Recently adopted a cat, considering returning

10 Comments

I recently adopted a cat I was drawn to immediately. But he has cancer and as I unfortunately found out has very expensive medical expenses I can't really afford

The thing is though I've grown attached to him and can empathize with his plight, he was a stray, I think at one point he lived in a home. He was underweight and I helped him bulk up. One of his eyes is messed up. And when I found out he had cancer I felt really guilty about not wanting him because I loved everything else

He's playing more as time goes on and so is his cuddling. He sleeps either on my belly or between my legs every night now

But his medical expenses are daunting. I'm afraid if I give him back, he'll just live out a much shorter life in the shelter. The shelter had him in a good spot though, he had room to move around but not enough to really stretch his legs. They gave him medical attention but like for his anemia they stopped treatment because he showed signs of recovery but now it's back again (I got blood work done for him). He has teeth problems so he may need some or all his teeth extracted. The vet I took him to outlined his medical needs that equate to 700 to 1,000 dollars, and I honestly don't have it, and that's just for how he is now

I know I can give him good food, enough space to be comfortable, slightly better medical treatment than the shelter, and of course love. But I can't give him all the medical he needs.

I'm torn between giving up on a cat when I too have felt ostracized and being responsible for him when I know I can't afford it

He also has a "medical need" to not pee in the litter box often, even if it's clean litter and I'm kinda afraid of my apartment complex stepping in and being like "you're evicted!!!"

I can see how the truly responsible thing would be to return him, but I feel this strong moral obligation to not be what I imagine as a pos returning him to the shelter to get underweight and have less medical and to likely not be adopted

I think part of it too might be me not wanting to admit I shouldn't have adopted him to begin with

You should 3
You should not 6
I don't want to answer but I'll post a comment 4
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Comments ( 10 )
  • bbrown95
    2 years ago

    Some vets will work with you on a payment plan. Might that be an option? There is an animal rescue near me that runs a lower priced vet clinic, I wonder if there is something like that near you?

    If you think you may be at risk for getting evicted, unfortunately you might need to give up the cat. However, this will need to be a personal decision you make. I know it is hard.

    This is a really tough situation and I'm sorry you're going through it.

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    • CountessDouche
      2 years ago

      Thumbs up to this advice, also, I would add that you should communicate in detail with the shelter you are considering giving him back to.

      Ask for a lot of details regarding their healthcare budget for sick pets, especially pets with terminal illness. The shelter might actually euthanize (as sad as that is, it might be the only way for them to save the most lives).

      If this is their policy, you can relay that information to your vet's office, either by having the shelter contact them directly or corresponding with them yourself.

      If they do plan on euthanizing, and you can not find a payment plan that you are able to afford, you can speak with your vet about pain management and palliative care. That way, it might be an option for you to give him a few extra weeks or months with you, happy and loved and outside of a cage before he is put down. Putting him down is something you'll have to try and prepare yourself for, though.

      The vet's office should also have some advice to deal with the urination issues. I had a cat that got very sick, and a change of litter types helped her to go in the box more. Also, if you can move it to a non-porous tiled surface.

      I'm so sorry this happened. I know how excited you were to meet your kitty. It's heartbreaking to lose a pet. You should just take comfort in the fact that he had some time to experience happiness and love before he was sick. I know that doesn't make it any less sad.

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  • a-curious-bunny
    2 years ago

    700-1000 isn't that much actually. In fact thats insanley cheap for something as serious as cancer. Talk to them about a payment plan

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  • SwickDinging
    2 years ago

    I sympathise.

    When I was young and broke as fuck I had a dog which I simply couldn't afford. I adored him and he adored me but I had to give him away in the end and it broke my heart. It was 20 years ago and I still well up when I think about it.

    Do you have to take him back to the shelter? Is there no way you could find him a home yourself? Obviously you will have to let any prospective new owners know about his illnesses but you would be surprised at how generous people could be.

    Also $1000 is obviously a lot of money to you but to other people it's not much at all. A middle class person who loves cats may be quite happy to pay that vet bill. Maybe try and find someone like that to take him in?

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  • Grunewald
    2 years ago

    I operate on the principle that humans are more important than animals. It's your life as well as the cat's. People have fewer qualms than that about going back on their decision to have a human baby, and society as a whole does not blame them.

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  • anabnormal_guy
    2 years ago

    ⭕I don't want to answer but I'll post a comment
    but I don't know what to say,
    I love cats
    If I have one I will treat it like a person
    I don't sell him/her
    If him/her didn't like it. /if it's not a good idea
    I still think if you can't take better care of him, you should do what is good for him

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  • Somenormie
    2 years ago

    You should if you want to.

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  • raisinbran
    2 years ago

    If this cat is urinating all over your apartment you need to get rid of it.

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    • [Old Memory]
      2 years ago

      I get that but I don't want it to be about "he's not worthy" I think he deserves love and stuff and I don't want to be that type of person that makes decisions like that

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      • raisinbran
        2 years ago

        I'm getting a lot of thumbs down but it really sucks for the landlord. You can never get rid of the smell of cat piss.

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