Help! I’m trying to find a solution for housing cat during complicated house move

[Teasesall]

I’m hoping someone will come up with a brilliant solution that I haven’t thought of.

Due to circumstances beyond my control it is likely that I will not be able to move straight into a new home when I move out of my existing one. It could be a couple of days, weeks or even a month as it’s dependent upon some financial transactions.

if it was just me, I could cope with that but I have a very much loved furry friend to accommodate too!
He’s an ex-stray that came to us about 6 years ago when he was estimated to be around 1. He was not neutered and had been used to a fine unfettered life catching mice from the surrounding fields and breaking & entering into homes to steal the resident cat’s food 😁

He’s a lovely, friendly fella but although he’s got used to the high life of having his own personal slave and been neutered and mostly comes home every evening he’s used to the freedom of outside and hates being shut in, we also live in a semi-rural area surrounded by woodland and fields so he’s used to that too.

That’s my issue, what to do with him when I move. He can’t go to a cattery as he doesn’t have annual injections and most short term let’s wouldn’t allow pets so I’m a bit stumped … any ideas gratefully received?

Sounds like you're looking for an informal cat fosterer. I presume you'd guarantee to cover any necessary vet bills if your cat has a mishap or illness.

Can I just confirm, he HAS now been neutered? Does he know how to use a litter tray if necessary?

A friend did this for me when I was moving - took my cat into her own home - and I was extremely grateful.

Get him his injections then find a cattery with an outside area as you say he likes being outside.

I think asking friends or family to foster him is your only option, it might be worth getting him vaccinated now, as although he wouldn't be fully protected for a few weeks, it would mean that it opens up more options if a cattery is needed. He may well be miserable in a cattery, but he would at least be safe and cared for, which would be one less worry for you.

Get the injections. Otherwise it is going to be very very difficult. Unless friends or family ncan help.

@TheAutumnCrowYes, I would absolutely cover any costs & potential vets bills of housing him.
He was neutered as soon he officially came to live with me and keeping him in then was a nightmare. It had to be cancelled the first time because he tore off the catflap and escaped the night before.

He has regular flea, tick and worm treatments and an annual vet check up but never had vaccinations.

If you can give your vague area there might be someone on here. I would take one in if I didn’t have my own territorial boy. Have fostered cats many times in the past.

I didn’t actually realise that getting him fully vaccinated now was an option. I’ll give the vet a call tomorrow for a chat.
Fostering would be a solution but unfortunately the potential stumbling blocks are that most friends & family either have dogs, he’s ok with them but has been known to corner them & beat them up if they get too familiar with him - as I say he’s an ex-stray, or they live too far away.

I can’t stress how much he hates being shut in (see above about ripping the catflap off) for any length of time which is another consideration for a fostered. I have got him used to being in at night now to protect the wildlife and have a litter tray but he will not use it, he’ll just bother at doors & windows to be let out.

@Bluegreenbird South Buckinghamshire

Yes, please do get him vaccinated. Then find a cattery that has outdoor runs attached to the indoor bit. They will be used to having guests who don't like being cooped up.

He might not like it there, but it is the best available option for him. Also, chances are when you go to get him back, he will be so glad to see you he will accept and settle into his new permanent home with you more easily.

My mum used to foster cats. She had an outdoor fenced in catio for them to play in but they couldn't escape. So not total freedom but not confined indoors either. He might be fine for a few weeks somewhere like that where he's not stuck inside?

Get him vaccinated then book into a cattery. He might hate it but he will be fed, warm and safe and needs must. Lots have rooms with a cat flap to an outdoor space.

He really should be vaccinated regardless and you have to shut a cat for a while when you move anyway- there isn’t a magic solution that avoids either and if he is an escape artist potentially quite risky to house him with a friend who may accidentally leave a window or door open. The cattery would be the best bet, just choose one with a good outdoor run.

I took on a stray who hated being inside except when visiting. One day we locked her in overnight and the cat flap ended up broken in three several metres away down the drive😬 We ended up moving and she's now been an indoor cat for 8 months as she's not safe to be let outside here. She still wants to be outside but has kind of resigned herself to glaring at the wildlife instead (we are looking to move again partly because she's not safe).

Get the jabs and book him into the cattery. He'll be locked inside in your new place for 2-3 weeks anyway.

Why don’t you get him vaccinated and he can go to a cattery. That’s what my parents were planning when they bought a new build that hadn’t been built. In the end they all moved in with my saint of a sister. The cat surprisingly adapted fine to being an indoor boy.

Do you have a trusted neighbour in the area you're living now?

If so could your cat remain with them until you get into your new place? Your cat will be familiar with the area and can come and go as he pleases knowing he will be fed by your neighbour as normal. You could use the time until you move getting him used to this and perhaps even put a cat house in their garden with some of his blankets and food so it feels like home to him.

Have you asked your buyers if they would be prepared to feed him as an outside cat (with a warm bed in an outbuilding/shed/greenhouse) until you settled. We've done this before over a warm summer for a previous owners feral cats to save moving them twice