2 dogs & 2 cats

thilge001

First time poster and new member. My wife and I care for my mom who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, although not sure which stage. Her short term memory is almost completely gone. She remembers us but will forget things we talk about after a few minutes.

She has 2 dogs and 2 cats. She walks her two dogs and 1 cat( in an enclosed pet stroller). This week will have been the 3rd time she left the cat in the stroller outside the gated area of the dog park. This time all day and all night. The cat was picked up my Animal Control. I had to go get the cat as they would not release to her based on her condition

The cats have fleas as do the dogs, her house needs to be eradicated of fleas which we are doing this week, but as well the dogs and cats have been soiling the carpet and it smells horrendous.

We are in process of working on all of these things but my main question to anyone who has had this dilemma is when is it time to rehome the cats, the dogs or both? She lives alone at this point and cannot effectively care for the pets the way they need it.

M1

Welcome to the forum. As with many other situations, if you're asking the question of whether it's time, then it's time. Not a sustainable situation for the animals or the person. Use animal control as your fall guy, if you must, and tell her they insisted.

Honestly if things are as bad as you describe in her house, she is likely past the point of being able to live alone safely. Do you have power of attorney? Sounds like you need it, or guardianship. You need to see an elder law attorney about these things. I'm sorry.

Anonymousjpl123

Yes it definitely sounds like time to rehome the pets. She will be sad, but it is so much better for them. My mom went to adopt a cat and they wouldn’t give her one (she has very obvious memory issues right now) and it was very sad but the right thing to do.

I do agree with @M1 - power of attorney is critical. It has truly helped me save my mothers life. If she is open to it, that might be a good idea.

There’s a lot of support here for finding in home care and help with placement if you decide she would be better in a specialized facility. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this, but you will find lots of support here.

Quilting brings calm

Thil-welcome to the forum. We are generally people who try our best to offer honest advice and a shoulder to lean on. Not all advice will be ‘it’s all okay,don’t worry’ or ‘ you did the right thing’ because caregiving for a dementia patient involves situations that make for difficult hard to make decisions. This is one. She can’t care for the pets - having one taken by animal control makes that a given. They need to be rehomed because of that and because caring for her even when they’re gone is going to be hard enough for you.

thilge001

Thanks for all the advice. I do have POA and am in control of all of her finances/Bills.

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