I had only good intentions, so how did I get stuck holding the cat?

[tencats]

Few months back I looked in on the pets listed on craigslist.com and was surprised to find a women pleading for someone anyone to take her recently dead mothers two cats. She, the only daughter had come to the city for the purpose of cleaning-up her mothers matters of estate and in it were two old purebred cats, a 14 year old Himmi and a 15 year old Burmese. I thought there would be near no chance to get good adoptions via craigslist and I contacted the women. I advised her about how to contact a cat rescue and which one. She was successful. Both cats were adopted to a probably a good home and I got a big thank-you.
It felt good to have helped and I have ever since looked for certain kinds of cats that are in the most trouble, like the ones being offered for free and need move out immediately because of allergies, new baby soon arriving, ect. The older cats that will not get called on and likely they will be turned out or go to the AC death house are especially sad to read about but not much I can realistically do to help those.

Then on July 5th, I read a listing thats from out of state but not real far away, that was for a "pursian, orange/white, 5 yrs, needs new home immediately" period. Well, I was busy with too much to do and passed on it.
My game is to refer a craigslisted cat to purebred rescue when they are in fact a purebred but rescue is really overfull at this date with a long waiting list and I think they now will only accept the youngest cats if there is a slot open. It is rare for the senior cat to get into a rescue anyways and we all know why that is. This cat could possibly just get in under the age limit though, but would be at a reduced adoption fee because of his age.
Then on July 12th, I read the renewed listing for this "pursian" cat and its got to be immediately gone yet again. I e-mailed with my phone # and got an near instant reply call. It was young women, not the cats owner but the daughter, who really very badly wanted that cat out of her mothers home immediately. I wanted detail about the cat but she didn't much know much beyond what she had in the add. I said that if it could wait a few more days I would drive up and see this unwanted cat.

July 16th I took off late in the day, it was about 2.5 hours drive up and I visited the family with the cat.
The daughter that I talked with earlier wasn't there and there was somehow a big misunderstanding in that the family thought that I was taking the poor cat back home with me. He was all ready packed up with his little kit of possessions waiting for me. Put a little crack in my heart it did to see him all prepared like that. But I'm old and tough, and I said no, not so quick. Five days later I went back and got him and his pathetic little kit, got him away from there just in time before they did something desperate.
This was last Monday and now I find myself stuck with yet another c a t. Not going to purebred rescue because he is actually at least 10 years old and maybe older. They always will lie about an older cats real age when fishing for an adoption, I expect that but I will always do extra effort to locate and talk to an earlier owner of the pet if there is one and get copies of any Vet invoices. I got lots of good history on this guy from two previous owners. The last owner here had him about only 11 months and they never were very comfortable with him in the house after he pee-ed on the old mans Sunday suit coat.

Don't know much about him here yet but here he is just before I had the kid, his only friend, put in the cat box carrier.

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[demnan]

1. He is a handsome fellow

and seemed very tolerant of the child's inexperience in holding him. So now I guess you'll have to get a new handle and call yourself 11cats. But you know, I never regret any of the ones I happen to take in, and I suspect you don't either.

[tencats]

2. Umm, please don't try to count them but.

My tencats point in time is from a long time back, you know what I mean.
Also, this last one I don't see how he is going to fit in. I'm stuck with him for the near term and I suspect that I going to be fishing for a good home for him after I get him cleaned up and know his temperament. I judged him on our first meeting wrongly it seems and the age thing is a real blow. The previous owner that had him, it was near 8 years, has been very nice and very helpful in conversation with me about his history. The story is a common one. The cat was for the daughter's 4-H project when a child. When the daughter turned 19 she lost interest in her cat and he was given away. I'm expecting a call back yet and will possibly be getting his actual birth date and more Vet records. I have been told that he got loose outside last July/August and returned with a puncture wound to the neck that required help from the Vet. You know the risk there with that kind of thing. I will have to be sure I get him tested. The area is semi-rural like but I'm not sure if that lowers the risk. Just have to wait and see. He's matted underneath and needs a dental. But I have always herd that the "red boys are always good, the best". Hope so.

Sad goodbye.
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[alstephenson]

3. Awww. Poor baby.

Looks like he needs a little TLC. Why do some people treat pets like they are disposable? I know your plate is full, but I'm sure that you will do all you can to find the old guy a good home. Thanks for caring so much!

[Sanity Claws]

4. That's a nice cat

He seems very relaxed even though the boy is holding him funny. He also looks affectionate. I think he's quite a handsome fella.
I wish I could take him in but I have two cats already and may be moving again real soon.
An older cat may appeal to the right person in the Lounge. I suggest you post there and mention your general geographic area.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. That is a real sweet looking kitty. I hope that he finds a forever home soon.

Where are you located...in case I find someone who would be interested.