Anixity Seperation

by Kleopatra
(Greece)

Long story short I have 12 cats and I'm living with my mother. In a year or so I'll have to go abroad to study and I'll possibly stay there for many years. My mother on the other hand she has a great job offer abroad so next year we will probably not be able to take care our cats ourselves. My mother's idea is to get them all to a spacious appartment above her sister's (BTW not a rented one) and we will give her a generous sum to take care of them for us. My aunt has a dog. a tortoise and about 8-10 cats herself so I thought that it was a really good solution. My biggest fear though is the anxiety seperation of the cats that are closer to me and need constant human touch... Even if I wanted to take them with me I have to wait about a year before this is possibe.

I'm out of my wits I feel like I betray my pets and at the same time I can't lose any oppurtunity when it comes to education needless to say that my mother can't stay behind otherwise I won't have enough funds for my schooling while she has the right to take a step further to her career.

Please give me some advise in order to make this less painful and nerve wrecking both for me and my cats.

RESPONSE:

Move the cats into their new place several weeks/months before you have to leave. Allow them time to get used to their new surroundings. Your aunt should take over all of their care at that time. Then you should come for visits only. Try to maintain a happy outlook while you are with the cats. If you are upset, the cats will pick up on it and this will increase their anxiety. It will be difficult but as long as they are receiving lots of love and attention from your aunt, they will adapt. Good luck to you and your mom.

Donna - House Full Cats Mom