Emigrating With a Cat

BlackEdelweiss

We are returning to Ireland having lived abroad for 6 years. We are bringing our dog with us as she has brought so much to our lives we could not think about leaving her behind. The cat on the other hand has not done so much. Gives out loads about not being fed enough and left me in A & E last month with a punctured vein in my hand. He is a nice cat all the same and we do like him, probably a lot more than he likes us. In the last month it is like he has heard we are leaving and he has started being nice to us, albeit while we are asleep. He will come down and make a nest in between our pillows when we are asleep. As soon as we wake up he leaps out of bed and is gone again, no more contact, just giving out about not being fed enough.
I got a quote to fly him home and it is not as bad as we had expected but still about $1500 all in. Thats about 1,000 Euro.
Question is, would the cat give a crap if we took him home or not? We could probably rehome him with one of our friends so he would be well looked after. If they fed him that would be his main requirement in life met and life would be pretty much the same as it is now. Or do cats get attached to their owners but are just really bad at showing it? If I though he would be sad if we left him I would take him but if he does not give a ****e then I would rather have the 1,000 euros when I come home.

brianwalshcork

If you have to ask, then you know the answer.

Rehome the cat.

BlackEdelweiss

I dont know the answer, thats why I asked the question.

baby and crumble

Honestly cats will be fine to be rehomed. Both our cats are rescues we got as adults and they're fine. They love it with us but they did have families before us.

Cats aren't great in carriers for long journeys, ours throw up and poop if they're in the car longer than 20 minutes so that's something else to think about if they'll be in their carrier for a long flight. At least dogs you can take out and walk around before and after the flight pretty fast, not so much with a cat.

Graces7

It depends on the cat and on its relationship with you.

I brought mine to Ireland with me as there is no way I could leave them. We are very attached to each other and never would I even think of what you are trying to decide. No cat. no move.
The 3 plane journey took two days with a hotel stay in Dublin and they were fine.

If you are less attached? Fine. My current 3rd cat was surrendered when his owner was moving as there were allergies. He is grand.

em_cat

From the sound of it, I would try & rehome the cat. When I was younger we lived in the states for a few years and by the time we returned to Europe we had amassed 3 strays, one that I was very attached to so she travelled with me through secondary school, through college and some way into my adulthood, she lived to a ripe old age of 15. She was well use to cars, boats and plane journeys.

The other 2 however, indoor only and terrified to go outdoors so they got rehomed with the girl that looked after them when we where away.

Hope that helps.