NEW homes - or temporary foster homes --- URGENT please ...

[IngridUK]

I have posted this further down this thread - but need to update so making a new post entirely for this purpose

I lived happily in a cottage in West London for the past 16 years - for the last 13 years with my 4 cats - a mother (whose mother I also had), her daughter and 2 sons.

Sadly, due to the death of the "original tenant" - I could not stay - which came as a total shock and I was not prepared. I now live in a studio on the first floor - in a place completely unsuitable for cats.

I am getting a small place with a garden in the next 2-3 months.

I have provided for the cats as well as I could ... they live in the small gated communal garden where they were born. I have bought cat winter houses with cat flaps - lots of thick blankets inside, they get fed twice a day ... But they are clearly distressed and probably cold as the nights are getting colder and colder.

They are older cats - the mother cat is 14 and looks dishevelled now ... she looks like an abandoned cat -- the other cats are 13 .. her "children".

I am desperately trying to find a kind person, a cat charity - something - anything - who would take them in - if necessary 2 and 2 ... almost anywhere in the UK ... for a few months until I have a new home I can take them to.

I am so worried about them ... they are lovely beautiful cats ... loving, calm, well behaved. they need a warm place ... a home for now - where they can be safe and stay healthy until I can take them to their new home.

I hope to hear from someone.

UPDATE

I was very kindly offered a pen in a rescue via this forum .. unfortunately I lost the number of the lady who phoned, as my phone completely lost all data. And I went down with the flu at the same time more or less.

However, the cost was prohibitive - almost £400 a month - which was probably cheap and generous for 4 cats. My expenses have doubled since I lost the cottage, and I simply do not have that kind of money at my disposal.

Obviously I would pay something towards their keep - donate to a charity on a monthly basis - £100 or so plus cat food, cat litter and whatever else they need -- but for now, I have no solutions.

Is there a cat rescue that has a NO euthanasia policy??

I am admittedly now considering euthanasia as an option ... because they are distressed, they are cold, bonfire night was dreadful and they disappeared completely for almost 2 days as fireworks went off everywhere ... it was pouring with rain and winter is soon setting in. And it will be until mid or end January before I have my new place - I had hoped it would be before Christmas, but not going to happen.

thanks

[Hera]

Hi I'm so sorry to hear of your dilemma. I don't know whether I can help but I have stables and lots of cats wondering about. I also have a couple of cat pens which I shut my domestic cats in at night (the other cats are feral) the pens are large about 15 foot long by about 5 foot wide plus a large shed about 6 by 6 with heating. I have housed four cats in one pen no problem and would be happy to look after yours. If you provide the food and a nominal amount to cover heat and cat litter I would be happy with that. I am in Sussex which isn't a million miles from London so if you are interested post a reply and I will get in touch. I'm happy to send photos and if you want references I can give you the name of the cat charity I rescue the ferals from.

[IngridUK]

This sounds so good !!!

Fantastic

And of course I would contribute with food, cat litter and whatever else is needed. That is a certainty.

I am so grateful .. I will write to you by email now if I can.

But I will give my number -- it seems I have just sent it to you successfully .. but if not, please message me again on here and I will repost it in public

Thank you so so much ...
Ingrid

[Crewella]

HI Ingrid, hopefully you have found a solution (which is wonderful news!) but just in case I'l answer your question. There are quite a few rescues with a 'no kill' policy, many of the smaller independant rescues won't put a cat down just because it might be hard to home due to its age or a treatable health issue - if it ever comes to that it's worth ringing round and asking. The rescue I volunteer for is like that, but of course that also means we don't move some cats on quickly so have a long waiting list for cats to come in.

I really hope it all works out for you. xx

[IngridUK]

Thanks very much indeed to the people here who answered my post and -- particularly to the woman who has offered a home for now for my cats ...

I am so grateful - I was meant to have driven to her with the cats today - but unfortunately (Sod's Law) ... I came down with a viral infection and high fever, so no driving for me ... and hope to go later in the week !!

But thanks again and I am so glad I can see the "beginning of the end" to this distressing time of not knowing what to do with the cats until I have my new place