Home Visit Before Adopting Cat

MakingPositiveChanges

Hi

Hubby and I are considering getting a kitty.

As we are usually our of the home between 8am and 5.30pm Mon-Fri we thought an older cat would be more suitable.

I know this sounds ridiculous but OH and I have a real thing about not liking strangers being in our home. Understandably, all rescue places need to complete a home visit before a cat can be released. We were wondering what this entails and what it is they are looking for when they come around? Do they require a tour of every room?

I know this sounds mad but please humour me! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Snuggles

MakingPositiveChanges wrote: »

Hi

Hubby and I are considering getting a kitty.

As we are usually our of the home between 8am and 5.30pm Mon-Fri we thought an older cat would be more suitable.

I know this sounds ridiculous but OH and I have a real thing about not liking strangers being in our home. Understandably, all rescue places need to complete a home visit before a cat can be released. We were wondering what this entails and what it is they are looking for when they come around? Do they require a tour of every room?

I know this sounds mad but please humour me! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Hi,

I have just adopted a two year old cat from the RSPCA. We went for an older cat because we are also out all day, and she is doing fine. The home visit really is nothing to worry about. In our case a local lady volunteer who rescues cats herself came to do the visit. It took about ten minutes. I think she was mostly interested in where we lived (ie was it on a busy road?) and whether we had a garden. She didn't go upstairs, we just sat chatting in the living room for most of the time.

It really was nothing, so don't let it put you off giving a cat a good home.

Person_one

Places like Battersea or other big council run pounds/rescues don't do home visits as they take in every stray so they don't have the manpower for them. They ask a few questions while you're there but basically they just have to trust you. Where in the country are you?

MakingPositiveChanges

Hi

We're in East Yorkshire. I've looked on the local charity websites and they all require home visits.

I'll have to work on hubby I think!

maidincornwall

I adopted 2 older cats a few years ago, the chap that came to home check just came in, took one look at our comfortable but messy kitchen, complete with dogs and other cat in front of the rayburn and said it was a perfect place for a cat and he didnt need to see any more! Ive had several other oldies from there since and no more checks have been done

pinkcandyflossprincess

well i didnt adopt my kittens but have recently adopted 2 lovebirds this summer from RSPCA, the lady inspected our birds and cages and i took her to shed to show our spare cages (5 big uns!), she then asked lots of questions which was a bit intimidating but we passed and when she came back 6 weeks later to check how they had settled in she was a totally different woman singing my praises that she had told RSPCA i was a bird expert and welcome to adopt more birds anytime:o
I think they check stuff for cats such as near a main busy road which is a no no, will it have acess to a safe garden (if cat is used to that), obviously is your home safe for a cat (we are talkin say a home that isnt totally vandalised and covered in rubbish versus a nice warm home that may have a tatty sofa and rug but is still a home......it doesnt have to be a palace, mine isnt i have 5 kids running loose!)
also a bedsit wouldnt be suitable but for some cats a flat would etc
a cat that needs homing on its own wouldnt welcome if you had other cats or a dog for example but for anoher cat that could be fine.
they are just looking for a suitable home for that particular cat, its not judging how often you dust your units:D
also they would ask you questions to ensure you know the responsibility of having a cat, if it is litter trained will you be happy with cleaning that and having the trays about, if it has a particular diet will you follow that.
It sounds a bit scary but really it isnt, you sound ideal anyway for an older cat who usually just wants a warm fire or lap!
good luck!

dirtmother

Some charities say they will always do a home visit as it is an easy and effective way to screen out unsuitable people from the off but they may in practice not actually do it if after talking to you they feel comfortable with you. I've adopted umpteen cats, dogs and guinea pigs over the years and never had a home visit. However, I think if you sounded reluctant to accept a home visit, that might understandably ring alarm bells.

RuthnJasper

My great aunts used to volunteer for a dog (and the occasional cat) rescue home in their local area (where my lovely Jasper came from!) and they used to do most of the home visits.

These generally consisted of popping 'round for a chat over a cup of tea (if offered!) - the chat was informal and involved things like whether the people understood the responsibilities and possible financial implications of pet ownership, whether they would provide a safe, stable home for the animal, etc.

Sadly, all too often, a dog/cat adopted from rescue homes ends up back at the shelter because the people "changed their minds" - this is distressing enough for the shelter staff, but unbelievably so for the animal - it's this sort of scenario that the rescue shelters are seeking to minimise with their home visits.

I doubt that they will want to look into every room and poke into your personal business - they just want to know that the pet will be going to a safe and happy home, with caring and responsible people.

I wish you lots of luck - hope all goes well for you (and potentially for your new cat!). xx

krlyr

A "home check" doesn't literally tend to be a check of the entire home - they just want to speak to you face-to-face as it tends to be easier, they can get a gut feeling, check the garden and surrounding areas look suitable, discuss any issues etc.

paddypaws101

I am sure they will be happier to see a cosy lived in house than some kind of magazine style palace where a new cat could so easily cause unintentional harm or disruption so dont tidy up TOO much!
I should imagine they would want to speak to you and OH together just to check that both of you want the cat and it's not going to be rejected by an uninterested partner.
You could impress them by getting some leaflets on cat care/diet/vaccination from whichever local vet you plan to register with, and by mentioning plans for cat care if and when you decide to go away on holiday.

MakingPositiveChanges

Hi

Thanks you so much for your replies - we've really appreciated them.

We've decided to wait until the new year now as I only have one days leave left now until Xmas. Ideally, I'd like a week off work when the cat arrives so I have 9 days for him/her to get used to me. (Not following it around and pestering it mind, just being around in the house.)

Thanks again x