looking for advice-part 1

hello everybody! i am new to this site but thought maybe i could start here. i am looking for advice regarding moving with my cats- or not. i have 2 cats. Bae is a female, small, tailess. i've had her since she was about 4 weeks. i raised her as an indoor cat. She will be 3 in august. Harvey i adopted 2 years ago, and he too will be 3 in august. Harvey is a tall cat, not fat but big boned. he has a large frame. i have kept him indoor as well. before i adopted him he was in a shelter. he is very friendly and loves to see cats. i think maybe because he came from a shelter, he is used to be around a lot of cats. Harvey and Bae are not the best of pals, they dont really play together, they only really chase each other, but i feel at least that they have company when home alone. Harvey was not the companion i was looking for for Bae. He is the exact opposite. But at the time, I fell in love with his personality and wanted to take him out of Petsmart. He'd been in the adoption center for 4 weeks! When they moved him to a different Petsmart, i decided it was time for him to get a home.

Hello,

I may be braindead or something... but what is it you are seeking advice on?

Originally Posted by klyf

hello everybody! i am new to this site but thought maybe i could start here. i am looking for advice regarding moving with my cats- or not. i have 2 cats. Bae is a female, small, tailess. i've had her since she was about 4 weeks. i raised her as an indoor cat. She will be 3 in august. Harvey i adopted 2 years ago, and he too will be 3 in august. Harvey is a tall cat, not fat but big boned. he has a large frame. i have kept him indoor as well. before i adopted him he was in a shelter. he is very friendly and loves to see cats. i think maybe because he came from a shelter, he is used to be around a lot of cats. Harvey and Bae are not the best of pals, they dont really play together, they only really chase each other, but i feel at least that they have company when home alone. Harvey was not the companion i was looking for for Bae. He is the exact opposite. But at the time, I fell in love with his personality and wanted to take him out of Petsmart. He'd been in the adoption center for 4 weeks! When they moved him to a different Petsmart, i decided it was time for him to get a home.

Click to expand...

I dont think I am clear on the ? you are asking.. Am I just missing something...

sorry this is so lenghthy. here is my dilemna. i am moving out of state and am debating whether to take Harvey with me or not. i know harvey will be happier as an outdoor cat. he is always looking out the window and gets all excited when he spots other cats. i am very protective of him, and have that dilemna "will someone else love him and care of him as much as i do". as of right now i plan to take both of my cats. But i'm debating whether i should find Harvey a new home as with the move, we will have to get used to new surroundings, and maybe for Harvey and myself it might be a good time to let go. i really want to keep him with me but dont know if it's time to let him go to a household that will have more cats, where he can be outdoors. Bae is kind of a solo cat, so i am not worried about her. my concern with Harvey is that i've only had him 2 years and before me i dont know how many times he changed owners. i dont want him to feel abandonned- again. would Harvey feel abandonned? or would he be happier in an environment that fits him more? please advise. thank you

Hello,

All I can really do is tell you the story of my poor Sadie.

She was in the vet for a while (not sure on how long she was with people before that). But while at the SPCA she was constantly moved around due to illness. So basically she was with other cats then taken away and then brought back, then taken away etc.

She was then adopted by my sister, but with two little kids poor Sadie couldn't handle it. She hid most of the time, which got on my sister's husbands nerves. He would chase her out from under the bed with a broom!

I then took her knowing my household would be calmer (no little kids) and possibly more stable. She has slowly adjusted to life here. She is in no way a cuddly cat yet. She STILL runs from me and I have had her since February.

I guess I just think that if you don't have to get rid of Harvey, then take him. It is hard on an animal to lose their home and be put in another one. Sadie was probably a unique case and Harvey might not be like that, but I worry.

Sorry for the long read, I just think that if you don't need to get rid of Harvey and can keep him apart of your family. It might be worth it. I am sure he will steal your heart if you give him the chance.

I don't understand the question. I have 2 cats who aren't lovey-dovey playmates, but I wouldn't even consider getting rid of either of them. They happily co-exist in the same household, which is fine for me. They both love to sit by the window and look out on the world...watch the birds and the squirrels, the neighbors, and the neighbor's cats. Doesn't mean they want to be outside in the great outdoors; just that they are entertained by these things.

So, the long answer to your question is no, I don't think you should get rid of Harley. Pets are not disposable.

Stephanie

I'd keep both of them and move and also keep them indoor cats. If you really feel that Harvey would like some outside time, then you could either (1) get one of those outdoors enclosed screen things or (2) teach Harvey to walk on a harness and supervise some outside time.

When we move, we'll have 2 cats and a dog to move. None of them are "buddies" - never have been. They all get along but never curl up together. Yet they do have company and will interact at times.