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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.

Original poster

I visited an RSPCA Centre...

129 replies

Northumberlandlass · 18/07/2015 16:19

I went to talk to RSPCA centre today to look at cats, hoping to rehome.
We can't take cat home until mid August, after hols. I'm a first time owner.....

So looked at all the cats & there was beautiful girl called Maisie, long black hair with stunning green eyes - the lady at RSPCA said she was a little nervous with new people.

Maisie slinked out of her cage, climbed onto my knee, nudged my hand & started drooling! I feel like i've been chosen Smile
Sad we had to leave her, fingers crossed she's still there when we go back!

OP posts:
tattychicken · 18/07/2015 16:22

???????? Can you express an interest in her? Say you want her but can't take her til Aug? They could do all the checks etc, it's only 4 weeks!!!! Pleeeease get Maisie!!!

Wolfiefan · 18/07/2015 16:23

What tatty said! She drooled on you. That means you are hers.

Pointlessfan · 18/07/2015 16:24

That's exactly what our rescue cat did when he chose us and he is the most loving and affectionate cat you could hope to meet. I agree you should see if you can reserve her!

MrsEvadneCake · 18/07/2015 16:24

Ask if you can reserve her.

Original poster
Northumberlandlass · 18/07/2015 16:29

They said she seems to be overlooked a lot and they don't know why! Sad Maybe she was waiting for us!!
She has been there since April. I've completed all paperwork, so when we get back they'll do house visit straight away.

They couldn't reserve for that long, but the lady there said she had obviously chosen us!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 18/07/2015 16:34

Oh Yes - it sounds as if you've been chosen all right. Smile

chockbic · 18/07/2015 17:49

Fingers crossed it works out.

Original poster
Northumberlandlass · 18/07/2015 18:09

I hope so!
Will come back & let you all know what happens & also for tips!!
What do i need etc?! I am currently researching...

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 19/07/2015 16:27

You've definitely been chosen! Our rescue boy waved at us through the bars of his cage. He has never done anything that intelligent since. (DH said cynically that he probably waved at anyone who went past.)

WixingMords · 19/07/2015 16:35

You need a carrier to bring Maise home in!! and a sign saying 'back off she's mine!' for the RSPCA centre

Two bowls - one for water and the other for food
Litter box, probably covered one if she's shy
Litter - clumping type - and a scoop
Scratch post

And a cardboard box for her to hide in.

Original poster
Northumberlandlass · 19/07/2015 16:39

Thanks Wixing! I am making list Smile
I am hoping that Maisie will still be there.
She has long black hair, so will i need a brush? I was covered in long black hair when i left yesterday

OP posts:
CatMilkMan · 19/07/2015 16:47

Yes you will need to groom her, she will absolutely love it when she gets used to it.

Original poster
Northumberlandlass · 20/07/2015 13:18

I have thought of a question, oh feline loving ladies.
Where do I put the litter tray / box? I live in 3 bed terraced house (if it helps)

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/07/2015 14:10

I'd go for two (in case of accidents in a new place at least, athough my own old boy actually likes to have two) and put them where it suits - with the exception that I wouldn't place them too near to anything which might cause her to take fright at a 'critical' moment - eg the washing machine or something which might suddenly start to make a loud noise.

Where had you thought?

cozietoesie · 20/07/2015 14:12

PS - do you know how old she is?

Original poster
Northumberlandlass · 20/07/2015 14:26

Yes, she is 4.
We don't have a utility room & i don't particularly want it in the kitchen (it's galley & not that big)
We do have a large open landing upstairs, but is that too out of the way?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/07/2015 15:16

Well she's got a young bladder and young legs so if it suits I don't see why not eventually if she can get there easily (no closed doors etc) - but particularly at the beginning, you might be best to consider a special 'safe' place for her with somewhere to hide and sleep, her tray and a food station (not right close to each other) so that she can adjust to the huge change in her life.

Drooling or no, it's going to be big for her and as using a tray is a fairly private thing for cats, you might be as well to take precautions at the start. Have you thought about a place for her 'officially' when she arrives from the rescue? Oh - and have you got young DCs who might be less amenable to reason than older ones?

(Having said all of which, she might just stroll out of her carrier and plonk herself on the sofa! I'd always prepare for the worst but you might be pleasantly surprised. Smile)

Original poster
Northumberlandlass · 20/07/2015 15:23

Thanks for the advice Cozie Smile

There isn't really space in the kitchen, but there is a private spot in the dining room next to small sofa, which we could use at first until she gets used to us!

I have looked at covered trays.

Only 1 DS (nearly 12) and he is quite sensible! She drooled on him too.
It'll be a big change for all of us as this is my first cat. I am excited though & hope that we'll be good enough for her Wink

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/07/2015 15:39

I'm sure you will be. Wink

Might be a good idea to give the rescue a quick ring to find out how she is before you go on hols? I'd guess they have expressions of interest which don't last so a phone call might help to establish your interest more firmly in their minds. Smile

(And don't worry about being thought of as a mad cat lady. They probably all are as well! Grin)

CatMilkMan · 20/07/2015 15:42

We have litter trays built in at the bottom of our cat trees, not sure if that could work for you.

WixingMords · 20/07/2015 16:02

I'm in a three bed terrace. Had my litter tray by the back door. Though he's opted for the garden since he hit about five months.

I'm hanging on to it though as in the winter he might change his mind!

cozietoesie · 20/07/2015 16:13

I put a litter tray in for The Lodger when he moved in with us because although he was an outside-going cat, part of the deal was that he stayed in at night. It wasn't for several days that I realized that I was having to clean it much more than anticipated - and then he started pooing in it. (He still went outside, just came to prefer using a tray to do his duty.)

So Yes - he might well change his mind!

Original poster
Northumberlandlass · 30/07/2015 12:58

UPDATE: Emailed RSPCA centre today to say how much we still wanted Maisie & begged asked to let us reserve her before we go on holiday next Thurs for a week.

Lovely lovely lady at RSPCA said yes, so I am going across next Wed to reserve her (everything crossed she is still there) & arrange HV.

This is Maisie!

Maisie

OP posts:
ShipwreckedAndComatose · 30/07/2015 13:06

Ooh! Lovely update, hope it works out, she looks very cute

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/07/2015 13:12

I really hope she's still there. Maisie is a beautiful cat.