Adopting a cat in a flat

Deep_In_Debt

I have 2 rescue cats (I got them 9 years ago). They were apparently rescued from a high rise flat. The RSPCA criteria for me adopting them was that I had to have a garden (which I have) despite them being used to being inside for a year.

In the years that I've had them, they are not that interested in the outside world and are happier being indoors despite having a catflap and garden!

Have you tried the Mayhew Animal Home - they have a lot of cats and are North London based.

Deep_In_Debt

Mayhew:
http://www.mayhewanimalhome.org/

Wood Green animal shelter also North London I believe (Wood Green)
http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/

Tiddlywinks

I'm going to go against the flow as I think cats should be able to go out unless they have a condition that prevents that from being possible.

Yes, I know that some people live on busy roads or in flats... but it's not like going out and getting a sofa to fit in your new place. This is a living, breathing creature that is designed to go out and about. If your current circumstances aren't suitable then why not wait until you move to somewhere more suitable.

I have always had cats and always will (God willing) and have chosen always to seek a place away from a busy road - even when renting I have always made sure that I could fit a cat flap and have paid lots extra to get the right 'cat friendly' place. I put their needs before my own to be honest because they don't have choices - I do.

Yes, there are house cats that need to be re-homed or cats with a medical condition which means they need to stay in but that should be the exception. I always think... how would I like to be kept in a flat for the rest of my life with no possbility of leaving? It would be like a prison cell - albeit with lovely toys and someone that petted me, but still...

Just my thoughts - not intending to cause a fight.

Blondetotty

I've just taken on an elderly female cat from CPL and they were fine about me living in a flat. They advertise for indoor only cats, some elderly, some with infirmities etc. I'd lost my boy a few weeks before and the flat was so empty without him but as I live on a busy road I just couldn't trust another cat to be as road savvy as him so was only interested in an indoor cat.

CPL were great, we agreed on the phone that some charities want the ridiculous - huge secure gardens, home 24/7, no kids etc and it wasn't feasible and they want as best they can get for their cats rather than sitting in a foster home in one room for the rest of their lives so my girl came to live with me. the best part is they've agreed to cover any long term vets bills as well so I don't have to worry about trying to get insurance for such an old girl or end up without insurance.

To be fair you wouldn't know she was so old. She acts like a kitten and tears around the place and until now I never realised how much more attention an indoor cat needs than a self sufficient one that goes out. Definately not the eat, sleep and 5 mins cuddle time my boy wanted. When I've home she wants playtime, cuddle time, more playtime and then more cuddles. My sky box is backing up with the TV I don't have time to watch anymore so also think about how much time and attention you can give to an indoor cat, even an elderly or infirm one.

demystified

I'm going to go against the grain too and say that looking from the CPL's point of view you're: living in a flat with no garden, you'll probably be out at work most of the time, you've no experiance with pets at all... alarm bells would be ringing in my head too.

FIV cats lead good lives most of the time but have to be kept in to prevent infection to other cats... all I'm hearing is "I want, I want, I want..." to be honest you're coming across as a bit selfish to be honest.

emilykf

Just a question, but would you really want to keep a perfectly healthy cat as an indoor cat? And this comes from being an indoor cat owner myself!

Our last 2 cats got run over outside our house within 6 months of each other which is why we adopted an 8 year old FIV+ cat just over a year ago. Even though it's in her best interests to stay indoors I still see her looking out of the window at the birds etc. and wish she could go out. We've got a fairly big 3 bedroom house, but even so I believe its in a cat's nature to be outdoors, at least some of the time!

If you're worried about adopting an FIV cat please don't, our cat is a wonderful, loving, entertaining bundle of joy - and although we may not have 20 years with her I wouldn't change it for the world. There are so many cats out there who are looked over BECAUSE they've got something that means they have to be an indoor cat, ours was the longest resident in the shelter we adopted her from, no-one had even been to see her before we had - the CP lady actually cried with happiness when we took her away.

watermelon88

If you want to adopt a cat without being home checked you could try preloved, or pets4homes.

I got all of my cats from preloved (all 6) and I got my dog from pets4homes.

I live in a ground floor flat with a garden and have a dog and 6 cats. Sounds a lot but the majority of the cats are outside mostly.

Keeping cats indoors can be frustrating at times, especially when they're begging to go out.. and litter trays smell like hell!

If you want to have an indoor cat go for either a kitten or rehome an older cat who has always been an indoor cat. Don't try and make an outdoor cat live indoors as it drives them scatty.

I tend to advise against paying for animals from random people as I don't like encouraging them to breed... having said that I did pay for the kitten I have now, but only because he's white with blue eyes and they are like gold dust around here.

Even my dog was free and he's a pure bred Rottweiler, and I got him young (8mths)!

Always do a lot of research before getting any animal. I grew up with dogs and cats so didn't need to personally, but I see so many people I know just going and getting pets, usually for their kids, and then giving them away or selling them when they realise they can't handle them!

VeggieCatLady

The key thing here is the most important factor is what is best for the cat and not what the would be owner would want. I have 5 cats who are all rescues and all have to stay indoors mainly for health reasons. They are content enough with this and have lots of room to run around and play, but they are indoor for their benefit, not my own.If someone really wants a cat and can't let them outside, the cat should already have a need to be indoors in my opinion.

watermelon88

Some people choose to keep them indoors to keep them safe. A risk you take when letting them out is them getting run over.

cazs

Thanks to people for their thoughts so far.

I will look at some of the places suggested to see what they can do.

I was rather interested/a little amused to see someone say I was selfish to want to adopt a cat.

I personally think it would be much nicer for a cat to be in a flat with a permanent owner who can give them time and attention than stuck in a cage all day at a shelter.

I take on board what was said about outdoor to indoor being a bit hard though if the cat has already gone out but if it's a cat that's not bothered about going outside anyway, I don't see the issue.

It's interesting too that different people have had varying responses from the same organization, perhaps it varies according to which branch you visit.