Hi everyone,
We lost our cat - 20yo - in May, and said we wouldn't get another. However, we follow the FB page of our local shelter and see cats coming up often. We thought we'd consider getting another cat as we do miss our old cat.
We initially saw a post about a female cat who has been there for 5 months. She's always been in with another cat as she's apparently very social and confident. We went to see her today and she was very affectionate: licking us, grooming the other cat in the enclosure etc. But we worry because she's quite small and very agile, and apparently "likes to play". We have two dogs so would like a cat who is able to stand her ground a bit, but we worry that if she's very demanding of attention etc. that she might resort to scratching furniture, curtains etc. But we feel bad as she has been there 5 months and has seen other cats come and go in that time.
The second cat we didn't intend to look at. He's about 3, they think, a great big fluffy boy. He's got FIV, however they assure us that if he's kept inside and in good health, he should be fine. We think he'd be able to stand his ground better with the dogs, and he was very eager to get our attention. What we worry about is him getting out of the dog door and wandering. Also, worried about having a male cat inside. Do they spray? He'll be desexed before he comes home...
I suppose we're just anxious about which of the two would be more suited to us. Both have something that pulls at our heart strings, but getting both is not an option.
Any advice would be wonderful.
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The litter tray
Choosing between two cats to adopt
Pluto30 · 24/10/2016 07:03
Update: We went back to the shelter yesterday afternoon, but the little girl cat had already been taken by someone. I assume they saw her post on FB too.
We decided not to take the FIV cat because we couldn't make sure he was inside at night with the dog door. The people at the shelter said letting him out during the day was likely fine (and they generally agree with cats being allowed outside), but that it's important he can't roam at night. 
There's another cat there - 10mo, male - who was sharing the enclosure with the little girl. He was left behind by his owners when they moved house and they only just managed to make contact with the owners after 2 weeks. They said if the owners don't come to pick him up on the weekend that he'll be available, so we might consider him if they don't come back.
When Seniorboy came to live with me, he was a pale, limp wraith of a creature. Within 6 months, he'd put on muscle. 
That boy stands every chance of developing with a good new home.
I do have a theory that the right cat is out there just waiting for the right owner... it happened to us! Maybe this boy is meant to be with you!
Hopefully you will be able to visit and see if you're suited. Let us know how it goes (I love a happy ending!)
Thanks for the advice, guys!
I still feel bad for leaving the cat there, but I figure it's for his own good, as well as other cats', that he goes to a home that can make sure he's inside at night.
I've called the shelter to let them know I'll take the other little cat if no one turns up for him. They said they've yet to hear back from the owners after the initial call, so they have serious doubts they'll turn up for him. I'll keep you updated about what happens.
Update: We picked up our little chap this afternoon.
He's 10mo, and a total cutie. He was actually born at the shelter, then adopted, but then left behind by his owners. They told me today that the owners weren't coming to get him, so I went and picked him up.
He's just gorgeous. Super quiet, and totally sweet. Very smoochy. Just a sweetheart. He's hiding under the bed at the moment, we're sure he'll come out of his shell in a few days.
Oh, and he was named Cadbury but we've renamed him Billy as he shares a birthday with Billy Idol, and Rebel Yell was on as we left with him.
Well done - he looks like a great new boy.
Let us know how he gets on.
Thanks everyone! We're pretty smitten.
He'll come to the edge of the bed, but won't step far out. He's having a roll around and a little play under the bed though. Such a sweet boy. Really don't understand how someone can look at a little face like that and leave him behind!
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Oh look at those gorgeous little faces. You can't leave one out.
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