Moving: Should I let neighbors buy my cat or just care for him?

This is a great question! First off, thank you for your military service, it is very much appreciated. I know how hard it is to move around and not be able to take your pets with you. With Finn, it is absolutely fine to have someone look after him for a year, then take him back when you return home. I know this from personal experience. When I moved to New Zealand almost a decade ago from the US, I couldn't take my cats (or dogs) with me just yet, and they had to stay with family for about eight months before they could be shipped out. They were fine with staying with my family and then being shipped out to me in New Zealand. Yes moving is stressful, but cats can adapt, and there's no reason why you should give up Finn when you love him so much. Cats are amazing pets, and they are resilient, so I recommend having him stay with someone for a year and getting him when you come home. It gives you another great reason to look forward to coming home :-)

If Penelope is bonded with you she will likely be fine, but there are a few things you can do that might help make the move easier. Look into Feliway products and start using before the move and at new house. A vet checkup before a major change is never a bad idea since stress can exacerbate underlying illness. Keep food and litter the same as what she's accustomed to using if you make any changes don't do it right away with the move and make sure to change things slowly and gradually over the course of a week or two. Possibly get her some toys or beds now that you will take with you when you move so she has a familiar scent. And make sure that you're being realistic about when and where you're moving, if it will be a good move for Penelope. The fact that you're thinking about it this far in advance means you do have her best interest in mind. But many times pets are abandoned by college age students who don't understand the responsibility of taking care of them; so make sure you're doing what's best for her and hopefully you would be able to visit if you do leave her at home. Good luck with your decision and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That's a tough situation for you both to be in! In my opinion, I think it would be best splitting the cats. While it may be tough at first for them to be apart, the stress of moving them back and forth between homes would be even more stressful. They would adjust easier to having separate homes than be moved around all the time, and if either become lonely, you can get another cat to keep your cat company. Another option is one of you take both of them for good, but that may not be feasible. I hope this helps!

I think you should definitely take the cat who is very bonded to you with you to uni. I don't think he would do well without you around if he's very attached to you. The outgoing one will likely do ok without you, and he can adjust to not having the other cat there. The other option is to take them both! I hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mishmush. If you are able to catch her, it would be best to take her with you when you move. This way you can ensure that she continues to have access to food and water. She sounds like she needs veterinary care as well. If you cannot catch her or cannot afford to treat her, then I would contact a rescue group or humane society to alert them to her situation. I hope this information helps!

I would not recommend such a journey in an older cat especially if her routine will be changed from a free ranging cat to an indoor cat as this would provide an ongoing environmental stress even after the journey. Contact local humane societies and shelters to see if they can help provide a foster home for her or inquire of your neighbours if anyone is willing to monitor her and take responsibility for her ongoing care and health needs as she gets older.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. Breaking up is really hard to do, and it can be hard on pets. No, I wouldn't take him back, he's bonded to you. It just takes time to adjust to a new home, and if you want, you can get him a companion for your home. Just give him time. When my ex and I broke up, he didn't take the dog who was super bonded to him. She sat by the front door for a long time waiting for him to come home, but she got over it, and was happy and loving life with me. I just gave her extra love and attention during that transition time. It will be ok, trust me. I hope this helps!