To get new cats already

[mumtomaxwell]

My beloved old cat went missing 16 days ago. He has never gone for more than 24hrs before. He's elderly (16) and quite ill (hyperthyroidism, arthritis, deaf, possible dementia) so I am not hopeful for his safe return. Despite this I did lots of ringing around, leaflets round the neighbourhood, put him all over Facebook etc.

Today we went to the rspca and have chosen 2 young cats to rehome. I am excited but also feel guilty about giving up on my old cat. AIBU to have the new cats??

[minatiae]

you're not giving up on him, just means he'll have some friends to come home to

fwiw my friends cat went missing and she got 2 kittens. A year and a half later, her missing cat walked through the door.

[Sunsetplumset]

If he comes back you will still have room for him right?
There is still hope, I have a little bugger stray cat who keeps bothering me he is outside my window for days meowing and arguing with my cats he disappeared for around 10 days and i worried about him but he has made a return to bother me and my cats again (I was kind of glad though even though he annoys the hell out of me)

[Beefles]

If it were me I'd give the old boy a chance to return. If he does decide to come back and there's other cats in there already he won't have anywhere to go. Have you checked at the vets? The amount of people who pick up elderly cats and assume they are poorly looked after strays without realising old cats can be cared for and still loose weight is ridiculous. I'd check with cats protection and rspca and make sure nobody has picked him up.

[mumtomaxwell]

In my heart of hearts I think he might have done wowfudge

[wowfudge]

No. It would be too soon for me, but you do what is right for you and give two young cats a good home. I wonder if your old cat took himself away to die?

[CancelTheCheque]

16 days is quite a short time. I've known cats to come back after longer. What will happen if he does turn up and two new cats are in the house? This could be quite upsetting for him.

If you're certain he's not coming back then I think it's fine. Everyone grieves differently and new pets help some people with that.

[Savemefromwine]

You haven't given up if he comes back surely he would be loved and welcome. Along with the new kittens.

Hope he returns