Well, since you asked for opinions, I will give you mine.  Yes, I think you
were wrong.  I would *never* give up my cats.  They are family, just like
children -- and very few people would give up children.  Cats are not
disposable objects!  Moreover, I have been through a number of "moving days"
when I had to find an apartment that would accept cats.  I had to give up on
many apartments that I really would have liked simply because of adamant "no
pets" policies.  I no longer have to worry about that because I own my home,
but *my* policy during the days when I was renting was "accept my cats, or I
look elsewhere."  Incidentally, cats adjust *very* well to apartment living.
All you need to do is provide lots of toys, attention, scratching posts, and
a climbing surface (such as a cat tree).  Barn cats usually do not receive
the type of attention that you have probably been giving your cats.  They
also usually have a shorter lifespan than indoor cats -- less nutrition,
vulnerable to predators, traffic (even in a rural area), etc.  Your landlord
may have good intentions, but do you really think he will monitor their
health, take them to a vet on a regular basis, provide good quality food
(and not take the attitude that they can "catch their own food"), groom
them, give them attention, and all the other little things that you have
probably done without even thinking about it.  So, my opinion is that you
should try to retrieve these kitties, take them with you, and provide the
type of indoor space that will give them a healthy and happy environment
without needing to go outdoors.  Personally, I think it will also make *you*
happier since you said you are heartbroken over this decision.

MaryL

I brought 7 cats from a very isolated farm where they were always free to
roam (and worry me half to death in spite of no traffic) to a house in town.
It's a small town, but it still has traffic, so they've been kept indoors
(almost 18 months now) ever since. I was really afraid they would not adapt
to being housecats, but it's not been that bad - except on my budget, since
now I have to provide all of their food and they can't use the great
outdoors for a litterbox, and cat litter is expensive.

Before I moved I considered giving one of them to the woman who was moving
in behind me, but she didn't want another cat. I also would have given him
to the owner of the farm, but she didn't want another cat either. This cat
was my biggest worry about having to stay indoors because he likes to chase
and fight with some of the younger ones. But thanks to Feliway (which I used
for the first six months or so in the house), everyone has learned to get
along pretty well.

The one troublesome cat is also the one who seems to miss being outside the
most, but he loves his meowmie and seems to understand. He gets tons more
attention from me now than he did on the farm. They all do, really, because
now they're around me constantly.

I'm trying to finish putting up a fence around the back yard with a charged
wire on the top to keep them from going over it. Then they will at least get
to be outside. It won't be like it was on the farm, but will be better than
having to stay in 100% of the time.

I would not have moved to an apartment even if I could have found one that
would accept so many cats, because I can't stand apartments, and buying a
house around here is cheaper than renting an apartment, and I've simply got
to have a garden, and the cats have to be able to go outside eventually, if
only in a small area.

Bottom line, the cats are my family, and I won't part with any of them
unless I am desperate (which I really am, money-wise) and absolutely certain
that they would have as good or better care and love from their new slave as
they get from me. Also, I would not let go of one that would be greatly
missed by any of the others. For instance, if I had to thin out the clowder,
I wouldn't give away Abelard or Beatrice because they are best friends, like
Baby Eyes and Tommy are. I could let Billy and Lily go together, because
neither of them are attached to any of the others, and they are littermates.
I would miss them terribly, but if I knew where they were and that they were
happy and their new slave was devoted to them, I could do it, but only
because I'm so strapped for money.

If I was in your position I would question the prospective new slave very
closely. I don't know how many cats are involved or what the barn situation
is like, or how strongly attached to you the cats are. Chances are if you
let them go, and it's a good situation, they'll adapt to it quicker than
you'll adapt to being without them.

I wish the best for all concerned.

Well, since you asked, no, I would not have done what you did. I would
have
first given the cats a chance to adjust to the new apartment, and if
they didn't (most of
them do)....then I'd have looked at homing them to another indoor-
outdoor place.
I have to tell you, Mother Nature is hard on barn cats.
Also, I hope that you clarified the definition of "giving them a good
home as a
barn cat." Some people are under the impression that barn cats are
completely
self-reliant, and that's just not true. They still ahve to be fed
daily, and have
fresh water daily. They still get sick and have to be vetted.
I don't mean to sound critical, but it just makes me sad that you
couldn't find
a way to keep them. I do hope they make out okay.

Sherry

I would have never gave up my furballs.   I made a point years ago in my
marriage  she would go before the cats  and out she went

Go back and get them. Barn cats do not live long lives. They are on the
farm to do a job -- not be pampered or loved.

If the humans remember to feed them, that's a good day, but otherwise
they are considered workers who need to keep down the rodent population
(and sometimes starve trying.)

Also, the cats will have lots of itchy fleas and probably vet care only
if they have an open wound that is noticed.

Barns do not provide much comfort. They get incredibly cold.

Go get them and take care of them. They will adjust to your new life,
just as you will.

Rhonda

If your cats are used to getting fed by you, and having access to indoor
comforts and attention to their health, they won't do very well as barn
cats. Will he feed them daily - twice daily as they are used to?  What
happens in winter? Will he make sure they are free of fleas, wormed,
taken to the vet if they get hurt? It sounds unlikely to me, if he is
takiing them as barn cats and not pets. His intentions are well-meaning,
but I think it's going to be very tough on your guys.
Most so-called barn cats are already semi-feral, which yours aren't. As
others have said, it's a hard life, and I personally think you should
get your cats back and take them with you. Yes, they will be wanting to
go out badly at first in the new place, but you must be firm and not
give in - they will adapt in time, and if you give them lots of
attention and active play, they will be fine. You can give them climbing
space by getting big cat climbing trees for them, and stimulate the
hunting response with lots of play. Does the new apartment allow pets?

Just my 2p-worth -

Deb.

Depends upon how many cats we're talking about!  If you have
a lot of them, that may be a better solution than just
taking two or three with you (which is rather like deciding
which of your children to give up).  However, My cats have
mostly been indoor/outdoor when they could be.  When forced
to become indoor only, they've always adapted very well.
(Except for Melisande's tendency to try to escape whenever I
open the door.)

Remember, a healthy cat sleeps eighteen to twenty hours a
day.  If they have food and water available, and plenty of
toys to keep them amused, they really don't have that much
unoccupied time to fill!  (And of course, I wouldn't even
CONSIDER an apartment that would not allow cats!)

I don't what your situation is that causes you to move from where you can
have your cats to where you can't.
I only know when I split from my ex years ago, I fought tooth and nail to
keep this place as at the time (we) had 11 dogs.
I won in the end but it cost me every penny I had in legal fees.  So my
answer is I didn't abandon my pets.

Tweed