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Difficult situation

7 replies

Tulips78 · 27/10/2023 14:17

I'm in a difficult situation with a cat that I adopted 5 years ago. Originally I housed him in a rental that allowed pets but then I had to move quickly due to being a victim of domestic violence daring the pandemic and had to move somewhere which didn't allow pets and hide him. I know now that I probably should have given him up at that point but I couldn't bear to part with him. I have hidden him for nearly 3 years but due to recent events I think my landlord is about to find out. If he asks me to leave the property because of my cat, does anyone have experiemce with getting a cat Foster placement for my cat until I can get myself into accommodation where he is allowed? I'm not sure how these things work and I'm sure there is massive demand for cat Foster parents. If you're planning on commenting slagging me off for being irresponsible or making bad decisions, please don't. I escaped a really dangerous situation and I only have my cat. No family or friends.

OP posts:
Cumberbiatch · 27/10/2023 14:22

I'm so sorry you're in this situation. I would have done exactly the same as you. I hope you're having time to heal after your difficult situation.
I'd try to get a direct contact with your LL and explain. They might not be sympathetic, but you never do know- Your cat has presumably been well behaved until now.
Good luck to you and your cat. You sound like a very caring and loving owner.

margotrose · 27/10/2023 15:39

I would absolutely do what you did.

Can the cat go anywhere temporarily while the landlord comes round?

JoanOgden · 27/10/2023 15:42

Do you have any friends who could foster him? If not, it might be worth asking a local cst rescue - they may have contacts who could help out.

Molly0 · 06/11/2023 10:02

Try the Cinnamon Trust?

Swissmrs · 06/11/2023 11:34

The Cinnamon Trust is a great charity but is for people over the age of 65.

Molly0 · 06/11/2023 11:41

ah I didn't know that. thanks

Swissmrs · 06/11/2023 11:48

I'm so sorry you find yourself in this position.

Why do you think your landlord is going to find out? Is it inevitable that he/she will?

Do you want to stay in your flat? If you do, please don't give up too easily. Would your landlord really evict you because you kept a cat? If so he/she could use Section 8 but evicting someone is a big deal so they may not want to unless they want to evict you anyway and the cat is an excuse.

If you think they want to evict you cat or no cat, you could hang on in there - with the cat -and wait until the absolute end of the eviction process, possession orders, bailifs and all that, unless of course you don't want, or aren't eligible, for council housing.

Or you could just brazen it out, or lie, and say it's a stray or you've just got it for a couple of weeks.

I'm always a bit mystified by the No Cats in rented properties stipulation. You're allowed to have teenage boys with drum kits with friends that smoke weed, and young professionals who bring their friends back and play duf-duf duf music but one little cat that usually does a brilliant job of deterring rats and mice and ensures that the owner stays rather than moving every 2 years - well...

But if you do have to move, I think you'll find a lot of foster places/shelters are very full at the moment. The best thing would be to see if a kind cat-loving friend or acquaintance would be happy to look after you cat.

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