Been Awhile.. But Advice is Sorely Needed...

Hi everyone,

It's been awhile.  You probably don't remember me BUT, about four or five years ago my partner and I were feeding four feral cats in an alley everyday, at the same time for months.  We finally decided to rescue them.  We already had two cats at home and the plan was to rescue them and find them good homes.  Of course, once I got them, I named them and fell in love and now they are part of the family. A very happy part I might add. 

Fast forward to now.  My partner and i are going through a nasty, bitter divorce and she is claiming that she never wanted them.  Originally when I moved out, I took two of the girls who had really bonded with me but had struggled to get along with everyone else.  they are doing great in my new place and it was really heartbreaking to choose who to take but I wasn't really given a choice.  She decided that the ones she kept were who she was keeping.

Now she's decided that they are just "my" cats, she never wanted them and she will be catching them and dropping them off at my house.  I love them, I do. I LOVE them - the house I've moved into is tiny - they don't all get along, and my means of living aren't the same as they once were.  I just really don't know what to do.  I don't know how to give away any of my babies, I cannot take them to a shelter because I fear for what will happen. 

Any advice, words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated... Thanks... Tobee, Squigsy, Bandit, Charlie and Sammy say hi!

invest in some cat condos and maybe some shelving to put on the walls so they can get away from each other for when they don't get along, then they can still be in the same space

So sorry you are going through this. .

When you say it's a tiny house, does it least have 1 bedroom? I know it may seem too small to have 4 cats in, but they will adjust. If you have even just 1 room you can isolate those who don't get along in, and then do reintroductions using the tips in the article here:http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats, they should learn to live cohesively, even if not as best friends. 

Addition space can be given by using anything vertical. Shelves, boxes stacked, anything. You don't have to spend a ton of money to add vertical space. Even paces set aside on current furniture pieces.

Maintaining 4 cats, yes, can get expensive, but there are ways to cut costs including, rather then buying cat food, making your own. It is often cheaper for you, and usually healthier for them. There is much information on how to do that here in the nutrition forum.

Older cats are so much harder to find new homes for, but if you take them in, you could still try and find them other homes, but in the mean time, they are safe and happy with you. I do hope you find a way, and something works out. Good luck.

Thanks everyone -- at the end of the day.  They are my babies and I love them.  I do have an awesome space upstairs that I was thinking I could put toys and make a jungle and just figure out how to make it work.  I don't know what her problem is but I couldn't look any of them in the face and say "mom doesn't want you." So I won't. I love them.  I may be back for help or advice... but I know in my heart that they are staying with me.    Some way, some how.

I'm so glad your keeping them, though I had no doubt you would!

They will the space you make for them, and love their new home period, how can they not with all the love you have for them.  Of course we'll all be here to offer any support or give more suggestions if needed. Good luck and keep us posted on how they're doing.