We have 2 cats and my long term partner and I have recently split up. June 12 to be exact.
We have parted reasonably amicably, with her walking out on me and making herself homeless and living who knows where.
She has started emailing me saying that she is going to take the cats away from me and their home. They are indoor only
cats.
I admit that on the veterinarian registration paperwork and pet insurance, it is her name that appears as the main caregiver. But as she walked out on us with no prior notification and has no fixed abode, it is me that has been looking after them.
Being that the cats are settled in this residence of nearly 3 years, does she have any right to take them away or rehome them with friends or family?

Hi, sorry to hear you have had such a bad time recently. When i split up with an ex partner i "gave" him our cat. Although everything was in my name he was able to call the vets, the insurance company and the RSPCA she was a rescue cat and let them know we had split and he needed to change it all into his name. He didnt have to explain the circumstances other than the split and me leaving home. Perhaps it will be the same for yourself? Especially with your ex partners added issue of no fixed abode

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RIP : Tabby, Bonnie & Herbert.

Proud furless mummy of Luna and Maggie - GO MOGGY MONSTERS!

How is she going to take care of these cats if she has no fixed abode? I don't know if it can be done, but could you get a restraining order issued against her so if she enters your property to steal the cats, you can get her arrested. Sounds harsh, but for the wellbeing of my cats, this is what I would do. If your cats are indoor cats, this should be simpler: just change the locks so that she cannot enter your house when you are away. Do not answer the door or let her into the house if she comes by.

How does she communicate with you. By phone? If so, either stop answering her calls, stop reacting to text messages and block her from sending emails to your email address or change your email address. Sometimes half the pleasure these people get is from getting a rise out of you, using threats. If you do not react, the pleasure is gone.

It doesn't seem as if it is going to be as easy as that with her. She has even gone to the extreme of threatening me with getting the law involved.

She intentionally made herself homeless, so I have no sympathy for her in that respect. It wasn't as if there was any physical or mental abuse, violence or the flat wasn't fit for occupancy. She just upped and walked out with no forewarning... Wait, this is a pet forum...

change everything into ur name now so that she has no claim on them then when she does get the law involved - they are all in ur name. and defo change the locks to stop her getting in.

sounds like u and ur cats are better off without her

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I now have a gorgeous baby daughter Kelsy Lauren born 1st July 2010 wieghing 6lbs 12+1/2oz and I am such a happy mummy

R.I.P our crazy bunny Torro, He is sadly missed by all especially out 9 month old daughter, he used to run in under her feet in her walker and she giggled like mad!!!

Our Kai Pie Sadly now re-homed due to personal circumstances but he is now a much happier dog and I am happier knowing that he is happier

Well doesn't she sound charming -sarcasm-

As far as I know, animals are considered 'property' in law, so I don't know if there is anything you could do to stop her taking them IF she had a house/ flat to live in. As it is, there might be something the RSPCA could do as living on the streets with her would not be great for their welfare.

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Cara,
Owned by Fern, Heidi, Asteroid, Bubbles & Fizz
Missing Snippet, Frost, Willow & Nix


Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, and some stink.

This is a bit of an extreme.

As I stated, it was a reasonably amicable split. She surrendered her only key to the flat. I don't need to change the lock and being that it is a rented property, I have no authorisation or right to do so.
I have told her that her possessions, clothes, etc... are okay to remain here as long as need be. They will be kept safe and secure for her.
I am not an insensitive b******.
Communication is by email, text messages, phone calls. Again, we have remained friends and on good terms up to this point.
The cat issue was 2 days ago and I haven't heard anything from her in regard to it since.
I let her know that she was borderlining on harassment and making threats (that I have record of) and it wouldn't look good on her if I were to notify the authorities of this. The emails stopped after this.

Have you taken legal advice? Even just talking to the police? Has she lost the plot a little bit? xxxx

Edited to say its such a shame if things have been amicable, but I honestly dont know what else you can do

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RIP : Tabby, Bonnie & Herbert.

Proud furless mummy of Luna and Maggie - GO MOGGY MONSTERS!

Not sure if its the same in England but in Scotland you are not entitled to change the locks on the marital home as the other partner has the right to enter the home at anytime. If you change the locks you can be charged. I would try and appeal to her better nature on the basis she is of no fixed abode.

AFAIK, she is possibly staying in a house with a "friend". Whether or not this is a suitable environment for them to be in, IDK. I do know that there is a mid sized dog in the property.