EnviroLink Forum

Hello Forum, thanks for the warm hello's from those of you responding to my introduction. I have this crazy idea and am looking for some feedback from anyone. we have so many beautiful cats locked up in cages at the shelter where I volunteer and I thought, why not approach some retirement communities or old folks homes to ask them if they would consider giving a home to one or even a pair of these wonderful companions. Has anyone ever run across a program such as this or had the same idea. I would love to hear from anyone who might give me some suggestions, feedback or even some encouragement that this might work. thank you P.

Hi petunia

I too have worked with cats in a shelter situation, it is important that animals and cats in this situation are rehomed but only specific cats should be introduced to the elderly, to give a young cat to this group would be folly. Whereas they would have excellent care etc - if the elderly owners succumb to old age then the cats find themselves in exactly the same situation as before.

I cannot see old folks homes takiong on animals due to the complax issue of running an elderly home, however, in theory you have a point because an old folks home could have a constant or two - a cat or a dog then old folks come and go but the animals remain, as this happens. It would not take care of the majority of lost animals but it could help.

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I do agree with you. There are things to be considered first I guess before doing that. Since you want elderly to possess them then you should be aware of the things that you might do in order to pursue that. Assess 1st the behavior of the cats and if you think it would be a burden then don't belong that to the group, instead, do something to change the behavior so the next time it'll be ready.