The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Multiple Cats, Allergies, and the Landlord
I have three cats, each around the age of 2½, all rescued at different times. At first they each hated each other, but with time they grew to be good friends, cleaning, playing, and sleeping with each other. My dilemma is, I’ve recently moved, and the landlord only wants us to have one cat -- that’s all that’s on the lease. On top of that, I’ve developed an allergy, to the point at which I’m getting a shot once a week, and taking Singulair daily. Bottom line, I need to find them all new homes.
I’ve put up flyers at the pet stores, online, and among my coworkers and friends, but no one can take all of them, or even the two that are closest.
My question is, is it so bad to split them up? Or should I just find them each appropriate homes?
Please help! Thanks.
From: Rhiana, via Martha Stewart Radio
Dear Rhiana,
You have three issues here. The first is the landlord, and your lease. I’ve consulted with a lawyer, who advises that, yes, if you’ve signed a lease limiting the number of pets you can have -- I assume you have a signed lease -- that might be a problem. You might try to convince your landlord that your particular cats, “well-behaved” as they are, are no more a burden on the property than a single cat would be. You might ask as well whether your landlord would accept a monetary deposit he could put in an escrow account to protect against any damage they might potentially cause. Let him know as well (only if this is truly the case) that you keep them sequestered in your own home; that no other tenants have complained; and that you’ll be happy to make any reasonable accommodations you can in order to keep your “family” together.
Failing this. . .
Read Tracie's answer in its entirety in the PDF file: LandlordAllergies.pdf (46KB)
Tracie Hotchner
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
