The idea that cats can’t stay in their “forever” homes isn’t something we like to think much about, but it’s something that happens more often many people imagine. A recent study by the ASPCA showed that over five years, 1.7% of households who currently have or have had pets rehomed one or more cats in the past 5 years. With 42.9 million US households with cats, that’s 729,300 households who rehomed one or more cat. That’s a lot of cats!
These cats ended up primarily in shelters (40%) or with a friend or family (30%). Surprisingly, 19% reported that they surrendered their cats to a veterinarian, making vets the third largest place that cats are rehomed. Smaller numbers went to live with strangers. Sadly, 2% of households reported setting their unwanted cats free, which works out to an estimated 14,586 households over five years leaving cats to fend for themselves.
How can families who think they don’t have options help keep these cats with them?
Pet Problems
A large number of cats, 42%, are rehomed because of problems related to the cat. These may have been problematic or aggressive behavior or health problems that the family couldn’t handle.
The most common issues that makes cats end up in shelters are litterbox issues. Many people struggle with cats who won’t use their litter boxes and don’t understand that there may be fairly simple solutions like cleaning the box more often, providing more boxes, or using a different litter. See What Your Cat is Telling You by Going Outside the Litterbox for some additional ideas about things that can cause this common issue.
Housing Problems
A large number of cats (19%) ended up rehomed because of housing issues, such as landlords who don’t allow pets or not having enough space.
It’s unfortunate that pet security deposits and even additional monthly fees for “pet rent” can add to monthly fees, especially when these extra fees are sometimes in place not to compensate landlords for potential damage but to raise revenues from families with pets.
There are a handful of organizations in US communities who may help with rental housing issues for pet owners, such as the Family Forever Foundation in Orlando, Florida. Due to the difficulty that families with pit bulls have finding rental housing that will accept them with their dogs, a number of organizations specifically for that purpose might have information you could use to find pet-friendly rentals in your area, too. See this list of organizations for assistance in your area.
Another cause of housing-related relinquishments not mentioned in the study but worth considering is military deployments. Thankfully, a growing number of organizations is available to foster cats and dogs for deployed military so that they can rest easy knowing that their four-legged friends are safe and waiting for them back in the US upon their return.
Cost Problems
In our difficult economy, 7% reported they couldn’t afford the cost involved in having a pet. When people end up jobless or underemployed, it’s understandable that they worry how they will afford to feed their cat and they may look for another home to be sure their furry friend is cared for. They may not realize that many parts of the country have recognized that providing assistance keeping pets in their homes is less expensive than taking them into the shelter system, so help may be available. For example, Orange County Animal Services has a pet pantry that provides food to struggling pet owners.
Some communities even some programs specifically geared toward helping seniors on fixed incomes keep their pets. These types of assistance programs are often referred to as pet pantries, so you can use that keyword along with your city name in a web search to see what help is available nearby.
Family Problems
Over a quarter of the cats rehomed were because of personal or family health troubles, allergies to the cat, a new person in the household who didn’t like the cat, a death in the family, a new baby in the household, or for a lack of time to care for the cat. These all fall under the general category of family problems, and they are some of the most difficult to resolve without seeing the cat leave the household.
Allergies are a highly-cited reason for giving up cats, but depending on the level of allergy, many people are able to cope with their cat allergies. Children who grow up in homes with cats are less likely to develop allergies to them later on, so managing your allergies now may pay off for your kids down the road!
You don’t have to give up your cat because you are going to have a baby. Your cat won’t kill your baby by sucking the baby’s breath, despite the persistence of the old wives’ tale. Fears of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy are oversold by doctors who seem to find “get rid of the cat” an easy answer rather than looking more closely at the risk factors.
It’s always sad to see cats looking for new homes because their primary caregiver passed away. These cats are often difficult to rehome because they may be frightened or confused. Some hospice organizations now integrate pet care and rehoming services, often in partnership with rescue organizations, which can help find temporary placement until the family is able to take them back or even permanent homes for these unfortunate cats.
Every cat whose family is sadly considering rehoming him or her can’t be kept in their home, but there are a lot of resources out there that can help keep some cats safe and happy with their families.
References and Further reading
Open Journal of Animal Sciences, Goodbye to a Good Friend: An Exploration of the Re-Homing of Cats and Dogs in the U.S.
American Pet Products Association, APPA National Pet Owners Survey
Creative Commons images curtesy
Annie Mole on flickr
Jennifer on flickr
Paul Joseph on flickr
Quinn Dombrowski on flickr
Katherine Anderson on flickr
I think one of the most important issues in cat rescue is figuring out how people can keep cats in their homes. Seriously!
