Should I adopt this Tortie? Anyone regretted getting a 2nd?

[AppleButter]

We have been looking for a second cat for a while now. The shelter where we got our cat from has matched us and 1st cat to this shy Tortie, who is also female, is around the same age, and is accepting of other cats. 1st cat is also accepting of other cats, but cautiously. We think she might be a good match. Just wondering whether anyone ever regretted getting a 2nd? Thanks.

A shy Tortie you say? I've usually found Torties to be shy for about a minute while they scope out a new situation.

I'd go for it, but then I have five cats and am not in a position to criticise.

Nope, we didn't regret our 3rd either they are great!

Also, shy tortie?!!!

She was a stray and is quite shy of humans.

Our Tortie is shy, apart from when she's hungry

I got a new kitten 18 months ago to go with my 5 year old. Neither were accepting of other cats initially but they’ve learned to cohabit and I have no regrets at all.

Just wondering if anyone ever wished they had stopped at one? I hope I am making the right choice and not a mistake. We originally wanted to get a bonded pair, but none were available, so last year we got 1st cat, a black and white tuxedo cat, from the shelter. She is a lovely smart family cat.

Thank you everyone, fellow cat lovers.

We got a second and regretted it. She was always terrified of the other. And quite bitey and unfriendly because of it. We introduced them carefully, as per guidance too. She was like a different cat when the first died and we realised how scared she’d been all this time.

Our first cat was a friendly, affectionate thing, but good at standing up for herself with other cats.

Thank you @SheWoreYellow I am sorry that wasn’t optimal for your cats. I hope they were happy despite the mismatch.

Look up slow introductions then go get her.

The shelter where we got our cat from has matched us and 1st cat to this shy Tortie, who is also female…

Torties are always female, unless they have a relatively rare xxy dsd condition :)

We regretted getting a second cat. Lots of stress behaviour, spraying etc. To the point we rehomed one to a family member, after which they were both much, much happier.

I would never have more than one again, unless you have a very big house and outside space so they can have their own territories.

How does yours react to cats it sees in your street/garden?

Adopted our FIV+ boy from overseas and it's been a success. Our 1st one passed away a month ago of old age, and the 2nd cat was very much OK being a solo ruler of the flat but I took pity on the FIV+ boy, he'd not survive on the street.

I was very worried how they will get along, with the 2nd cat of ours being a pure terror for anything that moves (he's a street rat) but the new one was so laid back and also he is a stone and something, so not easy to intimidate which helped :-D

So I told my DH we'll foster the new cat to see how it turns out and voila, he's staying. I'd say go for it, saving an animal from a shelter/street is always a yes.

Thanks everyone, such a mixed bag of outcomes. I suppose I have to trust my instinct and the shelter’s assessment (same professionals, who knew my 1st cat). We have a garden and some space, 1st cat is cautiously accepting but not averse to non-threatening cats, 2nd cat cuddled up with her new shelter mates, so there is a possibility this could turn out well. And always a possibility that it won’t.

I’d give it a go based on shelter knowing them
We’ve always been a 2 or more cat household - do slow introductions etc
Mostly ends in tolerance only

If you really want another cat, get her. You'll be nervous about it, no doubt, but you won't know how it'll work out until she's joined your household. They may never be good friends but could co-habit well enough. They may turn out to adore each other. In my experience, Torties are wonderful cats. I had one years ago and she was terribly shy, but had a lovely character.

Yes, I am nervous about it but hoping they will like each other quite much one day. I am ready to go slowly though. Cautious but tending towards getting her.

DO IT!!!! She is adorable!
I swore I'd be a one cat family from now on after being a 4 cat family for years (they basically wrecked the house), but my DS's neighbour had jet black kittens and somehow I've been persuaded to have one She was found to be pregnant on the day she was due to be neutered and they are desperate to find good homes for them.
She's too small to come home at the moment as still with mum but I'm just so excited.
I've always had rescues before.

We got our second cat as a companion for our boy. He really needed someone to play with. It has worked out great. We got our adorable girl, he got someone who likes scampering around the house at 4.00 am with him.
Not sure I’m advertising this well to you!

Torties are wonderful.

I said yes today! I am aware of the risks, but there is a chance it could work, the shelter have helped guess the best match. I will try the utmost and even if they are neutral it will be ok. Will post a picture when we get her! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

@learieonthewildmoor that is a good outcome

Good for you. A lovely little Tortie to share your life with😻 How long do you have to wait for her?

@Want2beme i think only a week or two, all outgoing animals at the shelter get an additional vetinary checkup and paperwork etc, do hopefully she will have a cosy warm home this winter and beyond.