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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

Rehoming to Elderly People

62 replies

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 15:22

I posted last night about my lovely William being put to sleep. He lived with my Mum and she has already said she wants to think about getting another cat. She's not trying to replace him but she wants to give another cat a home (and it'll have a bloody brilliant home) and she also wants the companionship that you get from a cat.

The problem is Mum is 83 and partially sighted. Does anyone know if charities are likely to rehome to her? Obviously she's looking for an older cat (about 6 or 7 if possible, she doesn't want another very elderly cat) and I live close by so vet visits aren't a problem.

I would much prefer to rehome a cat from a rescue and have emailed at few but I was hoping to get some opinions or maybe ideas of other charities. We are in Surrey.

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:

chockbic · 29/10/2014 15:24

She ought to be able to get an older cat. The rescue places are crying out for homes with those.

cozietoesie · 29/10/2014 15:27

Thinking back to my own mother and father when they were much older, the only problem I could foresee is seeing/bending down to litter trays and food bowls. (Older cats love what is usually the regularity and tranquility of an older household though so that might be offset.) Would you be able to come in and check daily if needed in a year or two? (You might be coming in anyway of course if she was failing physically.)

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 16:49

Thank you.

Cozie I'd be more likely to go in and look after the cat than look after my mother! I love her dearly but I'm no nurse but I don't mind what I do for cats!

OP posts:

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 16:50

I should add that my mother has always said she doesn't want to be cared for by me so it's a two way thing!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 29/10/2014 17:02

A useful excuse then - 'I'm just here to see to the cat, Mum!'

I'm only thinking about the practicalities - and you'll have had the opportunity to think about them also before you talk to any rescues. An older person often leads the sort of lifestyle that a cat will adore - and as chockbic said, there are so many looking for a home - and it's wonderful for the person as well. You just have to think about back up etc.

(I'll confess also that having Seniorboy sitting next to me at 19 (and looking anxious because he thinks it's lamb for supper and it's still not appearing) has slightly changed my perspective on the age of cats I would invite to live with me.)

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 17:11

Exactly - I can check up on her without her realising!

Mum will be there all the time as she can't go out on her own so thecat will be pampered 24/7. When she realised William was having trouble eating fro the floor because he struggled to lift his head she held the bowl at just the right height for him until he finished! (Once she admitted it DH made him an eating platform before she did her back in)

I think her worry about having another elderly cat is that she doesn't want to go through this again in a short space of time. I know it can happen with younger cats but I can understand her worries. She has shown an interest in a cat from the same charity that Harry came from. The poor thing was there when we adopted Harry and has never been rehomed

I've emailed them to see if they would rehome to her (just a general question, not about this cat) and I'm waiting to hear. He might not be right for her but I'm pleased she's showing an interest.

Battersea replied to my email and said they would definitely rehome the right cat to her so there's definitely hope.

I hope no one thinks I'm trying to replace William as that's definitely not that case. I think the last few months have made us all realise that life is short but it's possible to do a lot of good.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 29/10/2014 17:47

It certainly is.

Best of luck with the Harry-charity cat and good news that you already have an OK from Battersea - for the right cat of course.

Let us know how you get on. I think it's a great idea for her and if you can also help out a cat who needs a home, so much the better.

thecatneuterer · 29/10/2014 18:17

We certainly home to elderly people (and yes, they tend to make wonderful cat staff!), but would probably look to home older cats - say around 8 to 10 years. We would also want to be sure that the person has support and that thought has been given to what will happen to the cat if the person ends up going into a home, or hospital long term, or of course should die.

If they have someone who would be willing to take in the cat in those circumstances, either temporarily or long term, then it wouldn't be an issue.

katiegee · 29/10/2014 18:21

My elderly uncle adopted a cat from an animal shelter about 5/6 years ago. Granted, that was a while ago and things may have changed or different shelters may have different rules. They were delighted when my uncle adopted a nine year old female they'd had difficulty rehoming due to her age.

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 19:50

I've been to see Mum tonight and I felt so sorry for her - she seems so lonely. She has asked me to contact Battersea to find out what their rehoming procedures are and, although she's not going to rush into anything, she wants to get the ball rolling. I could have cried when she said that all she has is her ashes (she has the ashes from some of her previous pets) and her pictures.

She's never got over my Dad dying (she was his carer for 20 years) so she needs someone or something to look after. She's got so much love to give that it would be a shame if she didn't adopt another cat.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 29/10/2014 20:00

I always recognize that I'll have another boy in residence very quickly indeed after the previous one goes. I mourn intensely for a day or two and then go looking - they just leave too big a hole in your life.

All the best to her (and you) in the search - and keep us up to date with any results?

Floralnomad · 29/10/2014 20:01

I think you can do a lot of the Battersea forms online ,alternatively just pop along at the weekend and you will probably find you go home with a new furry friend . Best wishes to your mum .

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 20:39

I've been looking at the Battersea website and I think I have a possible - an 8.5 year old ginger tom called Joe who was brought in as a stray. Apparently he's shy until he knows you and then he's an affectionate lap cat.

I completely agree Cozie, they leave such a huge hole. William might have only been there 5 months but the house seemed empty without him.

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 29/10/2014 20:55

Mayhew animal home have a nice 10 yr old called Socks that may be worth a look.

thecatneuterer · 29/10/2014 21:34

Which area of London does she live in Pink?

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 21:40

Socks is gorgeous! The only thing that worries me about him is that he can't live with other cats. Obviously Mum doesn't have another cat but I do and, if there's a chance the cat could outlive the new owner, they want to meet whoever would take on the cat. Being an only child that would be me. Definitely worth a look though, thank you.

OP posts:

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 29/10/2014 21:41

We're in Surrey, a few miles from Heathrow thecatneuterer

OP posts:

timtam23 · 29/10/2014 21:48

I think that's a lovely thing that your mum wants to do, and it's not at all about replacing William - cats are such good company, the house isn't the same without one. 6 or 7 is pretty young these days, I would think 8-10 as has already been mentioned. She could also perhaps ask about taking on an indoor cat? I've never had one myself but I believe there are lots of reasons why a cat might need to be kept indoors.

thecatneuterer · 29/10/2014 22:04

Ah, that's out of our area I'm afraid.

cozietoesie · 29/10/2014 22:08

These days, I regard 6 or 7 as virtually a juvenile!

cozietoesie · 29/10/2014 22:12

PS - if her sight isn't that great, maybe get one that's pale or has paler bits? Only a thought because I know that Seniorboy has a dark tail and is given to sitting with it out behind him rather than curling it. Luckily I know his habits and because he's a pale colour, I can make a good guess where the tails is - but if she had a a really dark cat, she might stand on a tail by mistake.

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 30/10/2014 07:08

She'd prefer not to have an indoor cat as she's worried that it might get out when she goes out.

That's a good idea about a lighter coloured cat, I'll bear it in mind.

OP posts:

Monathevampire1 · 30/10/2014 07:30

OP sounds like SparklyJoe might be about to embark on a second life journey how lovely for him and your mum.

Original poster

PinkSparklyElephant · 30/10/2014 10:13

All this looking at cats isn't doing me any good, I'm getting broody for kitties!

I'm not pinning my hopes on Joe, but thanks to Battersea coming straight back and saying they would rehome a cat to Mum, I know there's hope and we'll find the right one.

DH has told me he's going to have me searched when we go to look at cats!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 30/10/2014 10:17

....DH has told me he's going to have me searched when we go to look at cats!....

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