5 Reasons Cats Are Given Up for Adoption — and How to Avoid These Problems

My career as a veterinarian — and really, my entire life — has been all about celebrating what I call “The Bond,” that amazing connection we have with our pets. But even as I’ve made a life’s work out of this bond, I am keenly aware that it sometimes breaks, landing pets in shelters and rescues where they hope for new homes. The good news is that progressive shelters and rescues are making tremendous leaps forward in rehoming pets in need. The success of Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days — with almost 8,000 pets nationwide placed in forever homes in a single weekend — highlights the amazing work shelter and rescue communities are doing today.

But despite this positive news about pet adoptions, cats are still among the most difficult animals to place in new homes. Fortunately, there’s good news for felines too: The animal welfare community is studying the reasons cats are given up, with an eye to helping pet pet parents solve the problems that cause them to surrender their cats — or, ideally, to avoid those problems in the first place.

Why cats end up in shelters and rescues

I’ve worked in and with shelters and rescues for more than 30 years, and I have a pretty good idea why cats end up in them. But as always, I wanted to tap the expertise of a top colleague, so I talked with Dr. Brian DiGangi, clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Most people who make the decision to relinquish a pet are heartbroken and truly want to do what’s best for their animal,” he says. “They just don’t know where else to turn. While we need to respect those pet parents who have come to the decision that they can no longer care for their pet, many are just in need of some good advice and support.”

So what are the reasons a cat parent winds up surrendering a beloved pet? Here are Dr. DiGangi’s suggestions, along with some advice from him (and me) on what might help avoid these problems.

Related article

Am I Allergic to My Cat?

It’s possible — but this doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. Here’s how to tell if you are allergic to them, and what to do if you are.

Allergies

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about a quarter of all Americans are allergic to cats, and experience occasional or mildly annoying symptoms to life-threatening. Additionally, 29 percent of all asthma cases are linked to cats. Obviously, it’s important to balance the benefits of having a cat with the problems related to allergies, and in some cases, that might mean rehoming your pet. “Dealing with severe allergies may be among the hardest of challenges to overcome,” says Dr. DiGangi. See an allergist first: By getting proper medical care and reducing allergens in your environment, you may be able to keep your cat. “We are only limited by our creativity!” says Dr. DiGangi. “Many [pet parents] have found ways to preserve the bond with their pet without compromising the quality of life for themselves or their cats.”

Related article

How to Move with a Cat (and Keep Yowling to a Minimum)

Cat behaviorist Cristin Tamburo’s pro tips on how to survive a week in a car with not one, but two cats.

Moving

Pet-friendly rental housing can be difficult to find, especially if you have only a short window of time to move from one place to another. Check with rescue groups and shelters in your new community to see if they maintain lists of rentals that accept cats. If it is financially possible, you might also consider an extended-stay hotel — many of which accept pets — to give yourself more time to look for permanent feline-friendly housing. If you are really struggling to find a place that will allow a cat, or you know your housing dilemma is relatively short-term (a few weeks or months), you might be able to arrange for your cat to live with a friend or relative until you can be together again.

Related article

How to Save on the Cost of Cat Ownership

Learn about the best ways to cut pet costs while giving your cat the best life and care possible.

Costs

The cost of caring for a pet can be daunting, but there are always ways to cut corners without reducing the quality of care you provide your pet. I frequently warn pet lovers not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish; in other words, don’t try to cut costs by skipping regular veterinary checkups. Omitting wellness care can mean setting your cat up for bigger — and more expensive — health problems down the road.

One of the simplest ways to spend less is to keep your cat lean; this can help save on food and on health care, because obesity is linked to many health problems in cats, including diabetes. Dr. DiGangi recommends tapping into local resources for both medical emergencies and basic care. “Many shelters and animal rescue organizations can offer assistance with common feline behavior problems,” he says, “as well as provide subsidized veterinary care for services such as spay-neuter and vaccination against common infectious diseases.”

Related article

Uncovered Secrets: Why Cats Don’t Always Cover Their Poop

And how you can encourage them to cover up after doing their business.

Litterbox issues

It’s rare that a day goes by that we veterinarians don’t hear about a cat who has stopped using the litterbox — and sometimes this can be the issue that lands the cat in the shelter. In many cases, litterbox problems are fairly easy to fix by cleaning the box more often, adding extra boxes, or finding your cat’s preferred litter. Other times there’s a medical problem that needs to be dealt with before the cat can be retrained to use the box. With patience, many, if not most, litterbox issues can be resolved. Start by asking your veterinarian for help. Dr. DiGangi notes that many shelters and rescues can help with litter box issues too, with behavior hotlines, counseling, and classes to assist people in learning more about their pets and how to work through this issue (and others) before the cat is surrendered to a shelter.

Related article

Recognizing Red Flags: Essential Warning Signs When Introducing Cats

And how to avoid any problems.

Not getting along

There are a variety of situations in which a cat will start acting unfriendly to members of a household, but this behavior is not necessarily a sign that the cat needs to go. Dr. DiGangi says issues can arise both when a cat cannot get along with other pets and when she takes a dislike to a new person in the home, such as a boyfriend or roommate — or a baby. Fortunately, there’s a lot of useful information available about strategies for handling all of these situations. Chances are good that if you read up and make some simple changes, the hissing and other signs of an unhappy cat will settle down and you can continue to live in harmony with your cat.

Can this relationship be saved?

No matter what your issue, taking your cat to the shelter shouldn’t be the first solution. “Many alternatives to giving up a cat are available for pet parents,” Dr. DiGangi says. “Most veterinary practices are well-equipped to assist with any medical or behavioral issues that are causing a pet parent to consider relinquishment.”

I agree with him there, and I’d take it even farther: Talk to your veterinarian about any problem you’re having with your cat. Many problems people think are behavioral — such as avoiding the litter box — can actually have a medical issue at the root. Until you correctly diagnose and treat that issue, you won’t have much luck changing the problem behavior. Your veterinarian is also a great resource for help with other problems, including behavior issues and allergies. They might even know a cat-loving allergist for you.

Related article

The Pet Rehoming Agreement Explained

How a rehoming agreement protects everyone involved in an adoption (even the pet).

Finally, do your research before you let your cat go. As Dr. DiGangi notes, these days you can find lots of assistance and advice geared toward keeping the bond intact, and it’s worth seeking out. And while you may still decide that it is in everyone’s best interest to rehome your feline companion, you might instead find the help you need to get over this bump on your long road together.

If rehoming is necessary, a resource called Rehome by Adopt a Pet can help you safely and easily find a new home for your cat. From creating an eye-catching profile for your cat to setting up safe meet-and-greets with potential adopters to finalizing the adoption contract, Rehome will guide you through every step.

Article reposted with permission from Vetstreet. Written by Dr. Marty Becker, DVM.