Help please! Is it mean just to rehome a single kitten?

[itsnothingoriginal]

We really want to adopt a kitten which we have seen at the local rescue centre but they want us to take a pair because we have youngish children and they said it's kinder for the cats to be together.

Problem is, although keeping a single cat is within our budget I'm worried we can't afford to adopt, insure and keep 2 cats for the long term. Is this cruel and should we rethink getting a cat at all if we can't afford to take 2 together?

IMHO, it really depends on how often the cat will be left.
If the cat will have family at home with it most of the day, and it will be genuinely part of the family and well-socialised, then no it's not cruel.

But if people will be out at work/school for the majority of the day, then a kitten might get lonely - less so an older cat, who has already been well-socialised and has lived in that home a long time.

Myself, I think it depends on the cat and the household - eg two cats will play with each other and keep company if you're away a lot but it might be a different story if you're home most of the day and can play with the kit and be around.

I've usually had singletons as my 'bed cats' (Siamese sleep in bed with their person in my experience) and they've been happy as sandboys to be on their own with no permanent cat rivals for attention. But then we work from home so it might be different for you.

Thanks Thanks for your replies - very helpful! No I don't work so am at home all day most days. The cat we want is the last one left in a litter but they want to pair it up with another one.

I would have thought that that would be OK. The rescue will just have thoughts about a pair but one should be fine if you can give it attention.

Good luck whatever you decide.

We have always had single cats in my family. They tend to socialise with us! Its lovely.

Have you considered rehoming an older cat from one of the pedigree cat clubs? They will say whether the cat likes human company and is used to young children or not. We've always rehomed adult cats and never had a problem.

Currently have a sibling litter pair and they often play and cuddle together but still fight and yes it is twice the cost and hassle - they are 5 or 6 now. Also older cats are generally a shorter commitment

PS

Hazel's point about an older cat is well made. A well socialized older cat will often need far less attention than a kit. (So if circumstances change, a single kitten grown up to a cat would likely also be OK.)

All things are individual RandomMess. My Seniorboy is now 18 and still going pretty strong. It may not necessarily be that much shorter a commitment.

First cat was 10 when we got him

Current pair were only 2 which I was disappointed about - keep thinking they may be around for a couple of decades!

They had their annual check up yesterday. There was a family of 4 there with their cat inc 2 adult dc - turned out cat was 21 had sneezed and fallen over so they were there assuming it was about to be put down and to say their goodbyes. Turns out it just has arthritis so was in pain, now on pain killers - who knows how long it has left... i will stick to neurotic short lived pedigrees

They well might be!

Seniorboy has a pedigree as long as your arm (or did until it got lost) but cats are generally living longer these days with good vet care and changed attitudes. Even 30 or 40 years back, people would have raised an eyebrow at hearing of the number of cats of the ages posted about on these boards.

The rescue centre are barking! I have had pairs of cats, 5 cats at once and single cats - the cohabitees and siblings tolerated each other, had no desire to lie together etc. Pissed off out all day anyway chasing mice or laying around in the sun (you remember sun??) I am sure they would much rather be singletons.

We had four at one time, mostly they ignored each other with the occasional spat.

Fluffy cat is fine on his own, if he's lonely he conceals it well by beating up every other cat who comes near his territory.

I couldn't afford to run two cats either.

I know ours were only kept as a pair when sold as kittens because they were particularly close, the girls always "looked after" the boy who had been the runt of the litter. They are definately exceptional that they seem to mostly like each other - they spend lots of time apart though she hangs out around the house he wanders much further and at night time they don't cuddle together it tend to be more in the day. Plus they do get jealous over who is sitting on which knee so I think the rescue place is insane!

Thanks all I feel much happier about fighting my corner now - lady from rescue centre coming for a visit soon so will stand firm on taking the one!

I'm sooo excited

isnothingoriginal thanks for asking that quetsion, I am just about to take possessin of a ginger tom kitty (or will he take possesion of me!). I do work part time but am home more than I than I am at work.

Any tips on how to entertain kitty when not there, what to leave him, fancy scratching pole??

I have stated my own thread so as not to de-rail this one. Anyone with any tips, please do add them to..

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/1759556-Any-tips-on-how-to-entertain-kitty-when-not-there?watched=1

isnothingoriginal good luck with your new litty, I am madly excited! Hope all will go well.

Sadly the cat we wanted had already been reserved. I get the feeling the rescue centre lady is a bit cross that we won't take a pair so didn't prioritise us however I'm hoping we can find another one soon! There seems to be a huge number of people waiting for kittens which is good but means we might have to wait a while...

Have a look at all your local shelters on \link{http://www.catchat.org/\catchat} itsnothingoriginal. (Just go to the 'Find a Shelter' page.) Some of them might even have websites where you can see who is needing a home.

If you go to the Catchat forums, you'll also fine a forum on 'Rescue and Rehoming' which might have cats and kittens needing rehoming in your area.

My sister & I both had the whole "you should really take 2" from rescue places. I can understand the argument for them keeping each other company but surely it's better to send one cat to a good home than potentially be left with 2 because the adopter really only wants/can afford a single cat?

I refused point blank to have 2 due to DH's allergies (1 cat manageable, 2 = potential problems!). It did irritate me that several places seemed to not be that interested in rehoming a single cat with us - we have always had just 1 at a time and they have all been wonderfully good natured & sociable.

Good luck finding your kitty, there are sadly so many unwanted cats/kittens I'm sure you won't struggle.

Thanks - keeping fingers crossed!

Will have a look at that site cozietoesie..

It's meaner to get two cats you may not be able to afford, to later have to get rid of one than to get a single cat. Especially considering you'll be at home a lot of the time. Cats are generally solitary animals (unless you're planning on adopting a lion ) so if it's alone but loved it wont be that bothered. We have two - one loves, but is not loved by, but they're content.

Whoops! One loves, but is not loved by, the other *