Cats left behind

[carol16]

What do you do if you have to return to the UK
and have taken on cats and are unable to relocate them
No vet here will do anything
KAR are to full to take anymore
Its just a subject that is on my mind and I wondered
if anyone has a solution

[stellasstar1]

I know it's a big problem, because without wanting to, we take on stray animals that appear in a terrible state. I have 8 garden cats I feed, (that I didn't want) but have always maintained they are not mine. I only feed them in the morning, so they still have to fend for themselves the rest of the day, and not allowed in the house (although of course they do sneak in to nick my cats food). I don't own my house so could have to move at any time. We have lots of strays in my neighbourhood that get fed by various people so if I move, they will just have to join another group. Of course I will take my cat with me before anyone says anything ! Of course it's not an ideal solution, but the alternative is to ignore a starving animal. I'm sorry I couldn't come up with a solution, but I'm sure that there are lots of us in the same boat.

[Sheiloblige]

I am in this situation Carol, but luckily only have the one, if I could stay I'd have more. But I love her to bits and have even costed up taking her to UK with me, but I already have an elderly she cat there. So I put an appeal on Kibkom and a very kind lady phoned me to say she will take her when I leave as she has several dogs and about a dozen cats. When I rescued her I planned on stopping but life's dictated otherwise. But at least she's been neutered and had a loving home for several months (can't say the same for me)

[sophie]

Sheiloblige had the right idea. If you have a cat, then make sure it is speyed or neautered, has all the necessary jabs and pills and potions then people might be more inclined to take it on. You could always offer to leave a decent amount of money for its upkeep, provided of course you are sure the money will be spent on the cat. It might seem harsh, but if you think that you might be going back to the UK, it is unfair to take an animal on as a "forever pet" and then fly away and leave it.

[snd1966]

With a dog very unfair to feed and just disappear, with a cat no its not, they are more independent, I have 5 stays (strays) who are at my front door 5:30am week days as they know I will feed them but at weekends what cats, if I decide not to get up until 8. They are then back at 18:00 when I walk the dogs knowing they have to be fed so I am able to access the house. Even my house cats have at least a couple of homes, definitely they follow the code don't put all your eggs in one basket! Just make sure they are neutered to prevent the population growing and feel good you have helped them on their way. Visitors always say there's a cat what should I do, my attitude is feed it away from the house and you give it a chance to survive another day, call KAR offer a donation and they will come and neuter it.

[carol16]

So the answer is to leave the cats to fend for themselves
We should not look on cats here as we do in the UK
I am sure they could find enough to eat if left to fend
themselves
thanks for the comments

[sophie]

I agree that feral cats could probably fend for themselves, however, I know of some "cat people" who have either Persians, Siamese and other breeds who would totally disagree. I used to believe that any cat could fend for itself after a very short time and live off vermin etc., but my friends soon put me right and convinced me that some cats just could not survive and that feral cats would soon make "mincemeat" of them.

[stellasstar1]

Carol16, I don't think anyone meant that any type of cats can be left behind to fend for themselves, I certainly only meant the stray ferral cats that turn up in the garden and I feed, and not making them house pets. A cat that is used to being a family pet, living in the house, can certainly not be left to fend for itself.