Adopting a rescue ragdoll

[Ghostofborleyrectory]

My beloved old recue ex feral cat died a few weeks ago at around 14 years
( might have been older due to being feral and vet guessed at age) I loved her so much and didn't want to commit to another cat, unless with time and then another unwanted ex feral cat.
I still looked at local animal rescue website and a ragdoll cat was up for adoption. I have had a rescue Persian (severely neglected before she went into shelter), for 12 years so used to the behaviour of Persians and the grooming (although Persian hated it)
The ragdoll has big issue with with spraying, hence the reason he is in rescue centre (he wee'd on my handbag when I met him in shelter)
He is being neutured whch might help, my last cat was a female and the lovely people at the animal rescue said he might spray because of the scent of my last cat.
So I am asking you lovely people, how I can help him adapt to his new environment?
Been on the ragdoll websites but they are often American based and recommend washing them twice a month etc which I do not think neccessary after my experience with my Persian.
I have purchased some feliway spray, organised Petplan insurance.
I am looking at beds, used to cats sleeping on my bed but if he is used to cat bed, would love advice on a good one for a big 12 month old cat.

Last thing (honest!) Never had a cat that has not been a cat that goes outside. I have read that ragdolls can't go outside. I live in an semi-urban environment but a quiet one with park opposite. Could I take him to park, even if on lead to sit with me? Can provide pics of cat!

Here's Bob aka The Big LeBobski. @Ghostofborleyrectory

Needless to say but there's A LOT of hoovering in our house...

Why don’t I get free cats with my house! It’s not fair.

Ok. Strange, sad and weird update. I phoned cat shelter and apparently vets said Loki either has to be put down or have transgender surgery! Animal shelter opted for surgery but apparently 70 percent success rate and might be expensive vet bills in future
Am out in sunny Morecambe so can't research until I get home but absolutely shocked. They even said cat would be called Lucy in future! I still want the cat but need to look into the insurance etc for pre- existing condition. Has anyone heard of this before? I was actually apologising for misgendering a cat , something I wasn't expecting at the start of the day. Also cat booked in cattery in two weeks for two nights as had organised seeing parents after death of last cat. Will it be too soon for another change? Booked in before as meant to be getting them tomorrow so time to get used to new home. Apparently I need to ring tomorrow to talk to manager to find out more info. Poor little cat. Just want to look after him.

I think they mean a perineal urethrostomy. It’s an operation to remove the end of the penis in cases of severe or repeated urinary obstruction so far as I understand. The urethra is narrower in the penis so easier to obstruct.

I am not a vet but the operation was suggested for one of my cats which is why I’ve heard about it. Luckily he didn’t need it in the end.

I do think describing it as ‘transgender’ surgery and calling the poor cat Lucy is bizarre! Loki will still be male, just with a shorter urethra and, hopefully, no more horrible urinary tract problems.

He is very beautiful, by the way. I do hope the operation helps him. It sounds like he has a lovely home waiting for him.

Thanks, makes me feel better, does seem bizarre, I don't care about the name, just want my cat and him to be healthy! Never heard of transgender surgery on a cat but what you said makes sense.

I adore them!

Yes, that will be a perineal urethrostomy surgery, OP. It's a last resort if medical treatment not helping severe urinary tract issues in male cats. (It is NOT transgender surgery and he will still be a boy - presume the rescue is joking/the vet joked about it to them, or there's been crossed wires!)

I think crossed wires as the woman talking on the phone was very serious, even down to the name change, which is the last thing I care about! I will be be talking to tha manager tomorrow and hope to get better info then. Been researching it online. Concerned he may still still have side-effects but will look at new insurance for pre-existing condition. Don't want to give up now on a lovely cat that really need a bit of a break!

To be fair, he was the best thing about the place! 😊

Vet nurses can be a bit batshit. Ours was great but referred to my 6.5kg Bengal as a little boy 🤨

Sometimes in the quest to make information accessible for patients you can go too far.

Thank you! I hope all works out with Loki. My fingers are crossed for you both.

I believe adopted pets always know they've been rescued - but they rescue us too.

My last little cat was found with broken legs surrounded by dead kittens as she was feral and tried to rescue her kittens from farm dogs by putting them on a beam in a barn. They ended up all falling off, my cat then got severe cat flu in the cat shelter and was a nervous wheezy wreck for years but loved me after a while and then became the most wonderful little lapcat. Could not get her into a cat carrier withot being lacerated though!
My partner wanted another rescue moggy, not a pedigree and is concerned about the cost of future issues related to his health. I think Loki is a proper rescue cat due to his problems and you can never tell when or if an animal might become poorly. I hate coming in to a house without a cat to greet me and Loki was so affectionate and lovely. Feel for him as they said he was very poorly.
Feel am not mis-gendering him now after research- was scared I would be called a troll for mentioning pedigree animals and the trans issue! Hw will not be called Lucy, he is used to a certain name and seems bizarre to change it because he is missing a few bits!

OP, what a very sad story about your last rescue. I am glad you were able to give her a good life.

I think Loki qualifies as a rescue too, poor boy. He’s certainly been having a miserable time. I do hope it works out for both of you.

This trangender info was from somone at the local animal shelter where Loki resides. OOh, that is a big cat. My health visitor many years ago said my six month year old child was manipulating me by crying at night and I needed to grow a backbone and stop feeding him at night. She said my last cat had to go as was horrified that she jumped into his pushchair. In shock news, the cat did not go and my child loves cats with a passion.

My beloved Katia.

I think that surgery can be quite successful. I wonder if you might be authorised by them to talk to the vet in question?

Also, have had a very smart ragdoll who brings toys, plays fetch etc. They’re lovely.

I will talking to the manager tomorrow. Looked up pet insurance for pre-existing conditions and it comes up at 18 pounds a month which I can afford if I don't go to the nice pub on Friday.

Presume it will be through the cat shelter. I have already had the microchip form and changed to my address though. I am aware the cat shelter will have paid a lot of money for the surgery. Can't afford to offer to pay it all but will double the fee, take all my clothes to its local charity shop and will try to volunteer on the weekend

Need pics! What toys are your cat's favourite ones?

Your lovely beloved Katia is very like our most beautiful cat, a very elegant, silky glamorous tortoiseshell with a magnificent feathery tail. We always said she was made to tread a sweeping staircase while being worshipped by adoring masses.

She was a vicious, spitting powder puff to any other animal who came near her territory but she would let her tiny sister nudge her aside at her own food bowl without a murmur.

I also ignored suggestions to re-home cats after babies and ended up with DC who love the entire species.

Katia had the best and biggest tail, always proudly held high. I wanted another rescue tortie but thought might compare too much as Katia was the best cat ever. And yes, Katia could be sweet little lap cat and turn back to feral in the blink of an eye. My mum was told to rehome a cat who kept sleeping on my baby sister and she smiled and said 'I've had the cat longer, I'm far more attached to it than the baby'.

Torties have a very, very special place in my heart too. And your mother is a woman after my own heart.

Fingers crossed for you and Loki.

Big hugs to you OP. I do think this thread could be peak MN - trans cats. I would still call they/them Loki but there you go!