My brothers and I live in the Northeast quadrant of the country, the parents are in Florida. Many issues, too many to discuss here. The folks cannot care for themselves any longer, yet refuse to: 1) move back up North. 2)move into Assisted Living. 3) have in- home care. We have been trying to work with them for over 5 yrs. They have a cat, who gets sub-optimal care. He suffers for their stubbornness. The litterbox doesn't get changed, his food goes bad in the fridge, just like their food does. They are VERY attached to him.
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All are sweet animals and deserve better than what I can do for them, but they get their visits to the vet who is aware of my situation and knows that I am trying my best. I wish that I had a better home for them so that they could have a better environment as well. It would be better for all concerned. They too are old, but they didn't fill out an application to be born or taken in by my mom either. I agree that although a pet may be the only living thing a person has, other changes down the line should be considered in the long run. Some people don't have money to leave for the care of their beloved pet, and it falls on others to care for them in the end. It is a priority thing, and a thing of conscience.
As pets age themselves they will develop age related issues. Since your parents are in their late 80's, I just cannot picture them giving a cat a blood pressure pill daily [hiding the pill in food doesn't always work], or giving weekly transfusions to help with kidney issues.
You may need to use a "therapeutic fib" to have your parents give up their beloved cat for the cat's own well being, such as the cat needs his/her annual shots and you will visit the vet for them. Any chance you or one of your brothers could take the cat in? Then tell your folks the cat needs transfusions in order to survive and it would be almost impossible for them to do that, so Sonny said he will take in the cat. Yes, your parents will be upset.
If the cat is older, he can also go a no-kill shelter and will be adopted. Couple years ago I adopted a 12 year old cat, we are her 3rd family. It has worked out well, much to the delight of our 19 year old cat.
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Hopefully, someone has POAs financially and medically. It will make things so much better if found parents can no longer live on their own. If you don't have it, the state may need to take over and not sure if u want that. Guardianship though is very expensive but I think you can use parents money to obtain it.
ie: My Daddy was telling people on the phone that he was living in a run-down house (it was under construction at the time) I told him that someone might believe him and come take him away or arrest me for having a bad environment for him. So I got him a special phone and silenced the ring of the landline. Now he can only talk to family and friends no solicitors.
Which route are you considering? Are you going to get legal authority to remove the pet, by getting legal control of your parents, as in Guardianship? Or are you just trying to get someone, like the SPCA to come in and remove the pet and rehome it? They likely deal with situations like that a lot.
I'd likely consult with an Elder Law attorney in their area to find out the best options. You can find out what evidence you need and what measures you will need to take, regardless of which route you take. I would not let the fact that they are attached to the cat dissuade me from seeking removal from the home. If they truly care for that cat, and they were thinking clearly, they would agree it's the best thing for the animal.
My mom is an animal lover but there comes a time when they shouldn’t have an animal for all concerned, parents and pets.