Should I get another cat?

[Selks]

Seeking opinions.....should I get another cat?

I am a previous cat owner; I had three cats who all lived with me from kittenhood to old age when they sadly passed away so I'm an experienced cat owner. I miss my last cat very much and am currently catless.

I am thinking of re-homing a cat or pair of cats, my preference is young adult or older kittens.

I got my three cats when I lived at a previous house and they moved with me to my current house with no difficulties. I had some misgivings as this house is on a country lane (which can be moderately busy at school run times etc but is quiet otherwise) but all cats survived the lane (they had outside access) and died of natural causes/old age. I have a small garden which faces onto open fields; rural area. It's a quiet house with just me there and no other animals.

My main misgivings are that I work full time so would be out much of the day and that the house is on the lane which has it's share of traffic. I also don't have a cat flap (since having door replaced - would not want another flap due to draft issues).

In all honesty do I sound suitable to rehome a cat? I know many places would discount me because of being on the lane. There are other places to get cats from however e.g. adverts.

[Bluestocking]

You know the answer! Somewhere not far from you is a lovely pair of young cats who would be perfect pets for you and who would love to be part of your life.

[Queenofknickers]

Do it - the cat re homing people told me more cats get hurt on quiet roads than busy ones so it wasn't a problem. If you are anywhere near Sussex or London do consider Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT) they are fab.

[Selks]

Would it not be boring for them if I am out at work etc?

[Terrortree]

Get two (or three) for company - ideally littermates or cats that already are a bonded pair. Cats love sleeping so they'll just sleep all day - even on your days off.

G'wone you know you want to!

[Selks]

Yes, a pair is ideal I think. True they do sleep all day!

If I don't have a cat flap how would I go on about them being outdoors? I wouldn't want to leave them outside during the day, so that they could sleep in comfort in the house, nor would I want to shut them out all night.
Would they be content with going out for a bit in the evening? They would have litter trays of course.

[17leftfeet]

Mine just go out in the evenings and seem perfectly happy with the arrangement

[Selks]

True, Toughasoldboots.

17leftfeet, how do you get them back in at bedtime?

[Bluestocking]

Definitely a pair of litter mates or two friends. Our cats are kittenhood friends and keep each other company while we are out. If you really can't have a catflap, you could get indoor cats.

[KittieCat]

Clearly the answer is yes! I'd just let them out for a bit in the evening and deffo keep them in overnight.

The wisdom of MN clearly says "yes"

[cozietoesie]

They tend to develop a schedule and all my boys who went outside actually preferred to be safely inside of a night. They came in at or before dusk and then, initially, weren't allowed back out again. Pretty soon, they didn't ask but settled down for the night.

(And bribery works as well! A late supper, say.)

[17leftfeet]

I get mine in at about 9.30 with a shake of the cat biscuit box

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Cats are schedule animals as the cat watch study found. They love routine. I would think you will have oodles of choice of adult cats who are in pairs looking for their forever home.

[Lilicat1013]

Definitely adopt, there are so many cats waiting for a home, especially ones who need to be homed together.

It would be lovely for you and lovely for them.

[Selks]

Ahh thanks for all the positive messages!

I just wanted to make sure that I could offer a good home to a couple of lovely puss-cats. I shall look forwards to getting some now! I think I may delay for a few months until I've got some time off work to be around while they settle in.

Thanks