My terrible situation

You're all in my thoughts and prayers. I wish I could give good advise, but I don't know if I can. I think you should start looking for a new place to live, right now, and if you can't find a place that will accept all of the cats, then just remember you have Tybalt's mother to turn to, as a final resort. It's not so bad here in Southern California, however on the whole, it's very expensive to live here, so I would only use the California thing, as a final alternative.

The one thing I would do, is be totally honest with any potential landlords, because if they find out, after you move in, how many cats you have, then you could end up in the same situation again.

Can you afford to purchase a trailer? That would still be your own home, and you could much easier keep a large amount of cats in a trailer than in some apartment or townhouse.

If you do end up coming out here to Southern California, then I will look forward to meeting you and your large family. I will pray that what works out, is the right thing for all of you.

Oh, Sue, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation, and will be keeping you, Tybalt and the kitties in my thoughts. Sorry I don't have any advice for you, though a trailer just might be an option you should look into. I, too, think that giving up your job and moving clear across the country with 18 cats to a state where the COL is so high should only be done as a last resort.

I hope things get better for you ((((((HUGS))))))

Sue, I too am at a loss for words Just know that you and Tybalt and all of those beautiful purrbabies are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am editing this because I forgot to add something. Sue and Tybalt, Filing bankruptcy isn't the end of the world. I filed about 3 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I have a fresh start on things and am now able to face a phone call with out fear of a creditor when it comes or a letter in my mailbox from some attorney filing for one of the creditors. Hang in there.{{{{{HUGS}}}}

Originally posted by Mom of 10 Cats

How do I find a landlord who will let us live somewhere with our cats? I know I can get a really good letter of reference from the manager of the local SPCA where we do the Petfinder work, he has been to our home and knows we are not collectors, the house is clean and the cats are happy, healthy and well cared for, not to mention spoiled rotten.

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At least in the area where I live, a lot of landlords and mobile home park managers have had problems with people just abandoning their cats when they move, which makes them less willing to rent to other pet owners, unfortunately.

Maybe looking for a doublewide mobile home that is set up on private property is an option for you? I know the newer doublewides are very nice.

P.S. Something like this can happen to anyone. I hope Tybalt can see there is a lot of support for you here, and he is no longer embarassed.

Sue , I'm so sorry to hear about your situation and your kittie's situation. How hard you must feel, I can read your unfortunate feelings in your posting. I think that down here in Florida and looking at ads in property in North/South Carolina, that housing is a 'bit cheaper' than the people's upnorth. And don't feel embarrassed, I'm sure you wouldn't be the first person to encounter your situation....it might seem like it now, but believe me, I"m sure many more people have had it happen before you. Some of the ideas I've read in previous responses to your posting have sounded good to me. I agree that it might help you out if you could find a 'double trailer' to rent then build a 'cat enclosure' like purrfectcatlove love, or find a rental with a landlord that knows you take good care of your cats and would be willing to keep up with the maintenance of the trailer, (my landlord knew I had cats, I didnt' tell how many, he didnt ask). He's been pleased cause I don't rarely call with a complaint unless something major, like an appliance breaking and I keep up with the 650.00 a month rental payment.
Anyway, know that you aren't alone and my 4 kats and I will be thinking of you and your furrrbabies.
(((( hugs )))
Anne

Sue- I don't have any advice to offer- but I just wanted to let you know you and Tybalt and the kitties are in my thoughts. My positive energies are heading your way, along with a few cyber hugs

The trailer idea is a good one, except there aren't any in this part of the state. So unfortunately, that's not an option.

The only reason we would move to CA is that there we are guaranteed housing with our cats, with Tybalt's mom. We would not be paying rent, although I would insist on giving her money every month or taking on some utility payments. Her house is already paid for, no mortgage. I know I could get a job anywhere I went, since I am a registered nurse, and we are currently in demand everywhere.

Maybe if everything else fails you can move in with your motherinlaw till you are back on your feed . Then you can look for your own place near by .I know it will be difficult to move there , not b/c of Tybalt's mom . But not having your own place and private space you used to have .
Hang in there ((((((HUGS))))))

Sue, I'm sorry that things are at the pit bottom now for you. Be assured that all of us would be praying for you and Tybalt and all th kitties. I'll be praying for you too, hoping that things would turn for the better.

However, I think a better idea now would be to move to your MIL's place till you get all your troubles settled and you are able to get a house again. At least you need not face the fear ofyour 18 kitties being hungry or anything. Please let us know of how things are going and please dun feel embarrassed. We are all here for you.

Originally posted by Mom of 10 Cats
The trailer idea is a good one, except there aren't any in this part of the state. So unfortunately, that's not an option.

