Finding a good home(s) for 2 housecats, advice needed please

cherydee

A relative has recently died and I need to rehome 2 housecats that are approx 12 yrs old, they don't need to be kept together as they never bother with each other at all. Thought we had found a home for them but that has fell through tonight.
Is it worth contacting the local vets, to see if they can put me in touch with any organizations that can help out to find them good homes.

chocdonuty

Yes that would help, also what area are you in? People may have local knowledge of rescue centres or somebody who could help

cherydee

South East Northumberland

Tiddlywinks

Maybe call here:

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/

They may have a local contact.

southcoastrgi

I wouldn't split them apart if they have been together for 12 yrs that is just cruel

cherydee

Honestly they do not go near each other, infact the timid one only comes out to eat after the other one has had its fill.

Ilona

Try www.catchat.org contact all the rescues in your area. You might find most of them are full though, it's the luck of the draw. If you ring when they have just rehomed and have some space, you might be lucky.

Me and two friends have a rescue listed on there. If we are full and the cat/cats don't have to be moved immediately we offer to put them on our page if the owner can send us a photo. We have just re homed three cats that way. Can someone look after them temporarily, can they stay where they are with someone going in to feed them? Sometimes you have to wait untill a place becomes available.

It is more difficult to re home older cats, though we do sometimes get older people asking for them.

Have you asked all your friends and relatives?
Ilona
Just seen your area. http://www.catchat.org/adoption/nthumb.html

cherydee

I am clearing the property so at the moment are feeding them every day. Possibly there is a further 2 weeks rent already paid. The owner had wanted my mother to have the timid one, but she is 82 and cannot look after herself never mind a cat. I see to all her needs.
My daughter was wanting to mention them needing rehoming on her facebook page, but I was unsure how good an idea that was.
Thanks for the link you have given, that is a big help.

Ilona

I would be very cautious about advertising pets on any social networking site. There are people out there who will offer to rehome and then use the cat as bait for their fighting dogs. Do not hand any animal over to someone you don't know.

Much better to go through the proper channels of a rescue. If you do rehome yourself you should do all the checks that a rescue would do. First get their postcode and check the location on google earth. Tell the prospective owners that you will need to do a home check. If they seem reluctant to do this, be cautious, what are they hiding. Ask them if they have previous experience of looking after cats. Ask if they have dogs in the house, or small children. Older cats won't like being chased around. Ask if they can give a donation, by them paying money for it shows they have some commitment to looking after the cat. Give the money to a rescue if you don't need it. Ask if they can email you some photo's of the cats one month after they take them, say you would like to know they are happy.

Do not be in a rush to move the cats on, best to find the right home rather than them getting chucked out if and when they are no longer wanted. What you are looking for is a forever home. We are very fussy where we rehome our cats, we try and match the right cat with the right owner, no matter how long it takes.

Good luck, try all the rescues first, if they are full ask if they might have a place in the next few weeks.
Ilona

PrincessPlaty

Can only echo the fantastic advice you have been given already.

I run a cat rescue, however nowhere near you. If it helps I can send you a copy of our homecheck form so that you know what sort of questions to be asking

Just inbox me with your email address and i can send it over to you

cherydee

I'll try the organisations first see if they can help, might be quicker, rather than me do checks as still clearing the property and only maybe 2 weeks rent paid at most.