Cats held hostage

[ivefinallylefthim]

I finally left my abusive alcoholic husband on Friday. He is furious. I am living with lovely friends who are converting a barn on their farm . The barn won't be ready for 4 months.
I have 2 dearly loved cats. One is a real cuddle boy. I have been back for cuddles but as you can imagine it's not ideal. Stbex knows they are my Achilles heal. He has told me to 'take my fucking cats' He is very angry that I have now joined the long list of children, friends and other family to leave him to drink himself into an early grave.

Dear friends have no problem with me bringing cats here. The problem is they have a dog. A Weimaraner! (Who happens to be big and very soppy) ... but my cats have only come across a dog once and ended up stuck to the living room window like a macabre and deeply unfunny Garfield cartoon. Absolutely terrified.
My choices are ;
Move my fluffy loves and be in hand for constant cuddles but in a home with a dog they are scared of.

Leave them be, where they will have no human cuddles but I can feed them in the outhouse. (I am close by) Until new home ready.

Return to abusive husband and they will be happy.

Rehome (I would return before I did this)

One of my cats started off terrified of dogs but after a week of having a friends dog living with us managed to tolerate him and a few weeks later he was stealing the dogs food and sleeping in his bed.

It's worth a try.

Feeding in the outhouse would also work. Would they spend all of their time there so you could pop in for regular cuddles?

I believe there are charities that can foster pets for people escaping domestic violence until you get back on your feet. Can't remember the name though.

Cats Protection have the Paws Protect scheme where the cats will go to one of their fosterers until you're sorted out. I think the Blue Cross may do similar.
Don't go back to abusive husband.

Thank you everyone. I think I will try bringing them here. Does anyone have any advice as to how to introduce. ? Dog very obedient but my fluffs will be moving in to her territory .. ?
Advantages are ; big house, nowhere near a road..surrounded by woodland and fields .

Any advice gratefully received .

Do you have a room you stay in currently? If so, you can just keep them in that room with you. That's what a charity would do when fostering cats.

I know when you introduce cats to cats you keep the new one in an enclosed area (your room?) and only let them into the wider area when the old cat (dog) is not there. That way each gets used to the others scent and that there is another animal about. Then you let them see each other but no contact (baby gate?) then work up from there.

I don't know if this is the same for dogs, but it seems logical.

No advice re the dog introductions but yes, bring them to you or investigate fostering. Don’t leave them with your ex

Am sure there will be plenty of info via Google on dog/cat intros.