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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have offered this cat a home...as he is really quite elderly :(

77 replies

Feminine · 30/12/2013 22:12

Since we moved back to the UK, We have promised the children a cat.

We couldn't bring ours from the US really wish we had tried harder

Anyway, turns out a neighbour of my step-mum really needs a home for a cat she has been taking care of (since it arrived in her garden) This neighbour can't as he is not comfortable around her cats.

After taking care of him since late summer , she has done all the right things, wormed ...checked by the vet ...and obviously vaccinated!

We were told he would be about 8/9 yrs old.

It didn't click at the time, but that is quite an age for a cat isn't it?

I'm now worried he will become elderly, and shuffle off all too soon.

I want to give him a home, we all love cats and have always had them.

We'll have him a good few years won't we? :)

Oh, he wasn't a stray. This cat is very comfortable around dogs, children ...it is as if he were dumped. That makes me feel very sorry for him.

OP posts:
Cookiepants · 30/12/2013 22:14

My nans cat Tigger lived til the ripe old age of 22 your boys not even middle aged!

Floralnomad · 30/12/2013 22:15

8/9 is middle aged for a cat ,most go on well into their teens . Congratulations on your new pet ,he's a lucky boy .

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 30/12/2013 22:15

14 or 15 years old is a pretty average lifespan.

BonaDea · 30/12/2013 22:15

Yanbu. Give the boy a nice home.

If he is 8 or 9 you can probably expect at least 4 years from him and quite possibly a lot longer. Cats often make it to the mid-late teens. Enjoy!

Climbingthewalls12 · 30/12/2013 22:16

I think it's wonderful that you are willing to re-home an older animal as many many people wouldn't. They have just as much love to give and deserve to be comfortable and loved in return in their old age.

And you should hopeful have him for a while yet. Most cats live somewhere between 15 and 20 years. Our last one was 21 when he went!

jedishelly1 · 30/12/2013 22:16

YANBU! Sounds like it would be lovely for your family and the cat too. All of our cats have lived until at least 12, so you should hopefully have a few great years together. Pleas

whois · 30/12/2013 22:17

As others have said 13 to 13 years for a large neutered male, quite possibly longer. One of ours lasted until she was 18, the two boys we got to replace her lasted until they were 13 and 15.

Gossipyfishwife · 30/12/2013 22:17

My two cats are 15 and 13. Still full of devilment and fun. Yours is barely out of kittenhood.

Go for it and good luck.

PolterTurkey · 30/12/2013 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DENMAN03 · 30/12/2013 22:17

My cat was 20 and healthy as anything until he was hit by a car. 8 is nothing. I'm sure he will love a new home:)

jedishelly1 · 30/12/2013 22:17

Posted too soon, wine fingers!

Please do take him on! It's lovely to hear of someone giving an older animal a loving home.

NewtRipley · 30/12/2013 22:18

It's not that old. My lovely girl is 17.

I'd get insurance now for it before it gets any older though

whois · 30/12/2013 22:18

I can't type - 13 to 15 and our boys lasted to. 13 and 14

Wolfiefan · 30/12/2013 22:18

Our cat is 18!

PassAFist · 30/12/2013 22:20

My cat is 15 and still going strong!

I recently took on a 12 year old dog, I would say he is past his expected lifespan since he is a big boy. Best thing we've done!

I love all pets, but I especially love an old pet, they have so much love to give. Unfortunately a lot of people are unwilling to take on senior pets so bless you for giving him a chance.

Original poster
Feminine · 30/12/2013 22:21

Thank you all.

I'm feeling really cheered up!

He is such a beauty, massive (long) and so affectionate.

I think it is the right thing to do.

OP posts:
NewtRipley · 30/12/2013 22:21

My cat has got calmer and more loving as she has aged. She's lovely. She's sitting behind the monitor right now 'cos it's warm.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 30/12/2013 22:21

Agree with everyone else, this is not an elderly cat, barely even middle-aged. And how lovely of your SM's neighbour that she's done all that when she doesn't even like cats.

MatryoshkaDoll · 30/12/2013 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Feminine · 30/12/2013 22:23

newt that is a good point.

I'll check in to it!

OP posts:
Climbingthewalls12 · 30/12/2013 22:23

Tbh having an older animal can have many benefits. The main one being that they tend to be a great deal calmer retrieves cat from curtains

RandyRudolf · 30/12/2013 22:23

Who took your US cat?

Original poster
Feminine · 30/12/2013 22:25

I know he will hide tomorrow.

But when he pops out I'll take a pic! matryoshkadoll

am I being unreasonable ...to post a pic of a cat? Grin

OP posts:
mydoorisalwaysopen · 30/12/2013 22:27

we adopted an 8/9 year old cat last year. she's lovely. I've had cats live until they are 18 so am hopeful we'll have her for a while yet.

Original poster
Feminine · 30/12/2013 22:27

randy we gave him to a good friend.

The only reason we couldn't bring him was because we were homeless at the time.

We had to stay with my family they are serious non -cat lovers :(

OP posts: