Two years ago we adopted a kitten from a friend. He was friendly, playful, and cute as could be. The kids named him Rockstar. As he grew he constantly used his claws for everything. The kids started to avoid him as he would always leave scratch marks in his wake. He also loved to chew on anything rubber or soft. Computer/charger cords, the kids toys, and any number of things were chewed through before this cat turned one.
He was turning into a total pain in the butt. He would cuddle up with you all but begging to be petted only to turn around and bite you for no reason. He bit Brady badly on the hand when trying to escape the house. It quickly became infected and Brady had to make an ER visit that ended with a nasty antibiotic shot followed by days of a very strong oral antibiotic. Brady was less than happy.
We pressed on with Rockstar. Figured he would mellow with age. He was difficult, but he was our cat. To keep him from "playing" (read attacking the kids trying to get them to play) we adopted a second kitten who we named Bullseye. Bullseye is everything Rockstar is not. Sweet, cuddly, sociable, excellent with children. The cats took to each other like we had hoped and would play hard, leaving the kids alone. We thought things would be just fine.
Then we went on vacation over Christmas. We found a nice place for the cats to stay that would allow them to roam free as long as they were nice to the other cats. When we got back things seemed fine. Then Rockstar started picking on the kids again, specifically Beckah. Not cool. He would try and take her food, would constantly follow her around and when she would try to get away from him would try and swipe at her. I started keeping him shut up in the bathroom when the kids would play or eat. It helped keep the cat away, but didn't help his attitude.
I was growing more frustrated by the day. I had started looking into re-homing options but because of his difficult personality no one was interested. Then, on Cadence's 7th birthday Rockstar followed Beckah upstairs and while she was laying on the floor by our bedroom door he bit her hand. She started screaming right away. It was a deep bite. By the afternoon it was swollen, red and hot to the touch. Infected. Brady took her to the ER to have it treated. It is healing nicely and probably won't even scar.
I redoubled my efforts that very day to find the cat a new home. A barn maybe, where he could hunt and be a pain to his hearts content, far from any little kids. No luck. The no kill shelters were full and one of the volunteers said that even if they had room they would have better luck finding a home for a dying cat than one that bites.
My heart was hurting. It still is. I finally called the Humane Society today. I know that there is a very good chance Rockstar will be put down. I know this because he tries to bite nice people who come to our house. He is aggressive towards our vet. We have to warn everyone that comes over not to touch him or they will most likely get a cat bite. If I watch other peoples kids I usually have to lock him up. I just won't chance it.
I explained all this to the very nice lady on the phone. I asked her what his chances were. She, kindly, explained that they would give him time to warm up to several of their cat people. That they understand that he will be upset and confused at first and that he will need to time to demonstrate if he will be adoptable or not. She told me that there are good people working with the animals who want them to do well so they can be adopted out. She assured me that if he was approved for adoption that it would be in his file that he was not to be placed with children.
She also told me that if he proved to be mean and nasty and not adoptable that he wouldn't be alone with he was put down. It hurts to think that it is a possibility but I am also very rational. I know that he can't be allowed to run free biting anyone he wants.
It's harder than I thought it would be to let him go.
But I know if we keep him the biting will happen again. That is not something I want to happen. So on Thursday we will be surrendering our handsome cat to the Humane Society. I'm praying that he adapts quickly and will be able to be adopted to some nice person who doesn't mind a handful of a cat.
I know I will feel relieved once he is gone and don't have to keep an eye on him at all times. I know this needs to happen. I just can't help but wish that things were different.
And I really hope that Bullseye adapts well to being the only cat in the house. I think he will as the kids all love him to bits. Sigh. Life is hard.
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