Please don't forget the older cats.

[Toddlerteaplease]

It's lovely seeing all the pictures of kittens. But please don't forget the older cats in rescues who can spend a long time being overlooked because of kittens. They have just as much to give. And you know what kind of personality you are getting.

I agree, kittens are cute, but only for so long! I have only ever had kittens once and that was enough. All my other cats have been adult rescues, all lovely in their own way.

I adopted two 5&7 year old boys last year. They are the loveliest things and they still like a cuddle and a play like the kittens do.

My boys

We adopted the sweetest 6 year old tripaw earlier this year. We have also taken on older rescued greyhounds and horses. In many ways it is easier- you get a lot better idea of their personality

We took in Felix last year, he was living up the road but hated his house, two young kids (one slightly feral) and he ended up living in our back garden. In the end we formally adopted him.

He's 15 this year. Absolutely adorable, spends so much time with DD2, sleeps with her, sits on her lap while she's on the laptop, always looking for cuddles. They have the most amazing relationship!

We also have Silver who was 8 when we adopted her (now 12) and Marshall is also nearly 15.

This is Felix,

My beautiful girls that no one wanted. Adopted aged 5 and the best thing I ever did.

I went to the rescue stating I didn't want a kitten, cute as they are (and I probably could have been persuaded), I felt as a first time cat owner it might be a bit much for me. I wanted an older cat who was happy being an only because I didn't know how I felt about taking on two.

I originally went to look at another cat I'd seen online but she'd already been reserved. I had a look around, and in a little pen in the corner I saw my Nixon and as soon as we met each other I knew he was coming home. His bio from the rescue did him no justice at all, said he was quiet and shy but he isn't at all. Even my mum who is not a cat person at all agreed and said I needed to have him.

He's 2 so not exactly an old boy but had had a tough start. I knew all the kittens would get homes straight away but he'd been there a month. No idea how because he's beautiful. If I knew he'd be ok with it I'd go and adopt another older cat but I don't think he'd like it and I've vowed to love him and look after him for the rest of his life and wouldn't want to upset him because he seems very happy as the only furry.

First pic is when I met him at the rescue, second pic is him settled in 2 months on.

I've mostly had adult cats from the streets. My white girl was a 4 week old kitten when I found her in the street and she's now 6. I like to give a home to adults and my last entry to the household was an adult stray.

@Orangelover, Nixon is stunning!

This is my Norman who was two when i adopted him so not old but still overlooked! I also have Gloria who was five but she’s a bit camera shy

@Todderteaplease Thank you, I think he is but I am biased

I take so many photos of him my iPhone storage has been taken to the max since I got him.

All these cats are beyond cute. The thought of them in rescues or stray with no one to love them I'd have loads if I could

One of our cats (we have six) is Bella. We had three cats at that stage and my partner already thought that was 2 too many! But DD2 had done some fundraising for an animal rescue place local to us and she wanted to visit. So off we went on the tail end of the school holidays to visit and I told her repeatedly we were just visiting.

So we arrived and got into reception to find a map of the place (it's a large sanctuary type place) and a woman came out and said 'are you here to adopt?' and before I even moved my lips, DD2 said yes!

So we did a load of questions and then she took us down to the cattery. We looked at a couple but then she showed us Bella. Bella was so timid she was cowering behind a plant pot in her run. She had been there for over 5 months, reserved twice and then let down twice.

DD and I sat in the pen for about 45 mins just talking quietly until she came out and let us stroke her. That was it. We took her home the next day after home checks were done, where she spent weeks hiding under DD2's bed.

That was two years ago. This was this week. She is so soppy and sweet natured. Gives kisses if you ask and loves to lie between us in bed with her head on the pillow. NEVER overlook a cat who appears quiet in a rescue. They will behave completely differently in a home environment.

We adopted Mels after just popping in for a look around and falling in love! She was 15 and had been at the rescue for 9 months she was the best cat in the world and we gave her two years of love and comfort before her kidneys gave up. She was my little boys best friend in the world and always at his side. Couldn’t have asked for a better cat.

Don’t overlook the oldies!

Completely agree, it breaks my heart. Thank you for these stories, it’s so heartwarming. I can’t get a cat right now but still have my childhood cat and home. I will definitely be getting adult rescues when I move somewhere more suitable

Actually I'm quite in love with a local rescue cat called Iz, only based on a picture of her! I walk past the rescue centre and sneak covetous glances at her pic, she's 13 but used to a garden and I don't have one so don't think I can take her on.

I'm still a bit traumatised by my little cat of 10 years going suddenly with organ failure.

@ChesterCake Mel's is gorgeous :)

My beautiful 16-year-old girl.

I adopted my last cat aged 6, she was unexpectedly killed aged 9, still very much in her prime! At that point I took on current cat, then 8, now 11. She sleeps much of the time and I do feel ready to add some younger energy to the place.
The benefit of an older puss seems to be a settled personality, and calm behaviour. I find their calm prescence very relaxing and they tend not to wander far ie available for cuddles etc.

Adopted my gorgeous elderly gentleman when he was 15 years old. He is now 18 and the most wonderful, loving, playful chap. He runs up to the door to greet me every day and loves to curl up in the crook of my arm and neck. It was a spontaneous decision but one of the best I have ever made.

@LanguidLobster, I fell in love with One if mine based just on a photo.

Amazing cats all! How are you doing Languid? X

Couldn’t agree more. We popped in for a kitten and came out with buddy!

First time cat owners and all in love. He is treated as a king and is only brand new but we love him so much!

All our cats are rescues. None have been under two years old. Here is our latest kitty boy, Curry, age 9. He is devastatingly handsome and very charming ❤️❤️🐾

Oh now you're making me rethink. We're just about to get kittens and now I'm wondering...

Ours were two when we got them and in the rescue for months One was shy in the rescue centre but it's because she was being bullied in the rescue by another cat - she's certainly queen bee here!!

So lovely to read all these tales of older cats being adopted. Ours were 4 1/2 when we adopted them, it was great because we knew we wanted a pair of family cats, and there they were, just waiting for us! Girl cat climbed right up into our laps the minute we sat down, demanding strokes, and boy cat played enthusiastically with a toy. They're pretty much the same characters we saw that day, although boy cat has turned out to be a complete softy, a gentle giant.
Love them to bits and so pleased we got older cats. Good thread OP