Source
r/cats•
fiddlesticks1908

I might have to rehome my cats :'(

Discussion

I have two beautiful cats and I love them SO much. They have been there to cuddle and be loving when none of the people in my life have been. They've seen me through terrible depression and hard times. Unfortunately I'm finding that I have less time for them lately due to long work hours and other life factors that keep me from being home very often. My dog is able to travel with me when I go out of town, but my cats get stuck at home with feeders and extra litter boxes since they don't travel very easily. We've been making do with the time that I am available, but it's barely been enough and I feel like they aren't getting the attention and love they deserve, plus I'm sure they're bored out of their minds. Unfortunately I don't think I can "make do" anymore. I have things coming up that are going to force me to be with them even less often (maybe a couple days/week and even then it will only been when I'm going home to sleep between shifts). I'm going through a lot recently and while I was going to try to make accommodations for my loves, but that won't be feasible any more. I've been crying thinking about having to give them away, but I think that might be the best solution for them and for me.

Has anyone had to do this? What should I do? I feel lost right now and this is only one of the things weighing me down right now, so it feels like I'm up against a wall trying to push my way through. This is an incredibly painful decision that I've been weighing for months, but after exploring all of my other options, I'm finding that I'm lacking for alternatives that don't leave the cats alone for potentially days at a time every single week for the foreseeable future. This is going to border on neglect imo and as painful as it is for me, I want them to to have good lives.

Any input would be appreciated. I'm sorry if I sound like a horrible cat parent. I don't know what else to do.

Posted Dec 6, 2017, 11:54 PM UTC

34
Samirna•

Here's an idea: ask for a trustworthy friend or family member to go to your house a few times when you're not around to give them the attention they need.

3
fiddlesticks1908OP•

That is an option I'm still considering. Unfortunately I just don't think I can ask anyone to do it consistently enough or with enough time spent with them to make up for the amount of time I won't be there. Also, if I take this route, at what point have I passed responsibility for my pets onto someone else? If they miss even one scheduled feeding time, and I have to find a way to return home to fill in, it could potentially screw up a LOT of things that would be detrimental to my future. Keep in mind that this is a lifestyle that I might have to maintain for the next 5 to 10 years.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
LongDistRider•

Sounds to me like you are making a responsible animal lover decision without regard for your own needs/wants/desires.

You might want to chat with local no-kill shelters or area cat lover groups. Unfortunately, there are far more cats needing homes than there are homes for them to go too.

1
fiddlesticks1908OP•

I've considered this, but I think it would be better to leave them at home and find someone to swing by a couple times a week to make sure they have food and a clean litter box than to put them in a shelter. Even if they're not getting attention or the amount of stimulation they deserve, the shelter would be a cramped crowded space where they would be much less happy.

1