Would like a rescue cat - but..

[dimmu]

..we have kids, the youngest is three, AND we live fairly close to a busy road. I have been browsing lots of rescue websites and this combination seems to make it impossible to find one that would accept us.

We have a small garden but it is not enclosed and it would be difficult to catproof it. Our house is fairly big, so we could potentially adopt a pedigree that has to stay indoors (was thinking maybe a ragdoll), but again it seems difficult to find any that would be ok with young children.

What would you do, is rescue really not an option? I would rather avoid buying a kitten or cat just from someone on gumtree or similar and would prefer to rescue.
Thanks.

P.s. With regards to the busy road, our neighbours have cats and they seem fine to go outside.

@JorisBonson - I got Leroy thanks to Cat Chat!

@dimmu - Tbh I don't find the lack of insurance a problem, most things that cost a lot come from cats going out! Obviously as he gets older that could change, but most insurance doesn't cover some age related problems, has low limits on claims or is prohibitively expensive. I'm also very conscious of the fact that his life is already a little curtailed due to his FIV and I'm not sure I want to be in a position to prolong his life if it involves limiting it further. I have bittersweet experience of doing that.

@mostlydrinkstea My OH has Maine Coons in the past (they stayed with his ex when they split up) and he still talks about the fondly. There was one living in our current house before we bought it, she was really cool and always followed us around during viewings and was great with the kids too.

@YesItsMeIDontCare ah I got my FIV boy through cat chat many years ago. He was found wandering around West Ham stadium!

We had two Maine Coons. One was the perfect family cat; the other was the spawn of Satan. The hell fiend was huge and used to ambush small dogs in the local park. I never got a worming tablet down his neck and grooming was done with gardening gauntlets as he could bite. Beautiful looking animal but everything was on his terms. I'd have another in a heartbeat but well bred ones are not cheap.

Don’t know where you are. We have links to New Start cat rescue and Teckels.
You can cat proof the garden and I’ve also seen people create a “catio” as a safe outside space.
Definitely hold out for rescue. Breed or mog. Some cats don’t go out. You could get an adult who just didn’t fancy going out!!

We got a rescue cat when ds was 2. We knew we needed an easy going cat, went through Cats Protection League and were very lucky that they had a suitable cat. DH and I had had a rescue cat before from them, she'd been badly abused and needed to be an indoor cat, she died before we had ds.

Our cat so chilled and loves family life, we got him at 10 months old and hes now about 2.5. Hes possibly got some Maine Coon in him, hes massive, but hes a moggy so dont know for sure.

Rescues also tend to ask for indoor only homes for deaf cats.
A friend of mine has British Shorthairs, they don't go out much and are quite docile and good with kids.

I haven't read all the replies so apologies if this has already been covered. Some great advice so far.

I have had cats all my life, lots of them, as we used to rehome for awhile. Some cats are road wise and some aren't. We moved house when I was a teenager from a quiet area to being right next to a road and for the first few days we opened the curtains every morning to a squashed cat. Pretty upsetting!!! Years later and my Mum still lives there and she has had her current cats for years, they're pretty traffic savvy.

I'd support getting a cat from a rescue if you can rather than a kitten as rescues are full of cats, especially older ones who can struggle to find new homes as everybody wants cute babies (they grow up!!). Older cats are often more settled.

But on the subject of small children, that question is asked for a reason as some cats can get very stressed with small children or babies. One of mine was handed in to a rescue as she had taken to pulling her fur out constantly after the owner had a baby. Rescues are not being difficult, they are trying to do what's right for the animals they rehome. But before anyone jumps down my throat, I do understand that sometimes getting cats - or dogs - from a rescue feels impossible when they are so strict. I think they have to go with the lowest common denominator to try and keep animals safe and apply a one size fits all for consistency.

No idea about breeds, all of mine have been moggies, gorgeous moggies every single one. Good luck and hope you get sorted. Make sure your cat has a quiet place to escape to in the house and lots of love cats are the best!

Thanks again everyone, just a quick response as have to make dinner!

I would prefer to adopt an adult cat rather than a kitten. I think the rescue would have a better idea of their personality and suitability for us if they were adults, a big lazy tom would be my dream cat!
@Wolfiefan I am near Bristol but happy to drive a couple of hours distance (once that is allowed again of course) for the right match.

Will PM!

I've got Persians who couldn't care less if they go out or not. They only go into my enclosed garden. Insurance is an absolute must. My pair ran up bills of £20,000

we got a rescue kitten at 5month old shes now 21 and adorable her name is sassy shes never liked litter trays so she goes in my back garden not for long cos shes a house cat shes goes in a cattery when me and husband go on holiday

If you live near a busy road keep your cat in for a year. A vet told us to do this with our two. This first year was tough but now they are terrified of roads and stick to our garden and quiet areas.

We couldn't adopt for same reason but have 2 happy 12 year olds now