Urgent Help With Traumatized Rescue Cat

[furryangel]

Hello,

I am in need of some knowledgeable advice. Nearly 5 years ago we adopted a rescue maine ****. The people we got her from were not honest with us when we took her. They told us she had been rehomed many, many times and but did not mention her behavior problems. We later found out she had been a victim of past abuse and displays signs of trauma. It has been a real challenge caring for her these past 5 years. Every few months we have to take her in to the vet to be groomed, and the vet has to sedate her just to groom her. This costs us $400+ every few months. We have been diligently caring for her for years but have reached a financial point where we absolutely cannot afford it anymore. It has been a very difficult decision but we are forced to think about giving her away to a new home.

We have decided not to take her to a shelter for fear that she will be euthanized, or adopted by people who do not know what they are getting into. We do not want her to be rehomed many more times or mistreated ever again, but we also don't know what else to do with her.
Is there some resource or trustworthy society we could take her case to? Our cat needs to be adopted by someone with experience caring for traumatized animals. Her condition has greatly improved since the time we originally got her, but we fear she may have serious problems for the rest of her life. She can sometimes be a very sweet cat who deserves every minute of a happy life and that is what we want for her.

Please help us, we want the best for her and we don't want her to go through any more unnecessary stress, but we absolutely cannot keep her anymore. Does anyone have experience with this kind of situation?

Thank you so much.

[zodiacqueen]

I hate to see her have to be rehomed again.  That poor baby has been through so much.  This is just so sad.

Try doing some research on your computer.  There are lots of no-kill shelters in your area that you can call.  I'm sure that a shelter will show her compassion and take her in.

[Piparskeggr]

I'l 2nd the above.  A quick search should show the reputable rescues/no kill shelters in your area.

[CML2014]

Hi Angel,

Maine Coons are stunning creatures and usually large with a lot of fur.  Grooming is a problem if she is not taking care of herself.  Sounds to me like she may need some Prozac .

She has been rehomed so many times because of temperament??? Are there other health problems that exist?
So for 5 years you have been having her groomed under sedation?
If that is the only problem she has ( Not wanting to be groomed or touched) I would try the Prozac first.

Here is what is going to happen if you take her to a No Kill shelter. Yes there are some very compassionate ones , we have one in Florida that has had cats there for 15 years, but these are far and few in between.
She cannot be place in the general cat room--the trauma would be too great--so she would have to be given to a foster from the shelter that work with abused and traumatized cats.  That is your best bet. I would ask until you find one that will allow a foster to take her. Then I would get the name and address of that foster (pretend you want to just see her from time to time) but what you must do is check to see she is in a healthy enviorment.

Unfortunately the abuse , rehoming, and trauma occurred at the hands of some evil humans. I only hope their punishment  fits the crime in the afterlife--Karma is a *****.

I know this is breaking your heart, so try the Prozac first. Then ask your Vet if he would be willing to allow her to be an office cat. or if he knows someone good with these types of cats. Last resort is a foster home affiliated with a NO Kill shelter.

Be cognizant  of the fact  that NO KIll does not mean they will not Humanely euthanize for the cats own relief. I know it seems unfair but cats with health and behavioral problems are lifers and it is not a great life in rescue, and many rescues feel they are keeping other cats who are adoptable out of their shelter because the problem cat is taking up the space.

The world just ***** sometimes and you unfortunately have known this for quit a while.  Sometimes I wish we could marry cats, they are much better than many humans.

Please know you have nothing to feel guilty about, you tried when many others did not care. This makes you very special. I hope you will feel at peace with whatever decision you ultimately make.

Please let us know what happens.
Sincerely,
CML