Donate Sponsor
Donate Sponsor

Sometimes words of comfort come not from experts, but from people who’ve shared a similar experience. Those cat lovers and families who have suffered the loss of their much-loved cat dealt with the issues and felt the pain you may be experiencing right now.

We are very grateful to the caring people who have kindly chosen to share their experiences and advice. We hope you find strength and comfort in their words. If you would like to add your own words of comfort and advice, please click the button below.

The comments expressed are the thoughts and views of the authors only and are not the views of the Charity. The Charity reserves the right to remove anything posted on this page anything which it deems inappropriate or unacceptable. The Charity will not engage in any correspondence should it remove such comments.

Add a story

Mindy - so hard to know when to say goodbye

Sue Harris

We adopted Mindy from Cats Protection Harlow, Epping Forest & District Branch in October 2001 when she was 16 months old. She was with us for 18 years until the end of October 2019. Towards the end of her life she had various things wrong with her and was on a lot of medication (which she hated, bless her), and there was a long, slow decline in her condition. Even when she had stopped eating and was very limited in her mobility she still had interest in life and did not appear distressed or in pain or discomfort, but things were not going to get better. It was inevitable that at some point we would have to make the decision to say goodbye, but when? She could have another episode of hospitalisation and a drip to postpone the end, but that’s distressing for her and us. More tests? More interventions? Such a roller-coaster of emotions if she improved a bit, ate something... Cats are good at hiding their suffering. The vet said, and as an “owner” one knows, a couple of days in a long, long life make no difference in the grand scheme of things, and animals have no power of reflection on their fate, they just experience things, but it is awful to have that complete responsibility, that power over life and death. Looking at it rationally I know we did the right thing not to wait until she was obviously in distress, but emotionally it was hard. We miss her so much, our gentle sweet girl.

Our Sadie - some words of comfort

Hannah Joseph

We lost our Sadie 2 months ago today. The hole in our hearts is still very much there and her presence is thoroughly missed. I still expect to walk in to the family home and call her name for her to appear and do her familiar high pitched 'meow'. I just want to write on here to let you all know that things do get better. 2 months ago today I was the most devastated I have ever been (alongside losing family members). I did not stop sobbing for 2 weeks straight (1 before the euthanasia and 1 after). It was the run up to it that hurt most. knowing I'd never see her face again after 16 whole years together. On the day she left us I took the day off work and just held her little paw in my hand. We all sat together in silence and had our final moment with her. It was devastating but bittersweet. She had an amazing life from the minute we rescued her when she was 2. Loosing a cat is one of the toughest things ever, but 2 months on I can look back on her and smile instead of cry. And I also feel at the point where it's time to give a home to a new furry friend - and I feel excited. I will always miss her. I have a print of her paw on my bedside table. But I know she was happy, and I find comfort in giving another cat a happy life and enjoying years of new happy memories with him/her.  We love you Sadie <3

Sweet Prince Elvis (former feral)

Rebecca Nash

During the first week I found out my sweet boy had been killed I was up all night thinking about the day he died, and I felt ever so guilty about not being there for him 😞 I couldn't stop crying for him, I miss him so much. Then I remembered how he was before I started looking after him, scrawny and scruffy unkempt fur, and he didn't trust me. It took 3 months for him to trust me enough for him to come inside my house, and even then he was wary; he hissed (from fear I think) the first time I picked him up. But in the end he trusted me beyond all doubt, I think. I could hold him in my arms and he would purr and he would come to me for a fuss on the sofa and bump heads, he was ever so loving . Thank you, Cats Protection, for all you do too - he was neutered on your programme, and before we decided to keep him (in fact he chose us!).

Pinnar johnson

Pauline Johnson

Pinnar was 14 Yr old tabby ginger cat he came to me as a kitten with a brother scrinner. They done everything together ate played washed each other. The pinnar loved being in the garden in summertime. He always brought presents home. And loved climbing trees. He could knock at the back door if he wanted to come in. He said he's favourite treat was chicken slices and carnation milk go cat biscuits pinnar passed suddenly to the rainbow Bridge on 15 October 2019 I was with him till end. He is so very sadly missed keeping strong for scrinner. Pj

Bicho, Our Little Angel.

