Main Coon Cat looking for a new home

[Dafoe]

I need a new home. My name is Zeeba, I’m a Maine Coon Cat mix, about 6 years old and weigh 20 pounds. I was neutered when young and they de-clawed my front claws. I’ve lived indoors with no other animal exposure except this thing called a ‘baby’ that has turned my life upside down! When they brought this little human baby home, at first I thought it was cool and I even agreed to share my bedroom with him… but they began to shut me out of my own room!!!! He’s now 11 months old and has been trying to chase me all over the place. Now he can stand on his side of the gate and yells and yells to try to get me to come and play. I’m a pretty playful cat and love having my neck and face brushed, eating ice in my water and enjoy a game of “chase the ribbon” and “climb in the bag” like any other normal cat, but the little baby tends to want to pull my fur, sit on me, and squeal in my face! So … to make a long story short, if you or someone you know like well-built coon cats (I’m quite handsome if you look at my picture I’m sure you’ll agree!) … Please consider inviting me to come live with you. The baby's grandparents who live in The Villages are coming in February and they have offered to let me hitch a ride with them if anyone would be willing to offer me lodging. Please private message them and these kind people will give you the phone number of my owners who can tell you all about me.

[Phanatic Luvr]

My heart goes out to you. May I suggest your Mom and Dad teach your new little brother some animal respect. He won't be 11 months for long.

[Dafoe]

They are working on it.... the other challenge is mom and dad and baby are moving for one year to the mid-west - so finding new housing that allows kitties has added to an already challenged little family structure. :)

[Dafoe]

PS - If anyone is interested in Zeeba, he of course is free to a good and loving home. :)

[fred53]

My heart goes out to you. May I suggest your Mom and Dad teach your new little brother some animal respect. He won't be 11 months for long.

respect? No he won't be 11mo's old for long, but while he is he won't understand the "respect" attitude. As for when he's older well that's an entirely different matter isn't it? The problem is now I believe.

[Barefoot]

respect? No he won't be 11mo's old for long, but while he is he won't understand the "respect" attitude. As for when he's older well that's an entirely different matter isn't it? The problem is now I believe.

An 11 month old does understand the word no.

[CFrance]

We raised two babies with three cats. The babies learned how to treat the cats because we taught them how. We also found places we could rent that took cats without a problem (and this was in the '70s & '80s). I know it's not easy, but it distresses me when the family pet is discarded as soon as the babies come along.

But that's just me. I had to say it. I hope the Maine Coon Cat finds a loving home. My late brother had a Maine Coon, and if we didn't have a bird, I would take this one just as a way to remember.

[Laurie2]

Hi Zeeba,

I can't have a cat due to allergies in the family. But I will tell you true that if ever I were to have a cat, I would look for a Maine Coon Cat. I have always heard that Maine Coon Cats are well known for their charming, loving personalities -- kind of like dogs. :) In addition to being known for all that charm, I think your breed is known also for size. . . Shall we say -- A Substantial Kitty. -- I like that in a cat.

If anyone wants to know more about your breed, I hope they will give it a Google.

You seem like such a lovely cat, but here you are, caught in one of those transitions life can bring. And with those toddlers, parents really do have to choose their battles, I know. I feel sure it makes them sad to have to find a new home for you. But these things have to happen sometimes. They are trying to do what they think is best for everybody, including you, Zeeba. And they probably feel guilty, but I think parents of toddlers need to be cut a little slack. Toddlers have all that energy and they can run astonishingly fast. Toddlers are in the moment.

Toddlers are a joy but they sure are a handful. -- Besides, what with being shut out of your own room and probably not getting nearly as much attention as you are used to and all that fur-pulling and sitting on you, I bet you yourself are ready to pack up your toys and your bowl and your bed and move on down the road to live with somebody new who will have the time and place for you.

So anyway, even though you cannot be mine, I hope that when February comes, your grandparents get to bring you to The Villages to live out your life in sunshine and fun and lots of love. Please let us know how this all turns out.

