A new feline family member - what did you consider

Happibunni

Morning All,

We lost our boy last month and the house is empty without him. We,as a couple, are not ready to adopt again at the moment but I cannot imagine a long-term life without another fuzzy buddy.

We are not looking to replace Ben as each animal has their own needs, wants and personalities but when the time is right we would want to adopt again.

What were the points you considered prior to adding to your family?

StaffieTerrier

We lost our cat back in October. Initially we didn't want to get another but as time went on the house felt empty. When we decided to get another we drew up a list of what we wanted, e.g. not a kitten, a lap cat, a rescue, etc. We did consider the amount of time we're out the house, which ruled us out of having a dog or a cat breed that needs a lot of attention. We also only have enough room in the house for one animal.

We ended up going to our local rescue, armed with our list, prepared to return many times to find the right cat. As it was, the very first cat we saw was the perfect fit for what we wanted. She's been with us 2 months now and, while having a completely different personality to our last cat, she's fitted in really well.

tizerbelle

I have adopted cats from rescue centres twice now (the other two were dumped in the back street). I didn't go in with a list - I just went in and adopted the longest serving resident.

The first had been there 6 months apparently overlooked because she was black and white with a tatty ear.

The second had been born there and was still there 10 months later because he had some issues with being stroked - very sensitive about his back and would lash out if you stroked too often, so no good with kids.

Both fitted in with me and the resident cat/s fine and were happy and healthy and very much loved for their character and quirks for the rest of their lives.

sheramber

Apart from considering what age, personality etc will for in with our lifestyle I have not 'gone looking'.

Invariably one turns up that fits the bill.

I may hear about it or see and advert but it finds me.

Murphybear

Hi all

I'm sorry to hear of your losses, as a long time cat owner I know just how awful it is to lose them. We lost our boy Murphy nearly 4 years ago and his picture is pride of place on the wallpaper on my ipad:o

Have you thought about fostering rather than adopting? I know the RSPCA is always looking for people and I think the Blue Cross and Cats Protection may also need people.

Murphybear

sheramber wrote: »

Apart from considering what age, personality etc will for in with our lifestyle I have not 'gone looking'.

Invariably one turns up that fits the bill.

I may hear about it or see and advert but it finds me.

I am a great believer in the cat choosing the owner. . We got our current girl from the Blue Cross. We saw her in there and they put you in a room with the cat to see if you like each other, and when I picked her up she draped herself around my shoulders. It was a case of "choose me".

GwylimT

1. Finding a decent breeder and getting on their waiting list
2. Insurance
3. Food costs
4. Death by cat hair

Pollycat

Murphybear wrote: »

Hi all

I'm sorry to hear of your losses, as a long time cat owner I know just how awful it is to lose them. We lost our boy Murphy nearly 4 years ago and his picture is pride of place on the wallpaper on my ipad

Have you thought about fostering rather than adopting? I know the RSPCA is always looking for people and I think the Blue Cross and Cats Protection may also need people.

We lost our boy Murphy almost 5 and a half years ago, his picture is on my fridge.

I prefer male cats and I'd look for an alpha male. All but one of my cats have been 'boss of the litter'.
Last one (Murphy) was a bit of a challenge as he was a farm kitten and never lost that semi-feral behaviour.
I'd want to take a rescue cat (not kitten) so I'm not sure how easy it would be to spot 'the boss'.

mellymoo74

We have 2 and a half boys and a girl
All bar tomcat moved in
And to be honest tomcat started cultivating my OH about 2 years before my MIL (he was hers first) died so figured he chose us as well.

Girl is in charge
I think cats let other cays know there is a soft touch and we only have stopped at the amount we have because I won't let my OH bring in any more lol.

My advice is rehousing centre get an older cat

Pollycat

mellymoo74 wrote: »

We have 2 and a half boys and a girl
All bar tomcat moved in
And to be honest tomcat started cultivating my OH about 2 years before my MIL (he was hers first) died so figured he chose us as well.

Girl is in charge
I think cats let other cays know there is a soft touch and we only have stopped at the amount we have because I won't let my OH bring in any more lol.

Yes, well, Melly, you're like a magnet to all cats - they all want to live with you.

mellymoo74

Kevin and his brawling is my current concern Pol
Gotta take him in get his bits done
Ty is such a calm lad these days (him telling OH off when he got back from hospital was funny, 3 bites in quick succession)