Moving: NO CATS

[Trina]

I am from the Northern New Jersey Area. I am now in the process of moving. I have 2 beautiful felines. A 7month kitten named Langston and a 16 month old cat named Champu. I was just told at the last minute that I can't have any pets... NO EXCEPTIONS. This was not in the lease (that I signed), but it had been added... and I don't know what to do. I love my kitties very much and would NEVER put them out . I just don't know what to do. Champu is spayed and has all her shots. Langston has shots, but hasn't been neutered yet. Please help, as I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. The thought of abandoning my kitties sickens me . I am very tempted to say: to heck with the new place and stay where I am . I would only move if I could find someone to take care of my kitties and love them the same way I do. I really need to move, though, but I don't want to leave Pu and Lang. What to do?!

Trina

P.S. - I have had them both since birth and my son adores them as much as I do.

[kk]

Hi,

Well, all I can tell you is what I would do. I would either stay where I am, or I would find another place that will allow cats. I would make sure it was ok before I ever signed a lease. Had you not asked them ahead of time? I have lived in enough places to know that it is imperative to get that information before ever deciding. These babies are relying on you to take care of them for the rest of their lives. Please teach your son the lesson that pets are part of the family, not expendable when they become inconvenient. I hate that so many places do not allow at least small pets. Good luck to you.

kk

[kate & kobi]

If it were me, I'd tell the owners that I simply will not live there without my cats. If you put it that way, it would be in their best interest to allow you to keep them; it's very costly to advertise again and find another renter and lose another months rent in the meantime. You could sweeten the deal for them by offering to put an extra security deposit down, get a letter of recommendation about your cat from your previous landlord and neighbors. I'd do everything that I could to convince them to let you have the cats there.

Breaking the lease is costly - you might win in a small claims court case, but it would be a pain. If it truly was not in the lease that you signed, then I'd think you have every legal right to have cats.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!