Friday, April 26, 2024

Adopting A Cat Whose Owner Died

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I Am Moving House And The Landlord Wont Accept Pets What Can I Do

How to help a cat can return to normal life after its owner passed way, Animals My Love

Its common for tenancies to feature blanket no pets policies, but with more and more people across the UK now renting, this means landlords are missing out on a huge pool of responsible tenants. Most of the time, these clauses are included as standard, so you might be able to negotiate a way for you to keep your pet in your new accommodation.

Our Purrfect Landlords campaign is committed to helping people find suitable tenancies so you can enjoy the company of a furry friend. We have plenty of advice available for tenants searching for cat-friendly homes available here.

Making Provision For Pets In A Will

If youve agreed with someone who is happy to take on responsibility for your pet, you can include details about this arrangement when writing your will, or add it as a codicil to your existing will.

Although you cant leave any money directly or in trust to your dog, cat, or budgie, you can still consider estate planning for pets. You can include a bequest to the person wholl be taking care of it, to cover the cost of your pets upkeep and vets bills.

A solicitor can help you to draft this kind of clause in your will, stating the money has been left to be used by the named beneficiary to pay for the animals upkeep until the end of its natural life, or while it is in their care.

You can also leave funds for the upkeep of a pet in the form of a discretionary trust, a sum set aside for the care and upkeep of your pet. Usually, the new owner becomes the trustee responsible for administering the money during your pets lifetime. You can also leave instructions about to whom any money left should go to, after the death of your pet.

Its advisable not to name your pet in your will, but simply make reference to the dog or cats that you are bequeathing. This makes things simpler in the event you adopt a new pet in between making your will and the time of your death.

Do Cats Have Emotions

It is difficult to assess what those mournful eyes mean since our feline friends cannot tell us what they are feeling. Even though cats cannot verbalize that they are happy or sad, astute pet owners interpret their pets emotions based on behavior. With these interpretations in mind, it is commonly acknowledged that cats do feel happiness, sadness, possessiveness and fear. They also get angry and nervous. And despite the fact that cats are often aloof, they are social animals that form attachments to two and four-footed family members. And they do indeed mourn.

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I Recently Got A Cat But They Arent Settling Into My Home What Can I Do

There are lots of reasons why your new cat might be struggling to settle in. Cats are often brought to us because they havent got along with cats at home, as they are a very independent species. It can be worrying when your new pet isnt happy, especially if they are soiling in the house or hiding.

First impressions count, so take your time when welcoming a new cat into your home. Heres a few things you can do to make the transition as smooth as possible:

  • bring home something familiar – If you can, take some of your new cats litter or bedding home, as a familiar scent can help them feel more secure
  • create a sanctuary in your home – Start slowly by keeping your new cat in a separate room, with everything they need in one place. Providing a place to hide can make them feel safe too
  • consider using pheromones – A Feliway diffuser can be helpful in creating a secure environment for cats, try spraying some in the area where they sleep and eat
  • – Give them a piece of your clothing to help them get used to your smell, and if you already have cats at home, try using a gentle cloth to wipe their cheeks and swap between cats to familiarise them with each other safely
  • give them space – One of the best things you can do is give your cat time and space, let them explore in their own time and approach you when they feel comfortable

Rewards Of Adopting An Older Cat

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I joke about taking on a cat hospice patient, as I made him as comfortable as possible. I had doubts about taking in this guy, as I thought it would be more of a burden than a pleasure. I didnt think he would hang on so longover two years so far since he came to be a part of my household! Now, he comes in from the patio more often, laying by me on the couch or a nearby chair.

One of the older cats has taken to him and will get fairly close to him. After all this time, the other cats are finally learning to accept him. They dont cuddle up to him, but the hisses have lessened as they are realizing that he is here to stay. Prince Albert has made the place his own he comes into the kitchen with the dog, watching me as I cook, looking for crumbs. Surprisingly, once Prince Albert came home with me, my dog stopped pestering him. My little smart canine buddy realized, Oh, hes one of us now! I’ve even caught them in the doghouse together when the weather is chilly!

Prince Albert has thrived in his new hospice setting. He is totally an inside cat now and doesnt seem to miss the harshness of the outdoors. This pampered old cat now has a softer, thicker gray coat, and seems to be thriving, as he now comes to the sliding glass door to be let in, then scampers into the house. He looks up at me with his sweet blind eye, and my heart melts.