[Bonanza]

Truthfully, this entire story makes me ill. I'm hoping your daughter can read all these posts on this thread because it is she who needs training. She needs to teach her son -- yes, even at 11-months old -- that pets need respect and quiet time. This 11-month old needs to be taught there are consequences for not behaving properly. Yes -- even at 11-months of age.

My heart goes out to this kitty who is being treated like a pariah, and like an item, not a live being.

[Futurevillager2013]

I have a Maine Coone cat that looks alot like the one posted here. His name is Rocky. He is the most loveable , sweet, loving, cat we've ever had. He is a big baby. Anyone who decides to adopt this cat will never regret it. I already have 2 and can't take another or I would. I hope the family works things out because it is such a shamefor this cat to be moved to another home the cat didn't do anything wrong.

[MoeVonB61]

DITTO BONANZA!!...good training starts in childhood......

[Dafoe]

I'm afraid my humor have lead some to believe that Zeeba isn't loved or cared for. The pictures show that is not the case and he will continue to be loved if another loving home can not be found.

[RescueTwo]

Truthfully, this entire story makes me ill. I'm hoping your daughter can read all these posts on this thread because it is she who needs training. She needs to teach her son -- yes, even at 11-months old -- that pets need respect and quiet time. This 11-month old needs to be taught there are consequences for not behaving properly. Yes -- even at 11-months of age.

My heart goes out to this kitty who is being treated like a pariah, and like an item, not a live being.

:agree::agree::agree:
As Future Villager said, this cat did nothing wrong, what a shame.

[CFrance]

We raised two babies with cats. One cat loved to be mauled; the other not. We trained the babies as best we could and provided a safe haven for the cat (our bed, of course) that didn't want to be handled.

When we had to put that cat down at age 20, our 16-year-old son went out into the backyard and dug a whole up to his chest so that when we buried our beloved cat, no creature from the woods could ever get to him.

The two babies and the two cats ended up being great friends. And what's more, the two babies, ages 36 & 41, to this day still have cats of their own.

From the picture of your daughter who has made birthday "cat" cakes, she loves this cat. I hope she will reconsider. It won't take long for this stage to pass.

[Laurie2]

I'm afraid my humor have lead some to believe that Zeeba isn't loved or cared for. The pictures show that is not the case and he will continue to be loved if another loving home can not be found.


Dafoe, I understood. I could tell from your post that Zeeba is loved. I felt sure his family would never let him go except to a really special home. And if he has to find a new home, what better place than in The Villages.

I hope this all works out. I bet it will. :)

[Barefoot]

The pictures show that is not the case and he will continue to be loved if another loving home can not be found.

That is very good news.
I was afraid Zeeba might go to a kill shelter; and unfortunately there is an abundance of surrendered cats.
It is obvious from the pictures that Zeeba was a pampered kitty.
I really hope that some Villages retired couple volunteers to give this lovely cat a forever home.

[DougB]

I'm afraid my humor have lead some to believe that Zeeba isn't loved or cared for. The pictures show that is not the case and he will continue to be loved if another loving home can not be found.

Dafoe, you will find that TOTVers think everyone needs their advice on how to run their lives. I believe the only thing you asked was if anyone wanted a cat.

[graciegirl]

Tell you what, I'll take the baby. Our cats would love to have a baby brother. More work for us, but hey more joy too..

[memason]

Dafoe, you will find that TOTVers think everyone needs their advice on how to run their lives. I believe the only thing you asked was if anyone wanted a cat.

Ain't that the truth!

I also find it interesting that people take up the cause of the cat, rather than the wellbeing of the HUMAN child....

go figure ?????

[DougB]

Tell you what, I'll take the baby. Our cats would love to have a baby brother. More work for us, but hey more joy too..

Hurrah to Gracie! That was easy.

[memason]

tell you what, i'll take the baby. Our cats would love to have a baby brother. More work for us, but hey more joy too..

like

[Nipper]

Way to go Gracie!

[Dafoe]

Dafoe, I understood. I could tell from your post that Zeeba is loved. I felt sure his family would never let him go except to a really special home. And if he has to find a new home, what better place than in The Villages.

