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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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Figwin · 12/01/2016 14:12

It takes time because the cats need the right home. They are all in there in the first place because they didn't have that. You could get one off the internet. It might come from a loving home, it might come with no vaccs, not chipped and health probs, if it's a kitten it might develop an active personality and not cope with being kept indoors (a big reason cats are brought to rescues in cities), unfortunately there are nasty prime breeding cats and dogs too who only see them as money machines and don't care about them and people buying from them (sometimes they don't find out they were dodgy until after) keeps them going. You're doing the right thing and it'll be worth it. If this one doesn't click, just have faith another will soon x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 12/01/2016 18:08

Well just an update...
I emailed the lady and she has got back to me to say that she was happy but the co ordinator of the branch isn't as we live on a busy road and even though it's a house cat what if it gets out. Apparently a previous house cat she sent out got out and got run over so that's put her off.

I am really cross and upset actually. Just because a previous cat got out is not my fault. Also the fact that we can pretty much rule out getting a cat from the cats protection league now so will have to find one elsewhere. It's so hard to find an indoor cat. I'm gutted

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Figwin · 12/01/2016 18:28

That's shit! So sorry you had a big wait for nothing. Either complain or go elsewhere. Ask for a copy of the report or certificate from the home visit as you can use it with other rescues and save them doing a HV. Some may want to do their own but a lot would rather save the resources.

Figwin · 12/01/2016 18:32

I'm not sure if you are near London but Celia Hammond are known for being quite lenient so might be worth a try

alltouchedout · 12/01/2016 18:49

The rspca here turned us down for living too close to a busy road. The whole experience was maddening because I contacted them saying we would love to adopt a cat and gave them our address so they could look on the map as I'd heard they could be picky re location. That said our location was ok and to come to the shelter- we went and fell in love with one cat, they did a home visit and then they said no. Due to location. Which they had ok'd previously having been specifically asked about it. Confused

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 12/01/2016 18:54

That is why I'm so annoyed as I told them before even looking at cats that we lived on a busy road so they should have made the decision then not wasted everyone's time doing home visits and me having to chase them up. Thank you though everyone for being with me for the wait even if it was unsuccessful!

Sadly not near london Figwin, we are in east cheshire . My 3 year old is confused that we have cat stuff and no cat. Bless him. Dont know why I'm so upset about a cat I've never even met, suppose it's the rejection more than anything and the time wasting!

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Seawig · 12/01/2016 20:14

That sounds really frustrating.

I think far better a great quality of life with you and the risk of an early exit with the road than just being stuck in rescue for years. There are far too many cats desperate for homes to be that picky.

We rehomed two from CP and are lucky to be on a cul de sac so no road issue; Huntercat still managed to get himself hit by a car and spent 4 months being pinned back together again.

Feistycat developed a flea allergy and pulled all her hair out and had to wear fleece balaclavas I made from old socks to stop her over grooming.

They all have risks and issues that affect their quality of life but I think better a short happy one somewhere loved than a long time of safe suffering.

Hope you find the cat you need ASAP. Phone all the local rescues, someone must need an indoor home for a FIV cat or older cat!

timtam23 · 12/01/2016 21:24

Sorry OP, sounds like everyone's time has been wasted. Have you tried the RSPCA (Stockport, east Cheshire and west Derbyshire branch)? They quite often have a column in our local free newspaper with animals to adopt. Also pets at home (Stockport) have, or at least used to have, an RSPCA section in store and they had folders full of animals who were supposedly finding it difficult to get a forever home.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 12/01/2016 21:32

Hi tim tam, I've not tried there yet no, my local rspca is crewe and nantwich but they only have one indoor cat a 6 month old FIV boy which i would be worried about affording vet bills for more than anything else. I've tried looking up insurance quotes but none seem to cover FIV

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Figwin · 12/01/2016 21:57

FIV doesn't mean your can will get sick. They have immune system probs that get worse over time but of they don't come into contact with feline illnesses then they can live long healthy lives. You can put x amount in a bank account each month like you would pay for insurance to help with costs. Pet plan used to cover these cats but for anything not related to FIV (which they can claim a lot) so it would cover you for any broken bones etc which can be hefty at the vet. It is a tricky call though whether to go that way or not. Also vets don't automatically test a pet cat for FIV and it is most commonly transferred through fighting, so there are plenty of cats out there living normal lives and their owners are unaware. I had a friend who had a cat and they only found she was FIV at 16.

cozietoesie · 12/01/2016 22:20

Maybe you could have a wander around the catchat site, in particular their Find a Shelter page which would have details of smaller shelters in your general area? (Many of those would likely also have their own websites.)

