First of all, I know you sewed a lot of love in that quilt. I am on my 14th quilt for family, my 2 sons first, then oldest grandchild, then DIL's and sister and brother and now neice. I am so thankful that they love and treasure their quilts, and use them. There are no pets in thier homes and have not had a problem, they have been washed and I see them in their bedrooms, on vacations, and camps. Think Rebecca VLQ said it best....You can make them another one,,, and knowing that they will use it,, and have cats, just make something that is easier to make and not have so much time in it..They just don't know the time and hours, and all that goes into making a quilt. Hope in the future they will appreciate it more,, but some things come with time.