Giving a home to two cats from the rescure centre - do you change their names . . . ?

[ellenrose]

We are getting two cats late this week and they are currently called Mork and Mindy. My kids are obviously not familiar and we had thought about re-naming but as the cats are 4 years old - does that work and if so - any suggestions?

We adopted 2 6 month old kittend last year and changed their names to Charlie and Lola but they were younger than yours. Not sure how well they know their names though they just come running when they can hear food!!!

Message withdrawn

Cats only respond to you if theyw ant to regardless of what you call them imo!!!

I thought it would probably be ok if we could find something relatively similar sounding but when you start trying to find an alternative to Mork it is v challenging!

They usually resond to spoon in tin or rattle of biscuits more than names in my experience. And pussy wussy sound, but the dog also answers to that!

I have had 4 rescue cats and always renamed. Who calls their cats Sapphire & Emerald???

I think they adapt quite quickly, and agree that they only come if they want to anyway.

If not, what about Dork and Sindy?

Agree, cats only listen if they are a) hungry or b)if its worth their while/they can be bothered.

I speak as a veteran cat owner. Change the names - they're crap

Cork and Windy?

My cat was called Willow when we got her which was way too meek a name for her so we changed it.

I don't think she could care less what's she's called to be honest but can respond to the sound of her food being prepared from any distance...

It may not be the case that these have always been their names. Maybe the people at the rescue centre gave them temporary names? Then you wouldn't have to worry.

we did when re rehomed, they got used to it. We jsut used to talk to them like batty old ladies, hello x, how are you x, aren't you a beautiful boy x, until they got used to it.
Harvey and Max became Buster and Barney, poor buggers!

DH got a stray when he was about 5 years old, so have no idea what his real name was.

DH renamed him Smokey, because he is grey and white.

5 years on, and he's fine with being Smokey so long as his food and water bowls are full, his litter tray clean and he has a warm hiding hole to sleep in.

Cats don't recognise their names. Or is this an urban myth? We changed our cat's name to Annie, as per DS's first love in nursery.