advice please

fawd1

Hi, my family and I are moving to Spain in August to start a business. We have enough money to keep us going for a year, my husband has been granted a 1 year sabbatical (in case we need to come back) and we have free accommodation during that time which is great. Our children are at a good age to go (5 and 6) and I've always wanted to go back home as that is where I'm from, so it seems as though everything has fallen into place perfectly. Except one thing. We adopted my parents' cat when they moved home as their new place wouldn't accept pets. In all honesty we didn't expect him to live long as he was 15 at the time. It is now 5 years later (so the cat is 20 odd) and he's still with us. My husband works in the airline industry and from what he's told me the cat wouldn't survive the trip (even if he did, we couldn't keep the house locked up for a few weeks to acclimatise the cat as it will be 30 odd degrees out there. The humans will need fresh air). I've asked around all of my friends, and various shelters, but no one will take a cat that old. Do you have any suggestions? I really don't want to have to put him to sleep as despite his age, he's very healthy. Are there any organisations that take really old cats? And if not, do you know the rough cost of euthanization?

Apoorwoman

This is a difficult one for you, but please don't just have him put down if he is happy and healthy.

Somewhere are the back of my mind I read an article where a house has been set us purely for old, retired cats. Problem is I can't remember where.

Hopefully, someone will come along soon who will know. Try googling it. Best of luck.

tutkusmom

Where do you live? Maybe someone who is local to you might want to adopt your cat.

Savvy_Sue

Cinnamon Trust? The approach might need to come through your parents, but I'd have said they'd be worth a look.

fawd1

thanks guys, I'll look into them.

FreeBear

Cat retirement home: http://www.lincolnshiretrustforcats.co.uk/retirement.html

Cat Protection also have a retirement home in Wales for a limited number of residents, and I'm sure you can find other places around the country.

catkins

It's a shame you are not driving as you could easily take the cat with you. I moved to France with 5 cats and used Eurotunnel.


Are you not taking a vehicle or any furniture, belongings etc?

fawd1

we aren't having anything shipped out yet as we our place there is already fully furnished. My father in law will be coming out around March next year with the few pictures etc we want but obviously can't leave the cat that long. Also like I say I don't think he'd cope with such a massive change. Have just looked up that lincolnshire trust retirement home and it costs £850!!!!!!:eek:

paddypaws101

I know you say your inlaws new home wont take pets.....but could they sneak in this old boy so he can at least live out his last few months in peace?
Failing that I would try friends again with the offer to cover all ongoing and medical expenses.

TBagpuss

Have you spoken to your vet? they may be able to suggest ways to make the journey more managable for your cat.

Could you look at the possibility of either your r your husband travelling out by train or car ferry so the cat doesn't have to fly? (You might find it had other advantages as even if the property you are going to is fully furnished, surely there will be a fair amount of clothes and personal items you'll want to take with you.

You could also look at the possibility of specialist couriers to take him by road if you don't feel flying would be appropriate - http://www.animalcouriers.com/overland.html and http://www.petmove.net/en/ come up with a quick google search.

Pleae don't have your cat put to sleep simply becuase she has become inconvenient for you.

incidentally, you should not need to keep the house shut up for weeks once you arrive - at most you will need one room where you can keep the cat shut in while she gets used to her new surroundings, and if she is 20 then she is also much less likely to roam than a younger cat might be.

Start now by putting old towels / blankets in the places she normally sleeps, then when you move, take those ad put them in the new house - that way, she will have 3 or 4 stops which will feel and smell like home to her, when she arrives. Feliway plug ins can also help reduce stress in a new place.

If the cost of transport is a worry, could you ask your in laws to help as she was originally their cat?

WeAreGhosts

fawd1 wrote: »

And if not, do you know the rough cost of euthanization?

well that brought a tear to my eye.

which county do you live in?