Pets

I've seen success stories on finding owners through here and Craigslist. My coworker volunteers at Paws & Whiskers, and they are a great shelter to use for cats. No kill shelter, does a good job of placing your cats in new homes. The most recent addition to my family came from Paws & Whiskers. You can also sponsor your cats. You give Paws & Whiskers some money for taking care of them and they lower the adoption price, thereby increasing the liklihood of adoption.

I have 4 cats already, or I'd take them off your hands. Good luck finding a home! (Also, posting pictures helps a lot on the internet, preferably cute ones!!)

They are very friendly and cute. I have a tiger striped one, and a black one with a few white spots.

If I could I would, hope you find a good home for the wee ones.

Congrats on the baby as well!

Careful with Craigslist, though, draven4099. Scammers love the site, and sometimes troll Craigslist for free pets they can turn around and sell. Also, be aware that - though infrequent -participants in dogfighting rings have used Craiglist for free pets that end up as bait for training fighting dogs (or sometimes to find young dogs that can be trained to fight).

You can also try Planned Pethood, though I am not sure how much room the cat fosters have (I only work with dogs as a PPI volunteer).

You are seriously getting rid of your cats because you are having another child? What a lame excuse. Give them some food and a couple cuddles throughout the day and they will be happy. Cats sleep like 20 hours a day.

Yes, the shelters and rescues are bursting at the seams because of people like you. You are your cats entire life- don't give them up.

Cats do sometimes act out if they do not get the attention they used to get. For example, when the wife and I had our first child, and the cat wasn't getting the attention she had before, she started peeing all over everything (which she never ever did before). We even took her to the vet thinking there might be something wrong with her, and they found nothing.

It's also not fair to the cats if they cannot have the attention they once got.

I never criticize people who do the right thing and surrender pets or re-home them when they are too much to handle. After all, they could do what cruel people do, which is to toss them out of the car in the country (or worse, in a burlap sack with bricks over a river).

However, I do encourage people thinking of getting a dog or cat to put the same amount of effort into the decision as they would adopting a child: essentially you should be mnaking a lifelong commitment, and pets should not be considered disposable. Also, if everyone neutered their dogs and cats there would be a tremendous decrease in the number of unwanted animals, so those of you reading this post with a dog or cat that needs to be neutered: get off your a** and take care of this.

At least it is a legitamate reason, remember that lady that wanted new carpet last year.

NOT a legitimate reason in my book- but to each their own, I guess.

Ditto what historymike said.

I admit that I raised an eyebrow at the reason. (Being that I have 2 kids & owned cats throughout most of my childhood/early adulthood, my first thought was "how much attention do cats really take?")

But, as historymike said, at least draven is trying to find a good home. I'm not sure how that will work out though - most shelters & rescue groups are bursting at the seams. I hope that draven considers the possibility that the cats will end up being euthanized - once you rehome your pet, you never know what will happen.

(Speaking from experience. When I moved after college, my grandmother willingly took in my cat. Grandma was eager for the company, & I thought I was leaving my cat in a win-win situation. Good home for my cat where I could still see her, & companionship for Grandma. Unfortunately, my uncle's wife decided that Grandma didn't need a cat and took it upon herself to take my cat to a shelter...without telling anyone. By the time the rest of us in the family found out, it was too late. No one ever really forgave my aunt for that.)

"I never criticize people who do the right thing and surrender pets or re-home them when they are too much to handle. After all, they could do what cruel people do, which is to toss them out of the car in the country (or worse, in a burlap sack with bricks over a river)."

As sad as it is, I agree. Surrendering a pet is responsible, when you can no longer care for it, no matter what the reason. I've taken care of too many cats in my life that the neighbors left behind when they moved. Makes me sick. I also knew of a young couple years ago who took their puppy out to the country and drove away because the dog was destructive, which wasn't the dog's fault because the couple was rarely home. As historymike says, if everyone neutered their pets, there would be a tremendous decrease in unwanted animals.

I wouldn't take a cat to the Lucas County Humane Society because it is a kill shelter and it regularly euthanizes cats to make room for new cases coming through its door. The Wood County Humane Society, if you're in Wood County, is a no kill shelter, but as all shelters these days, they may be filled to capacity. I would still talk to them, though.

I know that if you go the route of advertising for homes for the cats, sit down and write something personable about the cats as part of their profiles - are they mousers, lap cats, love to cuddle or are more independent, get along with other cats and dogs, or prefer being an only cat, and if they are they fixed and up to date on shots. If they are, they are much more likely to get adopted. There are always young people just entering the job market and moving into apartments who are lonely and seeking to adopt a cat.

Good luck!

Draven, please reconsider. Courtney is right in that cats don't need a lot, especially if they already have each other as companions. The shelters are full, and if you drop them off at the Humane Society, they will probably be killed. The no-kill shelters simply don't have the room to take in any more cats.

