Taking my cat to spain

We have a villa in Spain with a large garden.  We are driving over via Brittany Ferries in June along with our 2 dogs and cat and staying for around 4 months.  When we go for short breaks we leave our cat in the cattery.  When I collected him the other day, the people who owned the cattery asked if they could keep our cat and not take him to Spain.  Obviously we love him very much and do not want to give him away but people are saying I should let him go and not take him to Spain.  He travels well in the car and I think he will settle and enjoy the sunshine.  Am I being selfish taking him or should I give him away to a good home and not put him through all that travelling.  I do want to do what is best for the cat - has anyone else taken their cat over and bought them back and did they enjoy life in Spain.

I had not thought about leaving him behind until this good home was offered.

Our neighbours brought their two cats and they settled really well. Personally, I would take my cat to the moon with me. You know your own cat better than anyone so do what feels right.

Susan

I would rather give away my right arm. I imagine if I posted a similar question asking whether I should give my children away I would be shot down in flames, but that's how I feel when I read about people giving away their pets "for the good of the pet". I apologise if I sound judgemental, but sadly in the current "crisis" there are so many stories of ex-pats leaving Spain and dumping their pets because they say they cannot take them home with them. Obviously your circumstances are slightly different, but even so, please do not listen to those people advising you to give Moggie away. If you are concerned about how he will cope with the travel and foreign climate, maybe the good people at the cattery would agree to look after him for the 4 months, but when you return, surely you would regret it if you couldn't go get him to bring him home?

If you do decide to bring him with you, do make sure (sorry if this sounds obvious) that he is fully vaccinated, chipped, rabies jabs up to date with blood tests etc. etc. and that you know what you have to do on the return leg. All the info is available online or from your vet. And finally, I'd just like to say that if he does come with you, please make sure that he cannot get out of your garden and go walkabout, and that he doesn't come into contact with any of the natives. FIV is rife amongst the many feral cats in Spain, and the last thing you want is for him to come home with an unwanted souvenir.

We brought our 3 cats with us from the UK 5 years ago and they love it here.  The vets are much more helpful and friendly than back home and alot cheaper.  The only problem is that most people dislike cats due to the amount of ferals out here.  I have had a few arguments with neighbours over this.  My cats have their own covered in litter tray and I suggest you do the same.

Good luck with your move.

Cats settle in very quickly.

As with any move just keep them in for a couple of weeks after arrival to get them used to the house.

Ours were fine, moved twice with them in Spain, no problem.

Also as said vets bills much cheaper here. Just make sure you have pet passport & all the jabs etc.