New Cats - UPDATED with Pictures :)

Silaqui

Hi everyone,

I posted on here a while back about the possibilities of owning a cat with no cat flap.. I am still yet to acquire a feline companion, but am absolutely desperate to get one. I made the fatal mistake today of going to the local animal shelter and have fallen in love with two little 3 month old tabby boys

I really want them - you have no idea how much I miss having a cat! But, my and my husband are both out of the house from about 6.45 till about 4.30 (me) and later (him). We are generally home in the evenings but will go to the gym for an hour or so 3 nights a week.

My plan is to get two together so they can keep each other company during the day BUT I am worried that we will not be home enough for them. I have had cats for most of my life so I know they do sleep alot and will tend to look after themselves - but am I being selfish in adopting them only to leave them home alone all day? Other working people own cats, it's must be ok right? I am hoping to time the 'bringing home date' with a school holiday (I'm a teacher) so I can spend some time with them and help them settle in before they are totally alone. Is that fair, or is it just leading them on?

Any honest opinions would be gratefully received. Thank you x

Have now reserved two lovely little boys - see later post!

krlyr

Would you consider some older cats? They'll require far less mental stimulation than kittens (who will still be in juvenile stage far beyond the school holidays), not to mention that kittens are generally homed quite easily whereas adult cats, especially pairs, will struggle more. Less "awww!" factor, I admit, but think of the fuzzy warm feeling you'd get giving a home to a pair of cats that have sat, or may have to, for months and months being passed over in favour of cuter kittens.
I don't know where abouts your located but I saw Furryfriends rescue in Surrey advertising two older cats recently that could be homed together.

krlyr

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=262547
There we go - and one is only 10 months so not too elderly for you. Both apparently happy as housecats as well so one less worry for you, not knowing if a cat would adapt to no catflap. Plus could live with dogs and children, if you have either (or plan to in the future). Emma does home around the country too (I've transported a few rodents on to their new homes, as well as adopted directly from her too)

Silaqui

Aww I love the look of Mike and James haha! I'm in Leicestershire though, too far really. I would be more than happy to take on a slightly older pair - I know they've recently just had to seize 80 cats from a house where the owner had just let them over run - may have a look at some of those
My problem is going to be when they have caged them in 3's - there's no way I'd be able to just take two and leave one in there!

Silaqui

I get the awww factor from all cats btw - slightly do lally I know!

bouncydog1

Try your local animal shelter. Ours highlights long term residents looking for forever homes and you will likely find one that has lived with people/person who is out at work all day, and is a real lap cat when u are home.

Kittens are hard work - they trash your furniture and carpets and run away to do more mischief while you are sorting out the first lot. Older animals have a lot to offer and I would strongly recommend.

Tiglath

In my earlier life I had 3 rescued cats in a flat with no cat flap and they managed fine, including a kitten I rescued at 8 weeks old. They were good company for each other and kept themselves amused. I'm not a fan of kittens per se; I always look to rescue older cats if possible. I've taken on several of 15+ over the years but beware medical costs if you're looking to insure them; Direct Line for example won't insure any new cats over about 8, from memory. These days cats find us, we don't need to go looking.

gettingready

I have 4 cats in a 1st floor, 2 bed flat - they go out wneh I walk them downstairs and open the doors for them (secure door to communal garden) and then go to pick them up and bring them back in.

They seem to be perfectly fine.

calicocat

I have a cat in a flat , no cat-flap , she goes out when i come in from work if she can be bothered or if the weather is to her liking , she goes in and out as she want during my days off as i leave the door open 24/7 those days. She is fine, happy, doesnt miss a cat-flap as she has never had one , and two would entertain eachother whilst you are out. I think they would be fine. good luck with them:)

paddypaws101

Have you had a home check from the rescue where the two tabby boys are? Unfortunately some rescues have stringent rules which rule out owners in full time employment or without a cat flap
http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-rescue-adoption/279609-new-home-rosy-raggles-coventry.html
these two sweeties are not that far from you and could be homed direct from their present home.

Silaqui

UPDATE!
Some gorgeous looking cats up there, I really feel for the poor lady in Coventry having to get rid of those two

But we popped back to the animal shelter this afternoon to have another look, and the kittens we were originally interested in were already reserved... but then we spotted this pair:

http://www.rspcaleicester.org.uk/adopt-cats-details.aspx?a=f72429c4-fc51-4fc4-bbd8-f3f847b29a39

It's Jake and Oscar, the two tabby cats - (the black and white one was already gone, just as well as I wouldn't have been able to leave him!) 3 years old so hopefully a little more 'mature' than kittens! We could have had them today tomorrow but need a bit of time to get a carrier and clear out a room for them so Saturday it is.

So - rehoming cats... my plan is as follows (any advice, corrections etc welcomed!)

• Sort out back bedroom so that can be their room to start with.
• Put litter tray (they are used to one) at one end of the room, food and water at the other
• Put a couple of cardboard boxes around, one 'closed' with just a hole, and one more open (like a bed) with some bedding in.
• Put in a scratching post.
• When we bring them home - take cats in, open the carrier, shut the door and leave them in there for a few hours.
• After a few hours, go in and sit with them and talk to them (but resist grabbing and hugging unless they come for snuggles)
• Leave again but leave the door ajar so they can explore if they want.

Hows that for a plan?

xx