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You mention "we" in the post, what does your partner think? You could see if you could rehome them but be honest about allergies. Or, release them to the humane society if you feel like you can't care for them due to the financial strain.

I personally would keep them if at all possible.

While I agree with the posts above regarding finding a solution to the problem rather than getting rid of her cats, if you do decide to rehome them, I'd find another option other than craigslist. Perhaps a no-kill shelter. I've lived in areas where "free" animals on Craigslist are claimed and used as bait for a variety of animals, including dogfighting.

As far as a solution, we had to give our older family cat Valium when he started to have territory issues that involved peeing. It was compounded in a cream form we rubbed in his ears.

I agree with others, you made a commitment when you adopted the cats. Check on their litter box situation. Do they get cleaned every day? If not, clean them daily. Do you have enough? The ideal number of boxes is one more box than you have cats. So, ideally, you would have 3. What type of litter are you using? We switched to pine litter or wheat litter and it is so much better than clay litter. We can go longer between scooping a because it doesn't stink AND because my cats tolerate it. I'm sorry about the special food and the vet bills, but these were known expenses and would be factored into your budget. If they are peeing in the nursery, keep the door shut. They make enzyme killing carpet sprays that should get rid of the smell.

If you do decide to rehome the cats, PLEASE do not list them on Craigslist. Turn them over to a shelter or a humane society. Yes, you might have to pay a little, but the cats have a better chance of surviving and finding loving homes.

Also agree with @runnerd: and @Turd Ferguson: Sometimes it's better to find them a home where they will be loved and appreciated rather than just barely tolerated out of guilt. Not saying that to be snarky...I'm reaching the end of my rope with our cat, so I'm right there with ya. I feel like someone out there can give her the attention she needs that we just do not have the time for anymore.

Have you tried any interventions to address the urination?

Feliway plug ins are great for mellowing out anxious cats. They aren't an immediate fix, but many have great success with them. I have two that I keep running & have a subscribe & save order for the refills (S&S or the 6pk of refills are the cheapest, otherwise they get $$$).

There's been a lot of research done on pharmaceutical use to treat inappropriate urination with significant success. If I remember correctly, Prozac is successful for 90% of cats. Pills are super cheap. It can also be given in liquid form or as a transdermal. I have it compounded into a fish flavored liquid & cat laps it from a spoon at bedtime. I wish I had tried meds with him earlier on, he doesn't spray, but he would cry for hours at a time every night. Now we sleep through the night & life is good.

As far as the allergy issue, do you know what kitty is allergic to? What food are you having success with? I recently switched from Royal Canin PR (allergic to poultry) to Natural Balance LID salmon & pea. The switch is saving me $50 every 3-4 weeks. You may be able to find a less $$ over the counter limited ingredient food that is safe for kitty.

I understand being at your wits ends with your pets. They are pets, not people, so their needs do come second to the human members of the house. But it would seem to me that before you consider extreme measures, you owe it to yourself & your pets to give some other interventions a chance. If you are only up for a short trial period, I would go right to drugs. Good luck & I hope you find a solution that helps!

There are some organizations that will help pet owners in tough financial situations. http://downtowndogrescue.org/resources/

These might have some that are specific to the Los Angeles area, but they might know of some for your area.

I don't know much about it but I'm also on a very tight budget so I really sympathize with your situation. I believe in doing what's right for your family and sometimes the plans you had for your pets doesn't work. My ILs have two dogs and four kids and they are actively looking for a new home for one dog because the one dog just doesn't handle the kids very well. She hides all day long and has been on anti-anxiety meds for awhile. It's hard for all of them because before the kids she was a different dog.

Please look into a rescue for your cat with allergies. I'm sure there is some rescue out there that would accept her. Please don't put an otherwise young, healthy cat to sleep - that's just sad.

It sounds like a frustrating situation and I know I've hit my limit with my Golden Retriever more times than I care to think about, but I think as pet owners, we owe it to these guys - who are helpless and innocent - to (1) take care of them and follow through with our commitment to them, and (2) if you truly cannot, to find them a safe, loving home where they can receive the care they need. Craigslist and euthanasia are not the answer.

Good luck to you.

@mrs. bird: hello! Long time, no see. Hope you're doing well!

I do believe that as a pet owner, you're committed to your pet. But if the pets aren't happy, perhaps they'd be better off in a different home anyway.

No, I wouldn't euthanize your cat for what is a controllable, albeit pricey, situation. No, I wouldn't Craigslist your pet either. I'd go for word of mouth or SPCA.

@Keybee: no judgement here! We had some peeing outside of the box issues with our cat. It seems she doesn't like change, like when we changed our living room and bought a brand new sofa set $$ - so she peed on it. I was pissed. Then she peed on the nursery rug (before LO was born) and maybe a couple of other spots. We bought the Feliway plug ins. Although pricey, they worked! We weaned her off like an addict and haven't had any issues since. It seems like the peeing is more of the issue than the allergy flare ups. $120 every 5ish months doesn't seem too crazy but if our cat had continued to piss all over our stuff I don't know what I would have done.

No judgement here! I had a parrot for 17 years and last fall we rehomed him with a sweet older "bird lady" who loves him. We're happier knowing he's not sitting in the corner of the room bored and he's happier having some birdie friends and someone who gives him 24/7 attention.

Pets are definitely a responsibility and we owe it to them to take care of them the best we can, but that doesn't mean there's never a valid reason to rehome them. Given the cats special needs, I would just put extra work into making sure that whoever takes them can provide for them.

While I get the sentiment above that you made a commitment to the animals, I don't think it needs to be at the cost of your sanity, cleanliness of home, etc. You tried, it didn't work out, you didn't anticipate the health issues of one...it does sound like it would be best to put them into a new home where maybe there aren't kids or other stressors.

I would take them to a no-kill shelter. There are huge-hearted people who like to take on the less-than-ideal pets and care for them (I have a few friends who do this, knowing it will be a financial and logistical burden). It's hard to imagine how life will change after having a baby, that includes the lives of our pets. For some it's seamless, for others it's a major upheaval. Caring for a newborn is hard enough! Don't beat yourself up over it if it doesn't work.

Do what's best for you and your family (in terms of keeping them or not). And do what's best for the cats if you don't keep them (a no-kill shelter).

@Keybee: We had the exact same problem with peeing outside of the box, and solved it with a stainless steel litterbox! What a relief it was to not have to deal with constant pee smells and cleanup!!

http://www.hellobee.com/2015/05/27/how-to-stop-your-cat-from-peeing-outside-the-litterbox/

I Fully accept that family's needs change and sometimes animals may be better off in another home. However, to suggest that you would be willing to euthanize the cat is cruel. I think that if you are at your wits end to that point then I think it would be best overall to put your energy into finding the cat a new home. There are lots of shelters that take in cats with needs. I would look there then listing on Craigslist.

I know it sounds cruel but I would make it a priority to rehome those cats ASAP, however way you can. It's just not worth the frustration. Euthanasia sounds like a terrible option for the cat with severe allergies, but I do understand where you are coming from.

I had a cat that I was allergic to for almost NINE years because I chose to adopt him and felt like I had to live with my choice. He was a bruiser and a very challenging animal and as soon as we brought our baby home 7 months ago we found a new home for him. I can't even imagine dealing with his antics plus a baby in our little house.

Do what you need to do to make your life work. It's hard enough, already!

And I just wanted to add that it's REALLY hard to get a shelter to take a cat... we tried that route!