To ask you to reassure me that i am doing the right thing.

[ktsa4]

After a crap year with my DP losing his job and an eviction notice looming. We have had to make the very hard decision to give up our three wonderful cats. When we leave here we are probably going to have to move into temp accomodation whatever the council gives us and I've no idea if it will be pet friendly and with money being so tight due to the redundancy I worry what will happen if any of them get unwell.

DP in particular is distraught as all three cats are really close to him (I call him the cat whisperer as we can't go anywhere without a cat coming from nowhere to get a fuss from him)

I feel absolutely awful but I'm sure I'm doing the right thing but I hoped you lovely bunch could reassure me that I'm not a complete arsehole as I certainly feel like one.

I dont even know how I'm going to explain it to the kids. The cat charity who is taking them phoned earlier and we have a date for their departure in only a fortnight.

I'm not sure what I'm expecting from this thread just venting I suppose!

You are doing the right thing for the cats and the right thing for the family.

You may get some posters trlling you not to do it. Those same posters would probably also tell anybody who isn’t able to give their pets a life of luxury that “they shouldn’t be allowed to keep animals”.

OP, your cats will find a home with somebody who loves them and can meet their needs. You will be able to focus fully on providing for your family while yhe going is tough.

In time, you can have another cat.

Don’t beat yourself up, you are doing the responsible thing.

You are doing the right thing for your current circumstances.

Our cat has just been diagnosed with an illness which requires special (expensive) food and regular medication and it's costing us currently about £85 a month.

You can't even rely on insurance to cover anything that might crop up. Our pet insurance company have been such a pain in the arse about it trying to wiggle out of paying for regular meds, that I'm regretting ever having paid monthly for insurance, I'd have been better putting the money in a jar every month for the past 12 years and using that now.

Don't beat yourself up.

So sorry that things are so hard. I wouldn't judge you for a second for doing what you have to do. My mum had to do something similar with her cats and she was distraught, but took comfort in knowing it was the best thing to do in the circumstances.

How sad for you all - you are absolutely doing the right thing but it's still sad - I hope things getter better for you OP and you are back on your feet soon x

If you don't mind me asking, what are the grounds for eviction? There is a 6 month stay on all evictions due to Covid, bar 4 very specific set of circumstances in which an eviction can go ahead.

Have you had any legal advice? Is it an eviction notice or an eviction warrant? Either way, you can complete an N244 form and file it with the court to get the eviction suspended; giving you some breathing space.

Is there any way the cats can go into foster care for a free months? It may be that they do end up being adopted in the end, but you could end up with them back, and it would be easier on the children to process.

Can the cats not be fostered in the short term until you sort something out? Can they stay with family, or can you look for a local fosterer or cattery that could keep them for a bit?

I just couldn't do it. I couldn't give up my cat. I'd do anything in the world to prevent it.

Woah, steady on, the eviction is perfectly legal, it is a section 21 notice (also known as a 'no fault' notice-landlord is selling) we were given 6 months, 3 months ago, I have spent that time exhausting other options. DP's family is in a different country, and sadly most of mine are dead (parents, only child)

If I had any other choice I would use it. I am attempting to give them a better life in the best way possible. I'm not just picking a random stranger off the street, they are going to a reputable cat charity.

If I could afford to I would move tommorow. And keep my dcats

I wonder why you picked out the one single post checking the status of your eviction and not acknowledge the many posters supporting your decision. Spoiling for a fight?

Fwiw I applaud your decision to do this, it must have been very difficult to decide.

Foster them temporarily?

But what if in 6m time you're housed somewhere that cats are allowed? They're not usually as much of an issue as dogs.

I think you should pursue every alternative before giving them away permanently. I just can't imagine ever being able to do it.

Where in the country are you? A few places local to us like Wood Green or Blue cross would take them in temporarily until you can find somewhere.

Not at all spoiling for a fight, merely answering questions, I don't have time to sit here and reply to all the questions, seems to me you might be bristling for an argument though.

I don't have 6 months, I have three. Trust me I have exhausted other options. All the foster places are full, I cannot afford a cattery, so this is the only option.

Also sorry not willing to disclose my location, you don't know who is watching.

Three is a lot of cats. I have one 19 year old and when I moved I hit every obstacle possible, landlords would not allow me to have her. I ended up paying £1k a month living in a holiday chalet where I could have her and was also paying £650 a month on my unsold house. It nearly broke me but I couldn't give her up.
We're now settled in our new home and happy together. I'm glad I made the effort. It would have killed me to give up a member of my family.
This is why I only have one cat now and not multiples because I know I can only afford one.

You’re doing the right thing and you’re doing it for the cats as much as for yourself and your family. My parents have rescue cats, all came to them through The CPL. They’re old boys now, but they all came to live with them because their original homes didn’t work out for whatever reasons and they’ve had very happy (very spoilt!) lives and made my parents very happy during retirement. In time you’ll get new cats and love them just as much. Maybe once you’re in the position to get new cats you can adopt new cats through the same charity to “pay back” the cat universe. Sorry you’re having such a shitty time. Thinking of you.

I think people are just making sure you've thought of all of the possibilities OP.

I'm not sure anyone can reassure you until you yourself are sure you've tried everything. Is moving to a cheaper area not possible? Even a very small place for the time being?

I just know that I'd do anything possible to prevent it. But it sounds as though you've tried everything. I'd rather live in a crappy bedsit with my cat while I got back on my feet.

The rspca, pdsa, blue cross and cats protection might be other people to talk to to have them housed temporarily until you can take them back.

Of course you are doing the right thing, hardly choice, maybe when things are more settled you can have another cat

Yes of course you’re doing the right thing. You have to put your children first. Unfortunately pets are a luxury we can’t all afford. You have no choice here

Could you ask for a foster family?

We’re cat lovers and would help. If you’re near West Yorkshire feel free to pm me

Oh OP I am so sorry. I can’t even imagine how awful this (all!) must be for you. Sending very large very unmumsnetty hugs.

@calcifer12 with the greatest respect, as much as I adore my cats, I couldn't move into a 'crappy bedsit' with three children...

@Thehop unfortunately no, I'm not nearby.

The decision is made, the appointment is booked. There is no going back. I can't guarantee that we will only be in temp accomodation a short while, I know a person who was left in said temp accomodation for almost 2 years. The odds are likely that the same will happen to us , sure it may not but it's just not predictable at the moment so with the greatest respect to all of you can you please stop suggesting things I've already tried. Thank you

I honestly wouldn’t judge OP. You have to look after your whole family. Masses of good luck to you all.

Thank you