I'm sorry I cant give you advice but can give you an opinion.
I think your being perfectly rational and making the right decision. We are Brisbane bound in the next two or so months and we are leaving our Cat and my Horse behind we thought long and hard and just didnt think it was fair to put them through it. The Cats OK as she is going to my mum's and will be well loved and cared for, but the horse is something ive really had swings and roundabouts with - I have owned her since she was an ickle foal (she is now six years old) and in my eyes, is my one in a million - its totally wrenching my heart but I just have to keep putting my rational head on. Its going to cost at around £11,000 to ship her, she is a native breed to UK and will melt in the heat, and i should be happier thinking of her in a good home rather then suffering a long journey maybe getting ill through the stress of it all, maybe not making it in a new country. If I was to ship her over and she really doesnt get on well with the climate I would certainly want to take her back to the uk rather then prolong her suffering and if you double the dollar to the pound thats going to cost a hell of a lot.
The only comfort at the moment is at least I can take the time and more or less choose her new home - have someone viewing her this tuesday and she sounds lovely seems to have her head screwed on and wants a horse to go out and have fun with. So fingers crossed shes going to be my Horse's future mummy!

I wish you the best in whatever decision you finally come too, and dont be too hard on yourself!

Take care

fuggle.

Hi lisa,not sure if its any help but we feel the same way about our dog to,we re not going to take her,shes 8yrs old and we dont know how she ll travel and if she ll get on ok in the heat when we get there,also we re going into furnished accomadation i think when we first get there and it will be alot more difficult with a dog,and of course theres the cost,that would easily pay rent for 6 months when we get out there.We have found a very good home for her though with some friends so we know she ll be looked after and we can see her on webcam whenever we chat to our friends.
We re heading for brissy to around the same time as you by the way,ant idea which area yet?

tracey

Our two cats - one 13 and one 10 travelled from Dubai to the UK in 2000 (having to endure 6 months quarantine too). We then acquired the most gorgeous Cocker Spaniel who is now 2 and all 3 of them travelled out with us to Melbourne in January of this year. As much loved family members the only thing that would have stopped us from putting them through the journey and quarantine would have been our vet saying they were not well enough. They are our pets and our responsibility. They all appeared to cope with the flight better than we did and we visited them regularly in quarantine. We found a rental property relatively easily that accepted our pets and all 3 of them seem to be enjoying their new lives downunder

I don't understand this thing about cats here either - yes, there are individuals that do not care for cats but there are lots of homes with cats where we live and they wander around freely. I would say that it is no different from the UK where some individuals feel cats are fair game as far as air rifles and shooting are concerned.

Mine is a Welsh Section D 4yr old mare. Have also had her from birth and It is breaking my heart to have to sell her but like you the its amount it costs and the worry about heat etc. Ive only just started to advertise her and have had one genuine call so far but others have been a bit wierd at least I know the ads being seen tho.

Good luck with finding a good home.

Hi there

We have decided to leave our 5 year old black labrador behind. He is a complete house dog and really battles in the heat. Our children are upset, but we explained our reasons and hopefully they won't hate us for too long. We have yet to find him a home as none of our family or friends can have him. That will be the hardest thing, leaving him behind (even harder than family I think, because at least they can get on a plane to visit!). Anyway, good luck with it all. It is hard I know, but sometimes you just have to make tough decisions.

Hi I really dont have any choice, got two beautiful Cockatiels that are not allowed to go.

Heartbroken about it had them 8 years.

I had to leave my Boxer baby behind when we moved here from Sweden. It was just far too expensive and complicated to bring him, and as I was 15 at the time, I didn't have much of a say in the matter. Anyway, I know how it feels..just make sure you get them good homes, and rest assured that you did the right thing.

-Becs

Ditto! Mine is a welsh D mare too. ive had her since she was rising three but have known her since she was a lil knee high sprog. and now just when all the ground work has been done I have to sell her if you need any info on decent websites to advertise her just give me a PM or if the people seeing mine are after something younger or different to my mare I can forward on your details asI have had some people that have been very particular about what type of welsh D they want - mines 15.2hh and not your traditional stocky type, she's more leggy and athletic looking and I have had some people that want the real traditional macoy. I have had enough interest, just me being picky where she goes, have turned down three people so far as just didnt think they would be right for a still relatively young horse although she is out and actively competeing and doing well.

know exactly what you mean by some dodgy responses though - had any about paying by some sort of cheque payment and asking the mileage?!?! Do they think I have the word "Stupid" stamped on my forehead? duh!

These people over tomorrow look a good prospect - mother wants to get into dressage and her boy wants to do a bit of pony club so sounds a fun and adventureous home. got my fingers and toes crossed! just getting scary now as offer been accepted on the house and its a good chain and the buyers want to be moved in by six weeks :scared: but im still not rushing to sell her as good home for my baby girl is a priority.

anyhoo, I wish you luck finding your girlie a new home, let me know how you get on.

These are truly heartbreaking stories.

It takes so much courage to leave your beloved pet behind when you migrate.

At the time your heart is being torn but at the end of the day, you are doing what you feel is best for your pet and what suits your situation.

You are not being cruel, you are finding it a good home where it will be loved and fed, and thats all any animal could wish for.

Its harder on us than it is on them.

The love and bond between a pet and its owner is somewhat underestimated.

And to those that do rehome, nobody can take away your memories.

hi lisa,

we have a great dane x rottweiler and a cat, our dog (bruno) is huge and hates the heat and would hate it in townsville, so our good friend is going to have him, he looks after him if we go away and bruno loves him.
when it was hot the other day (hottish) bruno hated it, and it made our decision not to take him, a little easier. It would probably kill him, and i couldnt bear to take him over there and spoil his life.
Ive a few friends who have offered homes to my cat, fudge, so i know she will be ok.
we decided that once we have a date to go by, we will settle bruno and fudge into their new homes a month before we go, that way we will all have time to adjust and we can see they have settled into their new homes.
It will be heartbreaking, but i know we are doing what is best for them.
Trish

Had one of them asking if I would do a payment plan ? derrr I put that the reason for sale was due to emigrating, so had to explain that a payment plan was not an option. Not that I would do that anyway.

April is 14.2 and the more stocky type, very very pretty, chestnut with flaxen mane and tail. Likewise if I get anyone who is after your horse's type I will PM you will.

Let me know how you get on with your people ... I really hope they will be perfect for her, they sound it

We may only be taking one cat now.... Holly, my eldest (11) has been vomiting for a while, took him back to the vets again today to discover it's blood he's been vomiting for the last couple of weeks, he's lost weight and sleeping a lot and vet pretty sure it's cancer.

totally devastated, cant stop crying at the thought of losing my baby....

Oh Bridie I'm so sorry about Holly

Oh you poor thing. I have been there and know exactly what you're feeling. I lost my best little female cat Juniper last year and my heart still aches for her.

On finding out she had cancer, I had her put to sleep and held her in my arms.

Its a small comfort to know you made a huge decision that although broke you apart, was the best for your cat.

And it takes a strong and brave owner to realise it.

If it is cancer, I know it will hurt, but be there till the end. Of all the years your little cat gave you, its a small price of pain to pay to have the last loving arms that hold them, be yours.

Remember, you are damn lucky to have had him. Kindness and love enter our lives in many forms, yours came in the way of your cat.

If you fancy a chat, PM me and I can send you my mobile number.

Sam

really sorry to hear about your cat, hope things work out ok. At the end of the day, as long as you have done all you can for your cats comfort and well being, you can do no more.
its horrible when this sort of thing happens, my thoughts are with you
Trish
xx