AIBU to consider leaving my cat with the neighbours?

[DarthMother]

Maybe more a WWYD so sorry if this isn't the right place to ask this.
We are moving house soon, to a completely different area about 6 hours away. We've been at current place for about 4 years, lovely neighbours. We have 2 very noisy and active boys, one at school and one preschooler. Our cat spends a lot of time next door, getting away from the noise I expect. We don't mind this, have joked with the neighbours several times that he's their cat too. They feed him sometimes and do love him. I'm of the opinion that as long as he is happy then it doesn't matter if get shares his time between houses, the neighbours checked a lot that this was okay at the beginning and still make sure occasionally.
I know the cat doesn't get the attention he would love from us and that the boys are too noisy for him. When we move he won't have the neighbours as a bolthole. Would I be unreasonable to ask the neighbours if they wanted to keep the cat when we move? I'd miss him a lot but think he may be happier.

[NeedACleverNN]

You can only ask?

They might be happy or they might say actually we don't want a cat could you please take him with you

[welliesandwine]

Yeah I'd definitely ask ...think I read somewhere that's are more attached to places than actual people ..so as long as the folk that move into your old house aren't cat haters ..it could work

[welliesandwine]

that cats not that's (must read thru before posting!)

[AdrenalineFudge]

You can only ask. I'm inclined to think that they'd refuse, because even though they tend to him, he's not ultimately their responsibility iyswim?

[ijustwannadance]

Ask. That's exactly how I ended up with my last cat!

[Silvercatowner]

We 'adopted' our cat from the neighbours. They paid for a year of pet insurance, we gained a lovely cat.

[Birthgeek]

No harm in asking.. I'd also take him to the vet for a check up before you go, and make sure his vaccinations, flea and worm treatment is up to date, just so there is no potential come-back on you if he suddenly gets poorly and there are huge vet bills..

[FruStefanOla]

Yes, ask them - but sooner rather than later. If they say yes, then they have the chance to get the cat used to living with them. If they say no, then you're going to have to have a re-think.

We adopted our two cats from our NDN who was terminally ill. It was all agreed with NDN some considerable time previously, so that when he died the cats would be happy with us - and they had moved in with us a few months before.

[Awholelottanosy]

I think it's a good idea. Cats like peace and it's obviously happy next door. ( not your fault obvs). But I do agree, ask sooner than later and make sure puss is healthy. Maybe offer a bit of money towards food, £50? ( just a thought )

[DarthMother]

Thanks everyone. I think I will ask soon then. Cat has a cat door in our back door so good point about hoping it's not cat haters who move in next! Cat often sleeps next door and we joke that it's "our" cat (as in both ours and neighbours). I'd be happy to take him too but really think he'd be happier without all the noise and boisterousness.
I think why I'm asking is because I'm torn as I'll miss him a lot but at the end of the day it might be better for him to be happy in the peace and quiet of next door rather than the upheaval of the move and then the hectic house he'd have to live in.

[Booboostwo]

Cats sometimes chose their owners. I had a cat who moved in with the neighbours. They did nothing to encourage her but as time went by she spent more and more time there. I then had a one year job away and took the rest of the animals with me but discussed the cat with the neighbours and they were keen to keep her. By the end of the year she was their cat. It was heart breaking for me but she loved being the only pet.

[JolseBaby]

Ask them - and if they say yes then pay for the changeover of microchip details and make sure that he goes to them with flea and worming and vaccs up to date.

There is a cat in my village which lives between several houses - and his original owners now live in the next town! They moved him with them but he ended up making his way back to the village. After several attempts it was clear that he was happy here, so he sleeps and eats between these houses - and they all club together to pay for worming, flea and vaccs for him. The former owners keep in touch about what he's been up to on FB. It's quite nice as he has become the community cat in a way.