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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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16
FishOn · 19/01/2016 14:44

Oh OP, stick with it

Just to reassure you - when we last moved house our cat whom we'd had for spent the entire first week IN our bed. She's never got in it before or since.

They are creatures of habit and routine and take a while to adjust.

wannaBe · 19/01/2016 14:48

The rescue sounds inadequate at best. Are they a registered charity or just some crazy cat person with a load of pens in her back yard? They've sent a cat home who isn't chipped, hasn't seen a vet, they have little history and already they've rehomed it to the first person who showed up and took an interest. The cat is there now, but tbh the rescue sounds awful. If the cat managed to get out that would be it - she'd be gone, and you'd never have any way of getting her back as she wouldn't be chipped... For that reason alone the rescue is seriously failing the cats it is rehoming. How much did you pay for her?

Do you even know if she's been spayed? You say she's overweight, could she be pregnant?

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 14:49

Yes the doors are open except the kitchen. The house is a funny shape as it's part of a converted school. So we've got the sort of living/dining room, an open archway then another bit of room before the stairs. So it's quite a big space and I regret starting her off down here to be honest.

I don't HAVE to move her no I just feel it would be more comfortable for everyone if I did. Son could have his toys out and go where he wants downstairs. Cat would be in a smaller warmer space in bedroom and not bothered by us during the day. There's wardrobes and chests of drawers in there she can sit on to have vantage points. Also when we sleep in there she can get used to us as a peaceful presence. I know I've messed up by not putting her in there in the first place

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 14:54

wannaBe I got a "we think/ presume she's spayed" from the rescue centre lady. She was an indoor cat all her life so slim chance of her being pregnant but I'm worried about that now. I'm presuming it was a last minute thing her owner going into a home as you'd think the owner would provide more information about her own cat!

Yes it is a registered charity they also have charity shops in the local (to them) area. She'll be getting chipped, flead and wormed at the appt on Saturday. But yes I am dubious about the fact they just let her go to anyone.

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RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 14:55

You haven't messed up, don't say that Sad

wannaBe · 19/01/2016 14:58

Fwiw I do think that one of the reasons why some of the rescues are so overflowing with unwanted cats is because of their draconian rehoming policies. But there is surely middle ground between e.g. Coming for a home-based interview, insisting on meeting every member of the household who might come into contact with the cat, etc, and allowing a cat home with no health checks, microchips etc within an hour of being brought in...

When I adopted my kittens eighteen years ago I adopted them from the RSPCA and although we filled in a questionnaire about home environment, working patterns, the fact we had a dog etc we could have taken the cats home there and then but only didn't because of having a weekend away planned the next weekend.

MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 15:06

The main reason rescues are overflowing with cats is because of lack of neutering. The amount of cats Rehomer by small rescues with few policies is relatively tiny. Majority of people who want to get a cat from such a place are responsibe. You do get some that don't care, just want a cat, 18 and got their first paycheck but they tend to go to the more well known charities (lack of imagination generally) and get sent away.

wannaBe · 19/01/2016 15:06

TBH I would make an appointment at your local vet for tomorrow to get her looked at/chipped/ensure that she has been spayed. Fwiw everyone I know who has an indoor cat has never bothered to get it spayed, although my own experience isn't necessarily representative.

You haven't messed up, I would have taken the cat home as well in the circs. And tbh you're not going to traumatise her by catching her to move her to another room. Talk gently to her, stroke her while you carry her to the other room. She may surprise you.

When mine were kittens they were terrified of anything and everything. I used to catch them once a day and stroke them, talk to them. Within a couple of days they were coming close to me on their own, within a week one of them was coming to sit on my lap etc, and it actually took the other one to be ill and me having to handle her to trust me. So while I would give her a bit of space, I would also go slightly against the grain of not going near her at all.

MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 15:13

Kittens and adult cats are quite different with accepting change depending on confidence. Kittens, like children, tend to adapt quicker to new things as they are changing in themselves and developing their personalities. Adult cats are a little more cautious, like adult humans, like to know their footing first and tend to only allow affection on their terms (obviously you get ones that break the mould). When you think of how many cuddles and contact a child gets and allows through out their life you see they gradually change from contact most of the time, to contact because people want them on their knee etc to "I don't want to kiss auntie Maureen" and then an adult who picks and chooses their contact. It's a pretty similar timeline with cats if that makes any sense

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 15:19

The problem is wannaBe is that the adoption fee I paid covers all these initial checks so I have to get it done at one of their recommended vets which I can't do until I can get there at the weekend as it's in the next county and I don't drive. If I had the money to get it done locally beforehand then I would be there in a shot I really would but the reality is I didn't factor in paying for these checks this month so I can't afford it.

