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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Seen a rescue cat I like the look of but worried I wouldn't be accepted

24 replies

Kittykitteh · 26/09/2018 23:34

Hi,

First off, I've never had a cat before! Growing up in my family we had dogs, my parents don't like cats. I've also had various small animals.

I have a friend who was the same as me (also with cat hating parents!) but has been owned by her cat for about 6 years now! She got her through Cats Protection.

I've been without a pet for over a year now and feeling lonely. I've always thought I'd like an indoor cat. I once looked after a friend's cat here for a few weeks when she was between homes but that's the extent of my cat experience. I've always been interested in cats, I think my parents' dislike for them fuelled an interest in me. I read about cats and used to buy Cat World magazine back in the day. Been to a few cat shows too, I have a thing for certain breeds.

Anyway, a few months ago I was idly browsing the net and googled cat rescues and saw this beautiful cat who needs a home. I had a quick look but didn't think much more of it because the rescue is at the opposite end of the country. I hoped the cat would find a new home soon.

I visited a cat cafe at the weekend and loved it! And I'm wondering again if a cat would be the pet for me. Did some googling again and that rescue popped up and I couldn't believe it, the cat is still not adopted! Apparently the cat is a quiet one and doesn't have any illness or anything that might put off a prospective owner, it's a shame it's been overlooked for so long.

I've had a look at their adoption form and I feel a bit put off. Obviously they want the best for their animals but I'm starting to worry that I wouldn't be good enough. The topic of not letting a cat out is brought up several times. If I had a cat I would have no intention to let it out because I worry it would get killed somehow. I have a small flat, not a huge house but the lady before me had a cat living here (I think it got out though). Another friend of mine has a rescue Siamese that doesn't get out and she has a small flat too. I'm just wondering how choosy rescues are about who gets their animals. There is a small adoption fee that I'd be happy to pay and I'd need to travel to arrange things if I decided to 'apply' for the cat but I'm not sure how often people are turned down. I've read stories about people wanting to adopt rescue dogs and being denied for silly reasons with the poor dogs staying in kennels for even longer when they could have had a loving home.

Any experiences with rescues and do you think my never being a cat owner before and living so far away would put them off me? Thanks.

OP posts:

Ollivander84 · 26/09/2018 23:38

Worth applying! I never had a cat before and I live in a flat, I am ground floor so do have a garden but it's not secure
They nearly bit my hand off! Might have questions about securing windows etc but you can get flat cat window screens

Original poster

Kittykitteh · 26/09/2018 23:51

Thanks for your quick response! I'm on the ground floor too. I have a garden but it's not attached to the flat, so I'm not sure if I could take the cat over to the garden and let it wander around or if it might take to a harness so it couldn't escape? Or maybe the garden would be a no-no as it could scale the fence (they do have a pic of said cat in a garden so at some point it's been out to enjoy some sun). So many questions. Maybe I should email and find out.

OP posts:

bronwyn11 · 26/09/2018 23:55

I adopted a cat that was specifically an indoor cat due to an injury. So maybe u would be better looking for one that has to stay indoors if you don't plan to let it out. Depends on the cat tho some that have previously been outdoors will be very unhappy being kept in.

I don't think they are as fussy about adopting a cat because they don't need as much care as a dog. They will just be checking that your sensible and know what it will need. As well as legitimate and not adopting for oh baiting etc.

bronwyn11 · 26/09/2018 23:57

Dog baiting that was meant to say!

MrsPawsitive · 27/09/2018 01:14

I hope you inquire about this rescue cat. Have you read any of the Jackson Galaxy books? He has lots of good advice for cat owners.

Toddlerteaplease · 27/09/2018 04:27

Do it! I was similar in that I saw a picture of a cat and fell in love with her. (And her sister) the post said they'd had no interest. I didn't want an outdoor cat because I live on a busy road. Spoke to the rescue and the rest is history! From that one Facebook post 8 cats have got homes as my friends have adopted from the same rescue.
Good luck

Vinorosso74 · 27/09/2018 08:54

I'd say go for it. Some cats do need to be indoor only due to health reasons
I volunteer at a CP adoption centre and the FIV cats are homes pretty quickly as lots of people around here live in flats. They take quite a few of them from the local RSPCA hospital too. They are often tough looking fellas with but actually real softies.

Vinorosso74 · 27/09/2018 08:55

God excuse the typos I clearly need more coffee!

YeOldeTrout · 27/09/2018 08:57

Most rescues don't impose a never-let-out rule. Or if they do it's for excellent reasons (like if cat has FIV).

Toddlerteaplease · 27/09/2018 09:19

Some needs are too thick to let outside safely. Persians and Ragdolls just don't have the brains to cope in the big wide world. Looking at you Snorg!

Toddlerteaplease · 27/09/2018 09:22

Breeds

viccat · 27/09/2018 12:00

I volunteer at a cat rescue and we rarely say no to someone (unless completely unsuitable i.e. an 18 year old student in a houseshare with no understanding of the long term responsibility...) BUT we do fairly often suggest a different cat/cats from the one someone has initially enquired about. This is usually because we know another cat would be a better fit for that home i.e. on a busy main road an indoor cat or an already streetwise cat is better than kittens, or a cat that's very demanding of attention is best in a home where someone is around a lot, or some cats are best solo and not with other pets etc.

