Do you have any friends who might keep them for awhile?

Is your mom's place large enough that they could be "quarantined" to a section of the house she could avoid for the duration?

I didn't see the original post; very sorry you are going through this.

I missed your first note about friends somehow- ok, so there aren't any frineds close. What about friends far? Nobody in a day's drive radius that could house a couple of cats?

Part of being a responsible pet owner is to always have a backup plan for your animals, that guarantees their safety and welfare. While I'm sympathetic to your story, and sorry to hear of the troubles you're having, once you're down to no money and no plan, you're no longer able to care for animals, and it might be good to recognize that as part of your circumstances for the foreseeable future, hard as that may be.

Get in touch with shelters in your area, and see if there is anyone they know that you could pay to "foster" your animals for a month or two. Some shelter people I've known will do this for very little or no money if you supply the food, and guarantee vet bills, if any arise, and maybe do some volunteer work at the shelters. Alternatively, if you can't work something like this out, you'll at least know the resources available in your area, if you have to give up your cats, and you may be able to get them a spot in a no kill place with a week or two's notice.

If your cats are up-to-date on shots and neutering, you might also put up notices that emphasize this on grocery store bulletin boards, laundromats and other places around your town. Your sunk vet costs might well be the factor that tips the scales of someone looking for a cat in favor of taking yours, versus getting a shelter cat that they would have to pay to have shots and neutering done for.

Again, sorry to hear of your current troubles. I really hope things work out for you, and that you find a temporary solution for your animals, until you can afford to keep them normally again.

I have no idea where you are, but I could easily take care of a few cats for a month or so in Vermont.

Oh, for heaven's sakes, you're not being an irresponsible person for breaking up with your boyfriend and having a mother who's allergic to cats.

Can you brainstorm with your mother? Maybe she's willing to have the quarantine room, like mike suggests, or is willing to pay for boarding, or has neighbors who might be willing to help, or whatever? Since you're needing to do something to accommodate her, she might have ideas?

Don't know how bad her allergies are. If it's asthma, that's hard, but if it's the stuffy nose/itchy eyes, that's better. If your Mom has a room w/ hard surface floors that you can keep your kitties in, that would be best for her as far as cleaning after you're out. Also, if any permanent "soft" surfaces are removed from kitty-room all the better. (curtains, area rugs, stuff that will stay after you're gone) Animal dander gets into all sorts of soft/absorbent materials. After kitties are out, use one of those enzyme cleaners to rid the area of the kitty allergen.

Let us know where you are, and maybe someone will have suggestions based on your location.

Oh, and forgot to tell you that I'm sorry to hear that you're going through all this. Sucks.

desjardins, I'm really sorry you're going through this. You have my sympathy, and empathy.

And don't listen to (preachy, pedantic) paulsc. As ochhi pointed out, you are NOT irresponsible for having a breakup and an allergic mother.

I think other folks' suggestions are good: a hard-surfaced floor, quarantine room, etc. Also, I'd be willing to bet that a good friend would be happy to put up with the inconvenience of hosting your cats; people will want to do whatever they can to help you during this tough time.