Because a friend is on holiday, I am looking after her 2 foster cats (unrelated, both about 8 months old). Unexpectedly, the shelter has found a family interested in giving these 2 cats a permanent home. I am willing to let the family visit the cats but am not willing to give the go ahead for adoption. My friend will have to make that decision when she returns from holiday.
Unfortunately, I am not happy about these 2 particular cats being kept in an apartment together. Should I say something when the possible adopters visit, or keep my mouth shut?
The cats:
I increased playtime (which is more like "wartime") and have gathered numerous scratches and holes in my clothing from his jumping and throwing himself about. He is not aggressive at all - just completely careless about where he lands - in the food, on the litterbox, between the cat tree and desk, on my head..... He must be covered in bruises. I opened the windows and a couple of flies flew in. I had to protect all my worldly goods from his onslaught - completely brainless. Although she can't see a fly under her nose, she also likes following the flight of flies (by sound) and finishes up being pushed off the windowsill or cat tree and landing in a heap on the floor. I have added an extra cat tree and an extra cat box and cat bed so that she can find somewhere to hide or get out of his way. Unfortunately, she seems to prefer heights and there he always has the advantage.
I contacted my friend on holiday who admitted that he has always been dominant, sits on her, bites and makes her squeal. I think they would be better off separated: she would even fit in with my 5 females and he would no doubt be happy with one or two young neutered toms.
We left it at that and now people are coming to see the two cats. Would they be happy living together in an apartment with balcony? The balcony will need to be made extremely cat safe as such a wiry, muscular, determined cat will soon find a way out! He has just attacked her again and then come up to me, butted my leg as if to say - "Aren't I a clever cat? I've made her squeal again!"
I think I should perhaps keep my feelings to myself. But, that's not going to help the female. The cat shelter will be paying all vet fees for any further treatment necessary for her eyes and herpes. But, no-one seems to be interested in her general well-being.
Unfortunately, I am not happy about these 2 particular cats being kept in an apartment together. Should I say something when the possible adopters visit, or keep my mouth shut?
The cats:
- A BSH female: found by a dog, before last Christmas. She was alone in a bush, miles away from any housing. (I believe she was thrown out of a car by a breeder because she obviously had an URI and both eyes were badly infected. It is not the first time that sick BSH cats have been found in the middle of nowhere.).
She had to be bottle-fed, was treated for various infections as well as herpes. Eventually she was neutered at the same time as an eye was removed. Because of her history, she will not be vaccinated for at least another 6 months. A search was started for a suitable young cat to join her so that she could be socialised. Hence, her partner
- A male European Short Hair - he was already weaned and very friendly when found. Because of her infections, he was vaccinated and neutered before being introduced to the female.
I increased playtime (which is more like "wartime") and have gathered numerous scratches and holes in my clothing from his jumping and throwing himself about. He is not aggressive at all - just completely careless about where he lands - in the food, on the litterbox, between the cat tree and desk, on my head..... He must be covered in bruises. I opened the windows and a couple of flies flew in. I had to protect all my worldly goods from his onslaught - completely brainless. Although she can't see a fly under her nose, she also likes following the flight of flies (by sound) and finishes up being pushed off the windowsill or cat tree and landing in a heap on the floor. I have added an extra cat tree and an extra cat box and cat bed so that she can find somewhere to hide or get out of his way. Unfortunately, she seems to prefer heights and there he always has the advantage.
I contacted my friend on holiday who admitted that he has always been dominant, sits on her, bites and makes her squeal. I think they would be better off separated: she would even fit in with my 5 females and he would no doubt be happy with one or two young neutered toms.
We left it at that and now people are coming to see the two cats. Would they be happy living together in an apartment with balcony? The balcony will need to be made extremely cat safe as such a wiry, muscular, determined cat will soon find a way out! He has just attacked her again and then come up to me, butted my leg as if to say - "Aren't I a clever cat? I've made her squeal again!"
I think I should perhaps keep my feelings to myself. But, that's not going to help the female. The cat shelter will be paying all vet fees for any further treatment necessary for her eyes and herpes. But, no-one seems to be interested in her general well-being.