I can assure you I did work out finances before we got her and will be taking out insurance and probably a plan at the vets to cover regular treatments I just don't have a lump sum available at the moment for these treatments, I've had to pay extra on my rental deposit just to be allowed to get the cat

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 15:24

Essentially I've been a bit of an idiot since day one. I didn't get all the details, I didn't get a local cat that would be easier to vet, I didn't put her in a quiet room, I picked a cat
That's used to old people and I didn't factor in having to take it to the vets potentially so soon so can't afford it.

I am seriously stressed about the whole situation to be honest and feel a right mug

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RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 15:38

I can understand why you feel that way, but I think you have done exactly what we would have all done.

I would suggest you are right to move her to the bedroom for your DSs benefit and so you can get on with your day to day life a bit easier, and wait it out until the vet check at the weekend. Then make a decision from there. You may need to chalk it down to experience.

Do you mind me asking how much the adoption fee was?

Also if you speak to a local vet and explain the situation they may be able to offer advice or even a home visit and send you an invoice.

Try not to be too stressed, you are doing your very best, xx.

hollinhurst84 · 19/01/2016 15:46

It's ok to feel like that
I've had my CPL cat since October and there have been tears and frustration! He's just starting to show his real self now but it has taken time definitely

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 15:52

It was only £50 compared to the local big charity fee of £65. Usually I wouldn't be quibbling so much about money and I don't want people to think I'm being irresponsible but the fact is the money isn't there at the moment and it's even harder when my husband is a bury your head in the sand type of person who just says it will be ok, he's the same when it comes to human health so I'm not surprised!

I've moved all her stuff into the bedroom and will get my husband to help me move her when he gets home at half five. I can't get on with normal life with her here in the living room at the moment and it's no good for any of us

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RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 15:55

£50 is what I paid to the Sspca so that's reasonable I think, but a lot of money in anyone's book - I wouldn't have a spare £50.

I think you've made the right decision for the move.

MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 16:08

I think in a few months you will look back and go "I can't believe how stressed I was and thought it was going on for so long". Do you remember what it was like when you first had DS? All those questions, is this normal etc. the fact that you are questioning it means you are a good owner. You're not pretending to know it all (no one does because every car is different) and you're not neglecting her. Take her move up there as a bit of a reset. If she chooses to venture out from there then that's great but make sure that's where you take her back to post vets x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 16:34

Right just had a phone call off a woman from the rescue

The cat was brought in by a man whose aunt was the cats owner.
So no direct contact with the owner herself. He didn't provide a vaccination card so we are to presume that the cat has had no vaccinations. I've got to pay to start a course of those. Not impressed by her previous owner doing that.

As for the sneezing, there's no infections currently at the rescue and the cat went straight from home to the rescue so she doesn't know what that is and to ask the vet.

Basically nobody knows anything about this cat and her contact with the vets previously looks to be non existent. So we could be in for all sorts of issues coming up here

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RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 17:09

Oh dear. Do you think you may want to consider returning her and either taking a different cat or asking for your fee back?

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 17:33

I think that will have to be a decision made on Saturday at the health check. If there's any major conditions the reality is I can't afford to pay for them to be fixed so she would have to be returned whether I got the fee back or not.

I'm frankly annoyed both at the rescue but more so at the previous owner who seems to have done nothing for her health wise at all.
I appreciate this is an older lady but if she'd even covered the basics of jabs we'd be in a better position than we are now

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RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 17:36

Hopefully she'll get the all clear and you can take it from there. Have you moved her upstairs yet?

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/01/2016 17:38

A lot of people don't vaccinate.

I didn't really like my cat at first. He was noisey, messy, demanding. He grew on me but for the first few weeks if I'd woken up to no cat it would have been OK with me.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 17:44

We've just moved her up there. Unfortunately we had to sort of chase her up there as she wouldn't let us pick her up. But she's got the lamp and heater on and all her bits and bobs up there and it will be quieter for her.

I know plenty of people don't use booster vacs but we aren't sure if she's even had primaries

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MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 17:47

Hopefully who ever bred her did it but if you don't know you have to start from scratch anyway

RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 17:47

Hopefully that will settle her. You never know, maybe you will wake up with a little furball snuggled beside you.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 17:54

I've booked her in for 4pm tomorrow at the vets. Poor husband will have to finish work early which will cost us, but it will be worth it just to see what we are dealing with

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