Would you give up your cats for this?

[Murrfect]

I love my cats. They are 6 and 12 and they are funny affectionate playful wonderful

My mum adores cats she’s 80 and her cat is 20. She got very upset a few months ago as she is very frail and so is her cat saying that she would be totally alone when her cat died as she was too old to have another. I suggested fostering an elderly cat but she said a definite no that she didn’t want a cat that might have to be handed back or a cat she had to get to know. So as her cat was fine n the future is another country I suggested my cats could go to stay with her. She adores my cats and as I usually go to her n she isn’t mobile she doesn’t see them as much as she’d like, so she jumped at it.

But her cat is now really on its last legs, still happy but obviously not long.

The thing is she lives in a beautiful cottage in the middle of huge gardens lots of interesting corners and sheds, no roads, no other cats. She has a totally cat-friendly life and her world revolves around cat care. Best food, constant attention, everything.

I live in a terrace by a road that should be 10mph speed limit but sometimes people speed along it. The village is much more built up and our local wild spaces have gone in my cats lifetime. There are several other cats and they’ve had bites. They are a bit gentle and little compared to the others. I work full time and when I’m working I’m out 7am-6pm. They have to be shut in because of the other cats. They get lonely now as my dc have left to go to uni so their days are longer. I do get cat sitters in when I can but can’t afford/arrange it every day. But I love them and I’d miss them if they went to my mums although I see her at the weekend and during the week.

If I choose to move them to this wonderful life, of being spoilt, complete freedom and safety and make my mum happy, Ill make myself really unhappy. However I would get them back when mum does get too poorly to live independently.

I need to stop being selfish, please help me think positively. And no, I can’t move mum in with me, it wouldn’t be suitable for her.

Would keep your cats.

It’s sad for your mum if she isn’t or doesn’t feel able to care for new pets, but that’s the reality of her situation. Lots of people can’t have pets for all kinds of reasons.

There are different scenarios that could happen with regard to your mum and her health and ability to live independently. That would affect you and the cats. Eg if your mum had to leave and sell her home to pay for care it’d mean the cats moving twice.

I meant lots of people who would like or previously had pets can’t have them.

No I bloody well wouldn't. I would sympathise with your mother, you don't need to make this sacrifice for her. I bet you wish you'd never mentioned about your cats, how cruel,of your mother to try and keep you to it.
I know someone who loves cats, but their partner is allergic, it makes them a bit sad to never have a cat of their own again, but they accept it. This is what she must do too.