Pete & Me

[bfls]

Hello. My name is Barbara and below is a picture of my cat, Pete, who ruled my life for the last 14 1/2 years. I just recently lost him to cancer. For the first time in 27 years I don't have any cats and I'm not liking it one little bit. I will, of course, get another cat (cats) but would like some advice from other cat people about the smart thing to do.

I currently live in a house on a quiet suburban street with no through traffic and I have a big garden with a fish pond full of fish (toys for the cat). I always let Pete come and go freely during the day but kept him in at nights. In 12 months time I will be moving to a house in the inner city, which will be on a busy road and have no garden so any cats I have there will be strictly indoor only.

I work full time so I was thinking of adopting two cats as their world will be quite small once I move to the inner city house. Having a companion will at least provide them with some variety in their day.

I see my options are the following.

1. Wait until I move to the inner city house to get more cats. That way they won't have to adapt to a new house and adapt to being indoor only (which I can see as being stressful for both of us). It also means I get to do things like go away for the weekend.
2. Foster cats while I'm still living in the suburban house and don't adopt until I move to the inner city place. This way I get my cat fix but without the dramas of moving with cats. This assumes I'm able to give back any of the cats I foster.
3. Adopt a particular cat now. A few months ago I came across a beautiful cat called Andre at a local shelter. He was very affectionate. However, he is FIV+ and has been stuck at the shelter for 6 months now because no-one wants him. He needs a home and I need a cat to cuddle. I'm just worried that moving house in 12 months time might be too stressful for him. Also, he'd be an only cat.

What do you think I should do? I want to adopt Andre but I suspect Option 2 is the smart move.

Opinions welcome.

Barbara

 

[mightyboosh]

I'm sorry for your loss of Pete, he was a sweetie.

This assumes I'm able to give back any of the cats I foster.

Option 2 sounds good on paper but the quote highlights the problem. I sense that you may struggle parting with them if you get attached so then you'd have the moving problem anyway.
That said, moving home for a cat can be stressful but it's a temporary thing and would be fine after a short while. A move wouldn't be a major factor for me, people are moving all the time with their cats and it works out.
Personally, I would go with your gut if you think Andre is 'the one.' It sounds as if you've bonded a little already. Also if no one wants him, you'd take away his uncertain future and give him a wonderful life.

 

[tabbytom]

Barbara, on behalf of The Catsite community, a warm

to you.

We are so sorry to hear about Pete . You may want to pay a tribute to him whenever you are ready and here’s where you can post it : Crossing the Bridge
He’s such a handsome boy.

So glad that you’ve joined this site and you are in the right place for all things cat and this site is loaded with tons of rich resources and you’ll find friendly and helpful cats around and many of our cats are very knowledgeable in cat related stuffs.

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See ya around

 

[rubysmama]

Hello and welcome to TCS. Condolences on the loss of Pete. He was a cutie pie. RIP sweet boy.

As for getting another cat(s), if this is the first time in 27 years you haven't had a cat, I can only imagine the emptiness you are feeling. In the past, how long did you wait to get another cat after one passed? That might be a guide to help know how to proceed now. And did you adopt a kitten or adult cat in the past?

I wouldn't be too concerned about moving with a new cat. Cats are pretty adaptable. And what if your move is delayed a few months? Then you're looking at more feline-less months.

If you need another cat or cats in your life, I would adopt now, but keep it/them inside only. That way it won't miss the outside when you move.

Good luck. Let know know what you decide.

 

[aliceneko]

Rest in peace Pete. He was very cute.
Welcome to TCS

 

[GemsGem]

Hi and welcome to the site
I'm so sorry for your loss of Pete
He was a very handsome boy

 

[neely]

Welcome to TCS! I am terribly sorry for the loss of Pete.

I'm glad you joined the forum and came here for advice. If it were me I would go with my gut. That's what I did with our present cat and it worked out perfect for me. You know yourself and your situation best so trust your instincts and please keep us posted. Best of luck!

 

[Masha1983]

Hello Barbara. Sorry for your loss.
I can only speak from my own experience, as my job and living conditions take me to different places all the time. I have moved from one house to another almost every single year for the past 13 years, and have been caring for cats of all sizes and shapes throughout this period. In my experience, moving is really not that big of a deal for them.
I think some of my cats who have more experience with moving already know the drill once I start packing, so they just play with boxes and enjoy themselves, and on the moving day, they disappear until the truck leaves. I then put them in their baskets and bring them to the new place, 30 minutes later they are already discovering their new home and very well know that this is where they live now.
For the first-timers, however, it is a little bit different and somewhat stressful. But even in the worst cases, the scared meows will not last more than 7-8 hours.
One last thing though; Moving from an apartment to a house with a yard is like stepping into heaven for them, but it's not true the other way around. So if I were in your place, I would definitely welcome a/two kittens into the house, but would mostly keep them indoors so once they move to the flat, not having a yard will not be too hard on them.

Best of luck!