What to do about my kitties when I leave for college

[LinZ]

Here's my situation: My boyfriend wants me to go and live with him after we graduate as I take a year off before heading for college. And while I really want to, I worry very much about my three cats.

I don't know if my mom will continue caring for them while I'm away or if she'll take them to the local shelter because she figures that I'm not around to occupy them. She doesn't even really like them that much.

My boyfriend suggested I bring the cats to his house during my stay, but that worries me even more. For one thing, I don't think a change in environment will be very good, especially for my eldest cat Mollie, who is 14. Another thing I worry about is either he or his mom accidentally letting the cats outside. Yes, that particular neighborhood is chock-full of strays, but my cats are not street-smart. Also, the house is right in front of a busy road where people are notorious for intentionally driving 20 miles over the speed limit and not slowing down for crossing animals.

And finally, when I actually DO move onto college, if I left my cats with my boyfriend's mom, I worry that she wouldn't provide adequate care; Mollie has special needs, and Casuprr and Rolly love to shred furniture. I worry that she might just get fed up with them and let them outside.

..........

I think that my best bet in this situation would be to leave them with my mom, until I can get my own place to live and take the cats in. But even THEN I worry even more about them mentally...I know the only attention they'll get from my mom will be her screaming at them to get off the counters or to stop scratching the couch; she never pets them or cuddles them; I give them all their attention. I worry that they'll get depressed if I'm not there to provide the attention and love they need.

.........

Can anyone offer me any help in this situation?

I know it's only September, and I graduate in June, but I still worry very much about my cats; they mean so much to me.

...........

LinZ - loves her kitties like children

[Traci]

You should start planning for their welfare and health NOW. I would thoroughly discuss with your boyfriend and his mother how important your cats are to you, and to form a plan where everyone understands the cats are your babies, and that they should *never* be let outside under any circumstances. With three people in the house, it should be easy for everyone to understand to keep doors closed behind them, and to be able to share the responsibilities, share the attention-giving to the cats, etc. (providing your BF's mother likes cats and has agreed to let you have them in her house). But, since they are yours, they are ultimately your responsibility, and it will be up to you to keep them from scratching her furniture, etc.

Please discuss everything with your BF and his mother *before* you move in so that no one has any unexpected surprises.