Consider adopting an older cat! The rewards for both of you are well worth it.

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Im Having A Baby Can I Keep My Cat

Welcoming a new baby is a wonderful time for any family, but you might find yourself worried that your bundle of joy and your feline friend wont get along – especially if this is your first baby.

Most cats make excellent companions for children, and with our helpful guide, theres every chance youll all be able to live in harmony.

You might be particularly concerned if you have a cat that bites. If youre considering rehoming a cat that bites or gets very anxious about change at home, do seek advice from your vet or a qualified cat behaviourist who will be able to help pinpoint and hopefully resolve the issue.

I Tort Liability For Shelters

Courts will generally uphold the decision of a humane society or animal shelter to euthanize an animal over the owners claim to that animal if the humane society followed all statutory obligations. If a humane society has not complied with statutory mandates, in particular by not holding the animal the requisite minimum number of days or not attempting to contact the owner, the owner will likely be successful in a suit against the humane society. Therefore, it is good policy for a shelter to establish a holding period that complies or exceeds that required by local law, in order to avoid liability to the owner. In addition, it is generally considered good policy to hold licensed animals as long as possible, particularly if the animal is adoptable.

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What Are The Signs Of Mourning

When a cat loses a companion, whether animal or human, she most certainly grieves and reacts to the changes in her life. Cats alter their behavior when they mourn much like people do:

  • They may become depressed and listless.
  • They may have a decreased appetite and decline to play.
  • They may sleep more than usual and move more slowly, sulking around.
  • They may hide under the bed, choosing to be alone even more than usual for cats.

Pet owners recognize these changes in daily behavior as the same ones that grieving humans often exhibit. The common denominator in human or feline grief is the loss of a central individual along with the associated bond.

Skeptics suggest that cats dont really grieve and attribute their behavioral changes to the alterations in daily routine resulting from the absence of an integral figure in the cats life. In other words, the cat gets upset because her schedule is off. With the loss of a companion cat, perhaps the surviving cat misses feline interaction and play time. With the loss of a human companion, perhaps the established and accepted feeding and play schedules are changed as the new care giver takes charge. Since they may not actually understand death as something permanent, sometimes a cat will wait patiently, believing that the deceased will return. Still others suggest that the cat may just be reacting to the grief exhibited by humans in the house as they deal with the death of a family member.

A Animals Are Treated As Property

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Companion animals are treated as property in the law. Under common law, a person who owns a domestic animal still owns that animal even when the animal is not directly under the persons control. For example, a dog who escapes from a backyard is still the property of its owner. Although treating animals as property affords them, and their owners, some protection in the law, it also limits animals and their owners rights. Additionally, there are inherent contradictions in the law regarding the treatment of animals: they are seen as property, they are essentially treated in a way that holds them criminally liable for their actions. A dog that bites may be killed by the state or at the least greatly confined although the owner is liable for injuries that the dog causes, the dog is also ultimately punished. There are difficulties in treating animals as property, as they are sentient beings, and are often integral parts of their human families.

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Adopting A Pet Whose Owner Died

As mentioned above, creating a care plan for your pet can be easier if you do it with friends and family. Along the way, you might find yourself taking on the responsibility as emergency or permanent caregiver for a friends pet.

Youll need to speak with the pets owner in-depth about his or her care to make sure youre both on the same page. If the person dies before youve had a chance to ask about his or her pet and how to take care of that pet, youll have to do your best.

Check for vet records or call local vets to see if they have any information about your pet on file. Look for the type of food the pet eats, and try to maintain as much consistency as possible.

When you adopt a pet whose owner has recently died, you should be prepared for an adjustment period. Especially with a dog or a cat, the pet can go through a mourning period. Just like humans, pets often mourn the loss of a beloved family member. A dog or cat might act out and take weeks, months, or even a year or more to settle into their new life.

