Anyone leave their pets behind, unable to take them?

Thanks everyone, it is not the easiest thing to do, as we do seem to attach ourselves dont we? I will use your suggestions and find them a nice retirement home... If anything bad happens to them, I just dont want to know.... I am hoping someone will love them as much as I do...
Now my DD (8 years old) is asking if we can get a kitten in Notts.... I think I will have to wait a bit, let the old ones rest first... LOL

I think you are making the best decision possible, and if you need to vent about how much you miss them you have a support team here to listen.  If you want to talk pm me we can chat.

Thanks zeusy99, I dont think my family (mother and sister) quite understand how attached I became to my pets...I wouldnt mind chatting, as when we get to England in 5 weeks time, I am sure I will need some support. (Where abouts are you?)

I am in Suffolk but my email and pm reaches to anywhere in the UK.

I will use your suggestions and find them a nice retirement home... If anything bad happens to them, I just dont want to know...

That's why you do have to find them a caring place to take care of them if you never intend to bring them over; not send them away and then close your ears and eyes.  I'd think that would inevitably wreak havoc on your conscience.

I left my cat behind because I didn't know what my situation would be initially; with the intention of bringing him over once I'd settled.  My parents took him in, even after years of saying they couldn't take care of any more animals (my whole life, animals have found us, never the other way around); and eventually, they had to be the ones to take him through being put down (of old age/kidney failure in 2005; he was 14 when I left in 2004).
I don't know what I could have done differently, but I will always feel guilty for putting him and them through that; as I should have been there.  I miss him horribly and can barely bring myself to even begin to grieve.

I was fortunate that it was a cat I first owned & then shared with a (now ex-) partner for several years.  We parted on quite amiable terms (are still dear friends) and he kept the cat, knowing that I was moving to England, and that it was as much 'his cat' by then anyway.  I didn't want to put a delicate aged cat (13 years) through an overseas move.  I still get to see the cat when I go home to visit, but he is getting on in years now -- and has fully integrated into his new family.

That's why you do have to find them a caring place to take care of them if you never intend to bring them over; not send them away and then close your ears and eyes.  I'd think that would inevitably wreak havoc on your conscience.

Yes, I think that is one reason why it is bothering me so much, is I need to make sure they are loved and cared for... I did have a thought that just occured to me this morning, I have a "cat woman" who live in my apartment, I am going to check with her. She is the one who goes down to the Port of LA to feed the neighborhood cats, the strays. I am sure she may be willing to look after mine as a foster mom... I will keep you updated once I speak to her....

I was fortunate that it was a cat I first owned & then shared with a (now ex-) partner for several years. 

I am glad that your ex took your cat. I wish I had an ex to trust (LOL). Nevermind, I may have my solution... fingers crossed.... 

Thanks for the support everyone, Glad to know I am not the only on who has experienced this nightmare....