative's homes may trigger allergic reactions, but their own cat does not.

Not Getting Along with Other Pets

• Spay or neuter all household pets. Marking is more common among unaltered cats so if your cat is not spayed or neutered contact your veterinarian or the Athens Area Humane Society Spay and Neuter Center. Call: 706-353-2287, ext. 2 to schedule a spay or neuter for your pet today!
• Reintroduce your pets. Separate the pets and slowly reintroduce them or try just removing the most dominant pet and slowly reintroducing her back to the rest of the house. Reintroducing your pets is simple. First, separate your pets. You can place one cat in your master bedroom and the other can have the rest of the house. Put a towel under the door so they cannot fight under the door. Then, after a week or two, remove the towel so they can sniff each other and hopefully begin to play. Then after a week or two, allow them brief supervised contact. Continue the brief contact until they become more relaxed around each other. Next, allow them to spend an hour or two together during the day. Then, allow them both free range of the house. The last step is to remove the additional litter box and feeding station, although some cats prefer to keep separate feeding areas and litter boxes as a permanent arrangement.
• Provide separate areas. Give them separate litter boxes and separate feeding areas. They may even need separate toys and beds.
• Separate your pets permanently. Some house plans allow for easy separation.

 

   

Agressive Behavior

• Spay or neuter all household pets. Marking is more common among unaltered cats so if your cat is not spayed or neutered contact your veterinarian or the Athens Area Humane Society Spay and Neuter Center. Call: 706-353-2287, ext. 2 to schedule a spay or neuter for your pet today!
• Be patient. In some cases kitten play is misinterpreted as aggression. If this is the case with your kitten, recognize that kittens can sometimes play rough and they often grow out of this phase with time. Just like children, kittens need to be taught which behavior is not appropriate. Be patient and kind. If the kitten is attacking feet at night remove the cat from the bedroom while you sleep. If the kitten is rough with the children then supervise all contact with your pet and kids and separate them when you are not in the room. Never use your hand as a toy to play with or wrestle with a cat or kitten. Toys with handles or strings such as feather sticks allow wild, biting play that does not involve your hand. When a cat does play too rough and bites, don't scold or hit your cat. End play time by walking away. They will learn that the fun stops if they hurt you.

 

     

Moving

• Find rental apartments and homes that accepts pets. Rather than move to a place that does not allow pets, find one that does! There are many places that accept pets now so look around.
• Talk to the landlord. Some rental agencies or landlords may be willing to make an exception. Provide letters from your vet and people who know your pet stating that your pet is well behaved. You may also want to offer an additional security deposit.
• Get a prescription. In some cases doctors have been known to prescribe pets for certain syndromes, illnesses, and diseases. If you feel that you may need a cat for health reasons (example: bi-polar or depression) contact your doctor. Your landlord may be required to rent to you even if they have a no pets policy.

 

       

Excessive Shedding

• Change your cat’s diet. Contact your veterinarian to determine the food that is best suited for your cat’s shedding problem.
• Brush your cat daily. Some cats just need to be brushed more often. Once daily for about 5- 10 minutes usually does the trick.
• Consider supplements. There are many vitamins and supplements as well as prescription medication to help with the shedding. Consult your veterinarian.

 

         

No Time for a Pet?

• Get another cat. If companionship during the day is what you are worried about then adopting another cat might be the right option. Cats can enjoy each other’s company while you are away. This is a win-win situation because you can keep your pet without the guilt, save another life, and your pet won’t go through the stress of relocating to a new house without you.
• Get a pet sitter. If you are out of town often or work long hours just have a family member or friend stop by and check on your pet. There are a number of places and individuals that you can hire to pet sit. They can came once a day to your home or even a few times a day. Often a pet sitter will feed your pet and change the litter pan.
• Set up an oasis. Give your cat a fun place to live by setting up your home to be entertaining. Leave the blinds up on one window and set up a cat perch. You might even consider a birdfeeder outside the window for added entertainment. Get more toys for your cat to play with so he won’t get bored. Get an enclosed fish tank for hours of fun. They even have DVD’s designed for latchkey cats.
• Temporarily re-home your pet. If you are required to travel a lot this year or need to be away for short trips that make you feel like you are not a suitable owner, then perhaps see if you can have someone keep your cat for that period. You can ask friends, family, neighbors, or even post an ad for someone to take your cat for a week, a month, or even 3 months. You will be surprised at how many people would love to have a cat in their home without the lifetime commitment of adopting one.

 

         

Extenuating Circumstances (Domestic violence, military deployment, term overseas, sick family member…)

• Seek Assistance. There are many non-profits out there designed to help people and their pets in times of need. These organizations use foster homes to take in your pet, love them like their own, and give them back when you are ready.
• Temporarily re-home your pet. Ask friends, family, neighbors, or even post an ad for someone to take your cat for a week, a month, or even 3 months until you are ready to take your pet back. You will be surprised at how many people would love to have a cat in their home without the lifetime commitment of adopting one.

 

            

Finding a Home

Your companion deserves a good home, and you will need to put in a little time and effort to find one. Please make an effort before you consider taking your pet to the local shelter - you may only have to re-home one animal in your lifetime, while the hard-working people at your local shelter spend day after day trying to find homes for too many unwanted cats. If you do need to take your cat to a shelter, explore the alternatives in your area to see if there are no-kill shelter options by visiting http://www.spotsociety.org/atl_shelter_list.htm. The local Athens Area Humane Society has been very successful in being able to be no-kill for healthy, adoptable cats weighing over 2 pounds.

Abandoning or dumping a pet cat is NEVER an acceptable alternative. Dumped and abandoned pet cats become confused, depressed, frightened, and likely will die of starvation.

• Ask around. Check with your friends, family, and coworkers. There are may people looking for pets so wouldn’t it be nice for your cat to go to someone you know and trust.
• E-mail and text everyone you know. Contact everyone on the contact lists and listserves you belong to explaining your situation, and include information and a photo of your cat.
• Post an ad on Craig’s List. Look up the local Craig’s list online and post a free ad. Make sure your ad is creative because many people post ads for free pets and you want yours to stand out. You could write your ad in the form of a singles ad or a tug-at-your-heartstrings story. If you have special circumstances, such as this is your recently deceased father’s best friend in need of a home, then mention it. The more creative your ad and the better the photo the more likely you are to find a new home for your pet.
• Place an ad in Critter Magazine - find your local Critter at http://www.crittermagazine.com/. Make sure to use a good photo and a creative description.
• Advertise in the newspaper. Ads with photos and descriptions are best.
• Post flyers. Make up cute flyers with photos and descriptions and post them in your neighborhood, at vet offices, coffee shop bulletin boards, and other business and restaurants with community bulletin boards around town. Don’t forget to take them down when you find a home.
• Once you find someone interested in taking in your pet, you may want to ask a few questions first. You are in charge of making the decision so don’t be afraid to make sure your pet goes to a good home. Ask questions like: Will you let the cat outside? If the cat gets sick will you take him to the vet? Do you have other pets? Have you had other pets in the past? If so, what happened to them? Under what circumstances would you get rid of this cat?
• You may want to consider charging a small fee to ensure that the person adopting your pet is serious and is not going to sell your cat to dog fighters or to medical labs. Remember that you are not trying to dump the cat off on someone. Your goal is to find a good home for a cat that deserves one.