Bringing home a rescue

[DaffodilPower]

So, I've had some ups and downs lately and am trying to rebuild the life I've always wanted.

I grew up with cats and have only not been around them because of my former relationship, he wouldn't entertain them.

I have visited Blue Cross rescue and am bringing two 13 (nearly 14) year old cats home on Friday - they were adorable! And I really can't wait, but I am super nervous! Is this daft?

Any advice for bringing home two older rescue cats?

Well done you for adopting older cats. Who might otherwise have been in rescues for years. Hope you'll be very happy together.

Congratulations . I had every intention of getting older rescue cats, but in the end I was claimed by mine and they gave me no choice!

Just let them take their own time about coming to you and settling in, as older cats they will hopefully not take long especially if they have had a decent home previously. They are not old really but they may want to laze about more than younger cats would, and they should really have senior food. Otherwise they are like any cat that comes to a new home (just less destructive than kittens!).

Good luck on Friday - remember the rule about pictures once they are settled a bit!

Thank you both!

I was keen to re-home older cats rather than kittens, but am all too familiar with the process of a cat adopting you and having no choice! That's what happened with my last kitten!

They are wonderfully affectionate and I had lovely cuddles with them. They have been in the centre around two months, and believe were transferred from another one, so they've been penned up for some time.

I have bought toys, beds, fleece blankets, litter trays and litter. Not bought any food yet, they are currently on IAMS senior though apparently not enjoying it, so will have to play around with that a little..

I'm so excited to welcome them to their new home, and of course, pictures will follow!

Well done for choosing older cats! We are picking up a rescue from Blue Cross tomorrow. Is it costing you £70 each? I must admit I baulked a bit when I found that out!

There's a number of reasons why rescues cost a bit of money. Firstly, when you get a rescue cat or kitten it will have been de-fleaed, wormed, vaccinated & health checked by the vet - this costs me about £65 each time per cat so you won't have that expense at the start (though of course you will have ongoing for these). In addition, adult cats & kittens old enough will have been neutered and micro chipped, and most kittens come with a neutering voucher, again that doesn't come for free and if you had to do those yourself will cost you.

Any other vet treatment a cat needs will have been carried out by the centre, and they will have fed it and cared for it while it's been there. They need to pay for their running costs somehow, and unfortunately donations don't cover everything.

And another reason why they charge you is to ensure that you can actually afford to keep the cat, and will value it. If you can't afford to save up the amount they request for a cat, then how will you afford to feed it properly, insure it, give it the regular vet attention it needs like wormers, flea treatment & vaccinations?

MildlyFedUp yep, £70 per cat, plus £10 each for a couple of carriers. I'd rather do that than pay £100+ for kittens/cat son Gumtree, and as Allergictoironing says, they are microchipped, vaccinated and have had a lot of dental treatment plus vet checks, and it includes insurance (4 weeks), plus they get sent home with a blanket, some food and litter..

Which centre are you using? I could have stayed all day fussing with all of the cats!

The independent rescue I got mine from usually charged about that but they said that as I was taking 2, they would ask me to pay a little less. But I actually gave them more as a donation, plus I had tons of old towels (used to do massage therapy so had loads) so I gave them those which they were very grateful for.

It's the Bromsgrove branch OP. There were so many I wanted to take home! One had three legs and another one in the next cage was desperate for our attention.

The boy we are taking has cystitis and will need medication probably for ever.

Allergic, I think I will end up doing the same and giving a little extra.

Aw MildlyFedUp, bless him! You will have to post photos!

You're not being daft feeling nervous, it's a big change in your life. They sound lovely and they've hit the jackpot going to live with you. Can't wait to see them.

Aww thank you Want2beme, I really hope so! I'll get some photos up as soon as they're home!

Don't worry if they disappear behind the sofa or inside a hidey hole for a few days, that's not at all uncommon. Just make sure they are somewhere they can get to their food, water & litter tray when nobody is about and they will soon realise you are the giver of Good Things rather than a monster (unless they are Cosie's PB of course, but he's a special case!)

Then again, they may be ruling the house within a couple of hours

Well done getting older cats that’s amazing they’ll have such a lovely home with you

We rescued an older boy about two years ago now, god I love him. Our scenario was slightly different in that we had a dog to introduce to him, but we tried to let him take the lead as much as possible. When he first came home to us, he tried to climb up the fireplace, then settled behind the fridge. We decided the lounge was a smaller, cosier room for him to be in at first, so we coaxed him out with food and brought him into the lounge. He lived behind the sofa for the entire first day, but would purr if you just sat on the floor near him, and would eat behind there. The next day he was sat on our laps as if he’d lived with us forever.

One of mine hid for a week in a gap I didn't know existed in the kitchen. Fortunately the foster career had warned me that she would do it, and to make the most if the 1:1 time with her sister. As when she finally emerged she would completely take over, and she did.

Ooo I really can't wait - you all have some wonderful stories (but I notice no photos..!!)!

I hope they settle in well, but I'll be as patient as I need to be and give them all the time they need..!

Here's mine. Neighbourhood watch & I think I'll have a pee in the paper box

Here is my boy on day 1, day 2, and now

Here are my two. They really aren't as grumpy as they look.

Oh how lovely are they all?!! They all look so content!

GinGeum He's a smiler!

Love them all!

Sorry I can't give you any advice, but I hope they bring you many years of pleasure. Let us know how you get on. I've lost my two in the last year and seriously thinking about rehoming later in the year.

Aw I'm sorry starfish, that's always the hardest part

So here they are.. nearly 14 years old and having a time!

Oh, they're lovely.

How did they settle in? Did you leave them in one room for a day or so, or let them find their own space? I'm just asking we we plan to rehome one (hopefully two) in a few months after holidays are out of the way.

I was advised to keep them to one room, but they really didn't like it, so they've had free range of the house (not letting them outside just yet of course), and have settled in really well - they're like my shadows!

When they were in one room they just called whenever they were left alone, and didn't settle. I guess see how yours is/are, and follow their lead! It's great having two (they were handed in together and had grown up together) as they are super bonded and great company for each other!

Good luck!