Transporting cats to bangkok

[TheBossofMe]

Have also posted in AIBU...

I have two cats - both not in the best of health and requiring long term medication. I have been offered a great job which requires relocating to Bangkok, and probably living in an apartment (no garden), whereas the cats are used to living in rural Surrey. Neither uses a litter tray, and one in particular likes the great outdoors very much. And it would limit the choice of apartments very much.

I would rehome them via the RSPCA, but because of their health problems, the RSPCA think they would not get rehomed and may be put down. Plus, I love them, as does the whole family, and would like to take them with me.

So what do I do? Am I being selfish by trying to take them? Would they adapt? I can't bear the thought of them not having someone to love them. Both have already been rehomed twice, but are gorgeous and friendly and very much part of our family.

If you were simply moving from a house to an apartment here in the UK, and just the lack of garden was the issue, I would probably say they'd adapt. But when you consider the stress of being transported halfway across the world (the hold of an aircraft is a very scary place, even if sedated) and then a huge change in lifestyle on top of that - I would say the kindest thing is to leave them behind. If you do, DO NOT rehome them through the RSPCA. If a family member or friend can't take them on, contact your local cats protection league and ask their advice.

You don't mention their age, but I'm presuming they're older cats? If so, the kindest thing may be to have them put to sleep. Although it sounds horrifying, the cats won't know what is happening to them. It is always the owners who feel the guilt and loss - the cat doesn't know any different. If I was faced with the choice of leaving my beloved cats at a rescue centre, hoping they would get rehomed but knowing they probably wouldn't (and knowing they would be miserable in the meantime, with no access to the outdoors and no loving owners), or taking the difficult decision to have them PTS in their own surroundings, after their favourite meal and a lot of cuddles, I know which I'd choose. It all comes down to quality of life.

Either way I don't envy you, it is a very hard decision to make

I'd second the suggestion to talk to a shelter other than the RSPCA. Some shelters would try to place them with a long-term fosterer and might ask you to help cover their medical costs or pass on an insurance policy. Worth a shot.

Having talked to more people today, including cats old vet who knows them very well, I think you might be right. I'm trying to line up carers for them - my sister will take one, but not the other, so really hope someone I know will take the other one, because putting them down doesn't feel right

I had an identical dilemma a year ago.

We were emigrating and did not know whether or not to take our 15 year old arthritic cat. We were not moving to an apartment, but we did not have accommodation straight away and it meant weeks in a cattery.

I asked everyone I knew and no-one would take her. I asked the vet, spoke to several charities etc. There were places for her, but realistically she'd be living in a pen waiting for a home that would be unlikely to come.

The decision we made was to bring her with us. We could not live with the thought of never knowing what happened to her.

The actual move went extremely well. I could not believe that she was not at all distressed with the flight etc. Her stay a the cattery also went well.

Unfortunately in many ways my story doesn't have a happy ending as she developed cancer and was put to sleep last month.

However, I have absolutely no regrets bringing her. I had 7 months with her here and for most of that she was healthy.

If there is any chance you can take your cats, I recommend you do.

Good luck with your decision. I know how hard it is, I was crying buckets this time a year ago wondering what to do.

How old are your cats? We relocated our 9 year old but she is pretty healthy and coped well. She stayed with pals in the UK till we got ourselves sorted with accommodation which made life easier for all of us. Could you take one, and then see about the other in time?

It may be worth seeing how things go in Bangkok for a few weeks anyway. I'm not sure, but would suspect that the rabies regulations in the UK would make bringing her back very, very difficult or impossible. Our cat didn't have to do quarantine. 6 months out of her life would have felt too long. It's also very expensive.

Here's the update from my other thread:

"OK, here's the update. I spoke to their old vet who knows them and their medical history really well, more than their current vet. She was a bit that I would even consider it - she thinks one might adapt OK, but is such a skittish scared little thing (possible history of abuse before coming to us) that she would totally freak on the plan. She also reminded me that said cat spends NO time inside when DD is around. Her POV is that this cat would fling herself off the balcony of any apartment to try and get away from DD (only 2, and a bit loud, cat hates loud noises).

However, the good news for this cat is that my sister adores her and wants to take her - she was about to get a cat herself - so one cat at least is going to a really lovely home (indoors still, but nice large apartment, no balconies, and importantly, no children or any chance of them. I think given that this is a good home and I know she will be really well cared for, its better for her to go there than face the trip abroad. And I can see her on Skype!

Its the other cat that is going to be more problematic. Vet thinks no chance at all that he will adapt to being an indoors cat, and she's worried that his digestive condition will get worse as a result of his refusal to use a litter tray for anything except weeing and throwing litter around in (he once went almost 2 weeks without a pooh when confined following an op, which made him really sick). So she's advising strongly against relocating. So I do need to find him a home. I'm asking neighbours, and someone has given me some contacts at various animal shelters - but I'll definitely give the RSPCA a miss, I think. If anyone has any suggestions other than Cats Protection, please do let me know! I would definitely prefer to know what happens to him, so clearly I'll be trying my hardest to rehome him myself "

Two other charities to consider asking for help are National Animal Welfare Trust and as your cat is older The Cinnamon Trust both of which have excellent reputations with older animals.

It could also be worth asking local nursing homes - if you are willing to continue paying for the cat's care, some will take them on as pets for the residents.