So I'm sure you can find a lovely cat to adopt that suits your situation but it's sometimes better not to fall in love with a specific cat at the outset.

MrsRubyMonday · 27/09/2018 12:18

We take our rather stupid cat out on a lead when it's sunny, no way she's going out alone, not smart enough not to get into trouble. It's a body harness that clips around neck and chest so not easy to pull out of. She comes running when we open the drawer it's kept in!

Original poster

Kittykitteh · 27/09/2018 23:35

Thanks everyone, these responses have given me confidence! I do work full time as well so would be out of the house for most of the day (home around 6pm). Hopefully that wouldn't count against me.

The cat doesn't have FIV appears to be healthy but had no luck finding a new owner. So far I've only seen the one cat I like but others may appear - but I'm really keen on this one and think we'd be a good match. But I'll see what happens. It's a long train journey so I'm not sure how it would handle that (I don't fancy driving so far) but I know that people do drive great distances to pick up animals so as long as the cat is happy it's fine.

That's horrible to think that people would adopt a dog to use it for fighting! :( Poor things. My last pet (bearded dragon) was a rescue and was with me for years, it's such a lovely thing to do to give a needy animal a home. Quite excited thinking about the possibility of rehoming this cat!

OP posts:

SolemnlySwear2010 · 29/09/2018 11:46

I had never had a cat before - but grew up with dogs, rabbits birds etc.

My little girl is cat mad so we rescued one as a suprise for her at Easter time.

They did have a look at our house (on Google maps) and asked if we were intending to let him out or not. We said we did intend for him to be an outdoor cat as we live in a quiet area and are surrounded by fields etc.

We brought him home 2 days later

He is the sweetest boy ever, although he did bring his first live mouse in the other night (

Orangelover · 29/09/2018 13:16

I saw a cat online at RSPCA and went to enquire about her, but she'd already been reserved when I got there. Ended up seeing so many lovely little cats that I could have took home but as a first time cat owner I only wanted one, so had to be one that was happy on their own. But they had loads that weren't even on their website!

When I got there they showed me the ones that they thought I would match with, and as soon as I saw my little Nixon he was the one. He chose me, rubbing his little cheeks on me and wanted cuddles straight away.

I would definitely go and have a look at your local rescues, and see which little buddy chooses you

Beaverhausen · 29/09/2018 13:21

Go for it OP, if this kitty is not suitable then please do not give up finding your furry master or mistress. Some rescues can be very picky and some are more concerned about finding the right slave.

fenneltea · 29/09/2018 13:28

I know of two older indoor cats that have been overlooked for months, they have adorable temperaments and the rescue is closing, so they are desperate! If you aren't successful with this one then I'm sure another rescue will have something suitable.

Original poster

Kittykitteh · 25/10/2018 19:26

Well unfortunately (for me) the cat I liked has been rehomed with someone else. I had lots of stuff going on at the time so was unable to travel until later in the month and when I checked the website saw she had a new owner! They look very happy together so good for them and I'm glad the kitty has a loving new home. I'll wait a while and see if I still want a cat later on when things have settled down. Thanks again to everyone for your advice and comments.

OP posts:

Dollymixture22 · 26/10/2018 21:36

I was rejected by the local shelter because I work. I have an enclosed garden and lots of space inside, I got my kitten from a farm.

I know they are fussy for a reason, but my kitten is nver alone for more than three hours, and it’s very well cared for. I know families who have been accepted through the same shelter who have either returned their cat or who haven’t given it a great home. Not that I am bitter - I love my little monster😼

ThisIsWhatItSoundsLike · 26/10/2018 21:48

Honestly don't bother with rescue cats, we had a lovely cat from them once the vetting process is astounding. The person who brought our first cat to visit (more than once) was so patronising. I have a beautiful home 3 well raised children and both have professional jobs; you would have thought we were cat serial killers the way we were treated.
Our car died recently so we looked at a rescue cat again; it's like they are doing you a favour it is such hard work trying to get anywhere near a cat.
I would never of said this before I had experience of them but do not bother
Just get a kitten loads and loads of people advertise unwanted litters and none of the fuss.
I get they don't want cats going to bad homes but allowing them to go to someone's home would be preferable. Just saying .

RaisinRainbow · 27/10/2018 23:00

Our local CP can be quite finickity. They quite often specify that a cat needs access to open fields etc for roaming, which rules out many of us.

I dont find homechecking too troublesome, although I tend to get a bit Hyacinth Bouquet and fastidious in my prep which is exhausting.

That said, the last two cats I adopted were local, direct from the owners by stating my request on a community page online.

starsmurf · 30/10/2018 17:03

I know some rescues can be over the top but please don't advise people to get a kitten from "unwanted" litters. They're usually from kitten farms that breed cats in awful conditions, abuse and starve the cats, with females having litter after litter. Kittens that don't sell and adults who are no longer able to breed are sold to dog fighting groups, who bet on which tiny kitten will be disemboweled first.

Adopt. If one rescue is overzealous, find another.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/10/2018 17:54

That's awful advice ThisIsWhatItSoundsLike. All you are doing is encouraging irresponsible idiots to keep breeding their poor cats. And no, allowing them to go to 'someone's home' isn't preferable. In most cases the poor things are in a rescue because they are unwanted in the first place so the rescue has to minimise the chance of them being returned.

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