Getting rid of a cat

Banshee · 09-22-2006, 11:44 AM

Someone with whom I used to work just emailed me to ask 'if I have to get rid of a cat, where is the best place to do it?'

Get rid of?!?! Sounds as if the cat is just a piece of rubbish or an old sofa that's not wanted anymore, rather than a living being to whom we have obligations.

She emailed me because she said she knew I would be the best person to ask cat questions because I'm a cat lover. Yet she never stopped to consider the fact that to a cat lover, the words 'get rid of' would be intensely offensive.

On the flipside, at least she asked me, rather than just dumping the poor cat outside...

jennawing · 09-22-2006, 12:10 PM

She probably thinks you'll take it. That's been my experience with people contacting me wanting advice on what to do about or with some animal.

Denise · 09-22-2006, 12:15 PM

Bridget, unfortunately, not everyone recognizes that animals have feelings and the statement "getting rid of" is not appropriate. For people such as your ex-coworker, don't give it a second thought. Thankfully, this person contacted you instead of dumping the cat outside or leaving it at a shelter.

Banshee · 09-22-2006, 12:15 PM

Hmmmm, jennawing, you may be right. I mentioned in my reply to her that I just rescued a kitten and am trying to get two adult strays into an adoption program, so that should be a subtle hint that I couldn't take another cat.

That term drives me mad, though - "get rid of". Grrrr!

She's picked a bad time of year to decide to surrender a cat

The vets with whom I've spoken whilst trying to get these cats into a program have said that this is the worst year yet for sheer numbers of unwanted cats and kittens.

Banshee · 09-22-2006, 12:18 PM

Denise, absolutely. I've heard that phrase used before and it always sets my teeth on edge. It just seems to roll off some people's tongues without a thought to what they're saying or implying. I did gently (well, what I consider gentle is sometimes viewed as harsh by other people) express to her that I felt the phrase 'get rid of' is not appropriate when we are talking about a living being.

Mollymitten · 09-22-2006, 12:44 PM

That's a very insensitive way of speaking! Why does she need to "get rid of it"? If that's the way she views the animal, maybe it's better off if it can get re-homed.

Banshee · 09-22-2006, 01:38 PM

Liz, I just heard back from her again and by the sounds of things it's the cat she had problems with a year or so ago when we were working together.

She'd asked me (and another 'cat person') for advice because her cat was messing outside of the litterbox, in a few different places around the house. Apparently it had been going on for awhile and they hadn't bothered to address the issue and explore why it was happening. With the expected birth of their first child they figured they couldn't allow it to go on because it wouldn't be healthy for the child, especially when he began crawling!!!! I suggested a few things and in the end all it took was the addition of a second litterbox (they had three cats, I believe - either three or four) and a daily scooping of the litterbox.

Thankfully she is taking the cat to the vet on Monday for a consult. I told her it could be that the cat is stressed out by the other cats and now a child in the house (her child would be walking around by now and could be chasing the cat). Hopefully someone with no cats or children would be able/willing to take the cat and work with her, but with so many adoptable cats needing homes now, that's doubtful

I agree with you - the cat would definitely be better off rehomed. And to be honest, recalling past conversations, I don't think she should have cats at all.

Mollymitten · 09-22-2006, 05:27 PM

Well at least she has the courtesy to take the animal to the vet.

When I read your thread's title, I dreaded to think what I might be reading! *waits for Dougall with open arms* LOL!

suzoo · 09-22-2006, 05:36 PM

As you probably would guess, I hear that phrase every day!
Or how about someone walking into a shelter and saying .. "Hi, I'd like to 'donate' my cat to your shelter". We'd rather have money but gee thanks!

Banshee · 09-22-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollymitten

When I read your thread's title, I dreaded to think what I might be reading! *waits for Dougall with open arms* LOL!

Oh god, yeah - the title does make it sound like I'm giving away my cats

I should've put quotes around it. Meanwhile, I'm sorry but Dougal stays.

Sue, when somebody uses that phrase, do you try to explain to them why it's wrong to put it in such a way? If so, how do they react? Do they genuinely reflect on it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzoo

Or how about someone walking into a shelter and saying .. "Hi, I'd like to 'donate' my cat to your shelter". We'd rather have money but gee thanks!

Donate?! It's incredible the crap some people come up with, isn't it?