Rehoming Your Cat
We do not recommend rehoming your cat by yourself. There are just too many unsavoury people out there who may mean to cause harm to your beloved pet.
We at 9 Lives Cat Rescue can assist with rehoming when we have the capacity but Perth Rescue Angels also has an Owner Assisted Adoption Program that may be able to help.
https://www.perthrescueangels.org/owner-assisted-adoption-program
Do you really have to give up your cat?
Take a moment to really think about your decision. Are you truly ready to give up your cat, or does it just feel like the more convenient option right now? The easiest path isn’t always the right one.
Before making a final decision, it’s important to explore the underlying issue and consider possible solutions. Below are some of the most common reasons people surrender their cats—and practical ways to work through them.
Moving House
The biggest reason for cats being surrendered to shelters is due to rental property owners not allowing cats. If you have to move and renting is your only option then don’t give up too easily if you are having trouble finding somewhere that will accept cats. Try expanding your search to areas you had not yet thought of, or visit this website for pet-friendly rental accommodation: www.petfriendlyrentals.com.au. Cats won’t dig up your yard, bark or chew things in the house, are fastidiously clean, relatively smell free, and have as much fur to lose as any other animal that may be permitted in rental properties (including yourself!). These are all valid points that can be made to rental property owners when applying to live on their property.
Having a Baby
Having a baby and introducing them to the existing cats in the house can be smooth and hassle-free… or a very stressful time. Don’t despair! It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your feline friend. Cats that have never had exposure to babies or young children often don’t know what to make of them. They will either ignore it or take more interest than you would prefer. To cats the baby lying on the floor rolling around is a great little play thing just like string dangled in front of them. They also see the baby as a wonderful source of warmth and may climb into the cot to snuggle in with the ready made hot water bottle! These are all natural responses for a cat but they do set off alarm bells for many parents. If introduced correctly, there shouldn’t be any problems with your animal and the baby. Try these websites for information on the best way to introduce your cat and new baby:
https://www.hillspet.com.au/cat-care/training/introducing-cat-to-baby
https://catfriendly.com/be-a-cat-friendly-caregiver/cats-kids/bringing-home-baby/
The other big concern with cats and having a baby is toxoplasmosis. Cat faeces can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, an infection that isn’t serious for you, but might be dangerous for your developing baby. Eating raw, cured or undercooked meat is the most common source of this infection, but cat faeces can also pose a possible risk.
Some doctors will immediately tell you to get rid of your cat but this is an overreaction and a lack of understanding on the doctors part. By following a few simple precautions there should be no problems with having both a healthy baby and a loving cat as part of your family:
Use gloves when emptying the litter tray and wash your hands afterwards, or get someone else to deal with the litter tray while you’re pregnant. Empty the litter tray daily.
If you’re concerned that you may have been exposed to the infection, you could ask your GP to do a blood test that will tell you whether or not you’re immune. You can also ask your vet to test your cat to see if he has been infected with toxoplasmosis. If it proves positive, you might decide to put him into a cattery for six weeks until he is no longer infectious.
Allergies
It’s an unfortunate reality but adults and children can become allergic to cats. Sometimes it develops spontaneously, sometimes a new housemate or partner brings a cat into the mix, sometimes. Ideally, re-homing should would only be considered if their allergies are bad enough to be dangerous to the health of the person involved.
If you are considering adopting a cat for the first time, try house sitting for a friend that has cats so you can test if you have allergies. You can also spend time at your local cat shelter so you can assess how severe your allergies may be if any.
There are so many products for people with allergies that giving up your cat should be a last resort. Talk to a doctor who is sensitive to your feelings and who is willing to work with you, or the person in your house with allergies, to find a solution that doesn’t involve giving up your beloved friend. Giving up your cat should be your last option as opposed to your doctors first.
Not Enough Time
Cats are usually very independent animals and are quite capable of entertaining themselves while you are at work or busy elsewhere. Unless your cat has a particularly needy nature and their wellbeing really is being compromised then re-homing should only be a last option. If you love your feline companion then you can always find time to give them!
When choosing a cat be aware of how much time you think you will have to spend with them and choose a kitten that has an independent nature that won’t fret while you aren’t home. Consider adopting two compatible cats to keep each other company, with the added bonus of having a friend to groom all those hard-to-reach places!
To keep your cat entertained while you are away from them, provide an enriching environment. This can include scratching posts, empty packaging, toys, cardboard boxes, and treat balls filled with their favourite goodies. Allocate a time each day to spend with your cat as if you would a child. Even if it’s only 10 minutes make it count by doing something with your cat that you both enjoy, such as brushing or playing with their favourite toy.
Behaviour Problems
If your cat has a behaviour problem(s), chances are it’s a common and manageable one. The most common problems include inappropriate urination/spraying in the house, scratching furniture, aggression towards other cats and anxiety issues (often leading to the above behaviours).
Have your cat checked by a veterinarian to rule out any physical health problems that may be causing these behaviours.
Cats don’t just start behaving a certain way to annoy or upset you. They behave this way because something is upsetting them. They can’t verbally tell you what is wrong and so instead it manifests into behaviours such as soiling in the house. This means its up to you to use your detective skills and think about what may be causing the problem. In the case of urinating in inappropriate places around the house you need to think of questions such as:
Is this a new kitten that has not been properly toilet trained or taken away from its mother too early to learn what is right and wrong?
Have you just moved house and the cat is trying to establish his new territory?
Have you brought new furniture, a baby or a person into the house recently?
Have you changed the type of kitty litter the cat is used to using in their tray?
Do you clean out the kitty litter tray regularly enough?
Questions such as these need to be asked of all behaviour problems your cat may have and need to be thought about so you can set about trying to rectify them.
Your vet can also help you do this and there are many websites available to assist you in researching what is happening with your cat, (please be sure to consult your vet or 9 Lives before taking any advice on cat behaviour from the internet).
If you still find your cat is having behaviour issues then we highly recommend a Veterinary Behaviourist:
https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/
https://www.animalsense.com.au/
https://www.perthcathospital.com.au/
Essentially there is no need to give up your cat if your willing to put in the time and effort to understand them and why they behave the way they do!
