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We have to re-home the cat and I'm heartbroken

3 replies

8e88e · 27/10/2022 20:01

Me and my SO rehomed a cat from the RSPCA a couple of years ago and he is amazing. We only ever wanted one cat.. however, my neighbours put their cat out and stopped letting her in. I couldn't cope seeing her outside all the time and sleeping in the bushes. I was worrying about her because she was always meowing outside for food so I started feeding her. I spoke to my neighbours who said they could no longer have her.

It started out that we were just feeding her and she was living outside, however I felt so bad that I decided to take it upon myself to try and re-home her. Unfortunately I didn't put the action into place soon enough. Over the past few months she has been coming inside and throughout all of October she's been here 24/7 she never wants to go outside. The problem is.. we cant keep her because she is aggressive to our other cat. We have tried and spoken to professional behaviourists who have tried to help us but nothing works. I can't keep her to the detriment of my other cat, it isn't fair on him keep getting attacked.

Last week I emailed some rehoming centres and one of them got back to me to say they can take her. Since then I can't stop crying because I have formed a bond with her and I love her. She loves cuddles and wants to always be near me. She sits with me wherever I am and purrs away, she is so affectionate. My other cat isn't like that, he is very timid and keeps to himself. I am really going to miss her, I'm going to miss coming home and having cuddles and having her constantly by my side. She's such a good little companion and the perfect lap cat.

I am so heartbroken because I feel like I am abandoning her even though she is not even my cat. Her owners are the ones who chucked her outside, I am just trying to help her so that she doesn't live on the streets but I have left it too late and now I am attached. I am already grieving before she's gone, I don't know how I am going to hand her over and walk away and just leave her there.

We really can't keep her. We have tried and tried over the last few months and my boy is getting stressed and scared in his own home. We aren't a suitable family for her as she needs a cat free home, but I have fallen head over heels for her and I can see how happy she is with me. I feel awful that I'm going to take that away from her and put her through stress.

I could really do with some kind and optimistic words to help me feel more positive about this. The fact that I will never see her again and always be wondering what's happened to her is killing me.

OP posts:
Mumsgirls · 27/10/2022 21:40

You meant well but it’s unfair to the first one and you will risk him leaving or being unhappy. From the sound of it , she will be affectionate with the new slave too, so be happy for her. I took on a family members’ cat and within an hour of arriving he was purring on my knee and when I go away he similarly takes to the sitters not missing me at all. The cat will be fine and you are doing the best all round . Good luck

maranella · 27/10/2022 21:54

OP I totally understand why you feel the way you do, but please don't give her human emotions. My experience of cats is that they don't have particularly long memories and if she is a lovely, friendly cat then she will find a loving, new home and be very happy there. You're doing the right thing, both for her and for your poor cat, who is miserable in his own home with her there Flowers

PrawnMinister · 27/10/2022 21:57

You've already been so kind to this cat. Your priority is the first cat who is suffering. You are giving the second cat a chance to find a home that suits her best. Hopefully the people who will adopt her will send you updates. I think you will feel better once you hear she's settled in well.

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