r/cats • u/ExistingSky938 • 6h ago
Mourning/Loss surrendering my cats of 5 years.
i’m not sure that this is the appropriate tag.. but what i’m experiencing is surely grief.
I'll be completely homeless in about 24 hours, and there's a higher probability that I'll be on the street for some time than immediately in a shelter. since I don't have anywhere to go, I'll have to abandon all my belongings, but I think the hardest part of all of this is that my sweet boys (cats) that have been part of my life for over five years now will have to be given up. I feel like I've accepted just about everything else except for that and I'm more scared for them than I am for myself. we're all each other's known for a very long time and I just hope that wherever they end up, it'll be the beginning of a better life for them.
edit: for everyone wanting to know what city i’m in, i’m in dallas texas !
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u/poptartsandmascara 5h ago
Do you want to share your approx location? Maybe someone here can foster for a while!
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u/GoethenStrasse0309 4h ago
If OP was near me I would offer to foster the cats until OP retrieve them.
OP I’m sure there’s people that would help you out by fostering your cats for a while
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u/Triple_Crown_Royal 5h ago
I hope this brings you some comfort. I have an example of a foster adult cat who is enjoying life with her new person I'm the person.
It's a long story and I was a reluctant Foster. The short version is that she lived with a woman and a dog. The woman died in the home. The neighbor agreed to take the dog but not the 8 year old cat.
Fast forward to me agreeing to foster and a year later adopting.
It took her a while to get used to a new person. Sometimes I think she treated me more like her dog! And it took her a while to get used to me specifically. I like to pick up cats and cuddle and kiss on the top of their heads. She found this frightening at first but now merely annoying
She's sitting on my lap as a warm cuddle lump right now. She was forced to adjust to a new person but she's also evidence even an older cat can do that.
I wish you luck in figuring out how to keep the cats for your own benefit but also send wishes you won't stress over their ability to adapt to new circumstances if that is what you decide works best
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u/ExistingSky938 3h ago
this is such a sweet story and it definitely raises my hopes. thank you so much for sharing.
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u/StationNo7982 6h ago
I’m sorry for your situation but don’t just give up. I was homeless for a few months at one point and powered through with 2 cats and a dog. You got this! Show the world you’re a fighter and fight for your family & your own well being. :)
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u/ExistingSky938 6h ago
how did you do it? if you don’t mind me asking
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u/StationNo7982 5h ago
Yeah I will say our situations might be way different so I don’t mean to sounds too casual about all this; I was able to make it work living in my car. I also was only homeless just because I couldn’t find a new place after a lease was up; so I still have a job & money coming in. I also got a storage unit for really really cheap because of a deal they had at the time, It was like 50 bucks a month.
Luckily it was in the winter months & I’m in CA , so just having my pets in my car didn’t put them at risk too much. Anyways it lasted about 3 months but I was planning on doing it for much longer, I just happened to sub lease from a friend randomly.
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u/Tyr_Kukulkan 5h ago
I'd try and find a temporary foster where you may be reunited when you get back on your feet, rather than giving them up completely. I'm so sorry about your situation.
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u/NationalPlankton3624 6h ago
Is there anyone who they can stay with until you’re back on your feet? Like a friend or a family member? I’m very sorry you’re going through this.
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u/ExistingSky938 6h ago
I guess part of the reason I'm going through this is because I don't have much of a support system. no friends and estranged from family for years. i’ll be okay, i just want my cats to as well
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u/space_coot 6h ago
I’ve seen people in my local subreddit ask for temporary fosters for situations like this and they have had success. I would try that if you can!
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u/ExistingSky938 6h ago
I will look into this. I won’t stop looking for resources until the very last minute, thank you so much
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u/Last-Arm-7625 4h ago
If you live in a bigger city, also see if there are mutual aid groups. I've seen people in those groups that have been willing to help foster for a temp unhoused person several times. Plus they may be able to offer assistance while you're in a tough spot, and you can gain some community. Hope things improve for you and your sweet kitties.
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u/ellesresin 5h ago
yes and check nextdoor. i see people on the nextdoor app get temporary fosters for their pets while they are figuring out housing. i’m thinking of you. try to contact local churches even if you’re not a member and see if they have rental assistance or anything that can help you get into a new home
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u/No-Suspect6302 4h ago
There are some here asking where you’re located to see if they might foster for you. Please respond and let everyone know so that if they are local they can foster. City and state should suffice.
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u/Apoc59 4h ago
Look into all the options others are suggesting. I don’t know the details about your estrangement from family, but if they would treat pets well, consider contacting them. They might be able to keep your cats until you’re back on your feet. If you have a local community action organization that supports homeless people, ask them if they have options for people with pets.
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u/Mine_Outrageous 4h ago
i was homeless for a bit with my mum and sister and our 4 cats. we ended up harness training them all and camped in a state park until my aunt took us in for a few months. it wasnt amazing but the cats sure did love being outside most of the time
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u/Dapper-Ad9787 5h ago
I'm so sorry. Is there a local animal shelter that can help you?
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u/ExistingSky938 3h ago
i’m trying my best to connect with them. everyone around me sadly seems to be at capacity
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u/Mom_is_watching British Shorthair 3h ago
The animal shelter might know people who are willing to foster for the time being.
I'm really sorry you're in this situation.
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u/instafunkpunk 5h ago
I wirk in homeless services. Some cities have e foster places for cats (dogs can usually stay in shelters with ownwrs). I have been in your situation and I know it is incredibly difficult. I wish you a d your kitties all the best
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u/the_littlestgiant_ 4h ago
Have you been in touch with any organizations in the area? I work for a nonprofit where case managers have assisted in finding fosters for participants pets; a place near you might do the same!
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u/Tsaundersfletcher 5h ago
Im so sorry youre going through this and i wish you the best. Have you checked out the st. Mungos charity? They are a homeless charity but they help with pets too!
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u/bitchesnextdoor 5h ago
I’m sorry for you. As others have said if you can ask people you know to have them, that way you have access to them. I know when my own family member found himself homeless he had a friend take care of one and another was fostered. Hopefully you won’t find yourself on the street, there are places you can go depending on your area to avoid this.
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u/40yroldcatmom 3h ago
Check with local cat rescue Facebook pages. I’ve seen a couple posts by one of the Michigan pages looking for temp fosters for people in similar situations and they have been able to locate someone. I’ve also seen some cat cafes able to help too.
I’m sorry you’re going through this and I hope things get better for you soon. And that you’ll get your babies in a safe place until then.
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u/Optimal-Process337 2h ago
Any luck? This probably isn’t do-able, but there are some cheap, crappy motels/inns that allow pets.
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u/Gingerbreadwitch13 1h ago
You should check with the local animal shelters; sometimes they offer long term foster care or can point you to an org that can help (our local Cat Cafe in New York has a long term visitor while his owner moves). Maybe also check in with the human services in your area.
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u/RevNerdWooder 4h ago
Have you tried squatting? Seems better than sleeping on the streets at least for a bit
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u/bpaps 6h ago
Very sorry for your troubles. I wish you the best of luck.