Harley - just something to consider - if you don't spay your cat and she isn't mated you may well find that she will start spraying around your apartment. By not spaying her and not mating her you will, in the longer term, be doing her more harm than good and also if she becomes frustrated her temperament may change and she may become destructive.

Having her spayed is not forcing her not to be a cat - it is showing you are taking responsibility (something you have obviously already done by taking her in) and that you have her best interests in mind health wise.

The other thing to consider is that having/raising a litter of kittens doesn't come cheap and whilst they are wonderful it is hard work and are you prepared for the heartache if you lose a kitten or two?

Spaying is perfectly safe nowadays and the cats recover very quickly and are much happier for it.

Hi Harley

I don't think that spaying a cat is stopping her acting like a cat. Many, many women have to have hysterectomies and it doesn't make them any less a person. If her libido suffers, ok, she won't mind. She will prefer to spend all that time wasted on calling and rolling around, sitting on your lap for a cuddle.

As for the logistics of the matter - is there anyone else you know that could come and go with the big box (or whatever) that doesn't live there and then it would be theirs and not yours. You may be shifting some stuff backwards and forwards. Help me out someone here - I have to go out now but rest assured I shall be thinking about a way this could work!

'til later

Sue Purrshah-persians

Hi, once again thanks for all your advice. I thought I'd give you all an update...

Unfortunately I was caught with my cat a few days ago and was forced to find her a new home. Luckily, my sister offered to take her in to her large home with 2 cats there already. I just got back from there, she lives about a half-hour drive away from me so I don't see her that often, which means I'm not going to be able to see my cat that often I feel kind of worried that she won't settle in because the other cats weren't happy with her being there, and she spent most of the time hiding in the corner or under the stairs.

I've told my sister not to let her out of the house for at least a month, as she's never been outside before and I wouldn't want her to run away, not knowing where her home is. It's now down to my sister to have her spayed, but she says she's just gonna let her out after a month and if she gets pregnant, she'll know how to deal with it because her other cat has had 3 litter before.

I've also told her to get all her injections done etc. which she has agreed to do. I'm going to take her back once I move on to my 1 bedroom flat, along with one of her kittens if she ends up having any. I will then have her spayed first thing if my sister doesn't do so by then. I feel like crap now because the place feels empty without her, walking into my flat without hearing her meowing at the other side of the door really brought it home for me, but I'm sure I'll feel fine in a few days.

Thanks again people, I'm sure I'll be posting here again soon

Hi again im sure shell settle in time,at least shea with family and you can eventually get her back

So pleased it's working out for your kitty Harley. Don't worry about her being nervous, all cats take time to adjust to new surroundings and especially other resident cats. It's normal for her to hide; she will settle quite quickly with a little help from your sister. Half an hour away you say? Well it could be worse. Of course you will miss her but you have plans for her future and that's looking pretty good now. Best of luck.

Sue - Purrshah-persians