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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

Want to get a cat- rescue or kitten?

23 replies

tethersend · 13/03/2016 09:24

Absolute cat novice here- kids and DP want one, I'm giving in

Could anyone tell me the pros and cons of getting a rescue cat vs a kitten (from friends of friends rather than off Facebook)? I'm leaning towards a rescue cat as the kids are young and we would then know if the cat is ok with kids or not. Would hate to get a kitten who ends up frightened of them.

I'm sure there are many points I'm not seeing... Any tips?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 13/03/2016 09:48

I think you've already identified the big one for me. With a slightly more mature cat, you have a better idea of what you're getting. (Not a complete idea, I think, because there's still some mutual adjustment to go on.) Kittens are pretty much pot luck - and the kitten stage lasts such a short time in comparison to their likely lifespan with you.

You're often better off going to a rescue, though - they'll likely have already arranged for eg shots, neutering, microchipping etc so any donation they ask for is normally very cheap in comparison.

Do you have any shelters nearby?

MeadowHay · 13/03/2016 09:58

I think getting a an adult or at least teenage cat will be good because it will heavily reduce the burden for you considering you have kids too. Kittens are a LOT of work, they need loads of supervision, can be really destructive, very attention seeking etc. My mum adopted two sister cats from the RSPCA when they were about 18 months old and they were lovely, went in their new litter trays perfectly right from the start, not destructive apart from a bit of scratching on sofas and wardrobes but what can you expect...they were timid at first but soon got more confident. They also helped each other feel more confident and settle in and look after each other and play with each other...I know you want one but I thing sibling pairs can be really positive too.

I will say though that if you really want a kitten, you can get kittens in rescue too, it just might mean travelling a bit further or waiting a bit longer. A friend of mine adopted a brother and sister pair of 18 week old kittens about a year ago from a rescue.

SummerSazz · 13/03/2016 10:00

We got a 3 year old cat from a rescue and its been brilliant.

Original poster

tethersend · 13/03/2016 10:04

Rescue is sounding like the way to go, thanks

I'm in East London- does anyone know of any nearby rescues?

OP posts:

PacificDogwod · 13/03/2016 10:05

Get a rescue kitten and post photos

OrangeSquashTallGlass · 13/03/2016 10:07

Rescue all the way. Especially as a cat novice (you could always get a kitten in the future). The shelter will be able to match your family with a cat who will fit you and it's just as much about the cat as it is about you.

Someone else was interested in our lovely cat but they were turned down as they weren't the right match. I'm so glad they were because now lovely cat is snuggled up on my lap .

NarcyCow · 13/03/2016 10:14

Rescues are generally inundated with kittens in the summer.

How young are your kids? Mine are 5 and 4 and would be okay with a kitten (but they've grown up with a disabled cat so had to learn to be gentle).

My main tip is to get two, regardless of age. They'll be company for each other when you're out, and they play together and groom each other in ways they don't with humans. Our two are very good friends. I'd never just have one again.

Daftaboutthecat · 13/03/2016 10:15

I second a rescue we are complete cat novices with young children. You can still get a young cat ours was 13 months when we got him so still loves to play but isn't destructive and came knowing how to use his litter tray.

cozietoesie · 13/03/2016 10:26

Maybe have a look at catchat tethers. In particular, their Find a Shelter page - second from the left I think. Many of the rescues mentioned will have websites with some of the cats who need homes already featured so you can have a quick look online. (It will only be some of them, though. You'll really need to visit to see who is waiting for you.)

Good luck

kirinm · 13/03/2016 10:26

Celia Hammond have a base in Canning Town. I don't rate their after care tbh but they have lots of cats looking for a good home.

lottielou7 · 13/03/2016 11:42

One thing to bear in mind is that a rescue cat will be a lot more expensive to insure, especially if it has had existing health conditions.

I agree that rehoming a cat is a great thing to do if you don't have children and you have the time to nurture an animal that may already be quite traumatised. I do think it's important to realise that you may be taking on an animal that afraid of people and may not be particularly friendly.

In our case, because I have a severely autistic dd, I felt that we have enough stress in the house already so we got a ragdoll kitten because they are known for their calm nature. So it does depend on your individual situation but look at all sides.

lottielou7 · 13/03/2016 11:43

Although obviously a rescue center will be able to tell you what sort of personality your cat has.

kirinm · 13/03/2016 12:21

Unfortunately the rescue centre we got ours from didn't know him at all. He terrorised our other cat and attacked her whenever he could get at her. We ended up re- homing him but the rescue centre wouldn't return our calls so our friends took him. He was a bloody gorgeous cat though. I cried for days when we had to re- home him.

BulaBaby · 13/03/2016 12:25

Check with your local Cats Protection League to ask if they have kitten rehoming days. This is how we got our cat, who is now 6.

Vinorosso74 · 13/03/2016 13:13

Yes to rescue as there's always lots to be rehomed.
Agree with adult cats it's easier to tell how they are with children and they're also passed the completely crazy stage. Again from the reputable rescues they will be vaccinated, neutered, wormed and had flea treatment.
If you're East London as well as Celia Hammond there's Wood Green Animal Shelter and North London Cats Protection (Archway) which aren't too far. The shelters will expect the whole household to meet the cat so take the kids.
Happy cat viewing!

OrangeSquashTallGlass · 14/03/2016 06:29

'One thing to bear in mind is that a rescue cat will be a lot more expensive to insure'

Will it? I think I pay £6/month for mine. She has no prior medical issues though (that we knew about at the time...)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 14/03/2016 06:51

We adopted our first cats, one year old sisters, from a rescue a couple of years ago and they really have been remarkably easy to integrate into our household, I'd far rather do that again than have a kitten. The adoption process was very straightforward too (Cats Protection). The fact that they were rescue cats had no effect on their insurance costs, they were assessed by a vet before leaving the rescue so we were able to say that they had no pre-existing medical conditions.

lottielou7 · 14/03/2016 20:20

Yes I meant if they have pre existing conditions. As they get older the insurance goes up anyway actually.

Wolfiefan · 14/03/2016 20:27

I wouldn't get a kitten with young children. Our kids are 6 and 12. Both did get scratched in the early days and ended up in tears. They love our kitties now but baby cats that can't get out, aren't neutered and have no social skills (eg NO don't bite the humans!) aren't a great pet for little kids.

The two we had before were mum and son. 2 years and only 18 months. Much calmer and easier to leave and feed and cheaper (spayed already). Never shredded furniture or us!

Both rescues BTW. First ones were from Katz Castle in Surrey.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/03/2016 20:30

Kittens can be hard work, they have no common sense & delight in finding new ways to maim themselves.

Wolfiefan · 14/03/2016 20:34

Fluffy that's soooo true!
We got our previous cats as adults. I figured if these lived for 20 years I would be too old for this kitten malarkey!
Spot the cat!!!

Original poster

tethersend · 14/03/2016 21:00

Brilliant advice all, thank you

I will contact the local rescues.

OP posts:

Flutterbywings · 07/04/2016 09:40

Hi I know this is a bit old this thread but found doing cat research I have a 6yr old ds with asd, learning difficulties and epilepsy and I'm trying to find the best cat for us. I keep coming back to ragdoll cats. Would you be able to tell me any more about yours Lottielou7? I was worried despite their reported calm nature it may find ds to boisterous and noisey? Ds is a a very noisey in your face type of child!

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