Jonathan Tullett

After placing an advert for the cats on Gumtree, I received two replies within a matter of hours. I wasn’t overly keen on either of them, but took their numbers and said I’d call when I’d made my decision.

On Tuesday morning, I received an email from a lady called Joyce. She said:
‘Hi Jonathan, I hope you haven’t found a home for your two cats, as I’m certainly interested. I live in Epsom and have a house with a fair sized garden with cat-flap access. I have always had cats as pets since a young girl (I’m now in my fifties!). Unfortunately, I had to have my last cat put down last January, and now am looking to fill the void she left’

I called her right away and we chatted for ten minutes so I could gauge her suitability. She works, has a garden, extensive experience with multiple cats; an ideal candidate. We arranged for her to visit yesterday after I’d finished work.

Shortly after 3pm, she arrived. Within minutes of walking in, both Violet and Juniper were playing with her – Juniper doing his ‘love me’ draping over her legs and Violet trying to hide in her jumper.

We chatted for about 40 minutes, about her work, her life, and extensively about the cats. She was very taken with them – especially Violet, who reminded her of one of her last.

I made the decision and we loaded them, after a little fun trying to manipulate Violet, into the carry boxes. She also took the various cat items and meds I had around the house.

I said my goodbyes, and we put them into the car. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I welled up a little.

Joyce is going to let me know how they settle in and send me the occasional updates. I’ll look forward to those. Violet and Juniper were a part of my life for so many years that being cut off from them entirely would be very hard.

Last night I locked up the cat flap, opened all the bedroom doors and didn’t put down food. I will miss having them around but I know this is for the best, for all of us.

I had a slight wobble in my resolve, but upon reassessment, I need to rehome my cats.

Please read this post for more details:
http://downagain.com/blog/2009/07/05/time-to-find-a-new-home

If no friends want them, they’ll go to a rescue/rehoming centre.

I’ve battled my allergies for the last 18 months so or, but I’m nearing the point where I need to re-home my two cats, Violet and Juniper.

I’ve had them since they were three months old; I picked them up in September 2000, they are now nine.

They are two of the most affectionate cats you could meet. Reagan quipped that he once had a girlfriend who was as needy as Voilet is. She’s always around, wanting stroking, wanting love (well, they both are; all three, if you include Reagan). They’ll all happily sit next to me for hours. Or on me.

But that’s the problem. If I touch them, within minutes my eyes start to itch, and if I don’t have eye drops to hand, things get really uncomfortable. Last night, Voilet rubbed her nose on my arm, and shortly after I had a swollen red mark where she’d been.

I thought the problem the problem was made worse by the number of cats I had – it used to be four. Emma took one with her to Bromley, and one of her colleagues took another. My allergies didn’t get better.

So I have two cats, who want love I can no longer give them. I think it’s time I found them a new home. This is not a decision I’ve taken lightly.

Would anyone be interested in providing a home? They need to go together, have access to outside, and ideally be in a quiet neighbourhood.

Over the last few months I’ve been looking to upgrade the vivarium in which we keep our two carpet pythons. One of the reasons is that due to the humidity requirements of the snakes, and a few water spillages some of the wood’s started to rot. Also, wooden vivs are notoriously to clean and can harbour mites.

Today I stumbled upon Herptek. They make a vivs out of high density polyethylene, with rounded corners and which are easy to clean and maintain. London Zoo also use them in their reptile house and hospital; if they’re good enough for London Zoo, they’re good enough for us :)

Looking at UK suppliers, they’re not cheap. Euro Rep have them for £326 delivered; not cheap by any means. Considering the first tank was free, and that’s lasted a good few years, I think we can slash out on a very long lasting ideal home for the little darlings.

Now to see if they stock the black ones.