Home visit from Cats Protection...

[milkmilklemonade12]

We have registered our interest and are getting a home visit from a lady on Saturday.

I had cats as a child/young adult, as did DH. We have an au pair home all day and my mum is coming to live with us after Easter (instead of having an AP), so there will be someone home all day. We have one school age DS.

I'm hoping to be able to home a pair of cats, but really what I wanted to know since it's been a while since I've had a cat is what the home visit entails. Do I need to know specific things? I know of a good local vet I've had recommended, but I don't know much about individual breeds. Is there anything I should know?

Thanks in advance! I'm so excited I really hope we get accepted!

[Wolfiefan]

If you are looking at a rescue then you won't need to know about breeds.
They will want to see you don't live on a motorway or have a hazardous house/garden.
Be ready to think about how you will give the cat(s) (yes get 2!) a safe space to settle in.
They may ask you if you have thought about where food and litter tray will go. What about holidays?

[milkmilklemonade12]

Next door is repairing their fence at the moment but it's an otherwise enclosed garden. Next door do have a neutered, one eyed cat and the other way have a three legged dog.

Not on a main road but fairly near to Bypass Road (about 1/2 mile away) although the cat lady said 'oh yes I know your road I've got friends on your road' so I think she would have said?

I've got a large converted garage/utility room, a second sitting room or a spare bedroom they could use to settle in. Food probably in kitchen/diner, litter tray in garage/utility room as hard floors.

Holidays either AP/Mum if a short break and they're not coming with us, we've looked after next door's cat before and I also have friends on the road who would be able to help out in a pinch.

[MrsHathaway]

Yes get two!

Our recent home visit from a different charity was partly for her to confirm what I'd said on the phone eg that our road was indeed a quiet cul de sac and house had enclosed garden, etc.

She also had a chat with the DC about what cat slavery ownership entails and made suggestions about location of food and litter, details of the food they were on, recommendation of local vet, etc.

It was very much a mutual discussion.

They've been here about ten weeks and I wouldn't be without them.

[milkmilklemonade12]

The only thing I am concerned about is obviously neighbour's fence which they are replacing, but should be done loooong before we let kitties outside! There are lots of birds in our garden though which might change after they arrive though

DS is 5 and quite shy, so I think a couple of cats would do him good; helping feed them, play with them, let them outside, groom them etc. I think it's good for a child.

I think 2 will help them settle faster and I've heard groups are harder to home, so hopefully it'll help them out too.

[MrsHathaway]

Older, injured and less picture perfect cats are harder to home. Rescues are full of black and b&w cats. We took two young adult b&w boys who had been in the rescue for around four months.

They may have rules about rehoming with children - eg only older tolerant cats or not at all with under-fives. Ask.

[MrsHathaway]

I realise DC isn't under five but they may have reservations if he's particularly boisterous.

[milkmilklemonade12]

I spoke on the phone and gave her all the details about my family and she was happy with it.

DS is a quiet boy, definitely wouldn't describe him as boisterous at home! He's quite shy.

[milkmilklemonade12]

Yes I've seen pictures and they're all black and b&w cats mainly! How strange!
I'm hoping that a father and son duo I've seen on there will still be there...

[Wolfiefan]

How exciting!
I'm still at three legged and one eyed pets as neighbours. You must get the cat with one ear or it'll feel like the odd pet out!

[MrsHathaway]

Sounds good. Also sounds like DS and a cat or two could be best of friends.

[Wolfiefan]

Oh and our last cats were black and white mum and son!

[milkmilklemonade12]

yes I know, they are a bit of a motley lot round here!

Agree a cat or two could be a wonderful companion. DS enjoys being an only and he will remain that way, but I think having a pet or two is great for companionship and also teaches them that the world doesn't revolve around them.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

Hurrah! I love hearing about people rescuing cats (yes I might have been trying to persuade dh tonight that we could take on a third cat, if s/he was elderly, and no, he might not have been willing to engage!)

The main thing I've noted in home visits, was an insistence on a cat flap. Do you have one, or are you willing to get one put in? It's possible your home visitors won't be too worried, but I would personally advise getting one regardless - it avoids getting into the situation dmil was in, when whenever she went out for the evening she had to pay or coerce a team of people to be ready to let DCAt IL in and out at his preferred times.

Cat plus cat flap plus friendly neighbours willing to pop round, feed and stroke if you go away equals happy cats plus freedom!

[milkmilklemonade12]

Ive got to admit I don't love cat flaps. I'd prefer to leave the window open to my garage, as there's a full double lock adjoining door into my kitchen and all we keep in the garage is a washing machine... So I think it would potentially be easier and just as secure to do that.

If it was an absolute must though I'd consider it.

[MrsHathaway]

Ours didn't insist on a cat flap but we have a similar garage set up (cat size gap under door, shelf by window) which was organised by the former owners, also cat slaves.

[JennaRoss]

We had a home visit a few weeks ago from a small local rehoming charity.

It really was to double check the info that I gave them - that it was a quiet road near no main roads, where I would keep them to settle in etc

My boys had been in the sanctuary a year and whilst they want to rehome as many animals as possible they want to make sure that they are going to good homes.

[MrsHathaway]

My boys had been in the sanctuary a year and whilst they want to rehome as many animals as possible they want to make sure that they are going to good homes.

Ours was quite clear that she worked hard to screen families so that the chances of the cats being returned to the refuge was low. It's about Forever Homes, not just clearing the decks for the next cat to arrive.

[milkmilklemonade12]

The lady came round today; she's happy for us to come and visit her next week and see if we get chosen by some kitties

She seemed surprised we were happy to take older cats, and also a pair. Getting onto a builder in the next few weeks to get a cat flap put in the wall.

I can't wait!! I'm so happy!! I'm probably more excited than I was before I had my DS

[MrsHathaway]

Hurrah!

[milkmilklemonade12]

I'm so excited! We are visiting the lady on Monday at her sanctuary. Oh I hope we get chosen by a pair of lovely furries!

I'm going on Amazon tonight, what do I need? I may as well get the bits in since I'm sure, with all the cats in the sanctuary and all the foster homes that some of them will take a liking to us!

So far I have on my list:
2 hooded litter boxes
Giant bag of Catsan
Pooper scooper
2 litter mats (so they don't tread litter everywhere)
4 different types of cat bed
2 blankets
2 heat pads
2 ceramic feeding bowls
2 ceramic water dishes
2 cat carriers (soft)
1 feliway plug in
1 bottle citrus spray to spray cables
2 scratching boards
3 packs of cat toys
1 Box catnip (for refreshing toys)

I don't know what type of food the cat lady uses, but my plan is to take them home, then send DH out for appropriate food.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

Ooh, how exciting!

[Lolimax]

Really pleased for you, that's quite a list. We're getting 2 rescue kittens next week and I can't wait. Good luck and I can't wait to hear your adventures:)

[Wolfiefan]

Can you check what food and litter they use at the centre?
We have radiator bed on the kitten Christmas list!
And pictures. Rules of the litter tray. We need pictures!!

[MrsHathaway]

Why are you getting multiple everything? Cats tend to sleep anywhere but their official bed, for a start

[milkmilklemonade12]

Because I'm homing 2, and they might not want to share. Definitely need 2 pet carriers, food/water dishes and litter trays. As for beds... I'm just a sucker for cat accessories a radiator bed is included though!

wolfie I'll ask on Monday what litter/food they use that's a good idea. The lady said we can take them that day, but my son is having a friend for tea after school on Monday so better wait until Tuesday.