Figwin · 12/01/2016 22:24

I second catchat. It's got most rescues on there, from small to big x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 13/01/2016 12:11

I've made an appointment on Saturday to go to a small independent rescue half hour away from us in different county. I don't know if the lady will have any cats we will like but when I rang she said she was happy for practically any cat to be an indoor cat and subject to the adoption form and fee we could take a cat home that day if we liked one. So fingers crossed and need to borrow a cat carrier now

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cozietoesie · 13/01/2016 12:35

My own Seniorboy has been an indoor cat since he came to live with us. (He was raised as one.) He's fine. Smile

Figwin · 13/01/2016 12:44

I'd by a carrier, you'll need it at least once a year for vaccs anyway and they work as a little hideaway when you keep it out which also means they are more used to it when vet trips occur x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 13/01/2016 13:00

I will buy one eventually just not yet. Got £100 to pay on my tenants deposit to have the cat, the adoption fee (at least £50) and have bought a post, tray, toys etc so not got the cash for a carrier at the minute

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Figwin · 13/01/2016 14:58

Yeah, it all racks up! Let us know how you get on. Finger crossed you have a new family member at the weekend x

Shriek · 13/01/2016 21:08

probably best to be fully prepared for having a dcat, which means actually having a cat carrier for yourself, along with all the other things (which you already have invested in).

I am very surprised that any rescue will let someone just take a rescue cat away on the day without a home check, and nothing more than filling in form and paying fee, thats a bit of a worry and sounds quite irresponsible of her.

Shriek · 13/01/2016 21:10

oh! just read your financials. Ask the person you borrow it from whether you can hang onto it initially until you get your own, as with a strange dcat you never know so best to have one to hand.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 13/01/2016 21:31

It's my sisters cat carrier so I'm sure she won't mind me holding onto it for a few weeks, she only uses it once a year to take her indoor cat for boosters.

I'm not going on Saturday presuming anything after the disappointment with the cats protection. Will take the carrier etc but trying not to get excited or anything

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timtam23 · 13/01/2016 22:19

Good luck on Saturday MrsMoggy, it's all sounding more hopeful Smile

MiddleClassProblem · 13/01/2016 22:29

Some rescues are just one person and a kitted out out building. There are no rules and smaller rescues don't have the resources. Some big rescues will send animals home the same day too of the have plenty of cat exp, live in a good area (leafy normally and away from big roads) and everyone who lives there meets the cat

Shriek · 13/01/2016 23:39

good idea to take everyone with you then by the sounds of it.

I'm sure you'll come across well, and its not like you haven't been trying hard to help out and that will show how committed you are to providing a caring home!

moonbells · 14/01/2016 14:15

I'd recommend getting a flyscreen-type airlock door or gate to stop escapees. When we got our dcats 2.5y ago, we had to keep them in for a good while and it was summer. I bought a ridiculous amount of plastic fly netting and hooky velcro and put the stuff over every opening window.

We now have two outdoor cats and the netting is still up for flies. I got coated fibreglass mesh from Premier Netting, and it survived Moonkitten climbing it... ;)

You can get mesh doors made, or DIY. Though if you don't have a corridor to use as the airlock bit, it can be tricky.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 15/01/2016 18:57

Well tomorrow's the day, at 1pm. Really hope we see a cat that we like and likes us. They've had a really good week of adoptions at the shelter so there's hardly any cats left! They've got charity shops too so am going to take some donations after my pre cat clear out

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