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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:
ohfourfoxache · 31/12/2013 00:37

Lucky boy! waits patiently for picture

Bettercallsaul1 · 31/12/2013 01:34

That is so kind of you, OP, to think of giving this cat a home - I'm sure you won't regret it as he/she repays you with lots of affection and purring! The good thing, from your point of view, is that he/she will already be housetrained -cutting out one of the main downsides in getting a pet! - and will also be sociable and used to people. And, of course for the cat, the gains will be immeasurable - how lucky to end up with such a good home and nice owner!

Vintagecakeisstillnice · 31/12/2013 01:42

We do need a pic!

ComposHat · 31/12/2013 02:53

Our Tortie is curled up on the bed purring like a little motorbike. We got her from a rescue shelter aged 8 nearly 2 ywars ago and she is in the rudest of health and very lively. She is a joy to behold.

We deliberately went for a mature cat as my wife had never had a cat before and an older cat is much likely to be calmer and less skittish than a kitten.

Please please take the cat in.

6cats3gingerkittens · 31/12/2013 03:12

Smashing, lucky cat. Loving purrs from my mob, all strays, XX.

Amy106 · 31/12/2013 03:49

Our lovely cat lived to be 17. Please consider taking the cat. He still has lots of purrs to give, I bet.

minnisota · 31/12/2013 03:57

Good for you, you won't regret it.
My soon to be 21 year old is fast asleep on my shoulder while I'm awake with pins and needles in my hand ;-)

TheBrotherHoodOfSteel · 31/12/2013 06:59

Most of our cats lived until their early 20's. The cat is about 50-52 years old. Plenty of life and love left in it! Enjoy Wink

sashh · 31/12/2013 07:34

Give it a home.

johnworf · 31/12/2013 08:40

Two years ago almost to the day, I saw an advert for a 5 year old cat desperately needing to be rehomed. I ended up taking him home and a few weeks later, looking through his vet paperwork, realised he was 10+years old. Not only was he twice the age advertised, but cannot eat normal cat food as he has a sensitive tummy.

I am so glad we have him. He's one of 3 rescue cats here. We love him to bits and no matter what his age, he's part of our family now.

You could have another 8+ years with this cat so don't let it's age put you off.

Smile
Writerwannabe83 · 31/12/2013 09:18

Me and my DH has just taken in a 9 year old cat because his true owners don't give a shit and he is wonderful. Definitely not old!! Cats can easily live I to their 20's. Well done for taking him in, I'm a sucker for stories of animals who need homes being adopted by people who genuinely care Smile

Original poster
Feminine · 31/12/2013 09:58

Off to get his bits from Morrison's this morning!

Really massive thanks to you all for encouraging me. I was already going to go ahead, but it is lovely to hear positive stories.

Will post a pic when he is comfortable :)

OP posts:
Justfeckingdoit · 31/12/2013 10:03

We found a very bedraggled cat in our garden years ago. I fed it and won its trust and gradually encouraged it indoors. Took her to the vet who said she was over 20 and had probably been abandoned when the owner died.

The poor thing had clearly been fending for herself for months and was such a sweetie who had obviously been very much loved. Vet suggested PTS or spend a fortune on vets fees.

In a soft (most unlike me) moment I went for the latter and she had 3 years of being totally spoiled and loved.

I have had lots of other rescuse cats over the years. Current one is about two years old, got her when she was one.

Of all the cats, it's Muffin the old lady that has the most special place in my heart. She was wonderful, such a character.

It's a good job my DP is slightly more practical than me or we would have a houseful of old waifs and strays

Well done you for taking on an older cat :) you won't regret it.

If you can get it insured though, do. Or put aside some money each month just in case as it can get expensive if they have issues that are not life limiting or quality of life limiting but that need regular management.

Have fun.

Jinglebellsforthebetter · 31/12/2013 10:04
Smile (Surveys snoozing 13 year old moggies)

Adopting older cats is wonderful and will do the same when our lovely moggies are no more (sniff).

limitedperiodonly · 31/12/2013 10:25

He's got a good chance of plenty of life left.

I've inherited my mum's cat.

He's 11. When he's bouncing off the walls narrowly missing my head I keep wondering when he's going to slow down.

Latara · 31/12/2013 10:39

My Dad's elderly cat is 16 now - so twice his age.

She's an Angora and is very frail looking with prominent bones now despite her good appetite.

But she still races round when the mood takes her, and loves a fuss.

qazxc · 31/12/2013 11:01

I have always adopted adult cats.
You know exactly what you are getting in term of looks and character.
they are less hard work as already house trained and less manic and destructive than kittens.
And as everyone wants the cute little kittens, there are generally plenty to choose from.
I am really glad you have decided to adopt him, he is middle aged so will probably be a great age to be around children (unlikely to be too hyper or scratchy). I currently have a 12yr old going strong, mid-teens is average for a cat and twenty-ish is not that uncommon. So, all going well, he should be around for at least 6 years, and quite possibly more.

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 31/12/2013 11:08

I have a 21 y/o still in good health although a bit deaf now.

campion · 31/12/2013 11:11

Our neighbours divorced and we got their 17 yr old cat! She lived to 22, hearty appetite,perfect manners apart from becoming a ball of hissing fur when the vet came near her Blush.

She was a bog standard moggy, no trouble and very friendly ( vets excepted)

RestingActress · 31/12/2013 11:18

Dcat adopted us when she was 11, she is now 15 and still going strong. She had blood tests last week ahead of teeth extractions and the vet has pronounced her in excellent health.

Hope you have many happy cat years ahead of you

ComposHat · 31/12/2013 11:20

Hurrah for the op and her new cat pal.

I have have found it touching and reassuring that so many felines make it to their twenties. I hope our little un lasts as long.

TalkinPeace · 31/12/2013 15:32

I've had my garden cat for two weeks now (to the hour) - she looks a lot better than she did when nearly dead in the garden. Her manners will take a month to settle but her life span with us will be measured in years rather than the hours she had left otherwise.

OP
You will not regret taking in a known to be friendly middle aged cat.

QuietTiger · 31/12/2013 16:43

Give the boy a home. He may last for a few years yet- my oldest moglet is 18 and will be 19 in February and still very hopefully well enough to enjoy a few years yet even if he does look like a little old man. :)

ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 31/12/2013 16:50

I really hope you get a long and happy time with your new cat.

Our current cats are about 18months to 2 years old. I had to have my first cat PTS at just under 19 years of age.

Original poster
Feminine · 31/12/2013 19:40

He is hiding under the stairs right now...been there a few hours!

I'll get that photo soon though Wink

Thanks for the new encouraging stories :)

OP posts: