Another cat or not...

Hello all,

So last year, I adopted my very first cat. I never had a pet in my life and it was my first time adopting a pet.

She was very shy cat and I had a hard time making her to trust me. Now, it's all settled and we're like a best buddy.

Anyway, recently, I am taking care of another cat for few weeks. He is actually adopted to someone, but due to his shyness, he is returned to the foster home. But the foster parent was going on vacation and asked me if I can take care of him so I said yes. He is actually my cat's real brother (although they don't remember each other), so he has very similar personality as my cat.

Now, here is the part. I can never foster a cat because I am having hard time say bye-bye. He was only with me for 2.5 weeks and I felt like I am already somewhat bonded to him. However, I cannot make a decision of adopting him this fast. I am looking at this as a long term and I am not quite ready for another cat due to my living situation. Here is what's going on to me:

I move often. I am single and I am not settled in one place yet. Last year (before I had a cat), I moved from west to east coast. I mean I am up to whatever comes to my life. Here, I know I can board in plane with my cat, but I know the plane only allows one cat. Others have to be in cargo and I don't want to do that. I cannot afford pet traveler or whoever helps moving pet.

I also visit different country once a year or so. I have a family live in different country so when I need to go, I thought about bring my cat to my sister's place. She lives in different state so I have to take an airplane, and here, I am having a boarding problem again. I guess I can use pet-sitter to visit my home instead, but it's more costly than leaving at my sister's place because I usually go for about a month.

Depending on my job, I might have to be away often as well. Maybe for short term, I can leave my cat in my home and use pet-sitter, but I heard that when it goes from 1 to 2 cat, cost can be doubled/different. I am still not there to afford all this. I just got out of college not long ago

So far, it seems like my cat does not really like him that much. They don't really fight each other, but my cat is very jealous about what he does.

I am not sure what decision should I make. I know I will have to make a decision eventually, but I also want to hear the suggestion/experience.

Thank you so much!

whc216 said:

 
Thank you so much!

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No one can tell you what to do, the best we can do is go over issues with you and listen to what you say and say it back to you in a different way and see what you think.  It sounds to me that despite bonding, you aren't ready to adopt a second cat at this time.  ANd if you think it is hard to give up the foster cat now, imagine if you have to give her up later on.  Also, your cat doesn't seem to like this cat much, at least not yet so from a bonding pint of view, giving the foster back sooner rather than later will be easier on you and your cat.

As far as planes go, my understanding is that most will accept 2 pets per flight.

StephenQ said:

As far as planes go, my understanding is that most will accept 2 pets per flight.

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Many airlines will take more pets on a flight. However, you are limited to one carrier per passenger. Some airlines allow only one animal in a carrier. Others will allow two as long as they are the same species and have a combined weight of less than 20 pounds. You have to check the policies of each airline.