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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

CPL home check tomorrow

632 replies

MrsMoggy · 08/01/2016 18:52

Hi all,

This subject has probably been done lots of times so apologies in advance. Got a home check tomorrow for an indoor cat who we haven't actually met yet. What should I expect to be looked at and what questions may I be asked?

So far I have answers to where the cat would eat and use litter tray, where it could have privacy in first few weeks, what vets I may sign up to, feeding schedule, what I'm going to buy etc. can anybody think of anything else?

Thank you

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Sparklingbrook · 08/01/2016 18:57

Hi MrsM*.

What will you do about the cat when you go on holiday?
What are you movements during the day (ie how long may the cat be left alone)
Is you house owned or rented? (ie do you need landlord's permission to keep pets)

Don't forget it's your chance to ask lots of questions yourself too. Smile

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 08/01/2016 19:27

Thanks for the reply!

Ooh yes I have answers to all those as well thanks for the reminder! Stay at home mum so home all day, holidays my nan or MIL will come and look after and yes rented house but got permission off landlord!

Yes I've got a list of questions about the cats favourite food/toys, medical records, recommended treatments etc

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 08/01/2016 19:28

Sounds like you are all set. Tell us about your potential cat, is it indoor only because of health stuff?

Figwin · 08/01/2016 19:34

They will mostly be seeing where the cat be, if it's secure to not going out if it's indoor for health reasons, what entertainment there is for it or advise you what you might need in all these areas if not there already

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 08/01/2016 20:11

I've not bought any of the kit yet until we get approved but have a list of what toys etc I will provide.

It's a 1-2 year old female, she was given to the rescue because in her previous home the next door neighbours dogs were set on her so she's now too scared to go outside and needs an indoor home where there isn't a risk of her getting out. We need an indoor cat anyway as we live on a busy road and have an unsecured yard rather than garden.

The fosterer was initially concerned because we have a 3 year old and would he not be opening doors etc but the doors only open with a key and are kept locked so there's no chance of him letting the cat out. Windows are locked too or are skylights

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Figwin · 08/01/2016 20:16

You just need to consider when 3 yr old is older. When he and his friends might be in and out the garden etc.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 08/01/2016 20:25

Don't have a garden and wouldn't let him play in the yard as it backs onto the car park with a low gate. If he wants to play outside we go my mums or the park across the road

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Figwin · 08/01/2016 20:27

Brilliant. And also, summer in the heat, explain how you keep the house cool with out windows open (I'm guessing skylights are the ones you open anyway)

Figwin · 08/01/2016 20:29

They are there to advise so don't worry if you don't have all the answers or everything set up etc

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 08/01/2016 20:34

The house never really gets hot in summer it's an old converted school so draughty and not in the sun really. This is good prep thanks Figwin. Only window I really have open is kitchen window and the cat wouldn't be able to get in as it's a stiff door, the three year old can't open it yet either.

It's strange having all this to think about when we've not even met the cat yet! They wanted a house visit before we've even seen the cat in real life!

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Figwin · 08/01/2016 21:35

Also, as you've not met yet, when you do meet don't feel you have to say yes if it's not right for you. Sometimes there's something not clicking personality wise and it doesn't fit but another might. You may be living together for over 20 years so you want one that fits and hopefully gives you the feels x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 09/01/2016 11:48

Yes Figwin I am a bit concerned that after all this we may not click with the cat. Check isn't until 4pm it's going to be a long day!

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cozietoesie · 09/01/2016 11:59

It'll be OK. Smile

And remember, once you've been home checked that should be you for that shelter. (Your house exists, you're neither a hoarder or living in a sea of pristine white and you haven't got a secret gang of Rottweilers. In other words, you're a truthful and reasonable person. Wink) Even if something has intervened with the cat they were talking about, there would be another for you.

Figwin · 09/01/2016 13:30

What cozie says x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 09/01/2016 17:01

Well she's just been round. I didn't get to ask any of my questions as I forgot as we were chatting. She's going to pass on findings to someone more senior and get back to me, then we can hopefully meet the cat. She was very insistent on knowing how we would keep her indoors as once she gets out that would be it we wouldn't see her again. I tried my best to reassure her. Just fingers crossed and impatient waiting now!

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Figwin · 09/01/2016 17:16

Good luck. I'm a great believer in fate with these things. If it's not meant to be, then another will but if it is the one then yay! Let us know how it all goes x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 11/01/2016 20:59

No progress. She's not let me know yet if we've passed the check, let alone whether we can meet the cat. Getting a bit fed up now

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 21:15

Oh Dear - you must be fed up. Have you given the shelter a phone about it? ( Just in case there's been an admin SNAFU.)

cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 21:17

PS - but remember, it's only been 2 days, one of which was Sunday. Things may have intervened.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 11/01/2016 21:25

They don't have a physical shelter round here, all the cats are fostered out. I think I'm being a bit unreasonable really as the poor lady who did the check has a full time job as well as the cats protection work. Mainly id just like to know if eventually we will get the cat as won't be so bad waiting if we know there's a cat waiting at the end of it. I haven't enquired anywhere else about any cats just in case so I'm getting too involved with this cat lol

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 21:30

And she did say she'd have to pass on her findings to someone more senior didn't she? Writing those reports/emails and someone else reading them all take a little time.

Maybe you'll get a phone call tomorrow. Smile

Figwin · 12/01/2016 08:42

Do you have any contact details? I would drop them a line if I hadn't heard anything by the end of the week. Hopefully you will hear much sooner. Just keep telling yourself that you are looking for another family member and it's ok to wait a bit for someone who will be with you for hopefully many, many years. This cat might still be at home when DS has flown the nest.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 12/01/2016 11:57

Only have the fosterers email address. No news yet today. I know got to be patient but so frustrating that nothing is being done. I could have gone out and got a cat off the internet within about two hours. Not that I want to do that of course but they could make it easier in my opinion to adopt rescue cats. It's a bit of a drawn out process

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cozietoesie · 12/01/2016 12:35

I guess it's being an organisation and a charity - they have procedures which they generally follow. ( And your 'checker' may be relatively new and still very subject to supervision from somebody with more experience.)

Keep calm if you can. If it's meant to be, you'll get that contact from them. (Although I think I'd be enquiring gently by this afternoon, myself.)

cozietoesie · 12/01/2016 12:38

PS - and Figwin makes a fair point. When Seniorboy came to live with me at 14, we gave him a few weeks - couple of months at best. That was 7 years ago! It puts it in perspective.