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Temporarily rehoming a pet? Please help - I'm so worried :(

35 replies

Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 09:46

Hi All,

DP is moving in with me this Friday. It's a temporary move until we buy our own house sometime in the next 6-12 months.

He has a beautiful cat whom we both adore, but he cannot move into mine. The lady we had arranged to look after him for this period has pulled out with no explanation with 4 days to go. Sad

We have asked everyone we know, no one can take him. I am feeling so stressed and worried about the situation, the very last thing we want to do is to give him away. I'm on the verge of tears constantly.

Does anyone know of any service which would be able to foster him? I've searched everywhere online, but the only homes I can find are for homeless cats/cats which will be given away to someone else. It doesn't feel right to call Cats Protection or similar as he is very much loved and its a temporary situation. We desperately want him back when we move from here.

Does anyone have any ideas please? Flowers

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maybebabybee · 14/12/2015 09:49

Gosh, that is tricky. Whereabouts are you in the country?

Is the reason he can't move into yours that your landlord won't allow pets? If so I will get flamed for this but can't you just have him there anyway? We have 2 girl cats. Landlord originally said fine but then changed his mind despite us offering him extra deposit on top of extortionate amount already paid so we just have them here anyway. We're moving into our own home in March so not long to go.

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Frostycake · 14/12/2015 09:50

Can you definitely not have him at yours? Maybe build an outdoor pen/heated shed. Perhaps you could look at a cattery? I know a few people who have put their cats into boarding while having renovation work done on their houses. Normally costs £10 per day but not a bad compromise.

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gamerchick · 14/12/2015 09:50

Is there no way he can move into yours?

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Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 09:56

Unfortunately he cannot move into mine, no. I live with my parents, they are very anti-animal and are point blank refusing.

I would be wary anyway, when I first moved here I had my own cat and they gave him away to someone else while I was at work. God, I'm crying now!

A cattery would be an option, but I think it would be a last resort as the period of the stay would be so long. I'd hate to think of him caged up for a year.

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MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 14/12/2015 09:58

A good cattery has big runs and usually make a more than special effort with long term boarders. You may be able to visit too.

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gamerchick · 14/12/2015 09:59

Maybe hurry up the getting your own place or he stays where he is for the minute?

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MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 14/12/2015 10:00

Of course you could try a cattery as a short term measure until you can find a temporary care home.

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Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 10:03

We will be moving out into our own house ASAP, we need to save for a couple of months first then start the process.

We haven't had much choice as DP's ex has forced a sale on their flat (hence having to move into mine, he has nowhere else to go).

I'll have a look again into catteries, thanks for the suggestions.

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Frostycake · 14/12/2015 10:14

God, how awful. Why would your parents give your cat away? In those circumstances, I'd be tempted to give something treasured of theirs away to see how they liked it.

Could your DP's cat stay with his ex in the flat until the sale, or do they not have that type of relationship?

All I can say is, I hope you manage to sort the situation.

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timtam23 · 14/12/2015 10:21

Terribly difficult situation. I would agree with the cattery suggestion, it will not be a cheap option but I think if you want to keep the cat it may be the only choice. I had to put one of my cats into a cattery for around 2 months while looking for a place to rent - she coped well (better than I did!). I was allowed to visit her but to be honest I think she found it confusing. I was also faced with nearly having to give the same cat away a few years later when I had to work overseas for a year - like you I found that there was no organisation that would offer long-term fostering. Fortunately a friend stepped in at the very last minute, without this I would probably have had to think again about catteries (and I agree a year is a very long time to be in a cattery). I used to use a "pet hotel" which was very spacious with outdoor runs & heated pens so I think the cat was fine there even for long periods.

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Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 10:26

My parents are very dominant, they didn't want my cat so they gave it away. Nothing much else to say, they don't care, they did it - end of story. Their response to this situation is to "give it away". Again! As if animals are disposable Sad

Unfortunately on Friday the sale will be completed and so we need to find him a new home this week. We were all sorted until the fosterer pulled out yesterday, I don't want anyone to think we are irresponsible, we love him very much! I have no idea why she has pulled out, she was so excited and enthusiastic about it!

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maybebabybee · 14/12/2015 10:30

cheesy whereabouts are you - I know 'catty' people in various parts of the country who may be willing to foster?

can't believe that about your parents - how awful.

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Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 10:31

Thank you timtam, I'll have a google for some "pet hotels"!

It's really breaking my heart, we will absolutely pay ££££ for a cattery if needs be. Vicious circle though, the more we spend, the less we will be able to save for a home and the longer he will be in there!

Argh!

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gamerchick · 14/12/2015 10:31

It looks like paying for somewhere is the only option short term unless the ex is willing to care for the cat for a bit.

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timtam23 · 14/12/2015 10:32

Trouble is, a lot of catteries may be very busy due to Christmas. Best to start ringing round I would say, if you decide to go down that route. And is there any chance of the person who was going to take the cat agreeing to have him for a couple of weeks only, until you can get a cattery or something else sorted out?

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Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 10:32

Thank you maybe, we are in SE London/Kent.

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AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/12/2015 10:32

Do you have a set timeline? It's quite a big commitment if there's no end date attached.

Given that finding another fosterer at the last minute seems unlikely, I'd be visiting catteries to get quotes for X amount of months, and see both what is affordable and what you'd get. Most catteries will offer lots of playtime and cuddles for long-term cats. Cat hotels are also worth looking at, if you have any nearby, and also people who look after pets whilst their owners are on holiday - then the cat could live with the same person throughout the period, in their house, and the person would have the benefit of a long-term resident and steady income.

If all that fails, or it's too expensive, DP might need to look at getting a last-minute rental which will allow his cat. It might slow down your saving, but at least the cat would stay with him. And you could go and live there with him and the cat too, if you want to live together.

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Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 10:34

I don't think the fosterer will be willing to take him at all now. For some reason we cannot understand, she put a note through the door saying "Too much to do, NO CATS!"

That was it! Confused

I'll be calling catteries today, thanks again for the suggestions.

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cozietoesie · 14/12/2015 10:40

Poor you and poor cat.

Don't necessarily think of a cattery as a longer term fix - if it just buys you a week or two until people are thinking straight again after Xmas, then it might be helpful in the immediate situation. I think I'd also phone CPL and see if they have any short to medium term options which you might fund?

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Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 10:45

Thanks cozie, you're right about that. We would of course pay for food/vets/insurance for wherever he is going, maybe we will have more luck in the new year.

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Vinorosso74 · 14/12/2015 11:22

Yes do contact Cats Protection for advise. Also maybe try vets as perhaps one of the staff may be able to foster for a time?

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timtam23 · 14/12/2015 11:35

I am nowhere near SE London but my vet has a small cattery on site, there may be vets like this elsewhere in the country as well? Have never used my vets' one but it seems v popular although not really "cat hotel" level of luxury!

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cozietoesie · 14/12/2015 11:40

Yes indeed - a phone call to the vet could be very useful.

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potap123 · 14/12/2015 11:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cheesybaps · 14/12/2015 12:41

Potap - thank you for your kind offer, so sorry to hear about your poorly cat Sad Flowers

Thank goodness we have pulled something out of the bag, DP's boss has offered to look after him! It means that DP can see him regularly when he goes to bosses house, he will have free reign of a big house and (smallish) garden, and kids to fuss over him on weekends!

I cannot tell you how relieved I am! A pic of our beautiful boy for you all below.

Thank you very much for your suggestions and support this morning!

Temporarily rehoming a pet? Please help - I'm so worried :(
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