What do I do with cats when I move?

[Shbg]

Strange situation.

I have (or dont have!) 2 cats. One is old, 15. The other is about 6.

The older moggy cat was very happy at home but a (neutered) wanderer.

I got 2nd cat, a BSH, and once he was neutered he followed his brother out.

The BSH took to the elderly couple at the back of our house. His brother followed suit and they were there constantly.

I tried keeping them in but in summer with kids they would inevitably escape and go straight to the other house.

I imagine a quiet house with 2 older people and roast chicken was preferable to our busy household.

So this has gone on for many years and they basically aren't my cats anymore :(

The older gentleman's wife died so the cats are his only company.

I have 'taken them back' many times. Lots at first but it's always the same. They desperately want to escape to his house.

Thing is. We're moving house.
I don't mind, in principle, him keeping them at all. They're his now really but he is older and I'm worried if something happened to him the cats would be abandoned.

But they will not live as housecats. And if I take them and move they won't stay in the house and will run away.

What do I do? Tell him were moving and offer to take them? Ask if he wants to keep them? But leave out number in case eof emergency?

I would go and chat to him and ask him what he wants. Make sure he is aware that if he wants the cats that includes their medical care etc. Do leave your number if he agrees to take them on though, just in case.

I would go and speak to him. He may wish to keep them as company. If something happens to him there are companies that rehouse cats.

Stop worrying about it and go and find out where things stand.

I would go and speak to him. My guess is that he will have become attached to them. Could you offer to keep in contact so that you could take them back if needed?

You may find the cats are completely different in a new environment. We have two cats, one who was a wanderer with multiple "other homes", so much so, that we couldn't find him on moving day, so had to leave without him, and left our number for various neighbours so we could return to get him. After a week, we still didn't have him, so I drove an hour back to our old street, and eventually spotted him chilling out on the windowsill in the lounge of one of his favourite houses. I told them I was there to get my cat... Lots of tears from the fake owners, and begging me to leave him, but he was my cat, and I wasn't willing to just leave him, especially as I knew the new owners of our house had big dogs, and I thought he may wander "home" one day and something could happen. Plus he was OUR cat. As soon as we got to our new place, he became so much more of a house cat. I kept him in for a few weeks, and then when he eventually wandered out, he never went for long, and 3 years later, he is still really content and happy here, as are all of us. He's literally famous in our new street for his sneaky antics, and everyone adores him. We also have a busy household, and I felt like maybe he just preferred a more sedentary home with older people, and was a little torn at the time, over what was for the best, but he's really settled here, and seems perfectly happy... Still likes having multiple homes/meals, and is literally famous for being a cheeky sod who most of the new neighbours have found in their houses at some point, but always comes back to us everyday and night! I'm so glad we didn't leave him with the old neighbours.

I would leave them with him if you are both happy with that. Is there another younger neighbour that could take on the job of calling you if anything were to happen to the man so you could take them?

I would do as you are thinking , have a chat with him and see if he wants to take them on but make it clear that means he pays for vet care etc from now. Then the only decision is what to do if / when he goes into care or dies - would you realistically want them back after several years assuming you may get new cats for yourself .

It would be very difficult to take them back now as the dog we had with them when they were all younger is now elderly, he has a bit of dementia and now HATES all cats. He goes balistic if he sees one. So I have no idea how they could co-habit.

I'll go round tomorrow for a chat.