Hello. We’re arranging to meet a rescue cat at his foster home next week. He’s described as “gentle young man” (15 months) who’s used to children. We are a family of 4 - two DC age 3.5 and nearly 6, who’ve been brought up around animals (their grandma, who they see a few times a week and often stay with, has dogs) and taught to be gentle and respectful of them.
Assuming he likes us, the rescue will want us take him within 2-3 days, so he’d be coming home with us next week. I had cats throughout my childhood but haven’t owned one since my early 20s (which was nearly 20 years ago!) DH had a dog as a teen and it will be the children’s first pet. The house will be relatively quiet over Christmas - I mean, it’s Christmas with kids in the house, so hardly serene, but our only visitor will be my Mum, so it won’t be full of guests coming and going.
What do I need to think about? As I say it’s been years since I had a cat, and the ones I did I had from kittenhood. The rescue say the cat is a “bit stressed” by losing his previous home so I’m assuming there’ll be issues to consider that are different to “manic tiny kitten” issues. I have spots picked out for food and litter tray and bed and scratch post. I would register him with the same vet my mum has. We’re financially reasonably comfortable so money isn’t an issue. What else do I need to get or think about?
Btw we’re not getting a cat “for Christmas”. We’ve wanted one for a while, it just so happens one is available we think would suit us at Christmas time. We’re not thinking of him as a present and wouldn’t treat him as such. He’d be a family member.