I hope this all works out. I bet it will. :)

Thank-you for understanding. :)

[Dafoe]

Way to go Gracie!

I was hoping The Villages would offer a good home - thank you all for concern for our Zeeba & Gracie for your considering adding him your family! This truly is a lovely community to live in!

[Chi-Town]

Hurrah to Gracie! That was easy.
Hurrah for sure. Even if she meant the human baby. [emoji6]

[CFrance]

Hurrah for sure. Even if she meant the human baby. [emoji6]
I think she did!

And on another note... this is a forum to express opinions. There is usually an alternative to giving up a beloved pet, and nothing wrong with people mentioning them. They might even have a viable solution.

[graciegirl]

I am getting so exited, but I can't find any booties and bottles and stuff in the garage. This is just for the first 21 years right? That is what they told us the last time but I should have read the small print.

[Dafoe]

LOL - They grow so fast the booties may not work for long.... oh it would all be easy! :) Thanks for offering to take the baby.... I think they'll need to keep him since he breast feeds and that is one option that doesn't work well with transferring homes ;)

[duffysmom]

Gracie, is this for real? You are taking this beautiful kitty into your loving home? Helene must be over the moon. :pepper2::pepper2:

[Blessed2BNTV]

Gracie, I'll throw you the baby shower!

Misread the post.....thanks for the gentle nudge of correction :)

[memason]

It's amazing how we can all read the same thing and come to completely different conclusions....

[graciegirl]

Gracie, is this for real? You are taking this beautiful kitty into your loving home? Helene must be over the moon. :pepper2::pepper2:


NO...I was teasingly asking her for her human baby. I don't understand why her baby and her cat can't co-exist.

We would have to have a board meeting about adding a pet and Mikey has vetoed the last four dog requests.

I don't think this old girl could handle a human baby anymore. Our cats let us sleep at night usually and they don't grow to be much past twenty pounds. AND all three of ours are like real children to our hearts, I can't see how anybody could give them up for almost any reason.

I am pretty sure that the boys don't want any more furry siblings. Helene and I don't have their good sense, but the dad throws in some thoughtful ideas every once in awhile on the subject. Like I wouldn't give you a million dollars for the three cats we have and I wouldn't give you a dime for a dozen more......or...Yes we can get a new pet but one of us humans has to go....and he wasn't looking at Helene.

I think they should keep the cat. And take good care of the human baby and the feline one too.

[CFrance]

I think if you are going to enjoy the human baby, you should keep him till after the college expenses are paid. I mean, after all...

Can I have him during the teenage years? I LOVE teenage boys!

[Bonny]

We raised two babies with three cats. The babies learned how to treat the cats because we taught them how. We also found places we could rent that took cats without a problem (and this was in the '70s & '80s). I know it's not easy, but it distresses me when the family pet is discarded as soon as the babies come along.

But that's just me. I had to say it. I hope the Maine Coon Cat finds a loving home. My late brother had a Maine Coon, and if we didn't have a bird, I would take this one just as a way to remember.
I agree. I can't imagine not teaching a baby how to treat an animal. We had dogs and cats when our girls were born. They are so good with animals. My oldest has 2 cats and my youngest has 6. They have rescued all of them. I had 3 and just lost one to cancer. It broke our hearts.

[pattytracey]

is this cat still available?

[pattytracey]

is this cat available?

[Dafoe]

Yes!!!

[gomoho]

Oh pattytracey I hope you can take and love this fur baby.

[pattytracey]

I hope so

[duffysmom]

:pray:

[Barefoot]

We would welcome good news that this kitty has found a new home!

[Dafoe]

Dear friends,
I wanted to let you know that I have found a new home. Thank you all for helping me find my forever home.
Fondly,
Zeeba

[Dafoe]

Zeeba gets a new home!

[duffysmom]

:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

[Bonny]

That is awesome !!! :bowdown:

[Barefoot]

Zeeba gets a new home!

