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Original poster

Adoption - home visits

12 replies

ToadOfSadness · 01/01/2018 23:14

My cats have arrived in a variety of ways, only one was a adopted from a rescue but with no home check.

Sadly there is now a vacancy in the house and this time there has not been a stray arrive at the door looking for a home so I will need to go and find one.

I have never had a home check, what do they look at/for/ask?

There are still cat beds around the house, the outdoor run is still up, my last 2 cats were old and didn't go out but liked to sit out and take the air. How much house will they look at? All of it or just the bits that will be used by any new arrival?

It is clearly a cat friendly home, not near a busy road, have a garden, little cat house by the door.The only thing is no cat flap but I am here all day.

Please tell me about home checks.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 02/01/2018 01:23

We look at the overall location of the house in respect of roads/other dangers and the garden and whether there is a cat flap. We will discuss access into the house if there is no flap. We are also interested in the types of windows you have (tilt and turn are particularly dangerous for example) and will discuss how you will keep the cat inside for the first few weeks without it escaping.

Apart from that it's really just a general chat to find out what you are looking for and what sort of 'lifestyle' you have, as well as what other pets. If there are children we like to meet them. We would also discuss where you would put the litter tray and where you would start the cat off (for example a spare room).

So generally speaking we will only look at the rooms that are relevant (normally just the kitchen, but maybe other rooms as necessary). We don't care how untidy the place is (unless it's positively hazardous) and a very tidy 'show home' type place would be a red flag.

Original poster
ToadOfSadness · 02/01/2018 03:04

Thank you, that is a good start. I am also finding that I seem to be in a particularly awkward catchment area, slightly out of many by a few miles and having to ask them now if they will rehome to my postcode.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 02/01/2018 10:26

I don't suppose you're anywhere near London?

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 02/01/2018 10:59

TCN, we don’t have a spare room so would that stop you rehoming to us? When we adopted Harry we just opened the basket and let him out in the living room.

I’ve noticed a couple of other rescues saying you need a spare room (or bonding room as one of them referred to it) and it worries me we won’t be able to adopt another cat.

thecatneuterer · 02/01/2018 12:38

PinkSparkly - no not at all. It's sometimes helpful but absolutely not essential. And if the cats are very laid back and friendly then there is normally no need for a spare room at all. And even with timid cats we can for example lend the adopters a dog pen to start them off in, which is often better than a spare room as it gives the cats a chance to see everything going on without being able to escape and while feeling relatively safe.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 02/01/2018 13:21

Thanks TCN, I know I wouldn’t be able to adopt from you but it’s good to know it’s not absolutely necessary.

(Not that I’m planning on adopting from anyone in the near future, Harry has been told he’s got to live forever!)

YetAnotherSpartacus · 02/01/2018 13:24

We haven't had a Harry photo for a while ....

EachandEveryone · 02/01/2018 13:48

It muse depend who you adopt from CP in North London just asked to look at photos they never mentioned a spareroom or cat flap. However, my friend up North tried and the lady went through her cleaning cupboards and everything! Told her she had the wrong plants in her garden and never let her adopt. Another rescue jumped at the chance.

Original poster
ToadOfSadness · 02/01/2018 14:29

@thecatneuterer - yes I am in London but out of the catchment area for Celia Hammond. The closest to me has mostly kittens and I am looking for a cat around 5 years old, give or take a couple of years. I

My last 3 have all been older and all have had a heart problem, just for once I would love a few years with a healthy cat before old age sets in (both me and the cat).

I have looked at photos on all the rescue pages listed in the area, and then found that rehoming stops about 5 miles from me in any direction, with one well known one having 2 in the area, but neither appear to cover my postcode so would need to ask them.

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 02/01/2018 14:31

Oh, im watching this space...

HardAsSnails · 02/01/2018 14:39

We didn't have a home check when we re-homed from the Blue Cross. I had a long interview with their cat behaviourist, then we were observed with the cats in the big socialising room and they looked at our house location on google earth. They may have contacted our vets but I can't remember.

thecatneuterer · 02/01/2018 14:59

OP. We will consider homing outside the catchment area, particularly if you want an adult single cat as we have hundreds of them! I'll pm you.

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