The only reason we would move to CA is that there we are guaranteed housing with our cats, with Tybalt's mom. We would not be paying rent, although I would insist on giving her money every month or taking on some utility payments. Her house is already paid for, no mortgage. I know I could get a job anywhere I went, since I am a registered nurse, and we are currently in demand everywhere.

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Nurses make huge money out here. Maybe coming out to Cali just might be a great option for you, plus the fact that we don't have the severe and cold weather that you have in the east. It's a big thing to travel 3,000 across the country with 18 cats, but it's a good thing to know you have that option, and at least we have nice weather out here.

Originally posted by Mom of 10 Cats
The trailer idea is a good one, except there aren't any in this part of the state. So unfortunately, that's not an option.

The only reason we would move to CA is that there we are guaranteed housing with our cats, with Tybalt's mom. We would not be paying rent, although I would insist on giving her money every month or taking on some utility payments. Her house is already paid for, no mortgage. I know I could get a job anywhere I went, since I am a registered nurse, and we are currently in demand everywhere.

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I was trying to remember if there were any trailer parks or the like in the area; the closest I can remember (from 20 years ago) were up around Reading, or in Jersey. I guess the situation hasn't changed.

I didn't know you were an R.N.. That makes the situation look a bit different, as I'm sure you'll find something quickly (my sister and my husband are R.N.s. My sister is constantly getting job offers in her area (Midwest). She studied at Bryn Mawr, but I can't remember if it was class of '82 or '83. I had friends who got their nursing degrees at U of P and Lankenau). Then Tybalt's mom's house does sound like a good temporary solution, provided she has the room and you think you could live in CA. Still, moving out there with 18 cats is going to cause some logistical problems, though I guess that would be true of any move.

I had some friends in a similar situation several years ago. They found a farm house to rent. It was not the most attractive place when they moved in, but they made it home and stayed there for about 10 years. They had a bunch of animals of different kinds. Over the years, they landlord made a deal with them to take any improvements off of the rent, and by the time they moved, it was a lovely place. Maybe you could look for a situation like that. The rent was dirt cheap, and they were allowed to take all of their animals there.
There is no need to be embarrassed, we all have tough financial times. Best of luck to you in this.

I had no idea you were going through this It sounds like CA would be the best option for now. Good luck I hope were ever you go things get better!

Oh gosh Sue, I'm so sorry you're going through all this. I wish I had some advice for you, but I do want you to know that I'm keeping you, Tybalt and every one of those 18 kitties of yours in my thoughts.

Sue,
I just read this...caught up in my own personal stuff currently and not participating that much on the board.

I wish you and Tybalt all the best, and seeing that you are an RN, at least you do have that security in knowing you can easily find a new job and make a decent wage (retired rn here...).

Whatever you decide to do, I hope it will lead ultimately to a better life and new directions for you both. I'm a big believer that out of chaos comes opportunities.

I will keep you both, and all your furry kidlets in my thoughts and prayers,

Sue,
This might be a long shot but you may want to look into this website or a similiar one. Steven and I are looking for a piece of land to buy for cheap to eventually build on and we came up with this site. Alot of the properties already have sewer and electricity running to them and some even specify that they allow trailers and modular homes. It could be worth a try
Good luck to you and your kitties. My landlord thinks I have one cat. He even came over to the house and all except Berkley were hidden in the bedroom until he left. I don't like to lie to him but it was worth it in order to keep them all

www.myeranch.com is the website. Oh and this place finances with no credit check (at least that's what they say).

or this eBay auction: they dont do credit checks wither and only require a small down payment:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=15841

I just talked to the property manager of one of the communities I'd found online, and she told me that their firm, and the majority of apartment complexes/associations, won't take renters with bankruptcies or foreclosures on their credit history. Tybalt's credit history isn't as bad, but he hasn't worked full time in years, he is self employed, more or less. So we can't rely on his credit to get us into a place.

It is looking more and more like CA is the best option. I need to have a long chat with Tybalt's mom on the phone very soon to discuss the situation.

Thanks for the link, but buying land or another place is out of the question. We have very limited resources right now, or we wouldn't be in this predicament. $30k would pay off all the past due amount and put me in the clear. I have about 5k to either find a local rental or move to CA.

Am looking into renting an RV, or buying a very used one, to move cross country in if need be, towing the Rover behind us. If we use some of the $5k to buy a used one, we can always re-sell it once we get there. There'd be lots more room for the cats while en route, and we wouldn't necessarily have to make the trip in one push, switching off drivers every few hours and making it as fast as possible so the cats aren't confined for long.

Also, we'd have lots more room to take stuff with us rather than shipping it.

Brainstorming so hard my mind hurts.

Is there any way some people can help take the cats - like in the SOS thread where some people moved the cats in legs - would that work for you?