Giving up my cats? :(

[pavlovk1025]

Hand out Claritin at the door and tell them to suck it up. Youre not supposed to be giving up animals this early. Youre not married yet, dont give up your jewels earlier than you have to.

[Charlie And Lucy]

I'm severely allergic to cats... and I have 4 of them!

I just take sudafed and allermelts (available at Walgreens) daily, and I get Kenalog shots every 2 months. My love for my cats is way stronger than my hate for my allergies.

Not to be rude, but who cares who's allergic to your pets? They are yours, end of story. I know your trying to be welcoming to your fiance's family, and that's awesome. However, giving up your cats is something I think you'll regret in the future.

[reichiere]

Best way to find them a good home? Don't give them away.

I volunteer with a local cat rescue, and people ask questions like this all the time. It's surprising the number of people who suddenly become 'allergic' to their cats.

But lets say you end up wanting to get rid of your cats. I'd say you need atleast a year to find a good home matching the requirements you listed. Why? Here's why:
1. You have two, that have to go together. Most people want one, its rare people come looking for two or more.
2. They're old. Cats are seniors at 7. Everybody wants a young cat, or one who is under 2 years old.
3. They're indoor cats. (I'm hoping since you live in an apartment) People want indoor/outdoor, people want outdoor only, etc.
4. You want them to have a loving home. People come looking for barn cats, or I've even had some ask for unwanted to kittens to feed to her snakes! People take cats for bait for fighting dogs. The list goes on and on.

From my experince, we get a lot of 1-2 year olds in our program that are pairs, and singles. They take on adverage 6 months to get adopted. We on occasion get older cats, and these are cats that are singles, not pairs, they take atleast 8-12 months to find a home. I've been with my current rescue for just about 2 years, since I've been with them, we've only placed 6-8 cats who are older succesfully. Another shelter I've worked at they had older cats who had been there 3+ years looking for homes. These are all cats who have good temperments, who are indoor, and who are friendly. No heath issues or behavior issues.

So assuming you do go ahead with and rehome your cats. PLEASE PLEASE work with a rescue organization in your area, a NO KILL rescue. DO NOT give your cats to a kill shelter. They may tell you oh, yah, we'll find homes for them. They WILL be put down. Older cats aren't considered adoptable by many groups, and often are put down with in a week or two of getting turned in, maybe a month if they're lucky. Please also start looking now for a a new home. Like I said it can take a long time to find them a home, don't expect to use craigslist and find them a home in 24 hours. (I see that way to often...).

I'm sorry to be so long winded but it's something I deal with almost daily, and feel strongly about. There have been a lot of good posts on what to do if you keep them, which I hope you do! There is no reason the future in-law family can't be thoughtful of your family! I'd rethink getting involved with someone who make me give up a part of my family and life.

[jfreels]

My mom and sister are allergic to cats. I have two of them. It usually keeps visits short and sweet...not that I don't love my family, but c'mon!

I'd also like to add that it will never work to keep them together forever. Unless you found a close friend or family member to take them. Remember that anyone you give them too does not love them as much as you do. And if they are a stranger, they most likely will give no mind to what you say after they are in their hands.

[Greez1986]

Interesting topic... If it was me I would weigh the situation carefully before acting, tell you GF that the cats stay now will most likely end in a fight... Keeping the cats means you know they will have a good home but may lead to you being alone with your cats till you die That would suck... You said you didn't get attached but then changed your mind but if you had to chose cats or girl which would it be? I know I'd pick girl and remember some people on here may have already chosen cats or pets over love, I wonder if they even think they made the right choice anymore....