I wanna adopt a cat

Cat72

I would HIGHILY recommend your local cat protection league.I have had cats all my adult life and now only get mine from them. At the moment I have three- the last one was aquired last year and she was aged 4. She is a full pedigree and only cost £35.00. The cat protection league makes sure they are neutred, vaccinated, chipped and wormed.I do like older cats about 4 as they are less hassle than the cute kittens ( this is my first older cats I always succombed to the cute kitties before !).I got a house visit and never needed to pay. They are definately the best source to go to- the animal shelets are dearer and you get back up with the cat protection league- if you change your mind they will take the cat back ( they would have to wrestle me for them but! ).
I prefer female cats as they tend to be quiter- and see no problem in you only getting one cat- I have done this very successfully before.Some cats do not like other cats in their household either if you read cat confidential the writer points this out- and I have definatley had cats that became happier once their house buddies died !
I have NEVER needed insurance, especailly if you have an indoor cat boosters are not neccessary aand out of about 12 cats over the years I have rarely needed to take them to the vet. This with the last four being outdoor cats. Cats are very versatile so will adapt very well and are very resilant. Good luck- they dont cost a lot and its great to have someone to greet you when you come home- and brighten up your day.
I do agree with feeding them the best food possible- dont go for the whiskers rubbish.

wigginsmum

We've got 7 outdoor cats - we feed them Whiskas tins which I buy in bulk from Costco - 6 tins a day between them = £70/month as opposed to £85 from Sainsburys. We used to feed them IAMS but one nearly died with the IAM crystals thing. They're happier and healthier on a blend of Whiskas and real meat than they ever were on the dried stuff.

Insurance for the lot costs £40.18/month from Direct Line.

As well as vaccinations, worming, flea treatment etc, you'll need to look at neutering even if you're planning on not letting it out - if it's male it may well 'spray' to mark its territory if unneutered, and if it's female, they're fiends when they're in season! All the yowling and rubbing chins on the ground and quivering hindquarters will drive you crazy.

Avoid getting one from a pet shop - they frequently carry infections, and it just encourages breeders who churn out the kittens, often taking them from their mothers before they're old enough.

Be ready for a longterm commitment - I've had cats all my life (my Mum's run an animal rescue charity for 40 years) and they frequently live 17-21 years. Think too about what you'll do if you go away for the weekend or longer - you'll need someone to feed him/her.

Jules

Dee123_2

Cat72 wrote:

Some cats do not like other cats in their household either if you read cat confidential the writer points this out.

I have been meaning to order this book and another by Vicky Halls as I will be pretty clueless about cat behaviour!

Thanks for all your replies everyone - I appreciate it!

Magentasue

This is true about cats not always taking to other cats, one of ours left home when we got another cat!

We now have two cats, sisters that we got as kittens. My mother has two cats from CPL - different ages but they had been together for some time and so rehomed together. It is nice to see them play and sleep together - one cat is fine, I just like the idea of two!

Dee123_2

Makes total sense to have two in terms of keeping each other company. However, I have a very small house and an even smaller budget. I kind of clung to what was written about some cats being happier on their own to justify just getting one. In about two weeks, I'll go to the CPL and have a chat with the people there about what's best for my circumstances.

Did you find out where your cat went, Magenta? Did it adopt a neighbour?

Magentasue

Yes, she moved in with a little old lady down the road who swore she wasn't encouraging her. Walked past one day to catch her calling her in with a tin of Whiskas in her hand! Gave up and them together until the litttle old lady moved into a home where she wasn't allowed pets. We them readopted our own cat! I didn't think she would come back but within days she was back for every meal hissing at our other two cats if they so much as looked at her. Within a week she was Queen Cat and ruled until she died aged 19 a couple of years ago.

Cats do as THEY think best!

One cat is fine - cheaper of course.

Bathsheba

Remember the old saying: dogs have owners, cats have staff!

Dee123_2

I havent the time to find the joke but its something like:

A dog thinks: This person gives me food, warmth and lots of love. He must be a GOD!!!!

A cat thinks: This person gives me food, warmth and lots of love. I must be a GOD!!!!

Poppycat

I love my cat, he's wonderful company for me during the day. If you look after them and give them the love to which they require they give you a lot more back. I couldnt do without mine, hes quite intelligent and there not as dumb as one my think.

I do live on a busy road but he doesnt go near the road, but neighbours have lost cats before.

I have to stay up late some nights because the rascal goes out just as I want to go to bed and I dont like him being out all night.

At this time of year he doesnt go out much.

Cat72

Here is my darlings that I got from the Cpl ( the one floppy at the back is zeta obtained last year for £35 - ps she hates other cats - doesnt consider herself one, more in the " god" category.) As you see happy and cute and hogging the radiator .