To keep them happy and from acting out, consider using Comfort Zone. We have a grumpy cat that was getting really mean, and our vet recommended this stuff. It's like a Glade Plug-in for cats, and emits a scent (only noticeable by cats) that has a pheromone that tells them everything is A-OK. Basically, it's an airborne prozac for cats. Our mean cat has gotten very, very nice, and the other cats seem more mellow, too. I can always tell when it's time for a refill, since our old cat gets weird about his litter box.

And no, I don't work for any Comfort Zone marketing company. It's just a product I found that has really helped us with our kitties.

I agree that you should reconsider.

It will be extra-hard to rehome the cats if you are expecting them to stay together, for one thing. And if they do end up in a shelter, as others said, they are likely to be killed. The most recent stats I read from HSUS said that 80 percent of cats that go to shelters do not make it out, based on national data. That was a couple of years ago, to be sure, but honestly I doubt it's much different now.

I think it is a beautiful gift to children to raise them in the company of animals. And I strongly agree with what historymike said about pets being a lifetime commitment.

Just drop him off at a chinese restuarant. They taste like chicken.

I dont really know where to start. I came on here looking for help, and then I am told my excuse is lame. I am sorry that I cannot afford all my time and attention to my cats, but I am not sorry that I am man enough to realize that they could probably be with someone who will love them and spend more time with them than we can.

I came on here looking for help, not to be shot down and scrutinized. All you had to say was they might be better off with you, OR, dont give them to the animal shelter cause they are not a no-kill shelter.

I did not know 7 years ago when my wife and I were going to have children. Guess what? We now have a child with our second one on the way, and now our children are our priority. I did not make my post so that I could have to defend my decision, but it is MY decision. If you can't help, don't comment.

You cannot expect people to refrain from voicing their opinions/"concerns" and you should know that from past posts on this site, that people will do just that. The last time I checked, the First Amendment was still intact; although, maybe not so much on this forum because there have been times when people First Amendment rights were removed at the same time their post was.

Draven, I wish I could help you. Maybe run an add or contact relatives. I wish you the best of luck...

draven, most of us ARE trying to help.

We're trying to let you know that your two cats probably won't survive if you give them up, and to offer alternatives to giving them up.

I have three cats, two kids, and a full time job. Do the cats get a lot of attention? Only when I'm watching TV. But as long as they have food, shelter, and each other, THEY DON'T CARE.

Of course your children are your priority. Does that mean that you sever all ties with your other family, your work, your church, your friends? Hardly.

And what lesson do you expect your children to take from this? "You're only my priority until someone better comes along."

Yup, you are right. That is exactly what I want my kids to take from this. I will only like them until something else shiny comes along. How did you possibly know that?

I also understand that some people are trying to help. Thats what I came here for, but now I am regretting that decision.

wishiniwasfishin said:

"The last time I checked, the First Amendment was still intact; although, maybe not so much on this forum because there have been times when people First Amendment rights were removed at the same time their post was."

This is jr's website, wishiniwasfishin, not an anything-goes-free-for-all. If jr makes editorial decisions about when people go over the line with comments and posts, that is his right as site owner. This is just like if jr threw a party, someone got liquored up and mouthed off, and he told that person to go home and sober up. In this example, private property trumps free speech because the free speech interfered with another person's property rights.

People are free to exercise their First Amendment rights by starting their own websites, but jr is under no obligation to provide the world's lunatics an unlimited soapbox upon which they might howl at the moon.

(end rant)

Do you feel better? Maybe there should be a disclaimer stating that JR has the right to censor...since he is the owner. Forgive me for stating my own opinion on the matter, but it seems that people are quick to judge and when someone posts something that doesn't agree with whoever or whatever....then....well, you know.

(pauses)

Nah, just because there are lots of plump fish in the barrel does not mean I have to load up the shotgun and fire away at them.

(moves on)

This is what happens when people are allowed to have an anonymous voice.

Ignore them.

Draven - Regardless of whether someone agrees or doesn't with your decision, it's yours to make. Again, I recommend Paws & Whiskers. If you post online at Craigslist, include pictures and make sure to meet with the person first. If you charge something, like $20-40 per cat, it will generally vet out the people who want to do bad things to a freebie cat, but it's no guarentee. Thankfully, these people are rare, but it happens. You can take that money and donate it to a shelter. If you go with shelter besides Paws & Whiskers, make sure it's a no-kill. Are your cats fixed? If not, make sure they are before you give them up. I think that's about all of my good advice.

Oh, and don't feed the trolls! :)

Draven you may not have known, seven years ago, when you were going to have children. However, seven years ago you had to have known that cats live 12 or 14 or 16 years ... or sometimes even longer than that. You made the choice then to get these cats.