Samuel Gomes da Silva

We lost our little baby Bicho last Sunday, and we are still struggling. This week has been especially hard, and I've grappled with millions of emotions as we tried everything to resuscitate him at home before we could get him to the vet. We had him for 14 whole, happy years. From a kitten, we watched him grow into such a beautiful and caring being. He loved being picked up, being kissed and giving kisses back, and loved soaking up any attention we'd give him. My first memory of him was the first day we got him, within 20 minutes he was already asleep between my legs. I knew then it was love at first sight and that our bond would never be broken. He loved us unconditionally and gave us everything, and we loved him right back with anything we could muster. I'm honestly thankful he was happy and didn't suffer in his last moments or feel any pain, as he passed away from sudden death while playing. I'm thankful we were both home and he wasn't alone, and I'm honestly so thankful I got to say goodbye to him the night before with our usual pre-bed kisses and hugs. The house has lost it's soul, and we just wish we could hold him one last time, give him tons of kisses and tell him how much we love him. We will always honour and cherish everything he gave us and did for us. We will always have him in our hearts, as he taught us patience, how to love unconditionally, and above all, did everything to show us we were never alone. Thank you for colouring our lives, loving us and giving us your all. Rest in Perfect Peace, Bichinho. Mummy & Daddy will always Love You. <3

Bye Frank x

Jay Llo

A call from a random vets ended my happy mood, to say my little boy baby of 6 months old had been handed in, deceased. I loved that little fella, and I’m so sad. I can’t tell him to get off the side, or stroke him on his favourite blanket....Bye Frank, you are missed.

Tiptoes my angel

Becky Clare

I lost my beautiful angel Tiptoes last night. I haven’t slept all night thinking of her and I cannot contain my tears or emotion. She was 21 years old, she had kidney failure diagnosed nearly two and a half years ago alongside high blood pressure. I was devastated but she continued living and enjoying life.  I’ve had her since I was 2 years old, the whole in my heart I feel is massive and I can’t bare to think about life without her. I miss her so much already and I can’t come to terms with that she is gone and I get no more cuddles or hello’s from her. She was my shadow, my soulmate and my best friend. We had to put her to sleep this evening because she had become so poorly and her kidneys were at a bad stage. I would have never wanted her to suffer and she didn’t but I can’t help but feel guilty.  I miss her so much she was my entire world

prana my beautiful boy

deborah dalgarno

I lost my cat in August he was 14 and he had kidney failure and a tumour iv known him since he was a kitten my grama had him with her partner at the time then she gave him to me wen he was 7 hes always been there we wer like two peas in a pod he was everything to me my best friend my comfort just everything wen he was put to sleep iv been grieving still the pain is overwhelming cry all the time I hav his ashes and his picture but it's not enough I want him my baby my world feel guilty wonder if ther was anything I could of done differently I hope if ther is a heaven my mum is looking after him and he forgives me maybe one day I will forgive myself.

Jess my best friend

Lisa Molloy

We lost our beloved boy Jess about 2 months ago. Sadly jess had a heart condition but at the relative tender age of 10 it caught up with him. I miss him so much, it was so painful to see him pass and gasp. He was a beautiful placid cat, I adored stroking him and adored him. He was really my cat, I cared for him, no one else really knows or understands just how much I miss him and what he meant to me. I miss him so much i feel I have a big hole in my heart I don't know what to do about. Writing this was painful but at least I can share with those who they themselves may be grieving and understand how difficult it is to get over. I miss you jess always with all my heart and more.

Snuff our hero

Ali Grimble

We lost snuff our amazing cat today, 16 years of life, 13 with us.  We all miss him, me especially he has been my life companion through different countries and stages of life, he has always been there for me, and I have been extraordinarily lucky to have him in my life.  I have wonderful memories, from our first meeting , hanging from the wire in his cage and batting my coat, through to his desire to have his teeth flossed or rugby tackling my ankles, waking me in the night for love and the vision of him chasing a badger down our street, all are special. Life will be a little less rich without him, I wish him peace and happiness and thank him for sharing his journey with me, I look forward to seeing him in the future in some way, renewed as a kitten and full of life and love, we miss you snuff travel safely, we love you xx

Our maximus was our world

Diane Harrison

Our 5 yr old beautiful boy Maximus died on the 7th of sept, he could not breathe or walk he was paralysed in back legs(saddle thrombus), came on him in minutes we had no idea or warning.,,, had fluid on lungs, he had an enlarged heart, seeing him like that was the worst thing ever, he had to be put to sleep, he was in agony. Our baby was gone in 3 hours,we are still in shock. I cant believe it, Mike as I am is devastated, he was our world, we cant stop crying, we get on with life and work etc but its when we're on our own. I know Mike sobs ,as i do. Maximus was a grey British shorthair, rip my boy we miss you x

Shugy the warrior princess.

