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The litter tray

How can we get another cat?

28 replies

TreacherousPissFlap · 22/03/2020 19:34

We recently had to have TreacherousCat PTS - he was 14 and had been a much loved member of our family for 11 years.
Initially we said we wouldn't have another immediately, we had holidays planned and his loss just seemed too recent.
However DS(15) is now off school till September and it seems likely that DH's work will start to tail off soon - he only works 3 days a week anyway. Our holiday (to Italy) looks extremely unlikely to go ahead.
The points that count against us-

  • we live on the main road through the village. Hardly an A road but not a cul-de-sac either. TreacherousCat always went out and behind the houses rather than onto the road, but I'm aware that another cat may not be so prudent.
  • we have 3 dogs. They've all grown up with cats and TreacherousCat was definitely the boss so they are under no illusions as to their place.

The plus points-
  • we are experienced cat owners
  • we are totally open to an older cat and have no concerns re colour or sex
  • we care about our animals deeply. We were paying over £150 a month for TreacherousCat before he was PTS so we're well aware of the financial aspect.


Most shelters are immediately dismissive because of the road, the dogs are also an issue for many. I truthfully really don't want a kitten but I can't see another way Hmm
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thecatneuterer · 22/03/2020 19:37

You need to cat proof the garden. It's not that difficult and you can get companies to do it for you, although they cost a bit.

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Allergictoironing · 22/03/2020 19:55

Indoor only cat(s), if the logistics work for you?

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TreacherousPissFlap · 22/03/2020 19:58

Not at all fussed about an indoor only cat, though I've never actually had one.
Our small yard would not actually be that difficult to cat proof and it's only open at the far end

Are there many "indoor only" cats in rescue?

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Toddlerteaplease · 22/03/2020 20:09

How about a breed such as Persian or Ragdoll? They don't go out other than for a stroll around an enclosed garden. They couldn't care less if they go out or not. There are breed rescues. I got my three Persians from St Francis Persian rescue in N Yorkshire

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Wereallsquare · 22/03/2020 20:12

Yes, there are. My friend got her indoor-only cat from a rescue. My cat was a stray in a park and has made her choice to be indoors only.

I am sorry for your loss. Flowers

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RandomMess · 22/03/2020 20:19

I know someone having to rehome 2x house cats that have previously lived with a dog in the NW?

I wonder if Cinnamon Trust and local independent rescues may be able to help in the coming months Sad

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Wolfiefan · 22/03/2020 20:21

Definitely are cats in rescue who can live indoors only or would be happy with a cat proofed garden.
Kittens are tiny and even a small dog could accidentally kill one.
I would hang on for a rescue. Good luck.

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Allergictoironing · 22/03/2020 20:51

Both my rescues are indoor only, though some rescues don't like it other places are very happy to rehome indoors only depending on the cat. There can be all kinds of reasons ranging from former elderly owner having to go into a home, to FIV positive - which BTW doesn't mean the cat would be ill as such, just that extra care needs be taken that it doesn't catch anything else as it's immuno-compromised

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TreacherousPissFlap · 22/03/2020 21:59

Couldn't be further away if we tried random Wink

I think we might approach the local rescues and see what they may have available. Looking on the websites today and there was a lot of older cats in. I'd read that pets were being dumped already in response to the CV crisis and found this so incredibly sad.

We definitely wouldn't want a long haired cat, and we're really in the market for a moggy rather than a pedigree. The dogs don't go upstairs so the cat could have the run of the upstairs initially until it found its feet- I'm reluctant to go for a kitten as there are so many older cats needing homes, and I would really rather do without the baby phase if I could help it (though I assume a kitten would find it easier to adapt to the dogs)

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RandomMess · 22/03/2020 22:06

We adopted ours from the NW when we lived in the SE and ended up moving here literally several miles where they originally came from Grin

I think over the next few months the number of cats available will increase. Cats protection league are usually good. I would leave your details and what you need/want with them.

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Allergictoironing · 22/03/2020 23:06

If you give us an idea of your area, we may be able to suggest somewhere local to you e.g. if North & East London then TheCatNeuterer works with Celia Hammond so may be able to suggest something.

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TreacherousPissFlap · 22/03/2020 23:23

We're in the South West allergic Smile

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YesItsMeIDontCare · 22/03/2020 23:29

My lad has FIV so is supposed to be indoor only. He actually gets walked twice a day so he gets some mental stimulation, but it's not really necessary.

