Rehoming Cat...feeling Extremely Guilty.

mokapi

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So back in February, I brought home a skinny kitten (Keegan) that was dumped at the park where I worked. He lived outdoors at our house for another month and a half or so before I could get him neutered and brought indoors. Introductions with my existing cat, who I've had for eight years, were made. It didn't go very well. Mrowmrow, my existing cat, hated him.

Fast forward to today, and I really think I need to rehome Keegan. He blends in well with the humans and dogs, but he's still a very playful kitten and he drives Mrowmrow crazy. Mrowmrow is so stressed that he's having flare-ups of herpes. Every night between 3-4 a.m., Mrowmrow just yowls and hisses at Keegan and one of them will get put in the basement.

Keegan will just walk past Mrowmrow and he'll get hissed at and batted. For a while, I was hoping that M was just learning how to play with him, but it never seems to be a "fun" behavior. M constantly tries to hide and avoid him. M has become sulky, and every little thing bothers him now. The dog walking past him, Keegan looking at him, etc. will make him yowl and hiss.

I'm considering rehoming him to my boyfriend's family. Their awful, 17-year-old family cat just passed away a couple of months ago, and the live-in nieces (11 and 13) desperately want a kitten. They don't declaw. He would possibly be indoor/outdoor, but I bet I can talk them into indoor-only. They don't feed a great food (kibble), but Keegan prefers kibble anyway and will eat the dog's kibble over his raw any day.

I haven't rehomed an animal in a LONG time. Does this sound terrible? Keegan is sweet, playful, and a total goofball. I always said I would never have two cats because M was an only child for so long, and I really think it's taking a toll on him. Am I being dramatic? Could M just be "acting dramatic"?

Thank you. Feeling very guilty.
 

GoldyCat

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It sounds like your Mrowmrow truly is stressed, especially if his herpes is flaring up. Having lived with a cat with chronic herpes for years, I can tell you he's not "acting dramatic" and it's not likely to get better until the source of the stress is removed.

It also sounds like you've thought through the rehoming carefully. You're not just throwing the kitten out on the streets or turning him over to a shelter where you have no control over what happens to him. IMO rehoming Keegan to your boyfriend's house would be the best solution for everyone -- human and feline.
 
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mokapi

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Thank you, GoldyCat GoldyCat . I'm going to talk to my bf tonight when he gets home to see how he feels about it. I've already texted his mom and she seems on board.

I would just hate for Keegan to feel abandoned. Ugh. I get too attached. It's why I don't foster.
 

betsygee

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It does sound like a good solution for everybody concerned--Keegan would be going to a good home, and your Mrowmrow would probably be a lot less stressed. And you'd still get to see Keegan, right?
 

di and bob

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As long as you have a good home ready, and two girls sounds perfect, I don't see any reason to feel guilty.It's when people bring them to an uncertain future, like the shelter or dump them on the streets, THAT is when you should feel guilty. Just make sure they are aware that it may take a cat a while to adjust, maybe you can take him over there and see how he does and get him used to it a little more. That would be ideal. Also make sure they understand that if things don't work out, you want to know. You will even be able to visit!
 
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mokapi

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It does sound like a good solution for everybody concerned--Keegan would be going to a good home, and your Mrowmrow would probably be a lot less stressed. And you'd still get to see Keegan, right?
Yes, we go over for dinner every Sunday. It's a very small town and they live just across the main street.

I feel a little better about it. Thank you guys :hugs:
 

Blakeney Green

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It sounds like you've come up with a good solution. While we all wish rehoming wasn't ever necessary, there are some circumstances where a grouping of cats just doesn't work out. I'm sure Keagan will settle in just fine in his new home.
 

authorbg

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My first cat was rehomed 3 years ago. We are so happy and thankful that we were given this wonderfully kitten and are forever grateful.
 

Kat0121

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First off, thank you for saving Keegan. He is so lucky to have been found by someone as caring as you. :hugs:

That being said, your first priority is the happiness of Mrowmrow (words cannot express how much I love that name! :hearthrob:)

Many adult and senior cats don't do well with kittens. They simply no longer have the patience for all that unbridled energy anymore. My dog is the same way with puppies. She is 15 and no longer tolerates them at all. She is not mean to them but she does everything in her power to get away from them as quickly as her arthritic body lets her. It's just the way things go sometimes.

You have nothing to feel bad about. You saved a life- that makes you a hero in my book. Your boyfriend's family sounds like the best place for Keegan. Rehoming him with them sounds like the perfect plan. You are not abandoning Keegan, you are giving him a loving home. You will still be able to see him so this is a win win situation. If it helps, look at it as though you fostered him until you found his forever home. Keegan knows you love him, he knows you saved him and you earned a very special place in his heart and you will hold that place forever. :rock:
 
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