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Original poster

help pls re rescue cat for first timer

11 replies

loveverona · 16/03/2010 10:28

We're looking for as rescue cat, but as I've never owned a cat before I have a couple of questions.

If we get a rescue that's previously been a stray, is it more or less likely to stray again?

I know all cats are different, but generally speaking, is a male cat more affectionate than female, or vice versa? We have 3 DCs (1, 4 and 7yrs) so want to get the most tolerant cat there is!

THank you!!

OP posts:

chuckeyegg · 16/03/2010 11:02

I found male cats to be more affectionate. I'm sure the place where you get your cat will be able to advise which one would be most suitable for you and your family.

I can't really say about the straying I would think if there very happy that's less likely to happen.

Hope you find the right cat.

chuckeyegg · 16/03/2010 11:03

Sorry They're not there

Northernlurker · 16/03/2010 11:14

Oooh - we've had a cat for two months - got her from cats protection and she is lovely. She was a stray but we've never had any trouble, she is incredibly loyal. I've found cats protection to be excellent - when you go they tell you which cats need a quiet home or will be good with children.

this is our cat and my feedback to CP about her (the picture is from when she was with them and had just been spayed)

ClaireDeLoon · 16/03/2010 11:23

I've had two very affectionate cats - one male one female, and two less affectionate (as in not lap cats, they're not nasty or anything) that were male.

My oldest cat was a stray, he'd obviously had a lovely home where he was spoilt rotten but for whatever reason ending up living rough. He's never strayed at all.

A good rehoming centre will make sure you get the right cat for you, so will recommend one that they know is good with children. Good luck!

chuckeyegg · 16/03/2010 15:59

Nothernlurker What a lovely cat! I love black and white cats

beautifulgirls · 16/03/2010 16:24

Ooh do get a black and white one - for some reason they are more often overlooked in rescue centres than other colours.

Boys usually more friendly than girls, but they are all individuals too. Make sure if you get a boy he is neutered as that will impact on his want to stray more. You will find a high % of cats at a rescue centre were not actually strays but ones where they were either dumped, or taken on with prior agreement from a home that could no longer keep them.

From my experience the cats protection league are one of the best rehoming charities for cats in terms of health care and being thorough and I would highly recommend them.

Northernlurker · 16/03/2010 16:30

Yes we thought cats protection were wonderful - and they will rehome suitable cats with young children (dd3 is 2) which a lot of places won't.

Chuckey - yes she is a smasher - that photo doesn't do her justice really, I must send them another. She's filled out a little bit since we've had her. CP had her for two months getting her sorted out - when she was bought to them she was still feeding three kittens - at less than a year old herself and having been a stray. I'm very pleased to say she's not so terribly thin anymore

Original poster

loveverona · 16/03/2010 23:29

Thanks everyone! Have a nice man from CPL visiting on Thursday so fingers crossed they have our perfect cat. . .

OP posts:

RedbinDippers · 16/03/2010 23:35

I don't care where they come from, cats are great to have about, but they all have different (and not always nice) characters, get ready to welcome a new member to your family. Good luck.

CountryGirl2007 · 17/03/2010 02:14

The CPL are a great charity, good luck with finding your cat!

I have a mixture of males and females and they are all individuals, but I think generally males may be friendlier. None of mine bite or scratch though which is nice :p

A neutered cat is less likely to stray than an entire one, but if you get one from the CPL it'll probably be neutered anyway. Good luck again

ArcticFox · 17/03/2010 02:29

Agree with what's been said here.

Neutering normally reduces "straying" by male cats, and makes them less likely to fight and spray (ours has never sprayed although some males still do).

Just because a cat has been a stray doesn't mean it will run away. Cats generally know which side their bread's buttered! If possible, keep them inside for a few days so that they identify with their "territory".

Our male cat is more friendly than the female but that's probably because he had been a pet (left locked in villa by family leaving the UAE who couldnt be arsed to rehome him- nice people!)whereas she had been a long term stray, possibly since birth.

We only intended to foster ours for 6 weeks but still have them a year and one international move later.

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