L I K E :pepper2:

[graciegirl]

Great news. I love our kitties more every day. I think as you get older, animals have even a bigger place in your heart.

I have always loved animals, but had to be about the business of life, Now our kitties and me..we have time to hang out.

I hope Zeeba finds joy and brings joy. Mikey, Harry and Hershey wish her well.

[gap2415]

This is really good news. I've been watching in the background hoping a home is found. We have rescued our share and currently have two loving cats. Joy!

[Bonanza]

I am thrilled to hear that Zeeba search has landed her a new home.

Please tell us about it.

[pbkmaine]

Wonderful!

[pgc4340]

Dafoe, you will find that TOTVers think everyone needs their advice on how to run their lives. I believe the only thing you asked was if anyone wanted a cat.

So true. Dafoe, please don't let the naysayers brow beat you for making an effort to find a loving home for your grandkitty. Yes children can be taught how to treat animals at an early age, but we can't always teach kitties that the children mostly want to play and will learn to play nice. Children and adults often move too rapidly frightening animals, so they act out in order to protect themselves. One daughter's kitty was living with us temporarily, when step-daughter's children came for a visit. Step-daughter's family are not cat people like us. Step-granddaughter was petting the kitty and all was fine, until step-grandson decided it would be funny to pull the cats tail. Step-granddaughter was scratched because she was in the cat's line of sight. I had to rescue kitty from an angry Grandpa, tell grandpa what had happened, end result, step-grandson was punished, but wouldn't you know, he did it again a couple of days later. He was 10! He was punished again, but we were not giving him a 3rd chance, so for the cat's "protection" and to avoid sending the sister home full of scratches, we moved kitty to another part of the house under lock and key so grandson could not torment a loving kitty and change his personality. Twenty years later we found out that step-grandson had convinced his sister that the cat was evil and told his mother that kitty had scratched granddaughter for no reason. Fortunately grandpa saw the second incident so we were both able to tell his daughter that we had not put their children in harms way by housing an evil cat. Due to that behavior and so many others step-grandchildren were never invited to visit without parents again! Some times kids and animals are just not a good mix!

[Dafoe]

Update: Thanks to all the well wishers! Zeeba is settling into his new forever home... Thank you Patty for opening your home and heart to Zeeba. Many blessings to you and your family!

[pattytracey]

This maine coon has been declawed and does not board well....he gets an attitude...any suggestions....thanks Patty

[CFrance]

Oh, the things they don't tell you. Does he get an attitude generally, or only when boarded? If only when boarded, then maybe an in-house sitter or someone who comes in every day to feed him would be a better option.

[Bonanza]

This poor cat. And what a shame for you as a good-hearted soul.
A cat that doesn't board well, will never board well.

I know because I have one.
We went to China for 3 weeks and she wouldn't eat.
Thankfully, she was boarded with out vet and he had to IV feed her, but at least she didn't have an attitude..

[jblum315]

That;s one of the downsides of declawing a cat. They are obsessively defensive because they have no defenses. Poor kitty.

[redwitch]

Cats are very place-oriented. Most don't like leaving what they're used to. Boarding can be disastrous for some kitties. Sounds like your big guy is one of those. If he's the shy type (rare for a Maine Coon), just having someone come in once a day for kitty litter change, food and water usually works. If he likes people, then at least two visits a day, with at least one of these being an hour, is best. If you're leaving for an extended stay, having someone spend the night at least every third night is a good idea.

[Lovey2]

Oh, the things they don't tell you. Does he get an attitude generally, or only when boarded? If only when boarded, then maybe an in-house sitter or someone who comes in every day to feed him would be a better option.

ahhhh, now......maybe they never boarded the cat. I boarded 1 cat ONCE and never have again...that was in 1995. We always have people come in to the home to care for the cat/cats. It's a lot easier on them and I feel better knowing they are home.

[graciegirl]

ahhhh, now......maybe they never boarded the cat. I boarded 1 cat ONCE and never have again...that was in 1995. We always have people come in to the home to care for the cat/cats. It's a lot easier on them and I feel better knowing they are home.

I completely agree.