Suggestions following loss of a pet

jjj1980

Today, my cat Sammie passed away after being rushed to the vets with breathing problems. She passed out from exertion whilst they were preparing to take blood tests and although they managed to bring her round with oxygen, she died seconds after the oxygen mask was removed.

I originally got her 6 years ago from the RSPCA, who had rescued her from horrendous abuse. She had been with them for 6 months recovering before being put up for adoption and still looked a real state so was constantly passed over. As soon as I saw her, I knew she was the one I wanted as her sweet personality was so obvious. I was right, she was a total sweetheart. My daughter has doted on her.

I want to honour her in some way and my first thought is to make a donation to the RSPCA but just wondered if anyone else has any ideas.

con1888

I got a photo framed of my rescue who died after only 4 months. Has pride of place in my tv unit. I also now volunteer for the GSD rescue I got her from.

Sorry about your cat

Georgiegirl256

So sorry to hear about Sammie

We lost our beloved cat Charlie about 3 1/2 years ago now, and we still miss him terribly He was a rescue cat too, and we had him for about 10 years.

When he was pts, we researched what to do, and found a pet cemetery, which on the face of it sounded good, but whilst driving through, I just couldn't do it, and my OH felt the same. The thought of him all those miles away on his own, and not bring able to visit that often really upset me. So we got him cremated at a place only a few miles from where we live, and got a lovely little wooden sleeping cat in which his ashes were placed. Charlie now had pride of place on top of my record player in my living room!

Some people might find that weird, but I feel happier and less sad knowing his back home where he belongs.

But if that idea doesn't appeal, I agree, a little framed photo of her is a lovely little momento, and the RSPCA also have a children's club that perhaps your daughter could join.

Dunroamin

The best thing you can do in remembrance of your pet is to save another animal from an early death or a life in kennels.

We had to have our Pyrennean Mountain dog PTS a fortnight ago and last Thursday we adopted a Labrador that's nearly 10 and had already spent 6 months in the rescue kennels.

If you really don't feel ready to have another cat, make a donation to the RSPCA or a rescue organisation, anything else is self indulgence, I feel.

scaredy_cat

i think a better donation would be to Cats Protection or a local cat rescue.

I have the ashes of my last 2 cats, and i am planning to bury them in big plant pots under a tree or bush.

Georgiegirl256

Dunroamin wrote: »

The best thing you can do in remembrance of your pet is to save another animal from an early death or a life in kennels.
.

Exactly! I meant to add on to my last post that we got our present cat George about 2 weeks after we lost Charlie. I know a lot of people thought it was too soon, but we weren't trying to replace him, (each cat is individual in its own right) or anything, it was purely that the house didn't feel the same without a cat, and it was only a few weeks before Christmas, and I wanted to give a cat a good home so it wasn't in a cattery for Christmas.

Good job we went when we did, George was being sent to Yorkshire the very next day! He certainly is an individual, that's for sure, totally different to Charlie (who was laid back) that's for sure, but that's good, as he's not a replacement, he's his own little character, and boy, has he got a character lol! :rotfl:

G-WWBB

So sorry to hear of your loss

If you do choose to donate to the RSPCA, please donate directly to the branch you adopted her through and not the national RSPCA, that way you can be certain the branch who brought her in to your life will receive the full donation.
Most branches are struggling and will be very grateful for any donation whether this be monetary, or by donating adult/kitten food, toys/beds/blankets etc.

Also, if you have the time and wanted to get involved with the branch, most are always looking for volunteers to help out. Some do 'cat cuddling' in their catteries, just a couple of hours a week to keep the cats who are waiting for their forever homes company and give them fusses (be warned, it's very easy to get attached!). There's also home visiting, fostering (very demanding, but very rewarding), helping with fundraisers and various other roles. If it's something that may interest you though, give the branch a call and ask them to keep you in mind

calicocat

So sorry for your loss.

I too have had my pets cremated so they are in a way 'still around'. Some people do think it odd or a waste of money, but my choice.

Are there any local rescues where you can adopt an animal....i mean via donation not taking it home if it's too soon to think of getting a new buddy..but may feel a bit more individual to you, maybe even pick one in a similar predicament to your last one which would definitely make me feel I was honouring the past puss.

springer211

Dunroamin wrote: »

The best thing you can do in remembrance of your pet is to save another animal from an early death or a life in kennels.

We had to have our Pyrennean Mountain dog PTS a fortnight ago and last Thursday we adopted a Labrador that's nearly 10 and had already spent 6 months in the rescue kennels.

If you really don't feel ready to have another cat, make a donation to the RSPCA or a rescue organisation, anything else is self indulgence, I feel.

sorry to hear about your loss
I agree with getting another pet, when you feel you are ready (it took us over 3 years to get over the very traumatising death of our first cat). If not the idea of making a donation is also very good, although personally I would go for a charity that doesn't pts healthy animals rather than the one suggested (but that just me)

jjj1980

Sorry, I should have added to my previous post that I go away for 5 nights in just over a week but as soon as I get back, both myself and my mum are going to rehome a rescue.

I already have a young cat that I rescued as a kitten about 18 months ago - she has been dumped in a box in a field near my house. My neighbours found her whilst walking her dog and I took her in. Poor little thing has cried all night, obviously missing Sammie so will be good to get her some company, as long as I can take her to be introduced.

I've found a really nice picture of Sammie which I'm going to have copied and framed. I'm also going to visit the RSPCA branch I adopted her from with a copy for their remembrance wall.

Although I'm pleased it happened so quick and she didn't have much if any time to suffer, can't help but wish I still had her here. Especially after the horrible time she had before I got her. She deserved to have a nice, comfortable life. Feel proud that that's what she got since I adopted her though.

For all the cat lovers on here, as soon as I can, I'll add a picture of her on here.

Thank you all for the support

G-WWBB

A friend of mine adopted a brother and sister years ago from our local RSPCA, just a couple of weeks ago the brother died after being in an RTA.
As they'd been together their whole lives, she was worried the sister would miss her brother, so they adopted another of a similar age to keep her company. They were worried at first it was too soon and that people would think they were just replacing the cat they'd lost, but after taking the newbie home on Saturday just gone, they knew they'd made the right decision. Her existing little girl and the newbie get on like a house on fire already, it's been barely a few days since they were introduced.
My friend helps out at the same cattery I do and that's how she met the newbie, fell in love with her the minute she laid eyes on her. She waited a week after meeting her to decide so she wasn't rushing in to it, but said she knew from the moment they met that she'd be coming home with her.

Good luck with the rehoming, can't wait to see pictures on here