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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Becoming cat owners

18 replies

deadrave · 13/02/2022 18:59

Over the last few years as a family we have thought about getting a cat / kitten, but in the last few months this is something we have decided to take the plunge on! Problem is where do you get cats from?!?

We are a family with a 3 year old and looking at rescues local to us there seem to be no cats available that are happy with children (obviously I respect that some cats are not happy around younger children).

Someone would be in the house 4 days a week, we have a garden, but I’m not sure we would meet most adoption criteria due to my sons age. He has been around animals (he grew up with a house rabbit) and close family have cats. Is our only option likely to be private purchase?? Has anyone managed to adopt 1/2 cats or kittens with younger children?

OP posts:
ClariceQuiff · 13/02/2022 19:04

Have a look at Cat Chat - this includes lots of smaller rescues you might not have tried.

www.catchat.org/index.php

If you feel comfortable giving your approximate location, someone might be able to point you to possible rescue organisations there.

Best of luck.

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/02/2022 21:49

They’d want to give you an adult cat who can escape a child & they’ll want to check for dangerous roads etc.

It’s not unknown for young children to harm or kill kittens so they are very careful.

thecatneuterer · 14/02/2022 16:06

All rescues are different but I think the majority wouldn't discount you because of your son's age, they would just need to find you a child-proof cat and definitely not kittens.

Justkeeppedaling · 14/02/2022 16:07

We got ours from a neighbour who's cat had had kittens she should have had her cat neutered.

Original poster
deadrave · 14/02/2022 18:41

Thanks for all the responses. More than happy with an adult cat who would want quiet time. I keep looking and focus there rather than kitten or young cats. Thanks again.

OP posts:
AKAanothername · 14/02/2022 18:45

We got our rescue via the local vet, I think they helped the RSPCA and looked after some strays. Might be worth asking.

YeOldeTrout · 14/02/2022 18:51

ime... PHONE the cat rescue & enquire politely. They don't advertise all the animals, only the ones hard to home.

Mind, Now is a low period; kitten season starts about March .

Is your son closer to 2 or 4?

thecatneuterer · 14/02/2022 19:11

Are you anywhere near London? He would be perfect www.celiahammond.org/canning-town/index.php/animals-needing-homes/canning-town-london/8-animals-needing-homes/2487-pawpaw

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 14/02/2022 19:35

I would recommend a calm adult cat around children.

Kittens are small, fast and wriggly and get under your feet - it wouldn't take much for a 3yo to trip and accidentally hurt or squash it, which I think is why most rescues are extra-cautious.

They can also be scratchy and scrabbly and that could upset a small child who just wants to play :) adult cats are more likely to just take themselves off for sleep/rest if they're feeling annoyed.

ClariceQuiff · 14/02/2022 20:10

Oh, my goodness, PawPaw is lovely - he will make someone the perfect cat!

YeOldeTrout · 15/02/2022 09:05

Local CPL will only house kittens with young kids unless the adult cat has a history of living with young children - they usually don't have that known history.

Original poster
deadrave · 18/02/2022 15:54

@YeOldeTrout he’s nearer to 4, will be starting school in September.

OP posts:
Original poster
deadrave · 18/02/2022 15:57

@thecatneuterer oh my gosh paw paw is gorgeous! Sadly we are midlands, but I will keep an eye out for an adult cat that is known to be good around children, as I agree with the comments pointing out the challenges of kitten with a younger child and I would hate to put a kitten at risk.

OP posts:
Original poster
deadrave · 18/02/2022 15:58

I think I will give a few rescues a call and see what they suggest. Thanks again everyone.

OP posts:
WeeMadArthur1 · 18/02/2022 16:13

The Cats Protection website lets you search by location and by cats who are ok to live with children. I’m not sure where you are in the midlands, but I just did a search for Birmingham and there were quite a few young cats who might be suitable.

Good luck with your search - we recently adopted two kittens and they are a joy.

Flockameanie · 18/02/2022 23:29

I would have loved to get a rescue cat, but we have primary-age DC and I am mildly allergic to some cats and suspect that DD might be too. So we decided to get a pedigree kitten (a bengal from an extremely reputable and well-reviewed breeder). Is that something you'd consider?

We've had our kitten a few weeks and I am amazed at how much joy he has bought us already. He is wonderful - basically plays, eats, sleeps. Is super affectionate with all of us and my DC (ages 8 & 6) love playing with him, as does he with them. So unlike PP I wouldn't rule out a kitten with young DC at all.

thecatneuterer · 19/02/2022 07:20

So unlike PP I wouldn't rule out a kitten with young DC at all. Yes, but that's because you haven't seen kittens severely injured and killed by young children. One of my first ever jobs when I joined the rescue 20 years ago, was to go to a house to collect a kitten that had been injured by a young child. Unfortunately it died before I got there. That one sticks my mind, as it was the first I came across, but sadly it certainly wasn't the last.

thecatneuterer · 19/02/2022 07:22

Also a 6 year old child is a very different kettle of fish to a 3 year old.

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