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Original poster

Heartbroken at having to rehome my best friends

30 replies

Ak75 · 30/09/2021 08:34

I have had cats all of my adult life (I am 46 now) and moved to a private rental 6 years ago after leaving my husband and managed to find a landlord willing to let me bring them. I now have to move to a flat as I have to massively downsize as 2 of my kids have moved out and there are so few properties available I have had to take the only one who will accept me on a housing benefit top up.

No one will let you take pets in the current market, trust me I have tried.

I have contacted a cat rescue that helped rehome my mums cats when she had to go into a care home this year and have secured a place for all 4 of them next week.
I am doing my very best to be positive and tell myself I'm doing my best for my cats as they will be safe and warm and there is nothing else I can do, I have to move as I can't afford my rent now 2 of my kids have grown up even with working more hours, the financial loss is just too much, but I'm devastated. I feel like I'm letting everyone down, I'm so low and would give anything to find a solution :(

OP posts:

babouchette · 30/09/2021 08:37

Didn't want to read and run OP, I am really sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you. Is there any way of rehoming them temporarily with a friend or relative in case you can find a solution?

Beamur · 30/09/2021 08:42

You have my sympathies. I have cats too, it must be heartbreaking.

Original poster

Ak75 · 30/09/2021 08:46

I've lost both my mum and dad. Mums still with us but is very unwell in a care home and I have no other family. It's just me against the world it seems.

My living arrangements are going to be permanent, I've been terrified of this moment since I started renting as I know how hard it is to rent with pets and have always known when the time came I would need to move i would struggle but the market now is ridiculous, I have viewed so many flats/houses and none of them are open to larger deposits like they were when I moved here.
It's hopeless

OP posts:

Snog · 30/09/2021 08:54

Heartbroken for you

Snog · 30/09/2021 08:55

This does not need to be your forever home, it's just your home for now, and I hope you will be able to have a cat again.

Beamur · 30/09/2021 08:56

Rules to stop landlords charging extra deposits has unfortunately meant fewer are willing to take pets now.

LowlyTheWorm · 30/09/2021 08:57

Would any of the rehoming families agree to updates or even visits? You’re definitely doing the right thing by your lovely pets but I’m sorry it’s so hard on you.

ItsDinah · 30/09/2021 09:06

Have you got good photos of them ? As an experienced cat handler you would be useful to cat rescue organisations and to people looking for cat sitters/visitors. Would it help if you did something like that to turn your loss into a positive to help others? The only very dim silver lining I can think of is that as we get older we are likelier to wind up in hospital or otherwise unable to care for out cats. At least you know that yours have gone to good homes and you do not need to worry about them.

LaurieFairyCake · 30/09/2021 09:13

Which part of the country do you live in? Maybe a Mumsnetter knows of a property

What about a 'dodgier' tenancy - those on Facebook etc - the reason I ask is that there's one or two I've noticed near me in London on Facebook- they're clearly subletting

I can't imagine how hard this must be

Moonface123 · 30/09/2021 09:25

I feel for you. I think the world of my cats, they are like family.
I have had cats all of my life and l can't understand why landlords won't allow them, none of mine ever do any damage, and they are such clean creatures.
I will be honest, a few years ago l moved into a private rental in a quiet village and brought my pets with me. One of the cats was seen in the window, but l managed to keep them by offering to allow landlord around any time to access for damage and promising to repair any damage. I kept the place absolutely spotless and my cats did zero damage. He just thought l had the one.
Also, l know people who use the term therapy pet, it helps them with their mental health issues, which is very true in a lot of cases, pets are very calming.
I know l will probably get flamed for saying this but let's be honest, once the pets are in there, and your showing that you are trying to re home them, (but as we all know the rehoming centres are choc a block )and you could be naughty and get a friend to have them if they come and check because my landlord always have me notice beforehand. Just a thought.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 30/09/2021 09:34

I’m sorry, OP.

none of them are open to larger deposits like they were when I moved here.

If it helps, it’s not that they are all arseholes, it’s that it’s not legally allowed anymore.

But I appreciate that makes scant difference when you’re having to leave your cats. I really feel for you

lycrapants · 30/09/2021 14:09

I worked at an estate agency. Most Landlords say no to pets. I think people can cause more damage than cats or dogs! Just keep them out the way for property inspections, loads of people do it

Bobbie1976 · 25/11/2021 17:12

This is ridiculous. Is there any way you could board them with someone reliable until you find somewhere who would take them? There's nothing on earth that would make me rehome my cats - there must be a way! I will see what I can find out for you (Official crazy cat lady!)

THisbackwithavengeance · 25/11/2021 17:46

As long as they are reasonably well behaved cats(!), I would keep them and not say anything.

How will the letting agent or landlord find out realistically?

eyeslikebutterflies · 25/11/2021 17:50

When I rented with my dog I just didn't mention him .. as I was very clean, tidy, did basic maintenance and looked after my dog properly, my landlords were none the wiser or happy to turn a blind eye, as they could see the flat was kept in great condition. Is that an option, rather than re-home your lovely cats?

Bobbie1976 · 27/11/2021 17:37

Agree to both the above! And the cats should be kept inside! For their safety more than anything in today's horrible world!

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 27/11/2021 17:55

I can understand the landlords pov because not all cat owners are responsible and it costs a lot to replace the carpets. I’m sure it’s more the housing benefit that puts them off rather than the cats though. Why are you in receipt of this as a single working adult? Do you work full-time? I’d rather think of ways I could boost my income or cut my living costs and keep the cats.

stayathomegardener · 27/11/2021 18:02

Are you sure you can't find a sympathetic landlord? I always accept pets because the tenants are happier, stay longer and keep it spotless.

FlickerBeat · 27/11/2021 18:02

@eyeslikebutterflies

That's exactly what I'd do i'm afraid ...

Pinkfairylights · 27/11/2021 18:04

I'm sorry lovely.

SmallestInTheClass · 27/11/2021 18:05

Take them with you and send to the cattery or a friend for the day if you have an inspection.

Wildrobin · 27/11/2021 18:06

Could you take in lodgers and stay where you are?
I feel for you as this sounds really difficult.

wheresmymojo · 28/11/2021 10:43

I'm another one that would just keep them out of the way on inspection days if they were well behaved and not going to pluck carpets or anything like that.

I did it with mine when we were renting and we had four.

For the inspection time they'd be in the car in their cat baskets. Not ideal but it's only once every six months.

SimpsonsXmasBoogie · 28/11/2021 10:53

I would absolutely keep my cats and lie about it. I know that isn't very mumsnetty but I'm just being honest. If they do an inspection you can leave them with a friend or put them in a carrier and go for a drive.

If the cats do any damage then you're going to be responsible for it anyway, just in the same way that you would be responsible for any damage that you caused yourself.

Ceara · 08/01/2022 07:42

I'm a landlord. If I was renting and was told no to my much loved cat, I would bring him anyway and just keep him out of the way for inspections (you have to be given advance notice, the landlord or agent can't turn up unannounced). Tbh as long as you pay the rent on time and are looking after the place, there's no incentive for a landlord to ask you to leave and incur the trouble and costs of re-letting, if they did find out you had cats, as long as the cats are behaving themselves. So I would take the small risk and keep my cats.

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