MrsM Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 We are taking our cat over when we make the move next year, but when I had him at the vets at the weekend For his 6 month check, I told her about the move and she seemed less than impressed. Infact she recommended that we just rehommed him here because he is a pure white cat and would just suffer in the sun and heat. She also made a comment about the price of taking him - which I was shocked at because surely a pet is for life? Regardless of how much it costs, he'll be with us! Now he is only 3 years old, his brother died at christmas which made him depressed for weeks (sounds mad!) and he's been through so much already with us. Plus hes my wee boy and both my girls love him. So my question is - does anyone else have a white cat that they took to Oz? I know I need to keep him cool, plenty of shade, hydrated and suncream on his ears & nose (I have to do that here anyway!). So would he really suffer? Or is the vet just looking at me thinking I'm a stupid wee lassie that hasn't looked into how much it'll be - which i have and its cheaper than I thought anyway!! Any help would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenPen Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 Well I am not there yet but we are taking our Cream cat!!! I wouldn't have it any other way and the children would be devastated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 Our cat was brown (looked black) so I can't comment on the colour - don't light colours reflect not absorb the heat so I would have thought it was the other way around. Our cat was elderly - 14/15, we got her checked by the vet who said she was healthy and no reason not to take her - like you, we'd had her longer than the children and she was part of our family, the kids would have been devastated leaving her behind. She passed away at 21. As long as there is shade and water outside (for when they go out) I'm sure they'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 We have a dog rather than a cat, but he wears special animal sun screen on hot days and I know it's suitable for cats as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 We left our fur babies behind on the recommendation on our vet due to the stress could kill one of ours, and we have all regretted it ever since. Sometimes money has to come into it, but if you can afford bring him, I would do. I was surprised to find Persians out here, sitting in the shade quite happy. When we get our "proper" home, not a rental we are looking at getting a ragdoll kitten and a cavoodle puppy, but of which have quite a bit of fur, I think you just learn how to deal with them and treat them in the heat, the same you have to do yourself. You have to treat the sun and the heat differently to when you go to Spain for a fortnights holiday, you just adapt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkis2000 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 We brought our two moggies. There was never a question about it in my mind. Ours are black and white and have adapted well. Cats are canny and ultimately will look after no1. They will find the coolest spot and be perfectly happy. The only thing to be aware of is people's attitude towards cats over here, they can be a bit funny about them. I haven't had any problems at all with our neighbours but even so, I only let ours out when we are at home and never overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 What are they meant to do to them then? I have heard they are not popular with the locals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkis2000 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 You now have to register all cats with the local council. They must be microchipped (which they have to be anyway to travel) and wear a ID tag - personally I don't have an issue with this as if they do wander, they can be returned. There was talk a few years back of introducing cat curfews at nighttime, but I think the registration process replaced this. I certainly haven't heard anything that says you must keep them in. Like I say I haven't had any problems at all with neighbours. Ours do wander about a bit when they're out, but like I say, they are only out when we're home and never overnight. The overnight thing is as much for my own peace of mind that they're not being attacked by snakes or run over by the local hoons that use Ellenbrook like a race track at 2am. The one thing that caught us unawares (and please bear in mind this was in a very rural area) was that certain new rural developments have an out and out cat ban. Not sure how they intend to police this, and existing residents are allowed to register their cats but if you are buying a new build in certain areas then there are covenants on the land to say you're not allowed cats. This is supposedly to protect the local wildlife, not that our two would know what to do with a parrot if one flew into their mouth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic964 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 Hi, we have four cats out here, including a long haired rag doll. They've never shown any signs of heat stress, as people have said they will find the cool spots. We don't have sun cream or anything. On really hot days they tend to lie in the bathroom, because the concrete floor is cooler, but they just sleep, they don't seem botherd at all. I would say Australia is really a dog country, cats are not seen in the same way. Don't get me wrong, we've had absolutely no problems with ours, and they have a cat flap, and come and go as they please, including the neighbours houses, but maybe not quite valued the same way. All out four are strays that have adopted us!!! Overall, they are a great source of happiness, so go fo it. My only advice would be that its not so easy to get a rental with pets, so maybe plan to leave the cat in quarenteed whilst you are renting. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsM Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 Thanks for the replys everyone! I remember seeing somewhere about rentals and the locals not being too happy with cats, and my cat is a hunter - brings home a mouse or bird every day nearly. But I was looking at the roller things for the tops of fences or the cat netting purely because my boy likes to go away for days here and gets me worried sick! As for initial rentals, we are hoping to buddy in with my mother in law till we find a suitable house for long term rent, then hopefully buy so fingers crossed that goes smoothly! I couldn't bear leaving him here, he's only 3 so he's still got plenty of years in him hopefully! It broke my heart leaving him for our holiday to Australia last year and that was only 3 weeks! Mad, I know! I'm not sure what he's going to be like with the travel... I even thought of putting him in a cattery for a weekend here and there to get him used to not being with us for a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolac34 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 What a bizarre thing for a vet to say! Don't take him because he's white? Never heard such rubbish! Our cat is almost black, which is likely to attract the heat far more than a white one and she's just fine. She lies on the cool tile floor most of the day and on our bed the rest. I try and keep her in when it's like 40+, but she still wants to be out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsM Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 Thats what I thought also! I think he'll love it there, especially because we are all there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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