Don't want to give my kitten away

[Banana1984]

My partner brought me a kitten as a surprise without discussing with me first as he knew that I love cats but would have said no as I live in high rise block of flats.. My kitten is 4 months and quite naughty has a very crafty personality and runs around the flat at full speed and just generally being crazy. I love him to bits but as I live on the 4th floor high rise he is constantly trying to get out of my windows and balcony . I am unable to put chicken wire on balcony due to the the way its built with sliding windows and its housing association New build with lots of silly rules. Its warm out and warm in this flat in general and I can't live in this hot flat without opening the windows. Of course I watch my kid but a kitten runs fast. I put a kitty leash on him and let him go out on the window ledge to see what he would do and he got perilously close to the edge. He didn't try to jump (it's about a ft drop ) I held on tight to that leash. I asked my sister to rehome him and the lady is coming to pick him up tommo but I'm having second thoughts. Lady has already bought the kitten loads of bits and now I feel bad. The lady has a lovely house and garden so I know I'm being selfish for wanting to keep him in my flat when he can have a better life and my 5 year old daughter is also upset he is going. But I am thinking of keeping him as I love him so much but then I'm torn as they have bought him lots of things. Please help me. Maybe I can just keep the windows closed. Or open and hoping he's fine and just watch him. Oh help

Sorry I meant to add 60ft drop

Is there anything else you could put against the balcony? My sister has french windows in her first floor kitchen and living room and when she opens the doors she slides a large piece of perspex in front of the balcony rails so her cat can't run through /fall out. She takes it away again before she closes it up so no breaking of housing association rules.

It wasn’t the right time for you to have a kitten, OP. That’s why you have arranged re-homing. It was the right thing to do.

It’s normal to have second thoughts but you have made the right decision already.

Sorry OP but I think re-homing is probably the kindest thing to do. Most cats like outdoor space which you can't offer him, and it's a dangerous drop if he falls off the window.

For what it's worth I think your partner is incredibly stupid to buy you a cat without asking as it can be a 20 year commitment, and a lot of hassle and expense at times, especially if you have to deal with vet bills etc. It's especially stupid when you don't really have a suitable environment for a cat to live in and now your partner is putting you and your daughter through the heart-ache of re-homing.

@Icantreachthepretzels no there are sliding windows (it's a windowed balcony) and no where for the perspex to perch.
I feel sick with grief with all of this

You can get screens that attach to the inside of the doors - I can't remember the name but they work fine on sliding doors. You open them like the screen doors they have in Australia, then open the main door. Then can have the screen door closed and the main door open if that makes sense.

We had them on the windows on our third floor flat and they were great.

Personally, I feel it's really cruel to keep a cat indoors , especially in a top flat. I think you are doing the right thing to rehome. Maybe another time if you move somewhere with a garden, but you have to do what is right for the kitten.

I think you are doing the kindest thing for the kitten. It will be so sad to see it go so I do really feel for you and you daughter.

Well done OP - you're making the best life for your kitten. I know it must be heartbreaking, but a 4th floor flat is no place for an active little cat. I'm sorry your partner put you in this postion - it's hurting you because you are kind, though.

Resining is the right thing to do. My cat is two and I had to keep her inside when she was tiny until she had all her vaccinations. She managed to get out an upstairs window and got stuck on the roof! If the we determined to get out they will sneak passed you at every opportunity. Too dAngerous.

I know it’s heartbreaking, but let the kitten go now before she gets too attached to you.