Can I have my perfect cat?

[YesItsMeIDontCare]

I lost my old boy in January this year. The cat shaped hole in my heart is unbearably painful so I need a cat in my life. The problem is I live on a very busy road.

I know that cats are not ideally indoor creatures so I've realised that my best bet would be a blind cat.

Could I? Should I? How often do rescue centres have blind cats? Would I be turned down anyway because I live on a busy road in a rented house?

Is there any alternative?

Help and advice would be very much appreciated, thank you.

What about a deaf cat or FIV cat that would have to be an indoor cat anyway?

I'm happy to try any option as long as it's in the cat's best interest to be an indoor pet, other than the danger of the road.

Do you think a rescue centre would consider us? I've heard that it's a flat out no for rentals and busy roads

Happy to take cat out on a harness though, so not totally restricted to indoors.

I suspect that if you contacted rescues and asked for an indoor cat, possibly one with special needs or an old/older animal who eg has always been indoors, they'd be falling over themselves to help. (So many people only want kittens or cats of a specific colour that they often have cats who are overlooked.)

Have you many local rescues?

Has your landlord OK'd a cat?

We lived in a rental on a road and were told no by 10 different rescue centres even though I'd asked for FIV pos/blind cats who needed to be indoors.

We bought pedigrees in the end. They are lovely and have helped massively with my depression so I don't regret it. Still indoor cats but the breed they are generally is.

This page may be worth a try?

That was desperately unlucky, Maybe.

I know! We honestly tried so many it was ridiculous. Even the pedigree rescue centres were having none of it.

I think it was also because we were a young couple and they thought we might have kids soon and get rid of the cats. DS is 12 weeks now and the cats adore him!

Thanks everyone!

Landlord is best friend so no worries about a cat there!

I only know of one rescue place, but there must be loads more. I know I should just ask, but I guess I want to try and steel myself for bitter disappointment if it's likely to be no. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they need me!

I know this is really selfish of me, but I think I need to avoid an old cat as I've struggled really badly with the death of my old boy. I know something can happen to a younger cat, but I need to try and minimise the probability of dealing with bereavement again too soon, if that makes any sense. I'm not fussed about kittenhood or colour though.

I'm now going to check out your link cozie, thanks.

FUCK! Shouldn't have looked - Leeroy could be my boy but he's too far away!

Yes - maybe that (or a perceived lack of experience) had a bearing on your requests, sadly.

If I were the OP, I'd contact her local centres - as on the catchat Find a Shelter page - and have a chat to staff. It's fascinating what cats can suddenly 'appear' if you get talking to them and they like the cut of your jib.

Oh Dear. I'll have to have a look for Leeroy.

PS - I take the point about older cats but even cats aged about 7 or 8 - or younger - are overlooked if there's a kitten in the frame. (And if they're also black?...........)

My own old lad came to live with me at 14 for a 'few final good months'.

Ha!

Leeroy's on the Birmingham and Warwickshire pages.

He's beautiful

He looks like a great lad. Just too far away for you?

PS - I had to travel across most of the UK to fetch Oneago home.

I don't drive. Takes an hour to get to Stratford on the bus from where I am.

I'm sure there's a cat with my name on out there....

I'd still call them or drop them an email, maybe. You'd be surprised how many people would help with a lift in those circumstances.

I am really tempted...

I'm now thinking that the worst thing that can happen is its a no for Leeroy, but they'll keep me in mind for any others.

I really hope it's not a flat out no.

Good luck then.

Shit. Just re-read and they're only rehoming to certain areas.

Leeroy is obviously not my boy then.

I'm going to look up rescues round here and have a chat with them. I'm a bit more confident now that they won't tell me there's no way on earth they'll let me have a cat.

It might still be worth an email if he's 'calling' to you from the picture etc. These 'areas' often have more than a little flexibility if a cat is having difficulty finding their home. (And you must be fairly 'on the edge' of what they've said?)

I think, in any case, you stand a good chance. The catchat link should lead you to their Find a Shelter page which might also have the smaller rescues for your area.

I bit the bullet and called... The lady who runs it will call me back later.

Please cross fingers for me!

(Wolfiefan - he's a FIV+ boy, thank you for mentioning it. FIV hadn't occurred to me.)

Fingers crossed for you then.

(And if the person who runs the shelter says No Can Do for whatever reason, why not explain your position to her? Have a chat. There's often a fair deal of communication between people involved in the various rescue systems and - if Leeroy has already found a home for example - she might still be able to recommend somewhere else to try. )

Cat proof the garden!