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Original poster

Rehoming our 2 cats

121 replies

holleeamara · 19/09/2025 12:32

2 years ago me and my partner rescued 2 cats. 3 months ago we found out I was pregnant despite being on the Depo shot. We’ve decided to keep it, as I had an abortion in the past (previous relationship) and regretted it deeply. Our landlord is now about to evict us, due to him selling the property. We have been trying to move out for the past year anyway, due to living in a tiny 1 bed flat. And for the past year was always turned down due to having pets. We just said we’d wait and hopefully find somewhere that allows pets. But, now due to being pregnant and our 3 month notice looming.. I suggested we may have to rehome the cats, in order to find a property that 1. Is big enough for the 3 of us, and 2. We are looking like we are going to be homeless otherwise. I understand pets are a lifelong commitment, yaddah yaddah yaddah, but my unborn child comes before me, comes before anyone! And definitely comes before the cats. I even suggested they go to live with his mother who’s happy to take them, but he won’t allow that either. I feel really stumped and confused as I’d be willing to do anything for this life I have created.. but I don’t think he feels the same. We have even tried giving landlords extra deposit in order to have the cats but they refuse. I feel like this is now our only option. (We don’t qualify for council/social housing, btw)

OP posts:
Overtheatlantic · 19/09/2025 12:46

Your breezy and uncaring attitude comes across horribly. Do rehome your cats as they deserve better than you.

worrisomeasset · 19/09/2025 12:48

Why won’t he allow his mother to have them?

IamnotSethRogan · 19/09/2025 12:52

Overtheatlantic · 19/09/2025 12:46

Your breezy and uncaring attitude comes across horribly. Do rehome your cats as they deserve better than you.

Sorry I'm not sure we're reading the same post. The OP is in an incredibly difficult situation with the threat of homelessness looming amd a baby on the way. She's not talking about dumping them on the street, she's found a home with a trusted family member.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/09/2025 12:55

Maybe it’s the ‘yaddah yaddah yaddah’ attitude you approach it with that makes him defensive. I can understand him not wanting to dump them in a rescue but if his mum will have them that seems a good outcome, will be agree on a temporary basis at all?

BaskervilleOldFace · 19/09/2025 12:55

Overtheatlantic · 19/09/2025 12:46

Your breezy and uncaring attitude comes across horribly. Do rehome your cats as they deserve better than you.

What a nasty comment. The OP is pregnant and facing homelessness because the wretched landlords are banning pets, not because she doesn't care about the cats. You should be directing your criticism at the landlords.

LaurieFairyCake · 19/09/2025 13:04

Get on the council list, you will then get homed (with the cats) when you get evicted. But you have to wait til you’re evicted in most places. Flowers

TwinklingPotato · 19/09/2025 13:10

Where do you live? I recently moved, and while I was looking, all but 1 of the 11 properties I visited were "pets considered", which is LA speak for - you can have pets just ask us first..

I agree with PP, it's a bad situation, but it's probably the "yaddah yaddah yaddah" attitude that's making your DP put the brakes on with rehoming them. Because yes, pets are for life, and you rescued them, which means they've been surrendered once already and really do deserve to be treated as family members, not just an inconvenience.

If you register with agents and say you have two cats, most will have properties on the market that will take them. The issue I found was finding a property I liked, rather than whether they were pet friendly.

Good luck - and also agree re registering with the council, too..

Whatsallthisthen2025 · 19/09/2025 13:12

Baby comes first. As a cat lover myself, you're right and he's wrong.

Pricelessadvice · 19/09/2025 13:13

Cats were there first, cats come first.
In my eyes anyway.

You don’t just cast an animal aside now that something ‘better’ has come along.

Whatsallthisthen2025 · 19/09/2025 13:14

Whatsallthisthen2025 · 19/09/2025 13:12

Baby comes first. As a cat lover myself, you're right and he's wrong.

And, of course, cats are not humans and cannot be put in the same category as humans. Unless you're absolutely cuckoo of course.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 19/09/2025 13:17

I think you’re right that baby comes first. I wonder if the council will rehome you once you are evicted. Similar happened to a friend and as soon as she had the baby they found her a flat. Depends on area though.

