I have recently seperated from my boyfriend of 3 years. We were living together in a house in a rural setting. We had a black lab and 2 cats between us. I am a recent graduate and i am unemployed, but have a small website business making and selling jewellery.

When we split up before Christmas i went to my parents and then moved in with my sister. My ex is living back with his parents. Neither of us can be in that house. Flynn the dog is with my ex but his parents do all the looking after. The 2 cats are in the house and get fed twice a day, but are not getting the attention they deserve.

I have a flat in the city planned to move in to on Feb 10th. Its a huge flat with 2 other girls that i have just met. I am allowed to take the cats. Iv met one of the girls and she is fine with the cats, though only as there is a clause in the lease saying i am responsible for any damage they do, which is fair enough. I havnt even met the other girl yet, so this may all go wrong before i even need to make a proper decision! However the other girl that is fine with the cats say that she sees no reason for her friend to not want them there.

The cats will be fine in the flat. They are house cats anyway and the flat is twice the size of the house they are in now.

So, my problem is this. Should i take the cats into the flat? The actual cats would be fine. Its the other flat mates that im not sure of. Is it fair on them? Cats are hairy. They can be smelly and i think il should put the litter tray in my room as i dont want them to have to deal with it. What if i go away? I cant expect them to look after them. I dont intend to go anywhere as i need to find a job asap! I can afford to look after the cats. My ex will pay towards food and things for them until i am employed.

I just dont know whats best for the cats. My life is so uncertain at the moment. My ex and i split up for reasons to do with him and his depression, so i am having to deal with that too. The cats will be a god send in a hectic world but i dont want to keep them just for selfish reasons.

My parents think its a bad idea to keep them. Other people say its a bad idea, others say do what you feel is right. But i just dont know. I feel that i am left to sort htis all out as my ex can hardly look after himself right now.

Welcome to the forum. Circumstances change and I am sorry about that but despite the cats being hairy and smelly, you have found somewhere that will take them with you. So take them. There are so many cats in rescue centres that two more that might still be able to have a home, should have one. Is it selfish, possibly but if you love them and can give them love go for it. Cats are lives and can't be cast aside. They are are commitment and although we never know how our life may change, I don't believe you should ever get an animal if you can't make that life long commitment. You made it when you bought them and although it maybe no fault of your own, to me, you have to hnour that commitment.

Try advertising them and find a home if you can but don't put them in a rescue centre. Find them a good home if it is the only option.

Sorry probably not what you wnated to hear but what I believe.

The description of the cats being hairy and smelly didnt come from me! That came from my parents. I had a horse and a big lab and have had animals all my life so i know perfectly well the life long commitment it is to have an animal. Do you think i want to get rid of my animals!? They are my life. My heart breaks every time i think of my dog with another person. I feel i have been cheated upon.

I dont care about the hair etc. Im just trying to see it from all angles here, including my soon to be flat mates. Living alone is not an option. A flat share is my only option.

While i understand what you mean, have you ever been in the situation where you had to choose between your animals? Where you have been on such dire straights that you have to consider giving them away? I bet you havn't. I used to turn my nose up at people that even considered it. But now i have every sympathy for them. It is a horrible, horrible situation to be in. Heart wrenching. I dont wish it upon anyone.

I agree with you funkycub, sorry but he is making a valid point here!

I have actually. I was 24 married, had a children and heavily depressed as I finally realised I was gay, was kicked out of my martital home - which was obviously what had to happen. Disownerdby my family. Had lost my job through depression and had no where to live and two cats and I kept them (shame they got run after later) so yes thanks I have....

I am not saying it is an easy situation but you asked for ADVICE. Sorry that advice wasn't the advice you wanted but did I actually say anything thatw as that bad..... If you knew the answer why did you ask..??

I said try and advertise and find them a home, don't put them in a rescue centre with all the other cats that have similar stories and are homeless through no fault of their own.

They are animals but they are lives! And that life is about to be uprooted. you understand why yours has been, they won't

I do understand that there are times in life when unforseen circumstances may/ can lead any one of us to have to rehome a pet....but Funkycub did suggest that if that is the case in your situation then please consider advertising them to find them a home rather than a rescue centre. They will stand a better chance of having a forever home. Why not advertise on this site?

I wasnt asking where to rehome them, Just whether or not thats what i should do.

and that's what I answered???? Yes it may not be ideal for your flatmates but they have agreed. They may fall in love with your cats and be more attached than you! Why not just give it a go. In the meantime ask around if anyone wants them..

In that case, i would suggest you take them with you and see how it goes.