Hi Cat guys,

Sorry this is a bit of a long post.

I have a dilemma and wondered what anyone else though.

We have had Billy for about 10 years, we rehomed him from someone who had fallen on hard times and was moving into rented accomodation so couldn't keep him. He is about 14 years old now.

He was initially a farm tabby and has always had several "bases" wherever we have lived (he does a fantastic impersonation of a stray). He has always had an open cat flap and been able to come and go and we were always his main residence so never bothered about his other "homes" (including the local doctors surgery at our old house )

However, about 18 months ago my neighbour bought 2 male kittens and they slowly but surely drove him away.

It was a very gradual thing but he just came home less and less. He moved in with a couple round the corner and i still kept an eye on him daily (he sits in their front garden and i see him every morning) and he still came back to the house a few times a week, cold weather, fireworks etc so i still felt like he was our cat.

We then got the puppy in January and had hoped to integrate them but Billy just stopped coming home. He just wasn't home enough to establish a relationship with the dog.

Obviously it is not acceptable for him to have no "ownership" so the way i see it i have 3 options -

1) Offer him to the people permanently
2) Try keeping him in with the dog to see if they get along (i am not convinced this would work and think it would be really stressful for Billy as he really is an Outdoor cat.
3) Rehome him with a family member.

Any ideas, advice. I suppose i am just sad we need to let him go.

Awwww that is sad but you are doing it for his own good. Is he not coming home at all?. I think my choice would be offering the owners of the house to have him permanently. If you home him with a family member it will mean upheavel for him. But as he already goes to the other house it would just be part of his routine. Hope that helps.

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I think maybe A if they seem quite keen. However, that's me as an outsiders POV and not the current owner which is what you still are. Any possible new owners may be wary of vets bills, so whatever is decided I would speak to them and make it clear what involvement you want in his life, a stroke now and again, etc.

What is wrong with leaving as is? Other than possible decisions to be made over any vets trips?

Hi,

Oh that is so sad isn't it? I think I would be obliged to offer him to the other couple on the understanding he is their cat so that if any problems arose they would be responsible, sounds like he has moved in there anyway so you might as well make it official lol.

I think the fact that he has voted with his feet means he doesn't want to live with a puppy! Good luck and enjoy your puppy, at least you have him/her to enjoy. Some cats never settle with one family for the whole of their lives, Im sure he is fond of you but they are creatures that look out for themselves and its in his best interest to live with a puppy!

Izzie

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yes i think A as well and if they dont want him then C

As he is an older cat he doesnt need the added stress and am sure he just wants his last few years peacefully.

Its very sad though but am sure you will still see him. xxx

Why wasn't there a #4 Get rid of the dog?

Always seems to me that the case is, a dog moves in.... And the cat moves out or is re-homed.

Just my point of view, not flaming

Ian.

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"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot

I don't disagree it's a valid comment but actually it was the cats next door that really put him off, the dog was just the final straw i think.


In a normal situation i would have been able to gradually introduce them but because he isn't home often enough they just don't get the chance to settle with each other.


The two cats next door are beginning to encroach on his new territory apparently aswell so to be honest i think they are just going to keep driving him out if he comes back.

They guard the catflap and go for him when he comes and goes.

I think this too. Just need to make it more official. I am happy to continue his Insurance (which is expensive because of his age) so that i can be sure he gets good medical care if he needs it.

He has always been a bit of a "free spirit". He is an awesome cat they are lucky he has chosen them.

why can't cats just get on. it is such a shame. Can you not address this problem by shooing the other cats away?? If he keeps coming back then he wants to be there but can't get in if there are 'bouncers' on the door.

it is a hard situation but I would be tempted to resolve the problems and keep my cat. You have had him for ten years didn't you say? that is an awful long time.