Currently, we live in Gilbert, AZ. For 9 years, we have been trying to move back to the midwest (MN) and have been job searching. Recently, my hubby applied for a MN job! The problem is that when we move (if he gets the job), we will have to stay with family until we sell our house in AZ because we have no spare $$. The family who have agreed to take us in are anti-pet (think they are dirty and disgusting and destroy stuff) and won't let us bring our two indoor cats while we are there. He hasn't been offered the job yet, but I am stressing because they are our pets who we adopted from a shelter, so I don't want to bring them back! We don't know anyone who would pet sit for us. We can't afford to put them up in a hotel for months. We can't afford an apartment until we sell our house. Anyone have any ideas?
All co-workers at the "old" job are allergic to cats, dog people, or have enough cats already.
They are healthy, nuetered and shots up to date. One is an extremely friendly people loving short hair orange tabby about 8 years old, the other is a 6 year old, shy and timid sweet,white cat with a black ear and puffy fur. Neither has ever even peed outside of the litter box. About once a month we find a hairball.
Pet Sitters that charge for more than food and medical aren't really an option for us financially.
The people we would stay with are pack rats and the garage is not an option. It is also unheated, which is probably a problem in MN with the cold winters.
I would ask the shelter if they have any MN contacts and what options they might suggest for short-term care of the cats.
Contact a cat rescue group in the area and see if they can foster your cats (with you paying for their food and medical care as needed) until you get your new place. If you decide not to take them with you then see if the local rescue group can place them in a new home. A lot of the groups will let you do a courtesy posting on petfinder.com to assist with placing them.
You didn't mention how old the cats are or if they have medical conditions requiring additional care. Some older cats do not react well to change and the stress of the situation would be horrid. In that case you may need to work with your vet to figure out what is best for the cat.
What about contacting a rescue organization in the area where you plan to live or work here in MN and see if they have ideas for a temporary foster home? With so many homeless pets you think they would want to do what they could to keep them in your home eventually. I know foster homes are in short supply, but it might be worth a try.
I know of a few nursing homes that have taken in animals for the people who live there. Animals are very thereputic for many, I would call around and ask if they take in animals for the residents.
If I lived in AZ & we were in our own home, I'd definitly help you out. I'm a cat lover, have a cat & would more than be happy to help if we could but unfortunately, we're in a tiny apt & one cat is too much. I do hafta add though that if the shelter you adopted from has a clause in your agreement that you can't leave the cats or donate them to another shelter then you may not be able to take them anywhere else but that shelter they came from if you're looking towards another shelter option...even if just temporary. Have you tried posting on Craigslist for a sitter or perhaps that new online service called www.care.com they supposedly have background checked persons to take care of your pet, child, elderly, etc. so maybe you can find someone there??? Or maybe petsitcenter.com?? Here's a link to that one: http://www.petsitcenter.com/directory.htm Hope this helps, good luck!
Do the relatives have a garage? Cats adapt pretty well to all-outdoor living, if provided a safe, warm, dry place to sleep and food/water/vaccinations.
Do you have an ASPCA where you live or close by?
They have lots of people who are willing to "foster" animals who no longer need shelter care and are just waiting for adoption.
You might find someone who can help you out that way.
Start checking all resources so you have a plan in place before the move happens.
Best wishes.
Any cat-loving coworkers who would be willing to take them in, at either the current job or the new job?
I don't blame you for stressing, pets are family. Is there anyone else you could live with? Is there a kennel you could put them in that isn't too expensive in the area? This is a hard situation for you I feel bad for you and your family. If you were moving to Michigan I would help you out for a while. Try not to stress until you find out if he gets the job for sure or not. Hugs
I'd not even ATTEMPT to sell your house until your husband has been working at his job 4 months... by that time, he could be home searching and you could go there every other weekend to check out a load of houses each visit.
Maybe try a different family member?
Having him move to that family's home alone for a few months would solve many of your issues about not being able to bring the cats.
