So I posted a few months back about taking in a kitty for my Aunt's friend, a beautiful tabby they named Francine, who I call Frankie.

When she first came here I put her in my bedroom to give her some time to adjust and for all of the cats to get used to the different smells. She is 5 years old and had always been an only cat.

Well numerous times since she came to live here, I have tried tirelessly to introduce her to the others, but she HATES them. If they try to get close to just check her out, she screams, growls, hisses and literally has a fit. I have tried just to leave them alone and figured they would work it out, but for DAYS she will just hide, not eat and one time, to avoid getting down from the cubbards, she peed on my stove. :( I have tried everything I can think of, slow introductions, trying to let them work it out on their own, Feliway, NOTHING has worked. I have never had problems like this with introductions before. She just refuses to come around.

Because of the fact that unless I segregate her, she refuses to eat or use the litterboxes, she has basically been living in my bedroom. She seems happy there, sleeps with me, always purring, little chirps to greet me, eats and uses the litterbox fine, however I am not comfortable with the fact that she is living in my bedroom. It just doesn't seem right. Now my aunt told me that she HATED her previous owners and hid all the time anyway, and that if she seems happy in my bedroom, not to worry about it. I just don't know what to do...

Do I let her live in my bedroom and accept the fact that she will never be able to be with the other cats? Is there something else I should be trying with the introductions? Should I try to rehome her with a family with no other cats or maybe only 1 other cat where it isn't so overwhelming for her? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

:comfort: I'm sorry you have to go through this!

Umm.. Let me think about other intro ideas...
-Bring in a blanket the others have slept on and let her sniff it.
-Introduce one cat at a time in the bedroom with her.
-Feliway.

Marley was getting to the point of having to be isolated and in all honesty, I thought it was a horrible idea. It was hard to make time to go sit in the bedroom with him and play with him, as when I left he got so upset. Just didn't feel right. Sometimes we'd shut Jones & Sasha in the other bedroom so Marley could run around, but then we'd have to shut him back up.

But maybe Frankie is OK with it. Marley wasn't, so rehoming was the best thing.

Remember, no matter HOW much we love our cats and want for them all to get along, it just always isn't going to happen. There is NO shame in having to rehome a cat after all possibilities are exhausted. None. I felt horrible at first when I came to the decision to rehome Marley, and now, I can't be happier knowing he is free and in a wonderful home. :) And he also got a new name, Oreo. :duh:

If I were in your position, I would rehome her. What kind of life is it for a cat to live in one room and be scared/angry about anything on the other side of the door? Does she get bothered by the other cats being on the other side? How does she deal when you're not around?

My sister tried to take in this beautiful little calico from our vet - it was randomly left there by an owner. The cat was great and so friendly with us...but when her other cats were around, the thing went psycho. It ended up clawing my sister's face and we took her back. She now has a home where she's the only cat and they say she's doing very well.

The actions of Frankie sound just like the cat my sister tried to take in - so I'm all for rehoming her.

Thanks so much for your opinions girls. :hug: I'm really having a hard time with this.

Liz, I've tried Feliway, but it didn't even make the slightest difference.

Crystal, as much as it breaks my heart, I am pretty much at that point. She doesn't even seem to notice there are cats on the other side of the door though. It's weird, almost like "out of sight, out of mind."

I just think she deserves so much more... I guess I have a lot of thinking to do. :(

Aw Kailie, I'm sorry you're going through this. :( :comfort: I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. I agree with Crystal... I think rehoming her is probably best.

:thumbsup:

I know how you're feeling, Kailie. When Tigger was in our basement this winter, he was miserable being alone. He wants to play with the cats SO BAD but he has FIV and can't. When it came time to return him outside when the weather was nice and he was healthy again, he didn't want to go. At that point I was looking at rehoming him so he'd have a good life but it broke my heart because I love him so much.

Good luck deciding. :hug:

I know you'll make the right decision Kailie, whatever that decision is, because you have Frankie's best interests at heart! :hug:

Your vet may be able to recommend someone in your area that trains and/or works with animals, perhaps they can offer a suggestion on how to remedy this so Frankie can stay with you. I hate to see Frankie keep getting shuffled around, what if she don't like the new owners? she seems happy in your bedroom, perhaps for the first time in her life.

Erv, my thoughts EXACTLY. She DOES seem happy with me, which is why it is so hard. Last night I cried, because she was up head butting me and loving on me before I went to sleep. :( I'll talk to the vet and see what they say.

:hug:

Aww Kailie, what a tough decision to have to make :comfort: I am so sorry you are having to go through this.
I don't have an opinion for you as I really don't know how I would handle a situation like this, so all I can offer is support in whatever decision you make :hug:

First of all, I just have to say that you are all wonderful. :hug:

After work today, I am taking Frankie to her new home. I have found a family willing to take her in. I'm a little apprehensive because they have a dog, but no other cats. I am hoping she'll get used to a dog erasier than she would 6 other cats however. I told the family that if for any reason it does not work out, to call me and I will take her back in a minute and to NEVER take her to a shelter, and they have agreed to this. Please, keep her in your thoughts. I'm quite upset over the whole situation personally, but I think this is the best thing for her. :bawling:

I'm sure this was a tough decision for you to make Kailie :comfort: and hopefully it will work out well for sweet little Frankie. It's good these people have agreed to get in touch with you if it doesn't work out :thumbsup:
I hope Frankie settles down and is happy in her new home :crossed: :kithug:

That's great news Kailie! I know it's hard to say goodbye, but hopefully everything will work out in Frankie's new forever home! :hug:

Awww, I'm so sorry, Kailie. :hug:

I really really think you're doing the right thing, though. :thumbsup:

I know it's a hard choice! Marley (AKA Oreo) was placed in a home with a dog. But as far as I know, all is well!!

They were very nice people and seemed really excited to take Frankie in. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well. :(

:hug: I hope it all goes well for Frankie - what a hard decision to have to make. :comfort: