Temporarily rehoming a pet? Please help - I'm so worried :(

[Cheesybaps]

Hi All,

DP is moving in with me this Friday. It's a temporary move until we buy our own house sometime in the next 6-12 months.

He has a beautiful cat whom we both adore, but he cannot move into mine. The lady we had arranged to look after him for this period has pulled out with no explanation with 4 days to go.

We have asked everyone we know, no one can take him. I am feeling so stressed and worried about the situation, the very last thing we want to do is to give him away. I'm on the verge of tears constantly.

Does anyone know of any service which would be able to foster him? I've searched everywhere online, but the only homes I can find are for homeless cats/cats which will be given away to someone else. It doesn't feel right to call Cats Protection or similar as he is very much loved and its a temporary situation. We desperately want him back when we move from here.

Does anyone have any ideas please?

[lljkk]

Well done to you, OP.

[sashh]

So glad it worked out.

I was going to suggest cats' protection, I once had a pair fostered because their owner was in a refuge - different situation but similar for the cat.

[cozietoesie]

A jumble of paws. Lovely cat.

[Cheesybaps]

Thanks all, I am considerably less stressed today! He will be off to his new (temporary) home tomorrow.

Cozie- that would be a great outcome!

We do also have another cat, she has already been dispatched to DP's Mum's. Missing her loads already, we need to get a move on with this new house! Adding a pic just to show off!

Very grateful for all the messages everyone.

[JennaRoss]

So relieved for you.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I'm so glad it's sorted out now. He's gorgeous!

I have to say that if my parents had given away my cat they wouldn't have seen me again, that's awful

[Fluffycloudland77]

Well that's a relief.

Giving away your cat 😦!

[cozietoesie]

It's possibly a double good news story.

DP's boss might well become so used to having a cat around the house that he'll feel the cat-shaped hole when your boy goes back home with you and be toddling off to a nearby rescue. Here's hoping anyway.

[timtam23]

That is really good news and isn't he beautiful! Hooray for DP's boss and I hope you manage to get your own place soon.

[cozietoesie]

Great stuff.

And the best of luck for the humans staying with your parents.

[Cheesybaps]

Potap - thank you for your kind offer, so sorry to hear about your poorly cat

Thank goodness we have pulled something out of the bag, DP's boss has offered to look after him! It means that DP can see him regularly when he goes to bosses house, he will have free reign of a big house and (smallish) garden, and kids to fuss over him on weekends!

I cannot tell you how relieved I am! A pic of our beautiful boy for you all below.

Thank you very much for your suggestions and support this morning!

[cozietoesie]

Yes indeed - a phone call to the vet could be very useful.

[timtam23]

I am nowhere near SE London but my vet has a small cattery on site, there may be vets like this elsewhere in the country as well? Have never used my vets' one but it seems v popular although not really "cat hotel" level of luxury!

[Vinorosso74]

Yes do contact Cats Protection for advise. Also maybe try vets as perhaps one of the staff may be able to foster for a time?

[Cheesybaps]

Thanks cozie, you're right about that. We would of course pay for food/vets/insurance for wherever he is going, maybe we will have more luck in the new year.

[cozietoesie]

Poor you and poor cat.

Don't necessarily think of a cattery as a longer term fix - if it just buys you a week or two until people are thinking straight again after Xmas, then it might be helpful in the immediate situation. I think I'd also phone CPL and see if they have any short to medium term options which you might fund?

[Cheesybaps]

I don't think the fosterer will be willing to take him at all now. For some reason we cannot understand, she put a note through the door saying "Too much to do, NO CATS!"

That was it!

I'll be calling catteries today, thanks again for the suggestions.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Do you have a set timeline? It's quite a big commitment if there's no end date attached.

Given that finding another fosterer at the last minute seems unlikely, I'd be visiting catteries to get quotes for X amount of months, and see both what is affordable and what you'd get. Most catteries will offer lots of playtime and cuddles for long-term cats. Cat hotels are also worth looking at, if you have any nearby, and also people who look after pets whilst their owners are on holiday - then the cat could live with the same person throughout the period, in their house, and the person would have the benefit of a long-term resident and steady income.

If all that fails, or it's too expensive, DP might need to look at getting a last-minute rental which will allow his cat. It might slow down your saving, but at least the cat would stay with him. And you could go and live there with him and the cat too, if you want to live together.

[Cheesybaps]

Thank you maybe, we are in SE London/Kent.

[timtam23]

Trouble is, a lot of catteries may be very busy due to Christmas. Best to start ringing round I would say, if you decide to go down that route. And is there any chance of the person who was going to take the cat agreeing to have him for a couple of weeks only, until you can get a cattery or something else sorted out?

[gamerchick]

It looks like paying for somewhere is the only option short term unless the ex is willing to care for the cat for a bit.

[Cheesybaps]

Thank you timtam, I'll have a google for some "pet hotels"!

It's really breaking my heart, we will absolutely pay ££££ for a cattery if needs be. Vicious circle though, the more we spend, the less we will be able to save for a home and the longer he will be in there!

Argh!

[maybebabybee]

cheesy whereabouts are you - I know 'catty' people in various parts of the country who may be willing to foster?

can't believe that about your parents - how awful.

[Cheesybaps]

My parents are very dominant, they didn't want my cat so they gave it away. Nothing much else to say, they don't care, they did it - end of story. Their response to this situation is to "give it away". Again! As if animals are disposable

Unfortunately on Friday the sale will be completed and so we need to find him a new home this week. We were all sorted until the fosterer pulled out yesterday, I don't want anyone to think we are irresponsible, we love him very much! I have no idea why she has pulled out, she was so excited and enthusiastic about it!