It's devastating, the number of unwanted animals out there, the number of cats and dogs that are euthanized every day because no one wants them. Some of them were never wanted, not a day in their lives, but exist solely because some idiot decided not to spay or neuter his pets. Others were once loved and wanted until their owners changed their minds. It bothers people. It saddens people to know how many animals die needlessly because humans created this widespread problem of unwanted dogs and cats. That's where the criticism comes from.

Also, there are people on Toledo Talk who have recently or maybe not so recently lost their beloved animals, and who probably would've made almost any bargain to keep them alive and healthy. You know? 'Take my arm, my leg, my house, my car, take every last cent I have in the bank -- if only my pet will be OK.' Then someone comes along with two healthy animals he doesn't want anymore. Like they are a sofa that doesn't match his living room's decor anymore. That, too, is bothersome. It might even be borderline offensive.

So you feel criticized. So what. How are your cats going to feel when everything they know, when the safety and security and stability of the home they've had for seven years, and the people in it, and even possibly each other, are taken away from them? How are they going to feel in the back room of an animal shelter when they take their last breath on a cold table at the hands of a stranger?

You came here for "help" in shirking your responsibilities and adding to an already huge problem, is the way I see it. Excuse a few people for not wanting to smile sweetly and offer you that help.

Ultimately, if you DO decide to go ahead and re-home your cats, I sincerely hope you find a loving home for them -- together. Not because it'll make life easier for you or because it'll solve your "problem," but because they deserve it.

Now you guys are just making me angry. Maybe I will just throw them out in a field, together, so that way they can be free. Cause thats what they are, right? Just wild animals that we domesticated? Anybody got a farm that I can throw them on?

"Maybe I will just throw them out in a field ..."

The coyotes will like that.

I figured the coyotes would be hungry.

Now you guys are just making me angry.

Irresponsible AND immature. Wow, your kids are lucky to have you for a parent.

I think cats are candy for coyotes. Easy pickings.

Yup thats totally me! Immature with a capital I! And yes, my kids ARE lucky to have me! I think Im going to take them with me when I feed my two cats to the coyote.

Hey, where in Toledo can I go to find coyotes?

hey draven, have you thought about posting the cats on craigslist or petfinder?

http://toledo.craigslist.org/pet/

http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?animal_type=cat&pet_breed=&pet_age=&pet_size=&specialNeeds=&declawedPets=&children=&status=&shelter_pet_id=&internal=&contact=&name=&shelter_id=OH63&sort=pet.Identifier

I did, but the majority of everyone on here has made me change my mind...they are going to the coyotes. Or, they are going to people who host dog fighting rings in the local Toledo area. I wouldnt want to drive to far, ya know?

I don't know where you find coyotes around here. Just take them to the East Side and someone might hang 'em for ya.

And no, you're not immature for choosing your kids over a cat. Some people need a reality check. I too took a cat to a shelter after having a baby. The cat decided to start pissing in the baby's crib right after she was born. The Humane Society wanted $20 to take the kitty, so I stood outside for about 7 minutes and ended up giving him away to the next person to show up. No regrets. I still have the kid by the way. ;)

Draven, sorry people here made you feel like you do. If its a choice of people or animals, then animals take second place. Cats can bring diseases that could cause miscarriage. I love my cats, but I have no children. Your children should come first.

I know Im not immature. If immature is raising a family while my wife and I are still married, live in a house, pay taxes, pay mortgage, pay our bills on time, have three cars, send our son to bed at 830 pm, have regular checkups with the doctors, both of us have bachelor degrees, mine with a 3.95 magna cum laude, both have paying jobs with benefits, both have good credit, dont do drugs/alcohol(excessively)/smoke, serving in the military for 12 years and counting, would rather spend time with family than anything else...all while receveing NO government assistance, well I guess I am immature.

Speaking of pets, lets kill this dead horse already.

Draven- kudos to you for being responsible elsewhere in your life, but that does not mean that you aren't shirking your responsibility here. Maybe I am just oversensitive to this- but that could be because I spend all my free time working at the animal shelter. The excuses just really get old after awhile.

I suggest the Toledo Area Humane Society if you can't find someone you know personally. They are good people there and will do everything they can for those 2 cats.

Good luck to your cats- hopefully they land in a home that will keep them the rest of their lives. And please think twice before getting any other pets in the future.

Why do we have to kill dead horses? You are soooo mean Ryan. lol.

Hey, Draven, post some photos, will ya?

I would definitely advertise in the paper first. Some of the local weeklies would be a good start because their ads are a lot cheaper. Although a lot of people want kittens, there are some who want a cat that has already been through the clawing and destructive stage and is more settled. So long as they are healthy. It is also a big plus if you have toys, brushes, carriers, etc., that will go with the cats. Good luck!