Leeanne Maginn

My my beautiful, brave, warrior princess Shugy went to the rainbow bridge on Tuesday. When she was diagnosed with Feline Progressive Histiocytosis she was given a max 3 months to live but neither she nor i were prepared to go down without a fight and with the help of 21 rounds of chemo, her incredible bravery and amazing warriorness, she was able to fight and have another 3yrs and 7 months of the same full quality of life she always had. She made medical history over and over and has appeared in quite a few magazines due to her miraculous journey. I knew it would soon be time for her to gain her wings when she stopped eating much over the weekend. We were at our wonderful vet's on Tuesday and she confirmed I would soon need to make a decision. When we got home i told my baby if it was me holding her back, not to let me and to let me know when she was ready & she just looked deep into my eyes and I knew & told her ok i would give her her wings the next day. She curled up beside me for a cuddle and seemed at such peace. She had a lovely peaceful passing at home in my arms but words cannot convey the utter desolation and heartache i feel without her. She was my beautiful, precious soulmate who gave me so so much just by being her wonderful loving, content, mischievous wee self. My heart & my home are so lost and empty without my precious angel. Until we meet again my beautiful brave baby girl, love you forever.

Harry

Lou Brace

Harry/Haribo/Hazzer and many other names that we called our beautiful fur baby. We rescued Harry in 2016 from our local Cats Protection. We knew instantly that he was what wanted and had to have him in our family. When we got him home he was very timid and inquisitive. Poppy our black lab loved him instantly, however it was not reciprocated. Harry was ginger and white, the most loving and handsome boy. He had no malice in him at all. Our daughter became his best friend and he hers. He helped her through some horrible times. Always there with a purr and a cuddle. Harry filled a huge gap in our family and we loved him with all our hearts. Unfortunately 3 days ago he was hit by a car and succumbed to his injuries. Our house is heartbroken, very quiet and we now have an enormous hole left in our family. We miss him every day. My daughter is devastated and misses her best friend. We just want our little man back. He was only 7 yrs old and was fit, healthy and a charmer. We know we can never replace him, but hopefully one day we can find another beauty to adopt and give him or her the life that Harry had. We love you Harry always and forever, to the moon and back and all the stars in between. Sleep tight my beautiful boy. RIP Harry xxxx 💔😥

Little Percy

Jack Kelly

I adopted Percy with his unofficial kitten brother from a rescue home. He had massive ears that made him look more bat-like than cat, and had light, black fur. He had so much life in him, and he purred his head off all time. He looked at me with so much love and support, and I worshiped the ground he walked on. To say I loved him was an understatement, he would cling to my shoulders, and walk around on my back. Every single night he'd sleep basically over my neck, on my face, or in my arms purring his head off to sleep. He always had snot issues, and gunge around his eyes but he had so much life and enthusiasm I was sure he'd make it through the difficult times. After about 10 months the vet visits got more frequent before we found out he had FIP which was the cruelest and meanest disease I'd ever heard of. The vet said he had two weeks, but my little boy battled for 2 more months even reaching 1 year old, and my 30th birthday. When he died I felt like something had died in me. I'd lost all my grandparents, and my dad before I had turned 14 and I was no stranger to grief, but Percy hit me so hard and I felt so lost that I didn't know what to do without him. After a few weeks the pain eased, albeit with tears appearing here or there. We adopted another little boy who is just as loving and needy and Percy and the whole in my heart has begun to heal. I'll never ever forget my special little boy. The pain has been absolutely awful but I wouldn't have swapped that year for the world x

sqeak 15 yrs

Miss Joyce kett

good bye my baby mommy will miss you so much have fun with your brother bubble till we meet sqeak mommy is so sorry but you give me 15 yrs of love

Find a Cat
Donate
Information