Adopting a cat

[Dilbertian]

We are thinking about adopting a cat from a rescue.

What should we consider or be aware of?

It'll be the best thing you ever do. You will no longer be the boss in your own home.

You need to consider what type of cat you want, indoor or outdoor. Do you live near a busy road etc.
Can you afford insurance and vaccinations etc.

Here's a link from the charity I'm involved with. Most of the information is pretty standard across charities and the advice is certainly relevant

www.celiahammond.org/index.php/faqs/homing-a-cat

How do I estimate annual cost of a cat?

(3/4 of us are ready and willing to become cat-owned. 1 still thinks he's the king of his castle )

It depends on the cat. Mine are cheap to feed and buy litter for. But their Insurance is extortionate. As we've had huge claims. They also have a healthcare plan from the vet. But not sure if it's really saving me any money.

Mine are food £30 every 3-4 months. (I buy A 10kg bag.

Litter £30 every 2-3 months.

Insurance £125 monthly. (Ouch!)

Health plan £14 each monthly.

Groomer for long haired cat, £35 3 monthly.

Other cats will be cheaper!

How do you choose insurance?

I got quotes from various places. Tesco were the cheapest by far, for very good cover and my parents had a good experience with them.

Have think about whether you want a kitten or a young cat or an older cat.
And whether it will go out - any time? Just in the day?

An adult cat who is happy to come and go.

@Toddlerteaplease

I got quotes from various places. Tesco were the cheapest by far, for very good cover and my parents had a good experience with them.

I meant what type of plan. There are so many!

I had a cat that lived to 15. In that time I paid insurance monthly. Starting at about £10 a month then increased to around £30 when she died. In all those years I only made two claims. One for a cancer surgery (£700) and one final claim for her cremation/pts (£200). I paid far more money in than I got out in all those years so this time round I've started putting £25 a month aside in to a separate bank account while they're young so hopefully by the time I actually need to use it, the money will be there.

As for other things to be aware of - I've found new cats like to "scent" their new home. In my case it's always on sofas, so this time round we thought to get waterproof mattress covers beforehand. Saved our sofa more than once! We may have just been unlucky though.

Get the best cover you can afford!! Lifetime is probably best in case they get diagnosed with a chronic issue.

I love my rescue cat. I described our family and said we wanted a female lap cat and the lovely ladies from Cat Rescue matched us with a lovely kitten, younger than we thought we wanted but she is the best cat ever. So loving, and fun. She took 2-4 weeks to settle down and was super loving to start with, running up into my arms and purring wildly.

We've been matched with a cat! Just waiting on the approval check (virtual, of course).

Oh my, this is nerve-wracking. It's gone so much faster than anticipated.

Fosterer said not to buy anything other than food, bowls and litter tray until he has settled in.

How exciting! When will you hear?
No need to buy much, but maybe start hoarding cardboard boxes?

Exciting, anything you can tell us about the cat?

I expect it's been mentioned, but make sure you offer the same food and cat litter initially, it'll help him/her settle in and save tummy upsets. If you want to change diet in time, do it slowly - although some cats have their own ideas about food change - I've never been able to get my two rescues off the wet food they came to me on!

He's big (big, not fat), middle aged and sounds a total sweetie. I wouldn't have chosen him for his looks, but suspect that I shall rapidly fall in love.

He sounds lovely. I LOVE big cats.
Have you heard yet?

We got a 4 year old rescue cat and he's the friendliest, daftest moggy ever. You won't regret it! He has his own sofa in the neighbour's conservatory and is best mates with the cat next door.

I have a £14 monthly petplan with the vet and insurance with Agria, who were recommended by the rescue, I think it's about £18 per month.

He goes to the loo outside if he can, so very little on litter. Food probably £2 per day, a mixture of wet and dry.

Cattery about £10 per day when we're away.

We've been approved! With any luck he will come home on Sunday. We're nervous and excited. I'm not telling anyone in RL until he is actually with us.

He comes with 4 weeks free Petplan Allianz insurance. Tempting to just continue with them, though of course I will investigate other insurers.

So exciting, hope your family and your 'new boss'gel quickly. As pp advised, use the same food/litter as hes currently having until your all settled. We got our boss as a kitten and after initial check ip/nurturing etc vet advised to put money aside each month rather than a per plan. 6 years in, aside from annual check is and vaccinations she has not needed vet or any treatment. I put money aside each month and have an interest free cc just in case of emergencies. I would say approx £30 month food, £10 per month flea drops etc and the occasional toy/treat when the kids pass the pet shop. Ought a scratchings post, bed etc when she moved in, but as shes outdoors most of the time she hardly uses the litter tray, never used the scratch post and she sleeps wherever she bloody well likes! Enjoy your lap cuddles x

Yay, what happy news. Congratulations!

Mr Cat arrives this evening.

I've set aside a room for him to settle in for his first few days, with lots of places to hide in and a sunny window. In it I've put a litter tray, a feeding area, a catnip toy and a feliway plug-in. Dd has left the hoodie that she has been living in for the past fortnight draped over a stool, to create a cave that smells of her!

I will check with the CPL volunteer who delivers him, but presumably tonight we do not bother him? Just leave him alone in his room, with a bowl of water, and feed him tomorrow morning?

The cat will let you know how he wants to play it.

My first rescue hid behind the sofa for two weeks, my second was writhing around on the pouffe within 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!