Cats moving to Australia- what would you do?

cgk1

I am always surprised at how few people have care plans in place for their pets with nominated care providers.

Why would you? On a continuum between "pets are my family" and "I feed cats anti-freeze" I would think that most people would bunch in the middle where if an animal needs treatment they just put it down as that is the most economic option.

lostinrates

cgk1 wrote: »

Why would you? On a continuum between "pets are my family" and "I feed cats anti-freeze" I would think that most people would bunch in the middle where if an animal needs treatment they just put it down as that is the most economic option.

Because often something can happen to us before our pets. Even if you don't consider pets family you can consider them a responsibility to provide for.

cgk1

lostinrates wrote: »

Because often something can happen to us before our pets. Even if you don't consider pets family you can consider them a responsibility to provide for.

That's even more straight forward - 1) people are poor at forward planning and don't expect to die (unless they are of ill health) and 2) They will be dead!

Person_one

lostinrates wrote: »

Because often something can happen to us before our pets. Even if you don't consider pets family you can consider them a responsibility to provide for.

Most people who are relatively young and in good health don't really think about dying suddenly, although of course it could happen to any of us.

Also, lots of people just assume/know that their families/friends would look after their pets if they did die/end up in hospital etc. That's their version of 'a care plan in place with a nominated provider'.

lostinrates

Person_one wrote: »

Most people who are relatively young and in good health don't really think about dying suddenly, although of course it could happen to any of us.

Also, lots of people just assume/know that their families/friends would look after their pets if they did die/end up in hospital etc. That's their version of 'a care plan in place with a nominated provider'.

Kind lax, huh? . As you say anything could happen leaving us in a situation worse than op, without 12 months to plan and discuss with those very people if they could take the pets or find people who could.

Person_one

lostinrates wrote: »

Kind lax, huh? . As you say anything could happen leaving us in a situation worse than op, without 12 months to plan and discuss with those very people if they could take the pets or find people who could.

It really wouldn't take 12 months for me and my parents/siblings to sort out the arrangements for adding each other's pets to our own collections.

Some people need a more detailed plan, others don't, it doesn't mean they aren't responsible owners.

Person_one

gingin wrote: »

We don't know why the OP is going. Lots of people are saying they would stay rather than leave the cats but if my child was living over there ( and I have a sibling, numerous friends and entire inlaws the other side of the pond, so living over there is something I think there is a reasonable chance I might do ) and they were ill and needed me, I would be over there like a shot, pets or no pets.

I'd be surprised it it were an 'emergency' as you're imagining. They aren't going for another 12 months!

catkins

Iain_L wrote: »

Maybe one of you that's vilifying the OP would step in and offer a home for her cats.

It's very easy to be judgemental without knowing all the facts. Let's stick with trying to help shall we.

As I said, I took on 2 older cats last year as their owner could not keep them and could not find anyone to take them on. I now have 4 cats and a young dog which is more than enough.

stir_crazy wrote: »

I don't think that it is right saying that you shouldn't get a pet if you can't guarantee it a home for life. Circumstances do change and sometimes it is better for the pet to be allowed to go to a more suitable home.

I have two young healthy cats and if the situation arose where I would be moving to another country there is no question that I would take them with me. BUT If OH and I lost our jobs tomorrow and had to move out of our house into cheaper rented accomodation to avoid becomming homeless - the likelihood is that I wouldn't be allowed to take my pets to that accomodation and would have to find them a new home

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

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

If you start asking round now, you'll definetly find someone/place to take them in. We got our Charlie and George from The Cats Protection League and the RSPCA. I haven't read the thread fully yet, but is there no friends who could take them in? Could you put a notice somewhere advertising 'free to a good home'?

But this is where I have to be brutely honest OP, you say you adore them and that they're part of your family....then how could you even think about putting them to sleep? It makes me so angry when people say that :mad: Any vet who would ptts wants struck off in my opinion. They could live out the rest of their days in a happy home somewhere.

I really don't think it is definite at all that the OP will find someone to take the cats on even if there is a year to look.

Anyway who could even think for 1 second of having a pet put to sleep obviously does NOT adore them

catkins

gingin wrote: »

It was the last option of 3, I take it to mean the last resort. It's obvious she wants what's best, she's explained she has to go to Oz and is trying to find what's fairest for her cats. Some people are jumping on one comment she has made and ignoring everything else that points to her being a good cat owner.

So because it was the last option of 3 it makes it ok does it? Having an animal pts just to suit the owner is never right and I can't believe a true animal lover would even think of it as an option.

I had to have my gorgeous dog put to sleep a year ago today. I had no choice as he had cancer and there was nothing to be done for him. It was awful. I could never do that to a pet if it was not necessary.

duchy

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 ?