By Lindsay Hamrick, CPDT-KA
Lucas Ottone / Stocksy
Should you’ve discovered your self within the heartbreaking scenario of probably needing to give up or rehome your cat, you’re not alone. Thousands and thousands of cats and kittens are dropped at native animal shelters and rescues annually, and whereas the explanations behind the choice to give up a pet might be complicated, there are methods to forestall the drastic motion of rehoming a pet. Listed here are some ideas for widespread pet points that would make all of the distinction:
1. Housing
A scarcity of reasonably priced and secure pet-friendly housing tops the record of causes each cats and canine surrendered to shelters or rehomed by their homeowners to household and associates. In response to the American Veterinary Medical Affiliationus-pet-ownership-statistics, over 25 p.c of U.S. households personal no less than one cat and an estimated 72 p.c of renters have pets, making housing a significant component in whether or not cats stick with their households throughout their lifetimes.
f you’re probably shifting, begin your search as early as doable. The extra time you need to monitor web sites for pet-friendly flats and houses, the extra possible it’s that you just’ll snag match. It additionally provides you extra time to barter with property homeowners who could also be on the fence about permitting a cat.
Create a cat resume, highlighting all of the methods your cat is a good roommate. Ask your veterinarian to jot down a cat suggestion, highlighting that they’re up-to-date on vaccines, well-groomed, and well-behaved once they are available in for visits. Should you’ve beforehand rented with a cat, ask your prior landlord to jot down a letter of advice. Nothing convinces a brand new property proprietor just like the opinion of a earlier landlord.
2. Conduct
Behavioral challenges rank up there with housing as a number one issue for households who really feel they don’t have any different however to give up their cat. The excellent news is behavioral science is bettering, and there are such a lot of sources to assist you.
Cats actually love their routines, so after we resolve to carry a good friend dwelling for them, they aren’t all the time bursting with pleasure. You possibly can set them up for achievement by slowing this course of approach down. Fairly than plopping a new kitten on the ground and hoping your cat takes it properly, plan out a room in your own home the place the kitten can acclimate and your cat can get used to their odor and sounds earlier than assembly nostril to nostril. Give a brand new cat or kitten no less than 48 hours to discover their secure room earlier than letting them roam the entire home.
Once you’re able to introduce the 2 cats, place a child gate on the doorway of the secure room, seize some yummy treats and reward each the brand new and resident kitty for acceptable habits, like sniffing, strolling away, and even social habits like purring and rubbing towards the gate. If it’s all hissing and raised hair follicles, shut the door, and provides everybody extra time in separate components of your own home.
3. Litter Field Points
Perhaps your cat resides solo or will get alongside simply high quality with theirs different residents however doesn’t use the litter field persistently. First, rule out medical points like a cat urinary tract an infection (UTI) or arthritis that may be stopping them from getting over the tall edges of a litter field. Your veterinarian can assist decide a doable trigger. If nothing turns up, do a litter field analysis:
- Do you might have multiple litter field, together with one that isn’t closed in?
- Do you supply multiple substrate like pine shavings and clumping litter?
- Do you retain the bins tremendous clear, scooping them a number of occasions a day and absolutely cleansing them as soon as every week utilizing mild cleaning soap as a substitute of harsh chemical substances?
- Are the edges of the field low sufficient so a senior cat can step in comfortably?
- Is the field sufficiently big on your cat to do their factor and canopy it up afterward?
Litter field challenges might be a sign of broader behavioral challenges as properly. Have you ever lately returned to the workplace, and so they’re struggling to regulate to a quiet condo? Is there a brand new neighbor in 2B with a really vocal cat? You possibly can assist scale back their anxiousness with a pheromone diffuser, use a product that naturally attracts them to the litter field, or litter field practice your cat. And don’t overlook to succeed in out for assist — your native shelter and cat behaviorists can assist establish the basis trigger and construct a sensible plan to handle it.
4. Accessible Vet Care
Entry to veterinary care is usually a problem for a lot of pet dad and mom, however significantly these residing in areas with out many veterinary clinics. From common wellness care to sudden emergencies, medical care on your cat can add up. Pet insurance coverage might offset the prices however when you’re unable to afford a therapy or surgical procedure, speak along with your veterinarian a couple of cost plan possibility. Some veterinary clinics and native shelters preserve an emergency fund to assist pet homeowners who discover themselves in an pressing scenario with their cat.
If transportation is a matter, ask your veterinarian if their state permits tele-health. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, some states licensed the usage of digital appointments, increasing what number of animals might obtain an preliminary session with a veterinarian and not using a journey to the clinic. Lastly, your group might have a low-cost possibility for spay/neuter, cat vaccinations, or different diagnostic wants. Your native shelter can assist you discover any obtainable choices.
We all know that you just intend to maintain your cat eternally however typically life can get sophisticated. Don’t be afraid to succeed in out for assist — behaviorists, veterinarians, and native shelters are all right here to assist you.
Lindsay Hamrick lives in New Hampshire along with her three canine, chickens, and an assortment of rotating foster animals. She forces her aged chihuahua, Grandma Baguette, on in a single day backpacking journeys, can diaper a lamb with one hand, and whereas she’s a long-time Licensed Skilled Canine Coach, 66.7% of her canine nonetheless received’t lay down when requested.
