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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

We are getting a rescue cat - tips for choosing please

39 replies

nomadwantshome · 11/02/2013 20:15

We have been catless for a few years now and are going to take the plunge again. I'm getting a cat flap installed and we will be ready to go.

Any tips? I don't want a kitten but an older cat. Don't mind if it's missing bits and pieces and doesn't have to be beautiful. I want one with a bit of character who is good with kids, (6&8). Getting all broody Blush

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 11/02/2013 20:26

It's great that you're going to rescue. There are loads of tips here:
www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=40&MMN_position=67:67

Really your local rescue should be able to give you lots of advice and recommend cats that they think would suit your circumstances. That's the great thing about rescuing adult cats, rather than kittens, you know what personality you're getting so it's easier to find a good match. So first find your local rescue, get on the list for a home visit if they do that, and then just go along, meet the cats and listen to their advice and you'll probably just fall in love and that will be that ...

Sparklingbrook · 11/02/2013 20:30

Ooh exciting. Smile Do you have a Cat's Protection locally that have a website you can look on? Kittens get snapped up but older cats get photographed and put on the website. Smile

Cat rescues will want to do a Home Visit to check location etc and then try and match you with your future cat. Squeeee!!!

Original poster
nomadwantshome · 11/02/2013 20:30

Thanks cat, that's exactly why I want an adult cat so I know beforehand what they're like. Thanks for th link, I'll take a look.

OP posts:
Original poster
nomadwantshome · 11/02/2013 20:40

Aww just looking on the website, why why why do black cats get overlooked? I read a thread about this recently, I don't understand. We have a black cat that has taking to sleeping in our shed on the sun lounger cushions, he's gorgeous! Kids want to keep him (me too actually) but I told them that wouldn't be very fair on the owners (or cat servants!)

One worrying thing is that the friendly ones get adopted quickly and the nervous ones are left - these ones are not good with kids. I can certainly second this, my Sticky was a very nervous puss and never came round to the kids, whereas Cosmo was right in the thick of it, bless her. She used to head butt everyone for a stroke.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 11/02/2013 20:44

Yes it's very sad about black cats. They do have a hard time. And yes, the friendly ones get adopted much more quickly than the nervous ones. Still, as you do have children, you can't let that influence you when you're choosing - you are going to need one that's ok with kids. You could certainly try to get a black one though ....

Sparklingbrook · 11/02/2013 20:46

Even if they haven't got one that suits on the website now it may be worth getting your home visit done and telling them what you are after and asking them to contact you if a suitable one comes in?

issey6cats · 11/02/2013 22:11

the best thing to do is go to the center with no particular cat in mind, they should show you cats that are suitable for your family, ie cats that dont mind children, dont worry about taking your time as the staff should be happy for you to do this, if they show you a few cats kjeep in mind any that stand out and go back and look again, spend a little while with each of your short list cats, and im sure that your new master or mistress will pick you, and if no one is suitable that day rescues get cats in all the time as they rehome so if several visits are necessary dont worry the rescue will want you to have the right cat, by the way i work at a cat rescue and this is what i tell people who come to look at the older cats

Original poster
nomadwantshome · 12/02/2013 17:05

Thanks issy thats good advice. You're right we don't want to rush it!

OP posts:
BadgersRetreat · 12/02/2013 17:17

aww we adopted one with a bit missing - she's got no tail, just a little furry stump. She's got rubbish balance but otherwise is brilliant

she was friendly when we met her and was described as 'boisterous' in her notes and 'no children because she's a loon

we just fell in love with her and were so pleased to get her out of her cage and take her home forever Grin

lorisparkle · 12/02/2013 17:25

we used to be regulars at the local rspca cat rescue place and they had completed all the checks. once two cats arrived that were suited to us we had a phone call and that was that! beautiful cats but needed a bit of time and love to settle.

ProphetOfDoom · 12/02/2013 17:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lonecatwithkitten · 12/02/2013 22:16

'Disabled' cats often get adopted fairly quickly it is the bog standard black cats or the ones with Diabetes (really easy to give injections) that get left behind.

thecatneuterer · 12/02/2013 23:33

The ones that really get left for months and months are the shy/timid ones. And they normally only need a few weeks in a proper home for them to come round. It's such a shame

Maryz · 12/02/2013 23:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thecatneuterer · 12/02/2013 23:44

Agree that two is usually a good idea Maryz. (and good to see you over here - it's all getting a bit out of hand on that other thread - i'm sticking to the litter tray now:) )

Maryz · 12/02/2013 23:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thecatneuterer · 12/02/2013 23:58

lol

Lovethesea · 17/02/2013 16:37

We took our kids with us to the rescue to see the cat's reaction! One was 3 and the other nearly 2 at the time. Saw a few nervous cats but then one seemed very friendly. Took the kids into the pen with it, it was bombproof. DS (nearly 2) dropped the litter tray, tried to feed him litter pellets, climbed all round him, poked him gently in the eye ('Eye!' 'Ear') and the cat's only reaction was calm interest. I picked him up and stroked him, DD cuddled him. Totally calm.

We knew we had found our cat. He's amazing with the kids, we love him!

Toughasoldboots · 17/02/2013 16:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lovethesea · 17/02/2013 21:18

Oh and I had said not a long haired one, so we had overlooked our cat initially. But then the staff said to meet him as he seemed very child friendly, he'd only been there 3 weeks so they really knew their stuff.

Ironically he sheds less than the short haired ones I used to have, really soft long hair. No idea why but almost no grooming needed at all either.

QueenStromba · 18/02/2013 16:49

How long are the ones who hide away in their pens but are described as affectionate once they get to know you likely to take to come around? We'd like to pick one that most people would overlook but don't want a cat that's going to hide behind the sofa for six months.

QueenStromba · 18/02/2013 16:58

Unfortunately I think you're right about the black cats Toughasoldboots. When we went to Cattersea on Saturday I overheard a woman tell her children not to fall in love with a black and white cat. She was really playful and straight up to the glass to greet people but the mum vetoed because of her colouring. Can anyone explain what the problem is? I have a soft spot for tabbies and white cats because of cats I've known in the past but I'm not going to pick a cat based on that.

thecatneuterer · 18/02/2013 18:34

I would say the shy but basically friendly ones take about two weeks to come round on average. But I've had some that have been terrible in the pen, really cowering and hissy, but within about half an hour of being in my house they're all purry and happy.

CMOTDibbler · 18/02/2013 18:42

We've got three rescue cats, and our local CPL are very happy for you to just go into the pens and visit with the cats to see what you think.
Our black and white one had been with them for 11 months, bless her - she came over as very shy in the pens, but really came out of herself after a week.

Springsister · 19/02/2013 17:51

Queenstromba we got our 2nd back rescue cat recently. When I told friends teenagers they were surprised as they consider them unlucky.

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