Cats moving to Australia- what would you do?

Person_one

I gave my advice in my first post. It was 'don't go', and until the OP comes back and explains why that isn't a possibility (vaguely, if need be) that will remain my advice.

Dimey

Iain_L wrote: »

Dimey,

I don't know, and if I'm wrong I apologise, but I suspect you don't realise how slowly animal rehomings are going at the moment.

It is difficult enough to rehome a totally healthy 13 year old cat, let alone one who has a slight medical condition (and lets be honest, many people would be put off by hearing "heart murmur", without listening to a vet about the grade of murmur and therefore its impact). That is why so many of us are saying she must start trying now. Sadly, it may prove more difficult than you seem to think.

Iain

Thanks Iain L. No I really didn't realise re-homing would be so much of a problem. Wouldn't you think a year would be plenty of time. What a sad state of affairs.

I haven't read later posts yet but hopefully OP has told us her area by now and we can help find someone for her.

duchy

Person_one wrote: »

I gave my advice in my first post. It was 'don't go', and until the OP comes back and explains why that isn't a possibility (vaguely, if need be) that will remain my advice.

It really doesn't matter WHY the OP can't follow your advice ....she has said not moving isn't an option - so you're just been nosey instead of helpful

Person_one

duchy wrote: »

It really doesn't matter WHY the OP can't follow your advice ....she has said not moving isn't an option - so you're just been nosey instead of helpful

Not at all, but I'm afraid that's still my advice and opinion given my limited knowledge of the situation.

You don't have to like it, but you can't tell me to change it to something you'd prefer!

MillieMoodle

duchy wrote: »

Although the PTS option is incredibly emotive I personally if it was a choice between a cat suffering with pain or neglect and that....I'd chose the kinder to the cat option....however the OP has a year - and there WILL be someone out there to give her cats their final family to live out the rest of their lives.

Instead of putting the boot in why not help the OP with ideas for how to find that special someone who will give her old boys (or girls) the love and care she feels she can't give anymore.

Life isn't ideal and we have no idea how much of a choice the OP has in moving - but the decision has been made to move so can we deal with the reality and give up with the not terribly useful "Well I wouldn't do THAT" and try and HELP....please ?

I think that most are saying

1. Don't go to Oz (granted we don't know the situation but as I know from experience, sometimes the have to's are sometimes want to's that turned into have to's). So if it is life or death, go to Oz and consider next options for cat. If it is about wanting to change your lifestyle, have an adventure or find that new fab job, then it is very unfair to a cat to say I value my fun and enjoyment over your life - so death it is and I'll pick up my next pet over there. It isn't my business which story it is of OPs but things often fall into those two camps.

2. Take cats to Oz. It happens, in fact it happens often. People travel to pet shows all across the world, people move to other countries and across countries (I did and with 4+ cats in tow).

3. Find home for cats - go to your workplace, your family's workplace, friends, their workplaces, look into freecycle (it is a community to share things you are giving away but of course some groups have rules about these things and you need to be careful about the people who want the pet, so put some stipulation on it or something), find someone who is retired and would love a companion who isn't a jumpy kitten ready to take apart their curtains! I am not saying it won't be difficult to find someone but with a year's time, I'd do everything in my power to find someone if there was absolutely no way for me to take them and if I had a life or death situation which brought me to this place.

Sorry but I just don't think a person's move is justification for a beloved pet's death. We are not the master of all life in the world and move them like chess pieces. We are their carers, not their rulers.

nicter

You could try posting on catchat or checking through the rescues page to see if any can help you op. There is a lot of helpful people on there. I don't envy you your dilemma. Good luck

Dimey

OP - why don't you research the re-homing route.
I think speaking to your neighbours and local vet is best.......but here are 35 cat re-homing places you can contact in or near South Devon - http://www.catchat.org/adoption/devon.html

Would you like me to make a few exploratory calls for you?
I'm not being pushy but I'd like to help you avoid your pts option.

stir_crazy

catkins wrote: »

I had to move into rented property when I cam back from abroad. I am now in the 3rd property since coming back. It has not been easy finding a place that would let me have pets but I have managed to. There is no way I would not have my pets with me. I would rather live in a caravan than give them up.

I know a few people who rent with pets - it's not always that difficult

It was an example of what might happen in an unavoidable situation, whereby if I lost my job and home then I would have to move into the first available accommodation offered. Like I said in the rest of that post, I would do everything in my power to keep my cats and provide for them, but part of being a responsible owner is recognizing that if I could no longer look after them properly then the kinder thing would be to give them a better home.

elsien

None of us know what life is going to throw at us, and the OP is trying to do the right thing by her cats given circumstances that she may not have much choice over, or other obligations that have to come first. Obviously putting to sleep is a last resort.
But the people who are saying "you wouldn't leave a child behind" are being ridiculous.
I had this debate last year before mutt died. I loved her to bits but the bottom line was she was an elderly antisocial incontinent unpopular breed of dog who cost a fortune. If I'd lost my job and my home and just couldn't afford her and her meds, no-one else was ever going to take her on. And she'd have had little or no quality of life in kennels. And in those circumstances putting to sleep might have been the kindest thing to do.
Sometimes there isn't always a best option, just a least bad one. The OP is just trying to do the best for her animals in her own specific circumstances.

Troutwrestler

You could post on petforums.co.uk.. They have a cat section and I'm sure they would be able to advise on places to look for a new home