A friend has had some feral kittens turn up on her garden and can't keep them herself. We are considering keeping 2 but are a bit undecided, especially as we've never had cats before. So any advice would be gratefully received! Here's our pro/con lost so far...
Cons-
We have a nice sofa that we don't want destroying but perfectly possible to keep cats out of that room initially.
We have a dog and no idea how it will be with cats.
I work full time so kittens would be left to destroy the house while we are out.
House is rented so could do without trashed carpets though we could replace if necessary.
We live on a busy road with lots of lorries.
No cat flap and no possibility of having one.
The smell - although from what I've read so far shouldn't be any worse than the dog.
Pros
DS would love them!
We have a huge garden which backs on to fields for kitties to play in.
If we don't take them they will go to a cat rescue which are surely already full of unwanted kitties.
Erm...they are super cute!!
My plan is to keep cats either in the dining room with door shut until dogs get used to them or upstairs. Am happy for them to sleep on DSs bed but not of they are going to keep him awake all night! Litter tray could go on landing but would they get up an go and use it in the night. Then when old enough can put out in a morning on way to work with nice comfy beds etc in outbuilding and let in again when we get home - alternatively they are I all day and go out when we go home.
So what do we do? Cute kitties and lovely pets for DS, or lots of hard work and a terrible idea?