Could you consider a cat with a health condition that makes indoor living preferable? They often struggle to find their forever family.

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TreacherousPissFlap · 22/03/2020 23:47

Would happily do that yes, after TreacherousCat's health issues I feel part way qualified as a vet (and should definitely have bought shares in VioVet)

TreacherousCat was unwanted, mostly because he was big, black, male and exceptionally noisy. We seem to be suckers for the hard luck cases Grin

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Gingerkittykat · 22/03/2020 23:57

I know my local small rescue are not rehoming at the moment, it would be impossible to do some kind of homecheck for the safety of both the volunteer and potential new owner.

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thecatneuterer · 23/03/2020 00:18

@Gingerkittykat There are other ways to do home checks. The rescue I'm with is exploring all options. Firstly it's the garden and access to roads that is the particular problem. This can often be looked at without entering the house and while keeping distance from the home owners. We now of course also have the ability to do virtual tours inside the house using Skype or Whatsapp. And of course if they do enter a home they would keep far apart from other people and not touch anything, also probably donning gloves and mask before entering. All this is being very carefully thought about and plans put in place. To stop adoptions for the foreseeable future would be calamitous for the charities and the cats needing their help. So I very much hope that most will keep going as the need for homes will be greater than ever. Things will be made even worse as many vets have stopped routine appointments - which includes spaying!

OP - on the issue of 'indoor only' cats. Many rescues have cats which have come from flats or which shouldn't go out for their own safety. The problem with this, if you live in a house and not a flat, is that practically it's very difficult to keep a cat inside that wants to go out. You will never be able to leave your back/kitchen/patio doors open for example and all windows, even on the ground floor, will need restrictors. It's much, much better to cat proof the outside if you can.

Finally, of course an older cat is much less of a risk where proximity to roads are concerned than a younger one. If you go for one that's over 5 and have come from the street that would be the best bet.

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Thepigeonsarecoming · 23/03/2020 00:25

@Gingerkittykat my local rescue has informed me of the same, no home checks so no rehoming/fostering. We were applying to foster animals thinking it would help in the current situation, but been given an absolute no

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TreacherousPissFlap · 23/03/2020 00:40

Thank you thecatneuterer, I can see that it would be impossible to stop adoptions in the long term, though I suppose at the moment it's a knee jerk reaction.

How high would we be looking at to cat proof? We only have a small yard which is house height on three sides. The end is walled to about 4 ft with a gate in, so it would only be this section that would need enclosing.

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thecatneuterer · 23/03/2020 00:56

Cat proofing doesn't mean enclosing. It's a system that attaches to the top of fencing so that the cat can't get over the fence. For that you of course need fencing which you apparently don't have. I'm sure it could also be attached to walls. I think you need to do a bit of googling.

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viccat · 23/03/2020 11:34

You can't have an indoor cat if you have dogs - having an indoor cat would mean you can never leave your back door open for the dogs to go out, and generally being super careful about doors and windows.

Google Protectapet and SanctuarySOS to see what fencetop catproofing systems look like. I know many people who've done a DIY version for much cheaper too although it will partly depend on your existing fence, the layout of the garden, if you have any trees, sheds etc. which will also need to be secured so they won't get used as escape routes.

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/03/2020 21:14

My husband catproofed our garden after getting the ideas from ProtectaPet. Apparently it was only a prototype but 3 years later it's still up and doing the job!

Regarding home checks, the local rescue that Harry came from is using Google Earth and FaceTime to do home checks

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Sooverthemill · 27/03/2020 21:18

All our local rescues say no rehiring at the moment and breeders similarly. They've let puppies/ kittens go a few days early for lockdown but now the cannot release any more animals. Until lockdown ends you can't get another cat/ kitten

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Sooverthemill · 27/03/2020 21:19

And I'm so sorry about treacherous cat. We had to have two elderly cats put to sleep last year and I still miss them so very much

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TreacherousPissFlap · 28/03/2020 04:00

Just popping back in. One of our local rescues may still be operating (or they haven't updated their C-19 policy) as pinksparkly said.
I spoke to a lady there briefly and she didn't seem at all fazed by our requirements. We've seen a couple older chaps we might be interested in (I think our willingness to consider old men has helped considerably in their flexibility towards us) and I'm going to call again next week when I'm on rest days.
I will come back and update when I have news Smile

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Sooverthemill · 28/03/2020 07:14

@TreacherousPissFlap old man cats are the absolute best. Good luck

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