That is a great post and all very sad but not much can be done about most of the problems.
Thanks for a very thoughtful article with a lot of information people might not have thought of! For example I have heard of organizations that help owners struggling financial with cat care and it is good to spread that word!
A very timely post today. My human sis has wondered many times why in the world
Mia and Frisco were given up. She says they are absolutely the sweetest kitties.
She refers to them as Team Cuteness. Mom is also amazed at how well they have adjusted. They are together all the time.
Hugs madi your bfff
What a great post. It always pains me to hear of a cat being surrendered by its family, especially when for a petty reason or a reason that could easily be resolved with just a little time and patience.
So sad. I just can’t imagine ever giving up a pet that I’ve vowed to love and care for. When I adopted Angel Tara she had lived with the same family for almost 9 years and they gave her up due to family issues. Their loss, my gain.
It’s so sad when cats lose their homes. A lot of our shelter cats–unfortunately–suffer the consequences of a throw-away mentality. There is help for those who truly see their pets as important parts of their family, but there’s no help for those who refuse to keep their promises to their animals.
Anyway. I’ve probably told you this before, but Elliott wound up at the shelter because his original mom died. Every day my mom tells him how lucky she is to have him and how glad she is that he waited for her. I feel the same way. 🙂
Oh William…that makes me tear up again.
After reading this wonderful and helpful blog and sadness flowed through me at the plight of these poor cats. My mom said the Vet said that my mom may have passed away and so I entered the foster care and shelter world till mommy found me.
we are sharing in the hopes that someone that needs this info can get it. interestingly too, more domestic abuse shelters are now allowing pets knowing that this will help people seek the assistance they need to get out of troubled relationships
my local shelter is working on initiatives to help people keep cats in their homes, such as offering financial help in a pinch and food pantries and behavioral advice.
Thank you for making people aware of some of the resources out there. I’ve had friends who have had to rehome cats due to medical expenses/vet bills. One of the many reasons I am so thankful for the cat community is that we help one another out whenever possible with medical expenses. I don’t know what I would have done if the cat community weren’t there to help Carmine and Milita and Jewel when they needed it. I always try to give a little something when I see a cat in the community in need, too. I really feel like if more people did this in the world in general, more people could keep their pets and not have to rehome them.
All of us in the cat community just dies a little inside when we see or hear about a cat given up for any number of reasons as you’ve outlined. We are so glad that there are resources out there to help.
guys….thiz bee a grate post….we wish everee one wood re think ther optshunz
bee for surrendering a cat…. me & sauce can attest two thiz….tho then again, we wood never bee a part oh trout towne other wize……..we were for chew net… we noe manee…. aren’t ~~~~ ♥♥♥
It’s always sad when that happens. 98.4% are likely human issues, not kitty issues!
Great post ! We enjoyed that you added so many useful links in it ! Purrs
This is a great post! It is very sad when cats have to be rehomed for so many different reasons, and sadder when it is not a real reason, but an excuse because the owner has got bored with them.
My kitty guy has FLUTD, which often causes him to not use his litter box. It’s definitely exhausting and frustrating, but I wouldn’t dream of rehoming him–I can certainly understand how people get to that point, though. It’s not easy, but he’s worth it. I’m glad to see there are organizations that are starting to help people with the other issues! Thanks for sharing these ideas.
I was given up because the first humans that had me weren’t supposed to have pets where they lived. I’m not sad about it, because I ended up in the best home ever! ~Ernie
It breaks my heart when cats lose their homes.
Thank you for this first rate blog. It breaks my heart. Those helpless blameless precious spirits…treated so badly.
I hate to say it and it was very difficult to do but we had to re-home two of our five cats when my wife got transferred back to Florida and we rented a place with a two pet limit.
http://badcatchris.com/2012/07/08/the-great-upheaval/
I was almost rehomed but Pop insisted that I stay. We just read a story about a Bronx guy who had to move south because of allergies. He couldn’t afford to take his dog with him so he tearfully brought it to NYC ACC which is always getting bad raps. ACC and the Mayor’s Council got together and flew his dog to join him in his new home.
I think there are far more pet food pantries out there than people may realize. I know we have one here but I have never heard it promoted. Possibly for “abuse” reasons…?
Very good post. I know that many people who reheome, let loose or take their animal to a shelter think no alternatives are available. So good for you to keep people suggestions on organizations that can help. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo