Quarantine with pets required before

Dear Cathy: My dad and stepmom have a 19-year-old cat, who sleeps and lives on a couch and goes to the litter box, three-feet away. This cat has been a very divisive and disruptive element in our family for than 15 years.

They live several hours away. Dad is 89 and my stepmom is 84 with dementia. They need to move to an assisted-living facility near me. The facility accepts pets. However, COVID 19 requires some quarantine requirements before they can move into the facility. I want them to move her and stay with me to meet all the requirements, so they are in. But I own two dogs and a parrot, so the cat would not be a good fit in the house. Plus, my wife and daughter are allergic to cats.

I offered to make the cat comfortable in the garage. My dad said that was unacceptable. Suggestions? — Bruce, Cooper City, Florida

Dear Bruce: Your parents have a strong emotional attachment to their 19-year-old cat. They love this cat and consider him/her a valued family member. So, naturally, the garage doesn’t sound like a great place for their beloved feline.

Option 1: Offer to let the cat stay inside your home, but he/ she must remain in the guest room, where your parents will be sleeping, the entire time.

Option 2: Find a friend or another family member who can foster the cat for the quarantine period required.

Please know your parents will only be happy with the first option. As long as the cat remains in the room the entire time and the dogs and cat don’t meet, all should be well. Keeping the cat isolated in their guest room also will prevent your wife and kid’s allergies from acting up.

Even under the best of circumstances, there would be some stress in the house as you oversee this transition for your parents.

So, expect some stress to occur and remind yourself this is a temporary situation.