To adopt a stray cat halfway through a pregnancy??

[ethelfleda]

A couple of weeks back a stray cat wondered in to our garden. She was skinny and covered in fleas and looking very sorry for herself. For a week I fed her twice a day but wouldn't let her in to the house and always thoroughly washed my hands after petting her (paranoid about catching something whilst 20 weeks pregnant!) I tried to find her owner but failed.

So I took her to the vets to see if she was microchipped. They told.me she wasn't and was about 2 weeks from having kittens

So I brought her flea drops etc and brought her home to put her in the garden. I had become very attached to her... I love animals anyway but she has such a lovely nature and I had fallen in love with her!!
But as she was about to have kittens and the only safe place for her to have them would be in the house, I decided that it wasn't a good idea for us (again, due to possible toxoplasmosis risk etc not just from her but from her kittens) to keep her and took her to the cats protection league.

I had been keeping in touch with the woman who is fostering her and apparently it turns out she isn't pregnant after all (vet checked)! So they are making sure she is chipped and neutered and will send her to a rehoming centre. The vet said she is about 5 years old apparently. So after that rather long (And hopefully not boring!) Story, WIBU to bring her back?? She had become very attached to me and DH... plus we already have a cat flap (was there when we moved in) and I am fully aware that it would be for life and how long cats live for... plus any litter tray use would be sorted out by DH while I am pregnant (he has become very attached to her also)
I hate the thought of her being stuck in a rehoming centre and possibly not being rehomed and I know we would be able to give her a loving home here... would I be taking too much on?? I have no other pets or children.

[SpongySand]

Do it. I have just gone through my first pregnancy and now have an 8 week old DD. cats are great pets and she'll be out and about a lot anyway. Follow your heart! You're aware of the toxi risks etc so you've done your homework, and i think pets are good to have around babies to build up allergy immunity (if you believe in that, i do!)

[SpongySand]

Sorry meant to say and i have 2 house cats.

[Strongerwithoutyou]

Do it. I have 5 House cats and managed by myself when pregnant with litter trays etc. As long as you're scrupulous with hygiene etc you'll be fine.

[ethelfleda]

Thank you. I was thinking having a pet around would be a plus for when DS is older as well - I would like him to learn how to treat animals and care for them etc so he grows up respecting them.

[MargaretCavendish]

I have two cats and have done a lot of research into this after having miscarriages and being worried about it - obviously you should always be careful, but the risk of toxoplasmosis from a pet cat is actually very low, and there are very easy ways to lower the risk further (as you said, getting DH to deal with litter tray is a good start!). It sounds like you've thought hard about it, so I think you should go for it - getting a cat is one of the best decisions I've ever made!

[EarlessToothlessVagabond]

What are you waiting for! Go and get her. She's yours and you're hers

[anonymice]

I did it !!! Go for it.

[PeaFaceMcgee]

Do it. The risk of toxo is extremely low - you are most likely immune anyway as it can be on poorly washed veggies.

Go get your kitty!

[ethelfleda]

Awww thanks everyone! Actually got a tear in my eye reading these! Watching her go running after DH every time he walked to the bottom of the garden was a.c.. She was like a little puppy! I'll be so excited when I can bring her home. The cats protection woman said there was evidence of her being poorly treated so the little lady deserves to be pampered and spoiled for the rest of her life.

[Crunchymum]

I'm on my 3rd pregnancy and cat has been around for all of them (has a litter tray which I've changed through each pregnancy - you just need to observe basic hygiene rules)

[Flumplet]

I say go for it too. I have 4 house cats and my pregnancy went fine - as long as you're careful with the litter the risk is very low indeed. Have you a pic? Keep us updated about the kittens!

[Flumplet]

Sorry I missed the bit where you said no kittens after all - anyway enjoy!

[Henrysmycat]

What a lovely story. I had 3 cats when pregnant. I still do have cats. My kid is 9 and loves animals and respects them. They all grew up together is so beautiful to see. Do it. You won't regret it.

[Whatsername17]

I've looked after my cats through two pregnancies. Do not go anywhere near her poop and you will be fine.

[Aquamarine1029]

So long as the cat is healthy and has had her shots, go get her! I had cats throughout both of my pregnancies and everything was just fine. Just be careful around the litter and if possible have your husband scoop it while you're pregnant.

[StickThatInYourPipe]

Do it OP you will always regret it if you dont

[CheshireChat]

The only downside could be if you're an introvert or aren't particularly tactile it can be quite wearing to have a newborn/ toddler and a cuddly cat. I'd know as we got a cat when DS was about 8 months.

Having said that, I'd absolutely bring her home. She got lucky.

Could we get an update and some pics when you do, please?

[ethelfleda]

Danceswithotters yes but a slightly odd one - we called her Barbara as a laugh (human names for animals is hilarious to us as we are really childish) and called her babs for short. It stuck
I think it was meant to be too! Just wanted to make sure I had thought the entire thing through as I know what a huge commitment pets are... especially if they live for another 10 or more years!

[SweetChickadee]

Congratulations on your new cat

[ethelfleda]

Well here is her before we fed and de-flead her

[abbsisspartacus]

I had lap cats and babies baby would sit on one and rest head on the other I would be melting hot 😂I tried to move baby the cats would relocate under her feet move cats baby would cry