One rescue cat or two?

[CurrerBell]

We're about to adopt a cat from the RSPCA - a lovely one year old ginger boy. We were only planning to get one cat, but he's been a bit ill so we've had a few visits to the rescue centre whilst waiting to adopt him. Today we visited and saw a slightly older fluffy three legged cat who was very friendly... The two cats seemed to get on. He came up to us to be petted and was really lovely with our kids. He's been at the rescue centre since March.

I always believed cats were solitary creatures, but the rescue centre suggested they could work as a pair? My husband isn't sure about taking on the second cat as he is long haired and we're not sure about all the grooming / fur balls involved (we haven't had a cat before). Also, is it fair to take on a cat with three legs as a companion to one which is more energetic/agile? We want to be sure we're making the right decision either way (it was hard to leave him behind!). Any advice would be appreciated!

Train everyone to keeping the door closed - and impress on the DCs that 'Gee Mom - I just didn't think' won't work. (Best make sure that they realize that it could lead to him being injured or lost and that they wouldn't be helping him by 'making a mistake'.)

Best of luck - he sounds adorable. (Where's the picture by the way?)

Ginger cats rock!! They are indeed chilled out and sociable. I have a long haired one now and doesn't shed as much as my two white shorties did tbh.
Most cats will eventually (at least) tolerate each other, I've had 3 mixes and one litter mate set and all have been fine. My one lone cat used to bring friends home, I'd walk into my house and find three of them sprawled about together.

My old gingie was so sociable that my neighbour regularly came home from work to find that he'd let himself in her catflap and was sleeping on her bed!!

Please get both, pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease???

A picture you say...

Here he is, looking very content and sharing the sofa with DH.

What a happy (and good looking) boy. Is he a Daddy's cat?

Lovely!

awww hes lovely xx

Thank you - he's a gorgeous boy and he knows it! He seems pretty chilled out in general so perhaps he would cope with another furry friend in future.

I know we can't keep in in forever (he is very keen to be out!) but it will be a worry when the time comes. We have six foot fences around most of our garden but some gaps on one side. We're not on a busy road but there is a busier road a bit further away.

He's adorable! :)

I'd keep him in a month. It's hard but if he got lost you'd be in bits.

While he's looking out the windows he'll learn a lot about the local layout so when he does go out he already knows his territory.

Sorry you missed out on Fluffy but my goodness, Giles is a very handsome cat isn't he!

I have a real soft spot for ginger toms - my beautiful old ginger tom cat had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago, I'd had him for 18 years and he was a fantastic cat, really goodnatured & affectionate.

timtam23 So sorry about your ginger tom, but glad you got to have 18 happy years with him. It's lovely to hear how good natured and affectionate ginger toms can be.

After two days of exploring the house, Giles slept most of yesterday! I was a bit worried, but perhaps this is a good thing as he finally feels safe. He has been chomping away on our spider plant though so I'm about to put that in the garage...

It's easier just to not have plants in the house and then they don't get in the habit of eating them. (I speak as someone who discovered, a few years ago, Seniorboy chomping on silk ivy! (And he'd had a few leaves down his gullet as I also discovered - from his poo.)

Flowers are another matter - my family and friends know not to bring (or cause to be brought) anything which is dodgy - such as lilies - but vigilance is required, I'm afraid.

I'm glad that Giles is sleepy-secure. The Lodger was given to big sleeps interspersed with periods of great hunting activity. Once he goes out, you'll be able to judge him better.