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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to find an old cat that needs me?

65 replies

Viciouszebra · 07/11/2018 13:48

I want to adopt the oldest cat I can find to give it a loving home for the last year or two of it’s life. I’m single and work from home so he/she would be welcome company, but I don’t want an energetic kitten or young cat. I like the idea of caring for an elderly cat (even one with health problems) and knowing that it’s loved and cared for in its final years. I live in a 2 bed flat, so none of the cat charities I’ve contacted will allow a cat to be rehomed with me, even though the flat is ground floor and there is communal garden areas. Is there anywhere else I can contact for this? I live in the south east.

OP posts:
Bluesheep8 · 07/11/2018 13:50

OP you sound lovely and just what a cat needs. I wish more people thought like you!

Bluesheep8 · 07/11/2018 13:52

And I'm amazed that some charities wouldn't consider you. Who have you contacted? Hope I can advise.

ScreamingValenta · 07/11/2018 13:52

What a lovely idea. Have you tried looking for an old cat that needs to be indoor-only for health reasons?

Didiplanthis · 07/11/2018 13:55

Keep contacting cat charities - many have cats who are deaf blind or have FIV and can't go out. I want to do this too once my childen are older ( Not fair on them to have a succession of dying cats ! ) but I know I can give old cats love and security for as long as they have left and will be able to make the right call when it's time.

thetemptationofchocolate · 07/11/2018 13:56

If you can find a small independent rehoming charity you may have more luck. If you feel comfortable saying the area you live in, there may be someone on here who can suggest places to try.
What a lovely idea, the oldies have as much love to give as the youngsters.

Excited101 · 07/11/2018 13:57

Many cat charities are looking for exactly what you’re offering. Try Celia Hammond, they’d love you if you’re not too far.

Madcats · 07/11/2018 14:01

Our local rescue centre (but we re south west) has several FIV/Indoor only cats.

I'm not sure this was the charity I was thinking of/remember but how about contacting Cinnamon Trust? Their volunteers help care for/foster...then adopt pets when the elderly are not in a position to care for them any longer.

You could try contacting local vets too?

Bootikin · 07/11/2018 14:02

There are DEFINITELY car charities that indoor only homes, I can be sure about this! Have you tried Celia Hammond? Don’t give up, you will be able to offer an oldie a lovely home.

We are not in CH area but via a different charity, we fostered a dear little cat who was too frightened to go outdoors into our garden, and she needed to be an “only” cat (something we could not offer with several bossy cats already).

She was matched to a forever home with a lovely couple who had a flat with a balcony. Due to lack of garden they were not ‘typical’ adopters but the cat charity could see the adopters and cat were a good match. Little cat was too scared even to go onto balcony but lives very happily in the flat and she feels nurtured and safe, so it was the right match.

If you can get the charities to make a home visit to you and you can show what a good life you can provide, I think you’ll be able to provide a lovely home.

Wolfiefan · 07/11/2018 14:02

We have an elderly cat in rescue where I volunteer. She’s undergoing health tests at the moment but I have asked if she could be got well enough to foster. Hate to think of her in a cattery in her old age.

SarahBeeney · 07/11/2018 14:04

Yes a small independent charity might be able to help.
My cats were from the Croydon Animal Sanctury.
Maybe ring Celia Hammond and see what they say?

Wolfiefan · 07/11/2018 14:06

But do remember to budget for the medical needs an older cat may have. Insurance may not cover an elderly cat. About 5 years ago we were spending over £60 a month on my cat for age related conditions.

SaucyJack · 07/11/2018 14:07

Are you anywhere near Brighton?

A580Hojas · 07/11/2018 14:11

I was looking at the Celia Hammond website the other night and they did have several indoor only cats up for adoption. Good luck, you are doing a lovely thing!

LizB62A · 07/11/2018 14:19

There's a rescue near us looking for a home for an older cat so that he has some home comforts and doesn't live the rest of his life in a foster home.
Have you tried the smaller rescues?

Sonders · 07/11/2018 14:22

I'm also in the South West and volunteer for a charity which by what you've said, would approve you :) It might be worth volunteering as a long-term fosterer though, that's what the place I work for does - it means the elderly cats with high vets costs are still covered by the charity donations - but the puss gets a stable warm home to live out their golden years.

EssentialHummus · 07/11/2018 14:26

Another “Celia Hammond” from me!

KC225 · 07/11/2018 14:33

My cat came from Croydon Animal Samaritans as it was called. I was shown cats this one is an indoor cat, this one, not this one etc. Keep trying.

Oliversmumsarmy · 07/11/2018 14:46

We adopted 2 cats. Brother and sister who were nearly 11 years old and had been in the rescue centre for months. They were considered quite elderly.

Their previous owner had gone into hospital and not come out.

The brother was 15 when he passed. The sister we had for over 10.6 years.

You adopt an elderly cat thinking they might only have a few years left and a decade later they are still with you.

Miss them do much

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 07/11/2018 15:00

Battersea (Dogs & Cats Home) might be able to help. They are very sensible about assessing whether you are suitable to home an animal and don't have any hard and fast rules (I think) about whether you live in a flat. (I do and I adopted a dog from them).

MereDintofPandiculation · 07/11/2018 15:13

Occasionally local vets know of cats needing re-homing.

myusernamewastakenbyme · 07/11/2018 16:01

How lovely Op...ive got an 18 year old cat that i rescued 2 years ago....she is getting frail but is such a lovely cat.

Plump82 · 07/11/2018 16:09

Oh goodness you've made me a little teary. Ive got an old girl and to think a lovely person like you would be happy to rehome her if she was up for adoption.
I agree with the associated costs of older pets. Mine is costing me a fortune as its not covered my insurance. Maybe open a savings account and put some money away while you search.
Dont give up as theres so many old cats that need people like you.

Flev · 07/11/2018 16:10

If you're willing to travel, try The ARC - Sally homes lots of cats to indoor homes. Not sure how many older cats she currently has, but have a look!

www.facebook.com/The-ARC-the-ashmore-rescue-for-cats-610309825673191/

Kilash · 07/11/2018 16:11

I really hope you find a cat op - you will make a lovely home for one.

I have always adopted older cats - our current cat is about 7. The cat we gave a home to beofre this was a very angry scratchy 8 year old who we had for nearly 10 years. Our ds loevd her into submission and after a few years the cat became his little shadow and could always be found sitting next to ds. She sadly died, but she died happy, loved and purring.

There mus be so many older or ill cats that need a loving home - again, I hope you find one to love.

HelenaDove · 07/11/2018 16:13

Are you in Essex? Colchester cat rescue have a 12 year old called Trixie She is a GORGEOUS black cat with a white blaze and green eyes. there is a pic on the fb page.