Hi,

Ok things are progressing nicely here. App 2/06(frontloaded meds and pcc's)

I always knew the Cat -Jeff - was going to be costly to take. My question is.....Is he going to eat a bl**dy spider and get ill - -or worse - -die in the first few days? :scared:

Hubby is trying to be the voice of reason and saying we need to be realistic - -its alot of money(i'm sure he is only saying this because he knows the rest of us will say we won't go unless Jeff does!! - -HE LOVES THAT CAT AS MUCH AS THE REST OF US)

My kids have offered to sell everything they own to contribute to the Jeff Fund.........but I would hate to think he would come to any harm after putting him throught the flight etc.

BTW he is a very chilled cat who loves everyone and he's only 18months old.(he's on my lap as we speak helping me type this!!! )

We are going to Adelaide and plan to live in the hills - - -so I know creepies will factor in our lives once there.

Any replies would be gladly recieved.

xRachx

Is he eventually going to be an indoor or outdoor cat?

He's always been an outdoor cat - -but not a big hunter - -too well fed!!!

I'd worry it would be unfair to keep him indoors when he's not used to it here.

xRachx

I must admit I have only seen one around here (with his bell on) outside and the missus saw an unfortunate one at the road side this morning.

There has to be a risk with all the wigglies out here.

Gonna PM you.

Rich

Cheers Rich

Good news please - -the kids will be devastated otherwise!!

xRachx

There are quite a few cats in our area (which is at the foot of the blue mountains) and I havent heard of any coming to harm yet? Obviously there is a risk if he's an outdoor cat, but he could just as easily get killed by a car in the UK than by a killer spider over here (of which I've seen none by the way!). My only worry about bringing cats over (we left ours behind) was the journey, quarantine and them adjusting to the heat. I wouldnt say the wrigglies were a huge factor in whether or not to bring them. If you love him enough then bring him!

We do love him loads - -he's the best cat we have ever had(i've had cats all my life- -but this bugger has got the best character of all of them)

I think the kids will benefit from having something familiar when we get him from quarantine and they will not consider the move without him. We got him for them(althought he is really my cat!!!!)

He always comes in at night - -he likes his home comforts!!

xRachx

We've got two cats we've had from kittens and live on 2 acres on Central Coast in NSW - we thought they'd come to all sorts of strife - our kids have had plenty of leeches, but not the cats, nor have they had any ticks! we've been here nearly 2 years now and our property backs onto a large rainforest reserve area. I think cats are very adaptable and tough. There is even a large feral cat we've seen fighting with our cats and they've not been hurt. I think your cat will love the space and won't have any trouble adapting to the weather. Our property has its own private road, so don't have much experience with roads and traffic and cats.

Good luck.

If (god forbid!) your cat were to get bitten by a snake, be warned that the antivenom costs about $2000! I was talking to a lady who lives in one of the outer suburbs of Adelaide (sorry I forgot where it was) and her cat got bitten and despite the antivenom being given promptly the cat still died. As an aside, apparently a dog is less likely to survive than a cat but I have no idea why! (or if it is really true!!)

But I tell this tale just to show you what it will cost if a snake bite happens at least. The chances of it happening are probably slim! Pets are members of the family as well after all and I couldn't imagine leaving my cat behind if I were to move to the other side of the world

Jut as well I can pilfer a few doses from work then!!!!!!!

xRachx

P.S. I can't imagine leaving him either

Yes, that makes you incredibly lucky but as I say it is probably unlikely to happen. All of my boyfriend's family (except his parents and 1 cousin) live in and around Adelaide with various pets and never had any problems. I'd like to think that our pets would run away from snakes but I suppose that is wishful thinking on my part

For some strange reason dogs have been said to have a natural immunity to most things here, such as spider bites, whereas the same bite to a human, cat or other animal could prove fatal...

In regards to the issue with the cat, there are always risks when you bring any animal over, you just have to weigh up the pro's and con's of bringing it.

PROs:
Family Bond

CONs:
Money
Possible inability for the animal to adjust
Road dangers
Toxic insect bite possibility

If we had had a pet when we left (our beloved dog died 4 years before at the ripe old age of 13), then we probably would have left him in the UK, we would have felt cruel taking him all that way, and then making him adjust to the Australian extremes...

I t is a risk, here in south west WA i hear that lots of cats go missing.
[maybe the local chinese
But he is a member of your family and would you leave your child behind, they are at risk also. Life is a risk, bring him. ohhhhh
Denise

Like the missus just said.

If you didn't bring him, would you get another cat after you have been here for a while?

do australia a favour and leave the cat in the uk ,they kill more indeginous animals and birds than anything else .They kill for the sake of killing .I am not anti cat by the way i brought up with cats and love and admire thier characterand independance .