Cat owners what advice, thoughts, tips, things to consider would you give to someone thinking of getting a cat?

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

• ie me.

It's something I've thought about for a while and told myself I'd consider properly in 2011......which is now appears to be !

Now, I like to think of myself are reasonably intelligent, and I have thought about it on my own, and we had pets when I was growing up (though no cat as my dad was allergic to them) - dog, rabbit, fish, rats (eek!) etc so I'm not a stranger to pet owning - but it's been a long time.

So your pearls of wisdom of things to consider (no matter how obvious they are ] would be much appreciated.

Oh - and where would I go about finding a cat once I've made sure I'm ready for one???

well I haven't killed my kids here yet

Been thinking about where to keep the litter tray (and perusing past threads on here ). Kitchen is a bit yuck

But I think it'll probably go into the dining room - which actually hardly ever gets used - and I guess I can always move it out if we have people over for dinner. It's also closer to the front door (door we have ot use to get to the bins) so will be easier for cleaning out. Plus there's more space in there for it.

Garden is basically just gravel.

Teela - that is true - but I know for a fact that I don't have the motivation to be walking a dog every single day come rain or shine. And especially not as it would involve dragging all 3 children out come that rain or shine as well.

I have no DH to leave the children with - it's just me and my 3 boys (and soon hopefully a cat)

I'm REALLY hoping the local CP website is uptodate.......as both DS2 and I think that \link{http://www.wellrushcats.co.uk/adopt.html\Jim} is gorgeous.

"Garden is basically just gravel."

How considerate of you to provide a giant outdoor litter tray

Jim looks and sounds quite special. Fingers crossed.

I say "basically" - actually there's remnanets of a gravel base there covered in toys and most of the lining showing - after DS's have "shared" the gravel with the kid over the garden wall.

I've decided to leave it like that until the day we eventually move out - I have a builder friend who can get me a sack or three of gravel to make it look like a gravelled garden again

We got a kitten from the shelter six weeks ago, he's a complete joy. I strongly recommend insurance. We got our other cat a couple of years ago and in the firt year we had a ?900 vet bill as he has a heart murmur and also managed to break a tooth. Royal Canin food is fantastic, they get lovely coats on it and it seems to satisfy them really well, but we give wet food too. Wood pellets for the stove are great to use as litter and much cheaper, its what our local shelter uses. Shelters are great, our local one almst matchmaked us with our cat. The home check was a doddle, they basically walked in to our house and said, oh yes, this is a great place for a cat! We have no cat flap, and we rent. You;re doing a great thing, you will get so much fun out of a cat. I'm planning to get a third cat in the spring.

glastocat - what are 'wood pellets for the stove'?

he's a damn fine looking cat - and he's just got that look in his face that says "I'm the man".

thanks Glasto - glad the cat flap thing wasn't an issue.

Im not having a lie-in in the morning - I'm going to be on the phone to get this ball rolling.

Jim looks lovely, a very proud boy.

If it's CP you'll need it in writing from your LL that you're allowed a cat. I was so nervous of our home visit that I made a special effort to tidy up, (for once ), but the CP lady was really nice. As we didn't have a catflap she asked where would the cat shelter in the garden, but we have a guinea pig hutch and a play house that our other cats have used if it's raining and they can't get indoors and she was fine with that. I was so worried as we wanted a kitten and my DC's were aged 3 and 6 and I kept drumming it into them to be quiet and not get too excited. Anyway, 5 mins into our chat with the CP lady the DC's are pulling each other around the sitting room by various limbs and I thought she would say we weren't suitable for a kitten but it was fine.

That's such great news. I still look at the CP site but my DH would go mad if I got another one as we already have 3.

I have a text from him (from the same mobile number that is on my tenancy agreement).

so I'll have to get it in writing arghh - he's a fab landlord - but a PITA to get anything in writing from. I'll send him another text tomorow and see if he can drop a letter round at some point (asap lol).

yes I would consider two if CPL reckon they've got 2 that they want to stay together that would suit our family

(although I'm really hankering after little Jim ).

I never see him! I think I've seen him 3 times since I first looked at the place. Once when he was here clearing out stuff the last tenant left when I looked round. Then he turned up briefly the day I moved in and then he turned up again just before the summer holidays as the neighbours had called him about the guttering - it was broken at their end and causing damp in their bedroom. He knocked (and apologised profusely for not giving warning that he was coming) and asked if I'd had any problem with damp.

Then he rang about 2 months ago and asked if e could come and pick up some post. I said yes - but he never showed and until today when I texted him hadn't heard from him since.

Will text him again and ask if he can scribble me a quick note and drop it round.........and then he can have his pile of post

we have progress - spoke to me LL this morning - we've struck a deal - I'll stick his post in an envelope and send it off to him and he's going to get a letter drawn up for me ASAP

and I've rung CPL - they're going to pass my details onto the people that do the home visits and I should here from them either today or tomorrow.

Jim is still looking for a home -and she said that it sounded like here would be ok for him - so sounding more hopeful.

We had two brothers (kittens that is, not children!) from CPL. They were/are really good natured. Sadly one died of feline leukemia at age 3. This can be transmitted from the mother and someone who cant be bothered to get their cat neutered is unlikely to keep up with immunisations so even though CPL do their bit, this is a possibility.

It is worth getting insurance. It cost us over £400 to diagnose the ill cat, initially treat him and then put him down. All this inside 24 hours.

All the above said, the surviving cat is really nice if a trifle dim.

The wood pellets are the ones you would put in a wood burning stove. They are about a quarter of the price of cat litter and do the job just as well as cat litter, so well worth seeking out. I know here in Ireland they are Vat free too, unlike cat litter. You will get them in builders yard type places.

oooooooo - excited excited excite.

Got a phone call from lovely CPL lady today - she's going to visit this afternoon

I asked her if she needed to see an actual letter from my LL and she said no the text will be fine (but the letter when it comes from my LL will be useful to keep with the tenancy agreement anyhow).

Apparently Jim is quite bolshy - hehe - will fit in well round here then - when she said that about him it made me want him even more.

oo - I am getting so excited now.

Nice one Baroqin :)

Thanks for the answer to my stupid question glastocat. I will look out for some.

She's just left - she reckons Jim will be perfectly suited to our house - woohoo - thanks everyone

Yayy! When can you get him?

not sure yet - need to wait for the Fosterer that's currently looking after him to ring me. As soon as I've arranged to go and see him (with the boys) - if we still want him we can sign the papers there and then and bring him home - so soon hopefully!