Advice re getting a cat from re-homing centre

[cansu]

We would like a cat. We have had cats before but after our last one died of old age about fifteen years ago we decided to have a break until our kids were older. I now have one 13 year old at home although as she is autistic and has some learning difficulties she is much younger in her behaviour. I would like to adopt a cat from a re-homing centre as we have always had cats this way and do not need a particular breed. I would rather give a cat a new home. Anyway questions:

I am thinking we should get a young female so 1-5 years. I have seen one which is 7 but I am concerned that she might be too old. What is old in cat terms?

We have a back garden that is backed by fields. Do we need a cat flap? We are out during the day four days a week. Do we need a microchip one?

How do I assess how child friendly the cat will be? I don't expect the cat to be around all the time (I know cats come when they want to for fuss or food) but I do want one that will be around my dd and will allow her to stroke it and sit beside it sometimes. She is very keen on animals and I want her to be involved.

Any suggestions welcome.

How old was your last cat that died of old age? I've had 2 that both lived to 21 so I wouldn't say 7 is too old..

The rehoming centre should have assessed their cats for the sort of family they will match. If you look online at rescue centres you'll often see 'needs a home with no children' and similar. The staff will be able to match you with the right cat for your family.

Meeting some cats will give you a good idea of how friendly and tactile they are.

Nowadays, many cats live till 15 and beyond, so 7 isn't really old at all.

It sounds like a cat flap would be a good idea. A microchip one avoids the danger of other cats coming into your house.

Good luck with your search!

7 isn't old, it's middle-aged. Pet cats typically 14-18 years, sometimes older.
Microchip catflaps are good if you have neighbouring cats might let themselves in - we use a regular cheap one though. Keep the cat in if fields are being harvested, ploughed etc though, just in case they get injured by machinery.
Talk to the rescue about personality - I'd definitely look for an adult, rather than a kitten, as you can't really know what a kitten will grow up to be like whereas adult personality (lap cat / playful / hunter / aloof etc) is more established in an adult. Rescues are pretty good at matching cats to homes.

We lost our old girl at 19 so 7 isn’t old.
I would speak to the rehoming centre and tell them what sort of character you’re after. I cuddled a boy cat in rescue a couple of weeks ago. He wrapped his paws around me and buried his head in my armpit. Some cats would rip the skin from your arms if you tried to pick them up.
Cats need to be inside only for at least a month. Then it’s up to you about a catflap. We don’t have one. A microchip one is better as random cats can’t get in. But they can still bring in half dead mice etc and let them go.

Seven years is middle aged for a cat. I had one who lived to 19, so I don't think seven is too old at all. It would be a great kindness for you to adopt her as the older ones can be difficult to place since everyone wants kittens or very young cats. A seven year old will be a little more settled and less rambunctious generally.

If you live in an area with raccoons and similar small animals then the chipped flap probably makes sense. But first find out if the cat you are considering adopting was formerly an indoor/outdoor cat or not. If she was exclusively an indoor cat you should probably continue that.

Any cat will take time to warm up to people in the house. As far as friendliness to children, the animal shelter will normally have some history on the cat in this regard they can share.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for all your help. I have phoned several rescues and am waiting for call backs but also have my eye on the gorgeous totally black little 7 year old one. It said could be re-homed in a family but sometimes dislikes loud noises. I think I will take dd with me when we go to view so I can see how cat reacts to her too.

I have a son with Autism. We got 2 kittens from cat protection. We went to visit them first in their foster home. They then came to check our house etc. A few days later we got the kittens. They settled in very quickly.

7 isn’t too old. Cat flap is a good idea. We have had older rescue cats too, who settled quickly.

I think I will take dd with me when we go to view so I can see how cat reacts to her too.

That's a good idea if you can have a talk with dd about how cats need to be approached by strangers in a gentle, non-threatening manner. She can't just try to pick it up for a cuddle, for example.

All family members who will live with the cat should visit and meet the cat at the rescue to ensure compatibility.

The biogs often say if a cat needs lots of access to the outside or if they are a lapcat type so they give a good indication of the type of home the cat needs.

When you have chosen, make sure you ask what food they are feeding the cat. I was told to ensure I had the same then slowly move to the brand I would be feeding the cat to avoid digestive upset.