What will rescues think?

[53rds]

I posted a couple of weeks ago after our cat was hit by a car and received some lovely kind comments.

DH and I are starting to discuss getting another cat, not to replace our boy but just because we love having cats in the house. We would ideally like to adopt a bonded pair of cats or kittens from a rescue. We aren’t expecting it to happen overnight and we don’t mind waiting for the right ones to come along.

My question is, what will rescues think about the fact that our first cat was hit by a car? It happened outside our house which is on a quiet street which normally doesn’t have much traffic. Most cars only go at about 20 but we were incredibly unlucky with a speeding driver. There are several other cats in the neighbourhood who roam without issues. Nonetheless we have already decided to build a large catio for any future cats.

I am nervous about approaching rescues because I’m worried they will assume our first cat’s death was our fault or that our home is unsafe. We are struggling with feelings of guilt. How do you think they are likely to approach this? We do intend to be completely honest with them.

I think it would be cruel to get another cat knowing the risk is there. You say it's a quiet road but it still happened. I wouldn't take the risk.

If you can cat proof the garden then I can’t see an issue at all. And of course it isn’t your fault that some idiot was speeding. Sorry for your loss.

It will be fine. They will probably make their own assessment of the road and decide whether they think it’s too busy. Unfortunately these things happen. CP has a policy that cats should be allowed out if they can be, despite the risks.it’s a balance between risk and quality of life. Ironically sometimes quiet roads with the odd lunatic driver can be more dangerous for cats than really busy roads, which they mostly avoid. I do home visits for CP (in normal times) and you would get sympathy not judgment from me.

If you do a catio I don’t think they’ll judge you.

You’ve made it safe which is the main thing.

I still beat myself up for letting ours roam & dying on the road. I’ve worried what I’d say to a breeder about it.

I had my last cat from a rescue after losing my previous elderly cat to the road, deliberately choosing a cat with road smarts (he'd never lived in a house). He never went near the road. Again, with current cat, chose one who was more likely to be road smart (semi-feral, turns out she's scared of outdoors and would rather stay in!).

The rescues will either refuse you an animal because you live near a road or they will insist they are kept indoors. Several rescues by me have this policy.

@romdowa

The rescues will either refuse you an animal because you live near a road or they will insist they are kept indoors. Several rescues by me have this policy.

That is not true for all rescues.

My last 2 have been from Blue Cross and RSPCA, both were fine with my location, house fronting a 30mph B road.

@Chemenger

It will be fine. They will probably make their own assessment of the road and decide whether they think it’s too busy. Unfortunately these things happen. CP has a policy that cats should be allowed out if they can be, despite the risks.it’s a balance between risk and quality of life. Ironically sometimes quiet roads with the odd lunatic driver can be more dangerous for cats than really busy roads, which they mostly avoid. I do home visits for CP (in normal times) and you would get sympathy not judgment from me.

In hindsight I feel like we should have realised that a very quiet road with the odd mad driver was a risk. We just thought it was ideal because there’s not much traffic. We won’t make the same mistake of allowing any future cats to roam freely. We both grew up with cats who would roam around and it was what we thought was the right thing to do.

@romdowa

The rescues will either refuse you an animal because you live near a road or they will insist they are kept indoors. Several rescues by me have this policy.

Honestly, we are fine with keeping them indoors / in a catio. We are happy to take more preventative measures in future

Maybe I'm one of a few, but I think it's more important for a cat to be given the chance of a good home outside of a rescue centre. Where I live, it's awash with stray but lovely cats, who'd just be glad of a home, if only people would open their homes to them. You're planning to build a catio anyway, so I'd say that'll reassure any rescue you approach. Sorry for your recent loss

Maybe you could consider a special needs cat? Your catio would be perfect for a cat with hearing or sight problems, or one with FIV where it is not safe for them to wander. These cats are often overlooked and can spend a long time waiting for a home.

I’ve been in touch with a lovely local rescue and we’ve had a change of plans. We are now going to foster cats / kittens until we meet the one we want to rehome permanently. Foster cats have to be kept inside anyway so that’s no issue. I’m looking forward to having cats to look after again.

That’s brilliant OP!

Fostering is brilliant, you will love it.

@romdowa

The rescues will either refuse you an animal because you live near a road or they will insist they are kept indoors. Several rescues by me have this policy.

Not necessarily. It's also worth talking to them if they do say indoor only as you're building a catio. A rescue near me said indoor only but I queried it with them and said surely a catio or catproofed garden was better and I've noticed they've now added that to their adverts.

This thread is

Cats wander! I live on a pretty quiet road. My cat is only ever let out the back, but last summer I spotted him at 2am outside on the road sleeping next to his best cat pal from next door!

I can't imagine judging anyone for their cat being run over. I think it's much more cruel to keep a cat indoors for their entire lives.