How to find new home for pets please?

[d0glover]

Friend is moving abroad but has several cats and dogs and can't take allof them - partly cos of expense, lack of room and partly cos they are getting older and the trauma on animals would be too great.

He is trying to find homes for 1 dog and 2 cats but wants them to be looked after. Obviously tried friends and family first but all of us either have enough animals or not enough room. RSPCA suggested having them put down and most animal shelters say they will try and rehome them for 6-8 weeks and then will put them down. Friend can't bear this thought cos they are all healthy animals although older than most people like to rehome pets.

Do you have any bright ideas? They are situated in Essex but could travel to Hertfordshire or Cambridgeshire.

Cats protection are very good for cat rehoming/shelters if they have the space so well worth contacting your local branch. If the dog is a pedigree type then contact the kennel club for a breed rescue local to where you are. If not then try local adverts, possibly local freecycle groups (though not all allow pets on them and there are probably better ways to find homes) and also ask local vets. Just occasionally they know someone who is looking for something quite specific having recently lost a treasured pet.

tell me about the cats, do they love attention and are they used to children?

No the cats are mostly outside cats and not used to children, good at keeping down rats and mice though. Of course they still need love and looking after.

No wildlife around us I'm afraid! That's a shame if they were a bit more people orientated I think dh would have been interested, we've only ever had cats that loved attention (from the adults that is rather than the dc!)

Have you tried googling 'non destruction policy essex' that should give you some animal shelters who don't put any animals down.

fab idea merlin - thanks

Do you know what breed of dog it is?

He could try Wood Green, they have one shelter at Godmanchester which would take them all, and a smaller one nr Royston (small animals cats, rabbits etc).

I'm sure he said he'd contacted Wood Green and they said they would have to destroy if they could not rehome animals within so many weeks/months.

I understand how difficult it is for animals shelters, there are so many animals being made homeless - so sad but even keen animals lovers like me can only look after so many animals.

Anyway I've passed on the info from both threads to him and I'll leave it to him to sort out - he loves those animals so much I know he'll do the best for them

Thank you for all your tips and ideas.

there are breed specialist type rescue/rehome services who often have foster homes for oldies

how heartbreaking for them though

Absolutely heartbreaking - he was already ripped apart at thought of having to move country for work and then to find couldn't take all animals - its causing so much pain - as you can imagine. He tried the breed rescue place first but they were really unhelpful and made him feel like he was just getting rid of the dog because he felt like it, he tried to explain but basically they refused to have dog and he felt like he'd been beaten up. He's now trying to see if there is any way he can take other dog abroad with him but poor animal is so old it will be very traumatic for her, and he does not know what sort of vet care and dog sitting/kennel facilities there will be over there. It is also very expensive with rabies jabs, transport etc.

what breed of dog is it? there are usually more than one breed rescue out there . If the cats are outdoor cats ,do you know anyone who has stables ? we have a cat at the barn where i keep my horse and he is happy as larry living there .

For the cats, you could try [http://www.catplanet.co.uk Cat Planet]] - they will advertise rehomes free of charge and it is generally genuine catlovers who make contact via the site.

I once rehomed two ten year old cats - they were absolutely the best companions ever. Older pets are really special

It's a bit of a drive, but Many Tears Rescue in South Wales is a no-kill shelter. Or he could try posting a private ad on Dogpages?

Agree with bumpsoon - try another breed rescue, or the breed owners' club (or the original breeder - they should be happy to take a dog back at any stage of its life). Poor oldies - hope they find a warm lap soon.

I rehomed my cat by advertising her on gumtree.