MOving to a city with cats

[cjk23]

I ahve two outdoor cats, males, neutered and chipped.

I am moving from a small towm to a big city soon.
There is no way I can keep these cats indoors for long, they meow and pace and get very fretfull if i try ( have tired it before)
but
the new city is busy,a s you would expect a city to be.

I am worried about the cats in the new area, busy roads everywhere etc.

Would the best thing, for the safety of the cats, be to re-home them, or do you think they would adapt to either being indoor cats or being city cats?

I tried keeping them in for about four days before, and it was extremely hard work, they didnt settle at all int hat time.

I dont WNAT to re-home them, but only want to do what is best for them in the long run.

I have had them since kittens, so it would be hard to let them go.

any advice would be great

[janeo]

I don't think they'll adapt to being indoor cats - and it wouldn't be fair to them.
Most people I know who've lost cats to car accidents have lived on *quiet* roads. They are usually too scared to go near busy roads.
I think they'll be OK in a new area. You'll need to keep them in for a few days after you move, just so they get used to their new surroundings.

[cjk23]

thanks janeo. I didnt think it would be fair to MAKE them stay indoors. Was just worreid about if they would adapt, dont want to rehome them, as theyre my cuddly bears lol

[Ms.Hijinx]

Had you thought of training them to the lead like they do with siamese before you move then just walking them like dogs when you do move, a bit way out i know but your cats would be safe. I have 4 cats and just couldn't be without them so i feel for you and hope you work it out best of luck

[Elfin]

If possible, you could enclose your garden with catproof fencing so that they can still go out but stay safely within the confines of your garden.

[cjk23]

I do ahve two cat leads and harnesses here, not sure how they would adapt but It's worth a try.
We wont have a garden there, as such, just a yard (ie not grass just a small concrete area out back)

thanks for all the replies though. I am sure I can try these suggestions and find an answer that works for us

[GirlClown]

Hmm...I think you're going to have problems if your cats won't stay indoors for long. It's always recommended that you keep cats indoors for at least two weeks after moving house (so that they adjust, not just to the house itself but to the sounds and smells around it) - and the first thing they'll do when you DO let them out is explore...and possibly get lost if they haven't got a quiet garden to explore.
And if they're used to rural life or a quiet housing estate - then the noise and bustle of a city will bewilder and scare them so that, in trying to escape from (say) a slamming door, they might run straight under a bus!
It will be heartbreaking to have to let them go to a new home, but imagine the heartbreak of finding one of your little companions dead or dying in the roadway!
The Cat Protection will help you find a new home for them if that's what you decide to do...and they're very fussy about finding GOOD homes.
But if you DO decide to keep them- then have them 'chipped' and put collars on them with your phone number (including dialling code) and Post Code written on it in indelible ink. At least then you'll have a fighting chance of getting them back if they DO get lost.
Good luck in your new home!

[cjk23]

thanks girlclown, they are already chipped and have my mobile number on thier collars. I prefer to put a mobile number in case my phone number changes.

It IS a hard one to decide what to do with them.
It wont be at all easy keeping them in for a few weeks, and as you say they might get scared by the big city, we live right ont he edge of a SMALL town, near fields and woods etc.

I do wonder if it might be safer for them to re-home in this area. I dont WANT to, but as you say I would be devastated if anything happend to one of them.

it's so ahrd to choose what to do for the best for the cats though.