Poor Thomas.
This is a family who shouldn't have pets of any kind. I even feel sorry for the kid, too. If they can't think their way round a perfectly normal cat how're they going to cope when the kid grows up with the inherited attitude that if something doesn't quite "fit" you get rid of it. He'll end up in a gang with respect only for the hardest hearted, nastiest individuals, looking for shortcuts and easy pickings all his life.
I'm crying inside, and boiling at the same time.
I know Thomas will be safe with you, Angie, but it's such a shame he's been let down by these fair weather owners. As for hubby - I wonder if it is his idea to PTS, or hers, and she hasn't the backbone to admit it. Another example of shifting responsibility, perhaps.
Thankfully, Thomas is a looker, and once back under your care I'm sure he'll come back around to being a true sweetie again.
One idea springs to mind, you all know Sammy's history - he came to me at 8 years old from a very similar family - turned out his aggressive streak was an intolerance of cereal. I put him on no-grain and he almost instantly changed from a neurotic swiper into a cuddle bum and stays that way until he gets his nose in Tufty's prescription diet (Hills CD - grain eek).
Could it be that Thomas would benefit from a switch from "veggie" too?