What happens to the cats in a divorce?

It is #Caturday

Some of you have asked about the cats. Sadly, they will be separated into new homes. The homes will be new, but the caretakers are familiar at least to me.

I know they will be okay, but they don’t. They’ve lived together in one home since 2018 (once since 2009) with two humans. They will need a lot of time and patience to decompress from the trauma, learn their new surroundings, and hopefully thrive.

I will miss them every day for the rest of my life. This separation breaks me in very deep way.

It would be helpful to reduce the cats’ stress by providing them with tools to adapt smoothly. In some cases, they need familiar items and in others, they need new items especially as there will be other cats in their new homes.

The folx taking them in shouldn’t have to bear the entire financial responsibility, at least to set them up.

There could be some great deals coming up this month if you prefer to purchase an item directly. We can also welcome gently used items. Anything we can’t use would go to the pet food pantry folx.

Specifically, we need two new cat trees, a few new beds, three litter boxes, and pheromone plug-ins for all of them. Three of the cats will need ongoing medication.

I’m trying to update everyone’s veterinary records. I’ve made plans to visit regularly. Two of the cats have lived in this home since May 2018 so the adjustment could be lengthy. But they are resilient and brave. They will be loved.

I am the one with big feelings. I will not be allowed to see the remaining cats again, a good-bye that will break my heart. But it can’t be helped. I will think of them every single day. They are permanently on my body thanks to my recent tattoo. But it isn’t the same. It will ache forever.

I can try to at least make sure they have the resources to flourish.

In case you wonder, courts can’t assign visitation or shared custody of pets because they are property. I asked for visitation and offered shared financial responsibility, but that did not work out. Perhaps that will change.

The preferred cat trees most likely to make them comfortable and fit into their new spaces range in price – 60-69” very sturdy because these are solid cats. Trees have to be new. This type averages $100 depending on the vendor.

We will need five pheromone dispensers and 15 refills.

The new litter boxes will cost $20 each – they are high sided to address anxiety and a little easier to clean.

Their medication is $18/month. The pheromone dispensers and refills run about $300.

The first month of food is $40 for dry and canned and $20 for a box of cat litter. Their new caretakers may wean them onto a different food but they need consistency at first.