new cat or kitten advice (merged)

Tortieshell

As a family we decided to adopt a rescue kitten and as we have 2 other cats at home the advice we were given was to adopt a kitten.

I spoke to a lady at one rescue centre and she sent me pics of these little kittens but were too young to re-home at the moment but she said if I wanted one of them she would keep one aside.

However I rang yesterday and they told me all the kittens were gone she gave them away in pairs.

Since then I have contacted every rescue centre within reasonable distance to us and no-one seems to have any kittens at the moment, few of them said they are only at the shelters for a day or 2 before they all go.

I thought rescue centres would be full of kittens this time of year, its a shame there are so many adult cats still there and if I didnt have 2 already I would of definately taken one of those.

I guess I'm a little impatient!! but I have contacted 10 centres now and private ads and they dont seem to hang on to kittens for long.

I am quite pleased also that there are so many people out there who are adopting these kittens which makes me feel good but still want one!!

WeirdoMagnet

Whereabouts are you? Maybe people can suggest other rescues that you may not have found. Have you tried looking on CatChat? Here's a list from there of rescues with kittens, and here's a list of cat rescues.

Maybe you could get your homecheck done in advance, fill in any forms/questionaires, and keep visiting (that way you'll know if they have any litters waiting to be weaned) and asking. There'll be lots if people waiting for kittens, so if you're homechecked and ready to go you'll be nearer the top of the list.

Good luck,

Georgie

PS. Please choose a rescue instead of buying through the private ads. A rescue will give lifetime backup (in case you are no longer able to look after the cat), and by buying from private ads you are encouraging irresponsible folk to allow their cat to breed rather than getting her spayed.

Tortieshell

Hi .. Yes I did look on CatChat. I'm in Essex, I found one that is perfect but its over an hour away even though it's still in Essex!

Oh well Great idea to get the home checks, form filling out of the way now though, think I'll look into that.

I really dont want to buy through the private ads but was curious to see if kittens were still available - .

Thanks for your advice

Bendybops19

Awww i really feel for you! when you have your heart set on giving a pet a home its hard when youre told you cant for some reason.

I hope your find a lovely kitten soon!!

scat

fenwoman wrote: »

if you have got a 7 week old kitten I could cry for the poor little thing. Kittens should NOT leave their mothers until they are at least 10 weeks old. Biting and scratching is how kittens play. Ideally you would have got 2 kittens so that they can play with each other. As it is , you took one away from the mother far too young without any idea what to expect and seem surprised when it does what kittens do (bite, scratch and be hyper).
I now have 14 cats, all rescue, all from people who got cute kittens who bit, scratched, peed and pooped, were hyper, scratched the furniture, got fleas, needed worming etc. I brought the latest 2 home this evening. No more than 18 months old, brother and sister, not neutered, she has had 2 litters of kittens to her brother. Both got the runs bad. Luckily both taken in my a young couple who got them wormed and flea treated at the vet, but could not keep them. At one fell swoop, these 2 unwanted will cost me a minimum of £200 at the vet next week for vaccinations and neutering. I suspect she is pregnant again in the early stages and if she is, she will still be spayed.
I have no doubt at all, that before the end of the year I will have more as people take on kittens too young and have problems or get fed up with looking after them. No wonder I'm always flipping broke.

Total respect! You sound mad - I feel the same way and I have only taken in one! Mine was 4-5 months old when she got dumped ( also not spayed, riddled with fleas and worms ) People really should take pet ownership more seriously. Seems to me everyone wants a kitten until reality hits home. Kittens are expensive, they are not 'cute playthings' They need financial and emotional committment for possibly 20 years.

keelykat

quill wrote: »

Is it just me that found you flippin rude?
That poor poster was just asking advice. They've obviously never had a kitten before.
Reading between the lines, you are accusing them of being about to dump the cat for being "inconvenient".
Just cast your mind back to when you first had a cat. It takes time to learn how to look after them.
Oh and for your info, I "rescued" my two latest recruits from some woman who fancied herself as being an animal lover/"rescuer" and had far too many than she could afford. Most of them were ill.

Yeah I agree.... I remember when we had our first two-the ones that got ill etc...we hadn't done it before but looked after them, took them to the vets, seeked advice etc...she's asked for advice and people have been kind enough to reply and help.

Keely.

Tortieshell

Have finally found a cutey!! She is only young so am going to see her tomorrow but will have to wait another 3 weeks!!

Hopefully will take a pic of her tommorow.

rita-rabbit

Get two.

I had one cat by itself when I was with my family, however when I left home she pined terribly (I played with her the most & she slept on my bed so she was `my' rather than the family cat) got depressed and died.

I have two now, I had one at first & then got the second one later. The second cat is much more sociable than the first one. They are not best buddies but good company for each other just the same.

MissScarlett_3

Yep, another vote for 2. I have a brother and sister, great company for each other as kittens and you'll be at home for the first few weeks to supervise, very tiring time as I remember!

Never owned one cat, always bought as BOGOF's LOL (not quite but you know what I mean) It's also nice when they are taken from their mother that they still have some familiar company but that could be me being too slushy.

eviljim6

jenkellyxx wrote: »

Aaaagh i'd so be a freaky cat lady if i had the finances and space!!

It just takes one cat and the you're off. It's like a collection.
My OH had two when I moved in. We then decided I should have my own so I got a kitten (the fabulous, beautiful, talkative runt of the litter). Two years on felt that she need a friend so got the newest cable chewing monkey.
I wonder how many I'll have in 5 years
:eek:

On a serious note I think it is much better to get kittens from strays or friends cats than to go to a pet shop which is way cruel.