F Special Situations In Which A Shelter Does Not Have To Hold The Animal For A Minimum Number Of Days

There are narrow exceptions in most state statutes that allow shelters to euthanize animals before the minimum holding period has expired. If an animal is extremely sick, believed to be experiencing extreme pain and suffering, or has a contagious disease, the shelter can kill the animal Such determination of the animals condition needs to be made by a veterinarian or the shelter supervisor. If the shelter can determine who the owner of the animal is, it must make efforts to contact the owner by calling him before destroying the animal. Generally, in cases in which the owner is known, the shelter must wait twenty-four hours after obtaining possession of the animal before destroying it during this time, the shelter must repeatedly call the owner. Such exceptions serve to protect both the specific animal and the animal population in general allowing a contagious animal into a shelter would likely result in all of the animals becoming sick and therefore unadoptable.

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How Do Cats React When An Owner Dies

Many people think that cats are aloof and believe that they do not care about their owners or miss household humans if they die. This is not the case. These animals form bonds with their owners, and when a human in the home dies, they will mourn his or her passing.

At first, it may take a few days for the cat to realize someone is missing. It probably knows something is wrong, since animals tend to pick up on high emotions, but it will not immediately realize the person isn’t coming back. Once the pet begins missing the person, it will usually begin looking for him or her.

The animal will look in the places where it is accustomed to seeing that person, such as a favorite chair or a bedroom. Often, it will meow in these places, seemingly calling for the person. It will often anxiously approach other family members, meowing, going to the deceaseds room or place, attempting to understand where the person has gone.

Adopting An Older Cat Can Be Rewarding

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While the majority of people wanting to adopt a cat will choose a kitten, there are unexpected joys to adopting an olderor even elderlycat. I do love kittens . . . their curiosity, their playfulness, and their darn cuteness! A couple of years ago, though, I was put in the position to take in an old cat: a skinny, gray, half-blind, outdoor cat whose owner had died.

Having fed Prince Albert for several months next door while his human mama was ill in the hospital, I had developed a bond with him. Still, I had no plans for him to end up with me, and I had no idea what his addition to my little furry family would bring to my life.

My dog, Gizmo, with Prince Albert. “Okay, Mom, he can stay . . .”

Victoria Lynn

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Effects Of Rehoming A Cat

A change of ownership leaves a profound impact on a cat. Thats especially true for one that has been with its owner for a long time. Unusual behavior that comes after rehoming is to be expected. How long that behavior lasts, of course, depends on the cat and how the old and new set-up transitioned. After being rehomed, a cat may display:

  • Excessive grooming
  • Unwillingness to use the litter box
  • Excessive scratching

All of these changes are caused by the stress and depression that cats experience after being rehomed. However, the most alarming changes are the physical ones. Cats can become physically ill after experiencing change, be it a:

  • Change of ownership
  • Lack of interaction with the owner
  • Change of environment

Stress weakens the immune system and puts cats at risk of contracting infections. The weak immune system may be coupled with a:

  • Lack of proper nutrition
  • Excessive grooming

As such, cats may develop long-term health problems due to short-term stress.

E Holding Period For Licensed Animals

Some states require a shelter to hold a licensed animal longer than an unlicensed one. There are policy reasons for this first, an unlicensed animal is more likely to be sick or diseased from lack of care. A license shows that someone owns, and presumably cares for, the animal. An animal may escape while its owner is on vacation therefore, it makes sense for shelters to hold licensed animals longer, to give the owner a chance to reclaim his animal. Also, a licensed animal is generally one which has a loving home shelters prefer to return an animal to a place where it can get proper care, rather than have the animal be euthanized or adopted out to an unknown family.

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Do Cats Miss Their Previous Owners

Cats arent as enthusiastic about human company as dogs . Because of this, they are deemed cold and uncaring by many. Their withdrawn nature makes people doubt whether or not the cat will miss them if rehomed.

The truth is that the psychological attachments cats develop for humans are difficult to measure. Studies on the matter constantly contradict each other. According to Current Biology, cats develop different attachment styles in the same way dogs and humans do. Namely, these are secure attachment and insecure attachment.

The study observed 108 cats of varying ages. It concluded that 64% of the cats had a secure attachment to their owners. In other words, they trusted their owner and had a strong bond with them. However, another study by the University of Lincoln directly countered the claims of the previous study.

It stated that cats do not show signs of secure attachment to their owners. Instead, it claims that cats vocalize more when their owner was present, which aligns with the finding of this study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. This third study claims that cats interact with their owners more after a period of separation. This indicates that the felines understand that their owner left them and missed them.

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