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Original poster

Advice on how to rehome cats?

29 replies

TidyOmlette · 28/10/2021 20:39

My aunt has suddenly deteriorated and had an emergency admittance today to a nursing home and they don’t take animals. She has two beautiful cats who now need a home, I’ve tried to contact a few charities but nobody seems to answer the phone. Does anyone have any other suggestions on safe ways to rehome them?

OP posts:
Beamur · 28/10/2021 20:43

Is she going to be staying in the home permanently? There are charities that can temporarily re-home.
I would persevere with contacting local cat charities but they don't always have staff around to answer telephones and may not have space immediately to take them. Could neighbours pop in a feed them for a short while to give you a little time?
Tempting though it might be to advertise, platforms such as Gumtree will not guarantee that they go to a good home

Magicalwoodlands · 28/10/2021 20:47

Oh, how awful for you.

Would any friends or family help? If you’re in the East Midlands I might be able to help, but we have a very young child so the cats would have to be used to this as it would be too frightening for them otherwise.

FatAnkles · 28/10/2021 20:58

My father in law has adopted pets from relatives for decades after they became too incapacitated to take care of themselves (the relatives, not the pets). He's had all sorts. Is there anyone you know who could foster them for a while or even adopt them? Is there a forum or Facebook group in your aunt's area that you could advertise on? (Check the home before handing the furries over, if course).

Original poster
TidyOmlette · 28/10/2021 21:09

@Beamur unfortunately yes, doesn’t look like she’s ever going to come home. Her upstairs neighbour is going to pop in and out but she has a dog and sadly can’t take them on.

@Magicalwoodlands we are in Scotland but thank you for the offer.

@FatAnkles we have tried a charity who foster but sadly have no room. My worry is the council have given us 10 days to clear the house and after that they will be homeless and I honestly couldn’t live with that though. I live in a flat 10 floors up and they are outdoor cats and I’m scared if I take them they might jump accidentally.

I’ll have a look on Facebook and see if there’s any forums thanks for that tip!

OP posts:
dreamsarefree · 28/10/2021 21:12

So sorry to hear this OP, I can't help as right down south but I would try and contact friends and relatives and via word of mouth they might find a home.

Wolfiefan · 28/10/2021 21:13

Cinnamon Trust?
Could her vet point you in the right direction at all?

Beamur · 28/10/2021 21:21

Ten days really doesn't give you long does it?
You can get window nets or restrictors to keep cats safe if you needed to temporarily have them in your flat. It won't do them any harm to be restricted say to one room while you look for a permanent solution.
Sorry about your Aunt too. Thank you for trying your best for her furry friends.

ArachnidArachnid · 28/10/2021 21:28

Where in Scotland? Having a bit of a look for u op

LemonSwan · 28/10/2021 21:28

I would hold on a little bit.

I work in a care home and have heard of residents whos family sold all their home furniture within 6 weeks and when they bounced back (which they do sometimes out of the blue!); they had no belongings left to return home to!

Original poster
TidyOmlette · 28/10/2021 21:30

@Wolfiefan they don’t do cats in our area unfortunately

@Beamur no it doesn’t it sucks. I’ll have a look at window nets thanks for that! It’s such a shame because they are lovely cats and I really want them with someone who would care for them properly

OP posts:
LastToBePicked · 28/10/2021 21:32

Pets4Homes is the main private pet selling forum - we rehomed an adult cat from there. Usual caution needed about ensuring you the home they’re going to is genuine, and always ask for money, don’t give them away for free. I think the adult cats tend to attract more ‘serious’ owners compared to kittens.

Cattitudes · 28/10/2021 21:32

Have you tried asking local vets?

MichelleScarn · 28/10/2021 21:33

They shouldn't have given her only 10 days, should be 28? (Not sure if that will make much of a difference)
Who is making the decision for her to go into 24 hr care. Does she have capacity are there legal powers in place of not?

Warmduscher · 28/10/2021 21:39

@LastToBePicked

Pets4Homes is the main private pet selling forum - we rehomed an adult cat from there. Usual caution needed about ensuring you the home they’re going to is genuine, and always ask for money, don’t give them away for free. I think the adult cats tend to attract more ‘serious’ owners compared to kittens.
I wouldn’t use Pets4Homes - too many scam adverts for my liking.

It sounds like these two cats need to be rehomed together. I wouldn’t trust a profit-making business not to separate them for a quick sale.

Wolfiefan · 28/10/2021 21:54

I’m sorry you’re in this position OP. I wouldn’t rehome via a website. Can you contact all local rescues? Any chance someone can look after them in the house until there’s space somewhere? We are the other end of the country so I can’t volunteer. Sad

Original poster
TidyOmlette · 28/10/2021 21:58

@LastToBePicked I haven’t checked my local petsathome so I’ll contact them tomorrow.

@Cattitudes no actually I didn’t think of that for some daft reason. Thanks though I will contact the vet my aunt used tomorrow.

@MichelleScarn it was a joint decision between the hospital and her son. His DD is allergic and can’t take them sadly. The local council said he has 10 days from the day if admittance to the home to clear the house and hand back the keys.

@Wolfiefan I’ll try the other suggestions tomorrow. It’s so heartbreaking because my aunt adores them.

OP posts:
MrsRubyMonday · 28/10/2021 22:02

We adopted two outdoor cats from a family member who could no longer care for them. We have child protectors on the windows to stop them opening too far, they quickly adjusted to being indoor cats, we provide plenty of enrichment and they are happy and healthy.

NinDS · 28/10/2021 22:02

Maybe you could post on here what breed the cats are and their ages and someone may be able to help? I certainly would but I have two indoor cats already and they are a handful lol! Good luck!!

mayblossominapril · 28/10/2021 22:04

@Cattitudes

Have you tried asking local vets?
This one Also ask round everyone you know
jiggeryjaggerywoo · 28/10/2021 22:06

Was the Cinnamon Trust one of the charities you tried?

LastToBePicked · 28/10/2021 22:22

OP - Pets4Homes is a website, a bit like gumtree but just for animals, it’s not related to the shop.

It does have potentially dodgy listings but some rescue charities also advertise animals on there, I think it’s fine if you exercise caution. When we were looking to rehome a pet I got FAR more scrutiny from private sellers in Pets4Homes (who were very invested in finding the right home for a loved pet) compared to rescue charities who just ran through a quick tick list with me. I spent an hour on the phone, various emails + an hour home visit before the seller agreed to rehome her cat to us.

Wolfiefan · 28/10/2021 22:23

I’m so sorry Tidy.

EachandEveryone · 28/10/2021 22:27

www.flatcats.co.uk/ they really work. Could the son at least help ypu by buying them a nice cat tree, food and litter tray etc? Then you keep them at ypurs until a solution is found. Is the daughter deffo allergic, how did she visit her granny?

TaraR2020 · 28/10/2021 22:31

Look at the Cinnamon Trust, this is specifically their area

Opal127 · 28/10/2021 22:38

Have you tried the ScottishSPCA, they might be able to help. They have a helpline so there is always someone there to take the calls.
Cats Protection might also be able to help.

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