[Alonza0]

Ok, this is totally off topic, but I don't know what to do and I thought maybe your guys could help. Being Cats fans, I'm guessing a lot of you have cats. So... here's my situation. I'm a minor living with my parents, siblings, and three indoor cats. I love my cats tons, and I'm especially fond of one in particular - Sofie. She's a regular Rumpleteazer and loves to cause all sorts of trouble.
One way she causes trouble is by missing the litterbox. She knows how to use it and does so most of the time, but once every... about two months she'll miss the litterbox two or three times - on the carpet, which we had to get replaced, or on my Mom's favorite leather couch.
WELL, she did it again today, and my parents have had enough. They're going to give her to the pound! GUYS the pound here has a horrible reputation! They don't give good care to the animals, and every animal we've adopted from there has been there at least five months AND near death!
I can't let that happen to my cat!!! But I can't stop my parents, I'm still a minor, and they technically own her! What am I going to do? We've already given her like twenty second chances, so that's not an option!! Please guys, persuasion help or ways to get her to behave PLEASE!!! I'm begging you!!!

[MsJellicle]

Hm...I'm no expert, but it sounds like your cat might be upset at someone? Sometimes cats do things like that on purpose because something has happened that they don't like. Other possibilities are: Is the litterbox cleaned regularly? Have you taken her to the vet to make sure she doesn't have a urinary or kidney problem? Can she be trained to use the toilet instead of the litterbox? That way if she misses, it would be on the tiled bathroom floor and not the carpet.

Don't know if I'm much of a help. Sorry.

~MsJ

[Lady Jemima]

How many litterboxes do you have, where are they located (all together or separately, and how easily accessable to the cats?), and how often are they changed?

You need one litterbox per cat, and one extra, which means you should have four litterboxes. Cats will go outside the boxes if they are full. If the boxes are difficult to get to, accidents may happen.

Have you introduced any new animals into the house recently, or moved/added/introduced furniture, had new carpet/floors installed, or had any major house changes recently? Also, when you say "miss" the litter box, do you mean your cat is having problems with urination, stool, or both?

If you answer the above questions I can possibly help you more.

[*asterix*]

Oh sweetie.
As someone put it at another board when I posted of a similar dilema last month, "Peeing is NOT a capitol offence."

Unfortunately, this does little to alleviate the sense of frustration and hopelessness in the face of repeated problem behaviour. At least your parents have been patient with her thus far (even if it was ugly at times, I'm sure), even committing her to a shelter is somewhat humane. I know that's not what you want to hear, but keep in mind that there are harsher alternatives and maybe be a tiny bit glad they your parents have not resorted to them yet.

As far as options - the first thing you'll want to start looking in to NOW, in the case that you have no other resort, is an alternate shelter. There should be more than just that one that has a bad reputation in your area. Google for "No kill cat shelter" with your city or county name. Call up the "bad" shelter and ask about no kill shelters - even if they do not neccesarily provide the best care, it is unlikely that the people there are inherrantly evil, they should be willing to discuss your options. Likewise, talk to the vet.

Are you old enough to pick up some part time work and make a little money? See if you can arrange with your parents to either pay them back with money or do chores in return for a basic consultation at the vet - you say this happens ever 2 months or so. If it's periodic, the misbehaviour may be due to a physical malady.

As for immediate ways of dealing with it - ask about enzymatic cleaners at your local pet store. They're a little pricey, but a little can go a long way. Usually they coonsist of a fluid that you soak in to the soiled spot - enzymes in the liquid "eat" the pee while a deoderant masks the smell until it is actually gone and they usually have anti-bacterial cleaners in them too. Be very careful about using this sort of thing on a leather couch, but as far as carpet or tile, they're great. I use a brand called "Nature's Miracle" which has a specialized formula for cats.
Also, vinegar and baking soda are cheaper alternatives that clean and deoderize, but I would again advise caution in their use.

You say you have multiple cats - do they all use the same box? A separate box in an area of the house that the one cat frequents might alleviate territorial behaviour, if that's what this is.

If it comes down to it, would your parents concede to you keeping the cat in your room? You'd have to set up an area just for her, with a place to sleep, things to play with, food and water separate from her litter. It'd show a willingness for sacrifice on your part, since you'd be giving up a good measure of "your" space. Parents are sometimes willing to grant consideration if you're willing to give something up to show your awareness of consequence. Assure them that your carpet, if you have it, will not end up soiled because you will personally lay out a couple trash bags under and around the litter box and see to it that they are kept clean. And stick to these promises if you make them.

That' about all i can think of off the top of my head. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[Alonza0]