cats in a flat options *UPDATED WITH PICTURES*

Fire_Fox

You will need to enclose that balcony with cat-proof netting but it looks like a fairly easy job. The cat needs access to their litter trays (one per cat plus one spare) and water at all times, are you going to put a catflap onto the balcony for when the door is locked? It would be a rather cold place to feed and toilet in winter. Also how would you keep the rain out? Outdoor food would attract vermin.

http://www.flat-cats.co.uk/
http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-training-behaviour/5373-stop-indoor-cats-escaping-through-open-windows-3.html (50% discount for Flat Cats)
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_flaps_nets/window_protection
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/ask?q=cat+nets&num=20
http://www.windowscreensuk.co.uk/

scaredy_cat

i'd put the food in the kitchen and the litter tray in the bathroom.

Brallaqueen

Well, had the RSPCA person out and it is all systems go! He was a nice chappie if woefully underprepared (came out with the dog rehoming sheets...) and he was pleased with the size of the flat and the veranda was a bonus in his eyes.

After lot of chat about Rupert (blind cat) he also made some personal recommendations based on cats he'd had contact with, so we have a pool of 3 to look at. Rupert (blind) Millie (senior kittizen, very shy) Molly (also senior and shy). Simba was not thought to be suitable in the end.

He said I should get a call from the rehoming co-ord in the next couple of days to get to meet the potential candidates (:)) and I am getting very excited now.

meritaten

I had a cat with FIV - unfortunately it was fairly advanced when I found him (on the street not at a 'shelter - at a shelter he would have been PTS). he became an indoor cat and he appeared to love it! he never, ever, tried to get outdoors unless I was outside then he just came to be with me.
I adored him - the whole family loved him and he loved us in return.
I had this seemingly at 'deaths door' cat for over three years.

I would imagine that any FIV cat offered for rehoming was only in the very intial stages and their life expectancy is the same as for healthy cats. many cats rapidly get used to being 'house/flat' cats. even those whose previous life was on the streets. It depends on the cat - and these FIV cats are really hard to rehome - but, you cannot catch it from them - but other cats can so they have to be where they cannot pass on the virus to other cats.
make your own mind up hun - but, I wouldnt have missed my three years with Nicki for £millions!

Fire_Fox

Brallaqueen wrote: »

Well, had the RSPCA person out and it is all systems go! He was a nice chappie if woefully underprepared (came out with the dog rehoming sheets...) and he was pleased with the size of the flat and the veranda was a bonus in his eyes.

After lot of chat about Rupert (blind cat) he also made some personal recommendations based on cats he'd had contact with, so we have a pool of 3 to look at. Rupert (blind) Millie (senior kittizen, very shy) Molly (also senior and shy). Simba was not thought to be suitable in the end.

He said I should get a call from the rehoming co-ord in the next couple of days to get to meet the potential candidates (:)) and I am getting very excited now.

:j:j:j Did they advise you to net the balcony in?

Brallaqueen

Fire_Fox wrote: »

:j:j:j Did they advise you to net the balcony in?

No, he didn't say much about it to be honest. I'll see if the Re-homing co-ord comes back with anything more.

Fire_Fox

Brallaqueen wrote: »

No, he didn't say much about it to be honest. I'll see if the Re-homing co-ord comes back with anything more.

That is not very good. If you don't net it in you risk escapes or falls, unless you take on the blind kitty of course. Imagine if a bird lands on the ledge!

ankspon

scaredy_cat wrote: »

i'd put the food in the kitchen and the litter tray in the bathroom.

That's exactly what we do in our ground floor flat with our house cat,he does go into the communal garden for a short space of time for a walk with my wife but always uses the litter indoors for his toileting.

Brallaqueen

Brallaqueen