to get a cat

[girlwhowearsglasses]

namechanging.

I do love cats. I pestered my parents at the age of four until we got a cat. My mum bred pedigree cats when I was a teenager.

I have never had a cat as an adult - I have a parrot instead, and three children (DS1, 6, DS2 and DS3 - 4 years old)

A few of my friends who got cats when they left college are feeling sad because their cats have died recently - so I see how hard that bit is (and ill old cats are a big responsibility too).

I have resisted getting a kitten partly because I am only now leading a poo-free life now my boys are out of nappies and at school. This is something I am relishing somewhat (twins - poo is ever present)!

I have always thought I would like a cat 'sometime' in the hazy future. I also wouldn't get one lightly. Like having children, this is one of those things you can find yourself thinking a bit too much about. The catalyst here is that we have mice - running across the living room, squeaking, the lot. We also have a very old house with no hope of sealing off mouse tunnels and nests in the walls, under the floors (really we would have to pull the house apart). My DP has been muttering about getting a 'mouser' and I have been resisting since Christmas.

My question is - is this just going to be yet another housekeeping responsibility to add to the long list involved with three children, or is it going to be great for me and the children, and enrich our lives? I really loved my cat when I was little (and I was heartbroken when he was run over - really heartbroken)

When my kids are feeling sad or overwrought in some way a cuddle with one of the cat sets 'em right again. Like you, I waited until the kids stopped being so high maintenance and I felt I had the energy to clean up after whatever horrors they would bring in/do.

We got kittens from a friend with a busy household so they'd been handled lots from the outset and are unbelievably gentle and patient with the kids.

Love 'em to bits and wouldn't be without them even when they leave presents of mouse liver and kidneys on the carpet for me to tread on first thing in the morning.

Cats are a brilliant pet, and so easy! Ours is a moggy who has a cat flap, and he comes and goes as he pleases, so the only "work" I have to do is pour cat biscuits into his bowl every morning and fill up his water bowl. That's it. Takes less than one minute.

When we go on holiday, we pay a local teenager to feed him once a day, as it's much cheaper than a cattery and also the cat is happier in his own home.

In exchange, we get lots of affection and company. He comes and sits on our laps in the evenings and purrs and purrs. The children absolutely love him.

What i love about cats (outdoor ones anyway) is that they choose to live with you. they are free to leave at any time and yet they want to come back. And a bit of me likes to believe it's not only the food she comes back for.

If you are in SW London try www.haws-animals.org.uk/about/areas-of-coverage/

They require all sorts of foster families, not just for kittens.
Fostering is a great way of seeing if you might be able to offer a longer term home in the future.

Aww Sand there are some lovely cats on there. Poor Stevie Wonder, he is adorable.

I would get a bomb-proof adult cat from a shelter. The plus here is that you will know its adult temperament, which you can't guarantee with a kitten.

The smell of a cat in the house might be sufficient to deter the mice.

if you are away for no more than two nights you can leave a cat/cats with plenty of water,dried food and two clean litter trays.I restrict access to bedrooms/living room whi;e we are away.Longer than 2 nights you either use a cattery of get a neighbour to pop in.
For me a cat makes a house a home.I have always had cats-often with dogs too.
Go for it.

It has been pointed out to me that there is no way I could foster a cat with three kids and hope to ever give it back and live (even if unsuitable), so I think that's out.

The other thing is the Parrot. He's tame, clever, and able to defend himself. I don't fancy the chances of a cat against him (not that it would be any better the other way around). I am thinking that a kitten would grow up thinking of him as The Boss rather than Dinner (we had a kitten and dog when a kid that got on like a house on fire)

I had a cat from the CPL she was about 8 months old and lived to 14. she was beautiful and a real bitch to everyone else character

she passed away 10 years ago and I still miss her

I have another cat now have had him since he was 8 weeks he is 9 this year and is mummys little pussycat soldier :o he is the most lovely natured slightly dumb cat I have ever known and ds and I both love him to bits we miss him when we go away

he is sitting next to me now purring he makes our home more cosy we love him

Ah, I would love it if my boys loved the cat!

All of my cats have been rescues. I think you're right about a kitten and the parrot. While parrots are certainly able to do serious damage to a cat, kitten a will take him as the boss forever while an older cat will either learn to ignore or plot to take out parrot at night when parrot is at a serious disadvantage.