How do I get a rescue cat please?

LunaHeather · 2021-03-20T12:09:41+00:00

Hi This may sound like an utterly mad question I have wanted to get a cat for ages but stupidly never did In the current circumstances, I'm seeing local shelters saying "you can't meet this cat, you just have to say yes or no". This doesn't seem quite right? I could foster a cat, my siblings do this but they said they are a bit mystified as they've not been asked in lockdown. I only ever fostered a cat through them -Cats Protection League - but that was a long time ago, so rules might have changed. All advice welcome, thank you.

nordica · 20/03/2021 12:14

Contact the individual rescues and ask as each will have different procedures.

I know the one I used to volunteer for has a trial period for adoptions currently so that they go through the usual pre adoption checks, match you with a suitable cat and then you get to sign a temporary agreement to take the cat home for two weeks or so before officially adopting. They always had a clause in their adoption contract that the cat could be returned if it didn't work out for any reason so it's not actually that different.

Original poster

LunaHeather · 20/03/2021 12:20

@nordica

Contact the individual rescues and ask as each will have different procedures.

I know the one I used to volunteer for has a trial period for adoptions currently so that they go through the usual pre adoption checks, match you with a suitable cat and then you get to sign a temporary agreement to take the cat home for two weeks or so before officially adopting. They always had a clause in their adoption contract that the cat could be returned if it didn't work out for any reason so it's not actually that different.

That's what odd

There's a "take it or leave it" message on three websites

I am wondering if it's to deter bored people?

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 20/03/2021 12:22

Nordica is right - it really isn't all that different. Our rescue does its best to match up your preferences, the requirements of your household and your situation with the cats we have available. Once we have identified potential cat/s we send photos and videos and often do a video meeting. And of course, if for some reason it doesn't work out, the cat could always be returned. However it does in fact seem to work very well indeed.

thecatneuterer · 20/03/2021 12:24

What do you mean by 'a take it or leave it message'. Do you mean that it says that currently its not possible to meet the cats in person beforehand and there is nothing they an currently do to change that? In which case, fair enough, it's just making their current constraints clear, surely?

thecatneuterer · 20/03/2021 12:25

Too many 'currents'

Original poster

LunaHeather · 20/03/2021 12:25

Okay

I find a video meeting with a cat a bit strange.

I wonder when actual meetings will be allowed.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 20/03/2021 12:27

Just contact more rescues. There will be places that will allow you to meet a cat. Or wait. It won’t be long until rules change.

Original poster

LunaHeather · 20/03/2021 12:27

@thecatneuterer

What do you mean by 'a take it or leave it message'. Do you mean that it says that currently its not possible to meet the cats in person beforehand and there is nothing they an currently do to change that? In which case, fair enough, it's just making their current constraints clear, surely?

Yes, sort of

Like "you can't meet our cats and they are all looking for a forever home". I'd want to be sure the cat felt comfortable with me.

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 20/03/2021 12:27

Well we all wonder when the Covid crisis will be over. Unfortunately nobody knows.

titchy · 20/03/2021 12:29

I'd want to be sure the cat felt comfortable with me.

Lol. I really don't think you can tell that seeing it in the flesh. Just get one. As long as you treat it well it will be perfectly comfortable with you once settled. Don't overthink. There is a pandemic on you know which is presumably why they're not encouraging visits.

thecatneuterer · 20/03/2021 12:29

And it's really very difficult to tell if cats feel comfortable with you from a brief meeting in a strange environment. That will just be a way to determine which are the most outgoing and bold cats and, if that's what you want, the rescue already knows which those are.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 20/03/2021 12:35

I adopted a cat that I met at the CPL. I hadn’t touched him as he was so shy. It was more an interview to see if I was deemed ok for the cat.

The first time I touched and held him was in my house.

I was very worried I’d got the wrong cat, but the CPL know what they are doing. He’s perfect.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 20/03/2021 12:36

I'd want to be sure the cat felt comfortable with me.

It might be scared in the shelter but be the most affectionate, relaxed, confident cat in a home environment.

It might be the most affectionate, relaxed, confident cat in the the shelter but hide under the sofa for two weeks in a home.

It might be the most affectionate, relaxed, confident cat in the the shelter but turn out to be a feisty, slightly aggressive, badly behaved nutter in his forever home. Not mentioning any names 🙄

I actually think a 2 week trial is better than a meet and greet 🤷🏼‍♀️

nordica · 20/03/2021 12:46

I think often the visit in person is more about the charity staff/volunteers getting to check out what the prospective adopter is like and less about meeting the cat. Only the most confident cats show anything like their true personality in a 15 minute first visit anyway.

thecatneuterer · 20/03/2021 13:07

@nordica

I think often the visit in person is more about the charity staff/volunteers getting to check out what the prospective adopter is like and less about meeting the cat. Only the most confident cats show anything like their true personality in a 15 minute first visit anyway.

Absolutely. I remember one occasion when a family came in to adopt kittens and the young boy starting hitting one of the kittens with a stick (the wand of a cat toy) and the mother didn't react! It was the staff who had to intervene and stop him hitting the kitten. So we of course had to tell them they wouldn't be getting kittens from us. And that is something that wouldn't have been picked up from a video home check.

Wolfiefan · 20/03/2021 13:14

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 20/03/2021 13:22

I 'adopted' from the RSPCA last October after spotting a cat on their site who seemed to be a good fit for what we can offer (experienced owners, large garden and plentiful hunting grounds, not keen on over-friendly lap cats, keen to take a harder to home cat). I had a long chat with the woman who'd been doing most of the care and socialisation of the cat I had my eye on, an ex-stray/semi feral who lashed out at people but gave very mixed signals. I was sent a video to show me how she interacted with people and I felt able to live with the worst of her behaviours.

It was very strange going to collect her having not met her, but having done it I would happily do it again as it worked well. She is exactly as described and so much more, she is now a very happy surprisingly snuggly but bitey arsehole.

IrenetheQuaint · 20/03/2021 13:24

I just got a new rescue cat based on a brief description, a couple of photos and a long chat with her fosterers. She is lovely.

thatonesmine · 20/03/2021 23:49

My son got a rescue 2 year old on a 2 week trial, that was over 6 months ago and they're very happy together, the cat has almost got DS perfectly trained now.

HamFisted · 20/03/2021 23:53

I've adopted two cats pre-covid, OP, and both times I literally just asked the shelter staff who they'd recommend. If you want a cat that's instantly comfortable with you, just ask for a really outgoing one. They'll know more about their cats than you'll ever be able to find out in a half hour meeting.