Fostering/Rehoming Pets - any ideas?

[suedonim]

It looks as though we'll be moving abroad early next year and I'm in a fix as to what to do with our pets, because we're not able to take them with us. We have an 11yo Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and 5yo and 1yo moggy cats.

The ideas I've thought of so far are for foster homes for them, because, if possible, we want them back when we return to the UK (though I know the dog is pretty old so it's possible she won't stay the course). We could rehome them completely. The cats could go into long term boarding, though I'll probably be able to find someone to have the dog so she won't need to be kennelled. The cats can go together or separately - they're not particularly fond of each other! A neighbour has offered to look after the cats here in our house but it would mean them being 'home alone' for long stretches.

Are there any other options I've not thought of? Which options do you think are the 'least worst' ones? The vet is looking out for us but no luck so far. It's going to be so hard to leave them.

Ah I like Cavaliers Suedonim, we had them as children. No idea what I'd do in your situation though. Are there any mumsnetters who would take the dog for a while, they're v good with children aren't they, Cavaliers? Where are you going this time? I saw some ref to dodgy internet connection, oh no

Hi sodomim, I've no idea what your circs are but how on earth can you think about palming off your dog at its age? Cats will be re-homed more easily I'm sure but your 11 year old dog??? I'm sorry, but you make your dog sound like part of the furniture. Perhaps you didn't mean your message to sound so blunt and heartless? (I sincerely hope so). I know that we are all different but my animals (esp. my dog) mean the world to me.

Cavaliers are v good with children, WWW. Ours is still a puppy inside, lol! My mum had said she would have the dog (she knows my mum well) but seems to have backed out now. We're going to Nigeria this time.

CelluliteQueen, I think your comment was nasty and uncalled for at a time when my family is going through a lot of stress over a major move and this dilemma. I'm sorry if I come over heartless but I don't do sentimental and maudlin, esp not in public, on the internet, plus I stated it is going to v hard to leave our family pets. With all the upheaval of moving abroad, it's the problem that's causing the most heartache and angst. If I was hard-hearted I'd abandon our pets at the side of a road or have them put to sleep, not spend time trying to find the best way to have them looked after. I have no say as to where my dh gets sent for his work so when I have to decide between my children or our pets it's no contest. We can't always have life the way we want it so then we have to make the best fist of it that we can and that's all I'm trying to do.

how long would you be going for?

sorry and where are you?

this may be impossible but have you thought about taking the dog and bringing her back? Many people these days do quarantine via a country like France, where there are people who will take the dog for 6 mths till you can bring it back Ie avoiding quarantine.
tbh I would really think about just rehoming the cats. They do very well in new situations, Im sure you would feel it much more than them. The problem with a neighbour looking after them is that you would worry if something happened while you were away.
Good luck

My dh's company won't let us take pets, Miggy, (we only get a 20kilo allowance for ourselves!) plus I don't honestly think she'd survive in a country like Nigeria and then quarantine. Bambi, we're in Scotland and will be away until Mar 07 but it's likely to be longer.

I guess it will all sort itself out but it's one of those things that goes round and round in your head all the time.

Any more ideas?

Where are you based sue? The animal home i work for organises foster carers as well as rehoming so there may be somewhere near you that does the same? I would advise against long term boarding as it's not good for the animals to be shut away for so long.

of course if i'd read the thread I would have realised you were in scotland, d'oh!

Thanks for taking an interest, Novadandypowder. I've had a few murmers from people who might be interested in taking our pets. Dh is off to start his new job next week so I shall then be able to concentrate on getting something concrete in place.