Best way to give away an older cat ?

Gothicfairy

I am hoping that someone on here will be able to help me find the best answer.

Let me give you a little background info as that I am sure will help.

My husband and I have 2 jack Russell's and 3 cats, all get on really well and have been around each other since birth.
We were repossessed yesterday from a house with a garden to a caravan (another story but it is all about the money ) 2 of our cats have always been indoor cats, their choice as they just don't want to go out.
Our older boy though has always been an outside cat.

We have spoken to the owner of the site (same problem at them all so it is not just a case of moving) and he really doesn't want cats around as they dig and poo etc which is fair enough his choice.
Anyway last night (first night) our older lad got out, we still don't know how as it was about 2am so he must have worked out how to open the window ( hardly hard to be fair)
He did come back about 4am but has gone this morning when I went to get water..If he is caught there will be trouble and as I am around farming land there is always the chance he will get himself shot as he does chase birds, dogs, cats , rabbits..etc

There is no way around this that I can see. We can't have all the windows closed full time as it is like cooking alive in a tin can. I do walk him on lead but he has always like going alone
The only thing I can think of is to give him away to someone who has a garden and can cope better then me but I have never done this before so don't really know how to go about it.

He has certain things he likes and would want the new owner to know all that and understand him and his personality so would want to meet the new owner and talk to them etc..

I can't afford an ad in my local paper as that is about £23 for one night and the RSPCA is not really something I want to do as he might end up being put to sleep rather then re homed and to be honest they are all full anyway and I don't think I could afford to pay them to take him anyway.

I am a bit stuck as I hoped he would cope as we are only here for about 6 months and then he can do what he likes as we will have a garden again etc but if he keeps getting out then there is no way this will work.

We have to leave the caravan sometimes and just getting in and out if hard enough without worrying about what might happen if he goes again.

Sorry this is so long but I am not sure what to do and could really do with some advice.

Thank you
GF

ali-t

Can you crate the cat at night and when you go out? If the crate is big enough it will be no different than the other cats curled up on a chair. Giving the cat away when you think you are only going to be there for 6 months seems a bit extreme.

Gothicfairy

The caravan is hardly large enough to swing them let alone crate them..lol


I do think giving him away is a bit much but if he is not happy 6 months is a long time and he is not to know it will all end etc..

He hasn't come back yet and I have no idea where to look for him which is also the problem. At home I knew where he was and could always locate him as his had his "patch" but here is miles and miles of farm land and he could be anywhere. There is no cat flat or anyway he can get back in if we are not here but with the dogs we have to go out and walk them etc.

Not sure anyone could manage 6 months of this and we really really can't afford to get kicked off the site

Hovel_lady

Do you have anyone who could "foster" him for 6 months?
I have reservations about Gumtree but an advert on there might work and it's free. I have seen adverts for people looking for a fosterer for a cat/dog while they are out of the country or whatever.
Just a thought x

Marisco

Is there anyone that could take him, until you get sorted? It must be heartbreaking for you, especially as it's such a short time. I don't know if there are such things as "foster carers" for cats, maybe a bit of research in your area might turn up something?

h007

Can you get some cheap window nets? the kind that keep flies out?

or if you look on petforums cat section there is an area on there for adoptions - someone there may be able to help

rising_from_the_ashes

I'm so sorry to hear about your housing situation - I know several people who've been through similar and it's awful, fingers crossed the 6 months passes quickly.

(I know how hard it is to try to find rented accommodation with pets so really feel for you).

One of my friends was made homeless when she had 7 cats and 3 dogs - a total nightmare and the housing people were terrible and just said put them into boarding (as if you could afford that if you've been made homeless!). Luckily between friends we were able to take them until they found somewhere new.

There are a couple of charities that offer temp fostering for people who can't have their animals for one reason or another. I unfortunately can't remember the names of them (I think dogs trust do it for dogs but may be wrong) and did a quick search and came up with this:

http://www.animalresources.co.uk/petfoster.html

Might be worth a try.
Good luck

Mupette

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_flaps_nets/cat_nets

just in case you can do this... netting for cats....

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_flaps_nets/window_protection

hethmar

Im so sorry about your situation - it must be horrendous for you. Whilst I appreciate everyone trying to help you hold on to the cat - to be honest I think you have your plate full of problems just now without the extra worry that the cat may cause.

Have you tried the cats protection league or Celia Hammond? Do you not have a freeads paper in your area?

rita-rabbit

LOOT do free ads. It would be nice if a friend or ex-neighbour or relative could look after him instead for a while though. Good luck & take care

Gothicfairy

Sorry for the slow reply.It has been crazy busy.

He did come back yesterday but kept me up all night (bar 2 hours) throwing himself at the window's , door, other cat's and me .

We do have mesh on the door and window's now but that does not stop the problems when we come or go..

I am afraid we have no family (non left they have all kicked the bucket) or ex neighbours or friends that could take him as they are all scared of him. He does have a Grebo thing going from Terry Pratchett's books.

There is no free local paper but I could try loot.

I did try the cat's protection people but they are so full right now they really can't take him and they are aware that I am not going to put him down so I guess they have to take the ones that might be killed etc..

I might try Gumtree but like you Hovel lady I have problems with it but I guess I could make it difficult for the new owners (like demanding to see their house etc ) and if they say no then they don't get him.

I will try the foster thing though as that might be a winner


Thank you all for your help and advice and very kind words.