So excited

[tribpot]

Ds has long wanted a cat (to be called Harry Potter) and today the Cats Protection League have confirmed we are suitable to adopt.

I was hoping to hear today about potential cats we could visit but I guess it'll be tomorrow now - but it seems all systems go, so need to think about what I need for a cat! Ds is insanely excited.

Litter trays - I hear nowadays they come with a lid, which seems like a good thing.

Cat basket - ds has decided his old moses basket would be just the job, I disagree [hgrin]

Plus presumably - carrying basket, scratching post, litter, food, food trays, what have I forgotten?

Many thanks!

Nappy sacks for removing poos from litter tray (you don't want to have to change whole tray each time they poo obviously!) also newspaper to line litter tray with. Toys if the cat is youngish - or even older ones like a sneaky bat about of a toy mouse. The wood pellet litter is the best (most smell absorbing) sort. Enjoy your new mog. Ours drive us crazy but we'd never be without them [hgrin]

My god, a return to nappy sacks?! We've just done a mass clear-out for fear of the Cats Protection League doing a house inspection and found all manner of stuff from when ds was a baby. Hey ho!

Wood pellet litter - noted.

Toys - having disposed of about 95% of ds' for the inspection, I hope the cat will enjoy something we have, otherwise will get it summat to play with :)

One of those little scoop things for fishing the lumps out - looks a little like a fish slice.

I'd say you should definitely invest in a decent scratching post. One that will be suitable for a grown up cat. Imagine them stretching to scratch, so it has to be tall enough. A large cat scratcher allows your cat to have a place to escape to and survey their kingdom out of anyone's way.

I got my cat when she was 6 years old and bought her this scratcher and she fell in love with it immediately and still uses the little box when she feels the need to hide away. Now I have two cats they both love it equally and I really feel I ought to buy another at some point.

Apart from that your checklist includes

1. litter tray and scoop (and litter)
2. feeding bowls (and food of course)
3. Cat carrier
4. Cat insurance - seriously, you never know what can happen. Having got a sick 6 year old cat (now 9) who is uninsured I can tell you I spend between £500 and £1500 a year on vet bills.