skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Trying to help a friend find a home for her cat...

15 years ago

If you know anyone in the "WV,NY,GA" corner of the country that could give a 12 year old cat a new home? A friend at school has been told by her pulmonologist that the cat HAS to go due to severe allergies/asthma.

You can email me through my KT page,

Janie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

glenda_al
15 years ago
good luck
susanjf_gw
15 years ago
found these guidelines...maybe give them a chance?

Cat owners may not want to part with their pets, despite the symptoms they endure. Short of getting rid of the cat, here are some ways to decrease cat allergen exposure for cat owners:

Ã¢ÂÂ¢Ensure the cat is neutered
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Bathing the cat at least once or twice a week
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Wiping the cat with a wet cloth or hand towel daily
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Remove the cat from the bedroom, close the bedroom door and air vents to the bedroom
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Keep the cat outside or in the garage, or in a part of the home with an uncarpeted floor
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as to not stir up more dust)
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions
Ã¢ÂÂ¢If the above measures do not help to reduce allergic symptoms, getting rid of the pet cats may be needed, particularly for people with uncontrolled asthma.
Ã¢ÂÂ¢Cat dander will persist for months to years in the home even if the cat is gone Ã¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½" therefore it is important to clean thoroughly
Ã¢ÂÂ¢steam clean all carpets and upholstered furniture
Ã¢ÂÂ¢launder or dry clean all bedding and curtains
Ã¢ÂÂ¢vacuum all hard floors
Ã¢ÂÂ¢wipe down all hard surfaces and furniture
Ã¢ÂÂ¢replace any air conditioner and heater vent filters
Related Discussions
How do I tell my best friend her husband is cheating on her?
Q
Comments (14)
I'd tell her she better go and snoop herself. Why would she send you instead of doing it herself anyway? And, why would he leave a prescription for Viagra laying around/wouldn't it be at the drug store or in his wallet? What could you tell from the "phone records" without doing a little more research? Don't they have a trash service at his office...or does it just not get taken out if he is out of town? Why wasn't your friend waiting with baited breath to see what you found if she knew you were going to be snooping? Guess I have more questions than answers to give you. Anyway, offer to watch her kids, and tell her she better go take a look herself.
...See More
My Friend gets beat by her husband..how can i help?
Q
Comments (17)
SHE MUST GET OUT. Period. This person could kill her - I am not exaggerating. The sooner and faster the better. Physical abuse is a deal breaker. Having said that, I realize that she won't leave him on her own volition...right now. But here are some suggestions: 1) Do some research for her - find a women's shelter that puts women in protective care and keeps their whereabouts confidential...the kind that basically helps them "disappear," and offers counseling on a daily basis. Have it ready if/when she's ready to consider it. 2) Unless she is convinced that she must leave, she will almost certainly return, even if she were to leave for awhile. Find a counselor in your area who specializes in women's issues and abuse issues, and encourage (STRONGLY and CONTINUALLY encourage) her to visit. 3) Call the cops. Ask them what you can/should do as someone who knows what's going on. They can advise you on what - if anything - you may be able to do if the situation you described happens again. 4) Keep her trust and be her friend so that you can be her confidante. You may be the only person she's telling and she needs to be telling someone. Even if you "push" a bit to get her out of her home, always let her know how much you care about her, and that you're there for her. Get her talking about the abuse (ask her how she feels when it's happening, ask her if she thinks it's okay for a husband to beat his wife, etc.). Also talk to her about how she sees herself - chances are she has a very low view of herself and you can help "re-frame" her views by telling her how valuable you think she is. Sometimes an "a-ha" moment is possible for a person when they begin to hear themselves talk. And keep telling her - with as much urgency as you can - that she should never be treated this way by anyone and that she needs to get out ASAP. 5) Find out if she's talking to anyone else about this. If she has family that are reliable and who know what's going on, consider putting together an "intervention," wherein everyone sits her down for a "come to Jesus" talk about the danger she's in. It's good that you want to be her friend. She's lucky to have you.
...See More
My dear friend is being abused by her demented Mom - advice?
Q
Comments (21)
I was fortunate in that my Mom did not show signs of violent behavior. The wandering was bad enough while she was still able to walk. I think your friend needs to rethink taking care of her Mom. If she finds it hard now, it is only going to get worse. Much worse! As you know I was the sole caregiver to my sweet Mom for over 10 years and I would never ever put myself in that role again and my Mom was a dear gentle patient. Your friend's life will change forever if she takes this challenge on. You become an appendage of the person you are caring for because as the dementia progresses you have to do everything for that person. My Aunt was the violent type, my sweet gentle religious Aunt turned into a rabid animal locked in a cage. Swearing, hurting my Uncle, telling lies that almost put my Uncle in jail. My Aunt paced, back and forth. She wouldn't sit to eat, sleep. She walked and walked and ranted. She would get out of the house and walk into a neighbours house and act like it was her home and not theirs. Even after my Uncle put her in a nursing home she never found peace until she died. That is what Alzheimer's did to her. As someone above said, get the Alzheimer Society involved. They will send out a case worker but first your friend's Mom needs to be assessed by a Doctor. There could be something else that is causing her violent dementia. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't hesitate to put my Mom into care and as I said I had it easy until my Mom got cancer and I had to give her insulin shots but taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's will suck the life blood out of you. 8 years since my Mom passed away and I am still trying to find out who I am and to put my care taking in the past and not let it define me anymore. I must say though after the first couple of years of taking care of my Mom I became a better person and had to let go of the anger I was feeling at having to give up my life as I knew it, my savings, dating life, getting married, having kids because I chose to do this. I learned to be happy because I knew if I wasn't happy I would be in H'll on Earth. Alzheimer's in a terrible disease, much more terrible for the person that is doing the care giving than the one who suffers from it. I hope your friend gets some help for herself and her Mom sooner than later. Anne
...See More
Trying to help friend
Q
Comments (10)
To answer a few questions: She is no longer receiving medical care- - physical rehab only. She has a townhouse but has a second mortgage on it and Im not sure she would profit by selling. She has a car (not sure if it is paid off) which is probably about 4 years old. I agree that someone who knows the ins and outs of her situation needs to get involved. I don't think the facility she is in will be much help because if she is on medicaid they will receive 7,000 a month and she will have to pay 2,800 a month which will leave her with 78.00 or so a month and the facility receiving a total of 9,800.00. My feeling is that she would be better off returning to her home, getting home rehab either paid by medicare for a short time and self pay home care help. I don't know what her prognosis is at this point. She had surgery, radiation and 2 of 4 sessions of chemo. which just wipes her out leaving her sick and too weak to be at home. I am fully aware that she needs an advocate who can represent her best interests and she has a friend who is researching that. Getting older (she is late 60s) and alone is no fun. I didn't really expect an answer to her situation but I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening and sending Kathy prayers.
...See More
alisande
15 years ago
Good suggestions from Susanjf. Also Allerpet-C is recommended by many vets.

