Don't know what to do-- advice?

noormansour

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Hello everyone,
It's my first time posting here so I apologize if this thread is on the wrong forum. This is really long but I really really need help/advice/support. I'm going crazy with guilt.
In January 2014 I adopted my three month old kitten, Hazel, from a shelter. She's very timid but adjusted pretty well to the house, although she's still scared of loud noises and hasn't completely warmed up to all the members of my family. I love her so much and I care for her more than I care for myself. Hazel is 10 months old now.
Recently, we traveled to Egypt, something we do every summer. I didn't think twice about bringing Hazel with us-- she's a part of the family. She rode in the cabin of the plane with me. The trip here could only be described as HELL. The vet had me sedate her before traveling but the plane ride is about 11 hours so she woke up half way through. The poor baby was so upset. she never meows at ALL but she was meowing like crazy on the plane. My heart was aching for her. I have really bad anxiety so this entire experience was so horrible for me. Back to the point.
We've been in Egypt for a month now and my parents have decided to stay the year. Hazel is just beginning to slowly adjust to the new house, but is still really anxious.
The problem I'm having right now is that I've been thinking about our future with Hazel. I love her like crazy but I'm beginning to think we might not be the right family for her. We travel for 6 weeks every year from Egypt to the states and vice versa, and I don't want to do that to her. I feel like she shouldn't have to go through that stress for the rest of her life. It must have some terrible effect on her health, right? She's already a very anxious cat and all this travel would only make it worse I think. So I started thinking that there must be solution to the travel issue, like pet sitters or something but unfortunately they don't have trusted pet sitters in Egypt and I wouldn't ever dream of leaving Hazel alone that long. The only option would be to take her with us which isn't something I want to do. I've read online that moving and traveling can cause depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues in cats and I don't want to cause that to happen. Another thing is that vet care isn't really good in Egypt and I'm so worried that she could get sick and I won't be able to take care of her. I don't know what I'd do if she died because I couldn't get her proper health care.
All of this thinking has led me to thinking about rehoming her. I never thought I'd be one of those people but I've just been thinking that this is the only option. The thought alone makes me cry so hard but I don't want to doom her to a bad life with us. I don't want to traumatize her with all the travel. I don't think living in Egypt is safe for her either. I don't know what to do. This is tearing me apart. I've been feeling so guilty whenever I look at her beautiful green eyes now because of these thoughts but I just can't get rid of them. All I want is for my cat to be happy and healthy.
Please give me your honest opinions on what I should do. I'm so torn.
 

anne3007

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I am sorry to ask - this might be a stupid question - but do you live in Egypt now and stay there and go to the US once a year for 6 weeks? Or do you live in the US and go to Egypt every year for 6 weeks?

Sorry , English isn't my native language so I might not understand some things very well. 


Anyway, traveling is very stressful for any cat. Some people who say that their cat LOVES to travel...I honestly can't really believe that. There might be some exceptions, but we should not forget that the cat is a territorial animal. Get them out of their territory makes them anxious - which makes sense. If this only happens for vet visits or moving once, then it isn't a big deal, generally.

Traveling with an airplane must be even more stressful for cats. They are in an unknown space with scents of other pets, maybe dogs too. 

I can see that your cat means the world to you. And I know that they treat animals differently in Egypt, which makes it more complicated to find a pet sitter over there.

If you live in the US and go to Egypt every year for six weeks, I would look for a petsitter in the US, but I am not sure whether you live there or not.
If you live in Egypt, then it is complicated to find a good pet sitter..I know there are a lot of stray cats over there and they treat pets differently, but I am not sure if this is black/white if you know what I mean. :$ I am sorry I find it hard to say this correctly in English. But do you think there are people over there in Egypt who actually care about cats? I can't imagine that there is no one who loves pets and takes care of them as we do.
 
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Columbine

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I would suggest that you take Hazel back the the US with you when you return, and in the future get friends, family or a pet sitter to take care of her whilst you're in Egypt. She'll adapt to having someone else look after her for the summer pretty well - especially if it's someone she knows and likes.

Yes, the journey home will be stressful for her, but one more trip won't do long term damage.

Your other option would be to give her to your parents. That would prevent the need for another move and ensure she'd have a good home.

Lastly, there are cat lovers all over the world, and you can see examples of good care standards everywhere. TCS is a testament to that - its truly international here, with members from all over the world. We all have in common a deep love for our animals and a commitment to giving them the best care possible.
 
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noormansour

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Thank you both for the replies. I truly appreciate the support.
I live in Egypt now, and will be returning to the U.S. next June for 6 weeks, then back to Egypt again. That is what worries me. I know one more trip won't cause damage, but won't traveling back and forth every year?
Columbine, I live with my parents-- sorry if the wording of my question confused you.
 

Columbine

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Thank you both for the replies. I truly appreciate the support.
I live in Egypt now, and will be returning to the U.S. next June for 6 weeks, then back to Egypt again. That is what worries me. I know one more trip won't cause damage, but won't traveling back and forth every year?
Columbine, I live with my parents-- sorry if the wording of my question confused you.
I'm sorry for misunderstanding :anon: In that case, I'd definitely say take her back home with you when you go, and find a friend or family member to look after Hazel and keep an eye on the house while you're away. A pet sitter may be a little harder to find in Egypt, but not impossible. Given that Hazel is settled with you and that you've bonded, I see absolutely no reason to give her up.
 

anne3007

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I agree with Columbine. :) Generally, they treat animals differently in Egypt than in the US or some other countries, but I think it's not true that nobody in Egypt cares about cats. There must be someone who does really care.
Isn't there a website where you can find more information, you think? 
This would be a perfect solution. I think it is too stressful to keep traveling every time, but that doesn't mean the only option is looking for a new owner. 
 

patient

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Sorry about your trouble with the kitty! Cats were so honored in ancient Egypt, but now you are writing the pet care is there is not as good as in the States.

I wish you make a very wise decision that will work for you and your kitty.
 

anne3007

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I was thinking about that too! Kinda strange actually, when you think that in ancient times they were worshipped in Egypt..However, I do believe there are still people over there who love cats. I hope you will find someone soon :)!
 

Columbine

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I would say that pet care is different in Egypt than in the US. Different doesn't mean worse or better. Certainly veterinary approaches are very different here in the UK to the US, but that doesn't make one better than the other.
 
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