We just brought home our newborn baby and discovered -- he can't be around our kitty. He is absolutely the sweetest cat in the whole world. We need to find him a new home and quickly. Please, please message me if you're interested, or know someone who might be, or have any ideas on where we can take him.
Brooklynian » Forum » Park Slope »
-
-
I am going to start this by assuming you have a legitimate reason for this and its not an old wives tale about the cat smothering the baby you are listening to as that is nonsense.
Very often babies will get over their allergies, so you may want to consider a temporary arrangement with family where you can get your kitty back in a few months time.
However this is the WORST season to try to rehome a cat, the shelters and rescues are overflowing with kittens. The AC&C, the city shelter, literally kills dozens of healthy cats and kittens for space every night, it IS a death sentence to go there. The ASPCA is just as bad b/c they dump at the AC&C.
It sounds like you want a solution fast and I cannot give you that, you can be on waiting lists at no-kill rescues for months before a spot opens up.
The best answer, the one I did as a rescuer, is to volunteer with a rescue at their adoption event and ask them if you can bring your kitty along with theirs to have a chance at being adopted. You give them the adoption fee and they do all the pre-screening for you and make sure they go to a safe home.
Start by contacting BARC,Kensington Kitties and Sean Casey to see if they can help. Smaller groups are more likely to help you as they need volunteers more. The group I worked with is The Animal Project, they are in Manhattan at 92nd and Broadway. Carol is the lady who runs it and she will let you bring kitty if you volunteer the day (2-6), with the idea that you try to talk to people about your kitty to help her find a home and if they want another instead you still help them. Some volunteers only want to help their own kitties and dont get that any adoptions help you as the next person has one less kitty to choose from. It may take a couple of events to find kitty a home depending how outgoing he is.
Also start putting up flyers in vet offices in good neighborhoods, charge an adoption fee - say $50, after all you paid the vetting costs for your kitty. Also it keeps away the bunchers, dealers, collectors, hoarders who will act all nice by email but are trying to hurt kitty and just want a free kitty. Free = disposable.
-
I have the most legitimate reason -- my son's health. It would be nice if we had family willing to help but we don't. Such is life. I need a solution fast because of -- MY SON'S HEALTH. I love my cat very much. I rescued him and he rescued me. Letting go is very painful. It's amazing to me how many people assume I'm a piece of shit for trying to find my cat a new home. I'm not putting him in a shelter. I'm trying to find him a home. Thanks for the advice.
-
Check out Barbara Rosen - barbarathecatlady.org - she is a wonderful woman who runs a rescue in her home. Her website gives advice to help you put your cat up for adoption...and there is an email address on her website. Good luck
Peanuts -
Are you sure that the cat is the reason for your son's health issues? It seems to me that doctors will automatically blame a cat for whatever problems an infant has. I've heard multiple stories of people that sadly got rid of their beloved pets, only to find that the issue with their child had nothing to do with the pet. If you think your child is allergic, has he been tested? Don't go by a 5 minute conversation with your doctor. Allergic reactions can be caused by anything in your home from the
detergent used to wash your laundry to the soap you use to wash your hands before you touch your baby. Babies can have allergic reactions to the food you eat if you are nursing.Reseach has shown that kids that grow up with dogs and to a lesser degree cats have more fully developed immune systems.
I wish you the best with whatever you do, and as it sounds like you love your cat, please take time to before you take any steps you will regret later.
-
Thank you, reader. We are aware of the research and the benefits of having pets. It's too early to do any testing and you're right - we don't know 100% that the cat is causing this but it's not a risk we're willing to take. we've tested the cat's proximity to our son, etc and watched results.
Thank you, Peanuts -- great advice!
It's heartbreaking how many kitties are in need of homes. When I was younger, my family fostered strays - we never had difficulty finding them homes. I naively thought I would be able to find my boy a home. I posted something on craigslist too and I've gotten some really upsetting responses - it's clear there are people looking to take advantage. Truly heartbreaking.
-
Have you tried having the cat stay in a separate room and cleaning the remaining areas with allergy products? Pediatricians, allergists, etc. are so quick to blame animals which most often than not they are not the culprit - especially with newborns. And I would definitely get a second opinion from another doctor before blaming the cat. You can find a nice home for your cat on Craig's List but you are going to have to sort through a lot of crazies. In Brooklyn there are so many cats and just not enough homes for them.
Welcome! Please log in to post, or register a new account!
Get Brooklynian.com by Email!