It would be such a shame to have to separate a 12-year-old cat from its human. Very hard on both.
janie_ga
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. She has a new "allergy" filter and is keeping the dander down by wiping her down each day while everyone tries to find a new home.

This has been something she has been trying to work through for a while but all remedies have not worked.

I cannot imagine what she is going through with all of this. I have only had to give away one cat- he was killing all the critters in a 1-block radius of the house. He gave him to a farm with a mouse problem. He cleared out their mice and then moved to the next farm. According to the vet tech who adopted him from us, he was happy and fat (and apparently a born mouser), lol.
lynn_d
15 years ago
My heart really goes out to your friend, Janie, how hard that must be. Often it is the cat's saliva that causes the allergy, I guess there is no hope that she can keep him?

Some are just killing machines, aren't they? We have our pool drained down ready to put the safety cover on and this morning one of the ferals went in it after a mouse he was chasing! He was walking on the solar cover, the cat soon discovered he was getting wet feet and abandoned his prey.
schoolhouse_gw
15 years ago
Ugh. What a situation to be put into. I browse the local humane society web site every day and my heart breaks for the senior pets sitting in the cubicles with the most lost look on their faces. I want to bring them all home, if only I was rich. But at least the owner or the owner's family make an effort to place the dog/cat where there may be a chance it finds a home instead of just turning it out. :(
janie_ga
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the good thoughts. No luck so far. I am not sure how long she can do what she is doing... asthma attacks are bad! Keep her in your thoughts and I will keep you posted.
nicole__
15 years ago
How about advertising on Craigslist? It's free.

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Online Finds Help Outfit This Couple’s First Home

By Jane Vorbrodt

East Vancouver homeowners turn to Craigslist to update their 1960s bungalow

HOME TECH All Is Not Lost: New Gadgets Help You Find Your Stuff

If you lose it when you lose things around the house (and who doesn't?), one of these wireless finders may be to your gain

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways Cats Help You Decorate

By Molly Brandenburg

Furry felines add to our decor in so many ways. These just scratch the surface

WALL TREATMENTS Tempted to Try Wallpaper? 10 Tips for Finding the Right Pattern

By Laura Gaskill

Before you lay down a lot of cash, sit down with this advice for getting a wallpaper you’ll love for years

KITCHEN DESIGN Try a Shorter Kitchen Backsplash for Budget-Friendly Style

By The Inman Company

Shave costs on a kitchen remodel with a pared-down backsplash in one of these great materials

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Koi Find Friendly Shores in Any Garden Style

By Marianne Lipanovich

A pond full of colorful koi can be a delightful addition to just about any landscape or garden

MOST POPULAR 9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire

By Alison Hodgson

Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire — and experienced the staggering generosity of community

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Native Plants Help You Find Your Garden Style

By Oakley Gardens

Imagine the garden of your dreams designed with plants indigenous to your region

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: A Circle of Friends Turns a Dallas House Into a Home

By Sarah Greenman

Homeowners enlist help from friends to remodel, build an addition and decorate their home

SMALL HOMES Houzz Tour: A Tiny, Happy, Eco-Friendly Home

By Vanessa Brunner

Think your house is small? Try finding all the space you need in 120 square feet

Sponsored

AIS Renovations

15 Reviews

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Let's start a chain reaction game -- Part 5

39

Moorestown Haunted Maze

7

We Have Nothing You Need So We’re Moving On

24

Smile today - 10/31/26

2

It's hare raising! Last day of the month!

0