IamnotSethRogan · 19/09/2025 13:17

Pricelessadvice · 19/09/2025 13:13

Cats were there first, cats come first.
In my eyes anyway.

You don’t just cast an animal aside now that something ‘better’ has come along.

Yes much better that herself, partner, baby and cats are all homeless and living on the street together as opposed to the cats having a comfortable home with a family member and them able to find a home.

I was in a very similar situation to the op. Landlord selling the house while I was pregnant and not being able to find somewhere. By luck we found a house that would accept cats but it was really grim. This situation is incredibly stressful.

AuntieDen · 19/09/2025 13:18

I think that you now have a right to request a landlord allows a pet and they can't deny the request unreasonably. Although obviously if there are multiple applicants that won't help them offer you the tenancy in the first place

But it does sound like the cats would be better with his parents, it sounds like you're perfectly happy to rehome and in that case the cats deserve somewhere more stable :(

Pricelessadvice · 19/09/2025 13:19

Why won’t he let them live at his mother’s? That actually seems like a sensible option as you know they will be looked after properly then, surely?

Seems like an ideal solution to the problem.

mushroomsoupandcoke · 19/09/2025 13:23

Pricelessadvice · 19/09/2025 13:13

Cats were there first, cats come first.
In my eyes anyway.

You don’t just cast an animal aside now that something ‘better’ has come along.

Are you saying op should re home the human then? Or become homeless with a baby and 2 cats?

idrinkandiknowthings · 19/09/2025 13:24

Homing with his mum is absolutely the best idea, even if it's on a temporary basis until you find a place that accepts pets.

Me and my then boyfriend had a cat in a rented flat but then the landlord told us to get rid of her. She went to my sister and brother-in-law's and I paid them board and lodgings for her. She came back to us when we bought a house and stayed until she died.

Bitzee · 19/09/2025 13:24

Sounds like a stressful situation. Obviously you prioritise a roof over your heads. Anyone saying otherwise is insane. I will admit that in the past I’ve lied about the cat because there’s very little the landlord can do once you’re in and they’re unlikely to ever find out- hide all traces for any inspections, get a professional clean on move out. I totally get if you wouldn’t feel comfortable with that though, we weren’t facing homelessness just trying to secure a nicer place.

But I don’t the point about your MIL and DP’s objection. If she’s happy to have the cats then surely that’s the perfect solution?? Once housing is sorted it could maybe leave the door open to having them back too. Unless there’s more to it like she has a vicious dog and/or lives on an A-road?

Poirot1983 · 19/09/2025 13:27

What is his reason for now allowing his mum to have them, OP? Perfect solution.

Dannimac · 19/09/2025 13:32

Sounds like the problem here isn't your cats, it's your partner.

If you can't find accommodation and he won't let his mum adopt them, then what is his proposed solution?

waitingforthehallmarkedman · 19/09/2025 13:33

where are you op? I've got a house I'm trying rent out and i'd take cats!

seaelephant · 19/09/2025 13:34

I wouldn't mention the cats when applying to flats and suck up the potential lost deposit

Sharptonguedwoman · 19/09/2025 13:37

Overtheatlantic · 19/09/2025 12:46

Your breezy and uncaring attitude comes across horribly. Do rehome your cats as they deserve better than you.

Bit harsh. I wondered about rehoming the cat my daughter rescued (from living under a building) and which now lives with me. Why? She walked around my bed all night and wailed for breakfast at 5 am.
But seriously, what is OP supposed to do?

Sharptonguedwoman · 19/09/2025 13:38

Pricelessadvice · 19/09/2025 13:13

Cats were there first, cats come first.
In my eyes anyway.

You don’t just cast an animal aside now that something ‘better’ has come along.

What?

ParanoidGynodroid · 19/09/2025 13:39

Pricelessadvice · 19/09/2025 13:13

Cats were there first, cats come first.
In my eyes anyway.

You don’t just cast an animal aside now that something ‘better’ has come along.

What the actual?
I sincerely hope you don't have children if they could be lower priority than a cat!

Ridiculous post.

Purplecatshopaholic · 19/09/2025 13:41

Your attitude sucks op. Yaddah, yaddah? I hope you don’t ever get any more pets if you are so cavalier, seriously.
His mother will take them so get that organised. You and she are adults, he has nothing to do with it.

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