To insist the cat goes back to the RSPCA?

[Hellvelyn]

We got a rescue cat from the RSPCA just over two years ago. Much wanted by dd and seemed like a good idea. DS and DD are now 16 and 18 ( years 11 and 13)
Cat is sweet natured and friendly but OMFG she's caused havoc and cost us hundreds of pounds. She just won't reliably pee outside or in the litter tray. She's ruined two carpets. I've spent hours cleaning up after her and we've tried everything to persuade her to wee where she should (multiple vet investigations, different litter and litter trays, products to help her relax, products to deter inappropriate weeing, advice from RSPCA. You name it. We've tried it.) End of last year she was doing better. We then had a long planned downstairs extension. Cat was in a (lovely) local cattery for 10 weeks as we didn't want her upset by all the disruption and for the peeing to get worse. On her return she was so settled and found her spot in the sun in our new conservatory and was weeing reliably in her tray. Suddenly last week I saw her weeing up the wall of our lovely new extension and all over a laptop. Closer inspection and sniffing indicated this wasn't the first time. Today she weed up our bookcase onto precious photo albums. I've just had enough. She's damaged one thing too many now. We had a family talk tonight. DCs are upset at the thought of her going, DS in particular who said " but she's part of our family....." AIBU to just want her to return to the RSPCA? Will my kids ever forgive me? Aaaaagh!

I think you very likely have found out the main cause of your cat’s anxiety. She’s clearly spraying as well as weeing, and cats do this for territorial reasons, and another cat would definitely explain her need to do this. I would seriously lock the cat flap, at least until that other cat gives up coming round.

Because, if you put a microchip on the flap, your cat won’t know that the other cat can’t come through it. And you say that she doesn’t go outside much anyway, so she’ll probably be happy having you let her in and out.

Hopefully, things will improve for you and your cat once this intruder can’t come in anymore.

Hellvelyn
“So.....this evening I went into the kitchen to find next door's cat wandering around! “

Well, this is your answer OP. Cats per when they are stressed that their territory is under invasion. One of ours has a phase of peeing on the front door (from the inside). It was because another random cat was peeing on our front step!

Also there is something you can buy from the vet that is a pet urine neutraliser spray. The problem with cleaning pet wee with usual domestic cleaning agents such as Flash, Dettol or bleach is that they often react with the pheromones in the cat spray area and - to a cats nose - make them even stronger!

I have two cats atm and had many rescues over the years but I couldn't put up with the smells in the house from cat urine. Ours are indoor/outdoor by choice but sleep locked in the utility room overnight as I don't want any caterwauling and upset neighbours.
Clearly your cat is unsettled/stressed in your home. Is the litter tray in an out of the way place? Her own little hidey hole? Or could you adjust her to living totally outdoors rather than rehome.
A neighbour lets his cat out in the morning and fetches her in at night. She's healthy and happy. Another neighbour has a converted chicken house with a catflap entry.
Is there a farmer nearby that might adopt her as a ratter?
Sadly once there are residual pee pheromones lurking in the house cats are likely to continue to pee indiscriminately, like territory marking.

This is going to be an expense, but I think you need a cat flap which registers microchips. Will mean that only your cat can enter/exit (from memory, not much of an outdoor lover).

I have one of these and I also lock it at night as my cats stays in at night.

I think it will make a massive difference once she feels safe in her own home.

I've got a rescue cat id never give him back he scratched and bit until he got used to me.. l ignored it l put food near the chair he was hiding under until he trusted me ..he's a lovely Norwegian forest cat he comes home now and then...but mostly lives outdoors he weed on my floors till I told him it was naughty he's outgrown it now

I read your comment about how your cat doesn’t squat when she wees. DCat here (a rescue and initially quite anxious) will use her litter tray properly most of the time, but if I happen to be close by she doesn’t squat properly and misses the tray. It's like she needs to be prepared to run away at a moment’s notice IYSWIM. The same if the litter isn't to her liking or not recently cleaned, she couldn’t possibly put her dainty bum near it, with the same result.

Is your cat's litter tray somewhere where she can be sure she won't be disturbed? Obviously, make sure this other cat can't get in, but also make sure it is away from the general flow of human traffic. Perhaps also get the vet to check she can squat comfortably, e.g. there's no arthritis or evidence of an old injury making it difficult for her.

@Hellvelyn how are things now?

I have a very very anxious indoor rescue cat who uses a litter tray.
There is a table & chairs between the litter tray & the glass kitchen door to the garden but I can see her looking sideways to that glass door when she uses the tray... she's clearly worried that a male cat may look in & will sometimes not be able to wee.

Also if there's any noise or sudden movement nearby when she wants to use the tray she'll jump off it & run upstairs.
Basically she holds her urine in rather than use the tray if she's worried.
Luckily there's been no urine accidents yet.

I only have a lounge with a carpet & a tiny kitchen downstairs so there really is only one place for the tray unfortunately. At least she is continent so far.

Anyway. I think you need to look at the placement of your cat's tray.
Is it facing or near a door to the outside - if so move it away.
Put it against a wall not in an open space.

Also consider putting another tray upstairs.

Look at the type of cat litter - is it pleasant for your cat to use.
My cat uses clumping cat litter, the Antibacterial one you can order by Pets At Home.
If I'm home I clean out every wee & poo as she does it.
I keep the litter quite deep so she can dig around.
I renew all of the litter at least once a month to avoid smell.

To relax my cat I have a blanket under a small table with a pile of strong catnip toys.
She cuddles up to them & plays with them when she feels stressed.
Catnip works well for over 50% of cats.
I didn't find Feliway useful.

Good luck!