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!

THIS! 🤣

However, still a male cat, however thems swings his tail. (I'm sure he'll be thoroughly loved.)

Your previous cat had a very rough start, but it sounds like she had a really good life once she found you.

Hoping for the best for Loki!

I talked to manager today, she referred to Loki as him, thank god! Some utter nonsense about trans cats on the Daily Mail when I googled! He has had his operation, the vet will phone on Monday with details as to his condition. Seventy per cent success rate but if goes wrong or doesn't work, the manager said there might be catheters needed etc and insurance maybe won't touch him. Still really want to give him a home, will ring up insurance company to find out more, have a friend of a friend who apparently had cat with similar condition so will contact her about how she dealt with insurance. Thanks for all being so helpf

Fingers still tightly crossed for Loki and you OP. Good that the manager knew what she was talking about instead of wasting your time with sheer piffle.

My DH cat had this surgery and unfortunately wasn't successful in the long term, it resulted with blockages in his Urinary Tract, were he couldnt wee at all-also a Ragdoll, but this was many years ago - so I'm hoping the procedure is much more successful now. Wishing you and Loki all the best fir the future.

Ps Cat King trees are the best- but expensive

Sorry to hear about your ragdoll, must have been so upsetting. Been looking up to see if insurance will cover him but doesn't look like it. Really not sure of what to do :-(

Oh that’s a hard decision, especially when you’re already fond of him.

I wonder if you could come to an arrangement with the rescue about them assisting with the vets bills relating to this condition - I can’t imagine that many people will take on a cat with these types of problems and no chance of insurance .

That's very difficult, he will definitely need healthcare in the future and it's a question whether you could afford it - is adopting him not an opinion with the charity funding him if he requires future care? Or maybe starting a crowdfunding?

Perhaps the rescue would agree to you fostering him to begin with. Then he’s still covered by them while he recuperates and you figure out if he’s a long term fit.

Sorry fostering was the word I was looking for, not adoption

Thanks all for your advice and help- good idea re fostering, I know that they only foster cats over ten years old though. I am getting concerned reading about the issues (and cost) that Loki might bring. Too much researching on the internet! I had presumed that would just have to pay more for insurance, not to not have his condition covered at all. The nice man at Petplan said ton the phone they would cover him but not for the condition. My partner is not keen as concerned about the cost, which does not help. I sent this email yesterday but not heard back as yet.
Hello,
I was phoned the Friday before last regarding Loki not being able to be neutered again due to an ongoing urinary tract infection, hence why he wasn't neutered last week. I then received a phone last Friday saying that poor Loki had become unwell and had to have a large operation.

I appreciate your phone-call, we are sad we have not been abe to pick him up but understand the reasons and hugely appreciate the effort you are going to to help him.

When my last cat died, I organised seeing my elderly parents down South (priorities!) on the first week of the Easter holidays (Monday 2nd April) and booked tickets. I then saw Loki, reserved him and I thought we would have had weeks to get to know Loki in our home before this.

When we saw Loki, I put in the paperwork that I would put Loki in a cattery for two days (booked for the 9-10 April ) for the time in the Easter holidays that my partner would be driving down south to pick me up after we had all spent some time together and he had spent time with Loki after work but when Loki had settled in with me around more.

Due to Loki needing longer treatment, we are not sure when we can pick him up, my partner will be working in the first week of the Easter holidays but will be around but not all day.

I will not be around due to the planned trip to my parents and am concerned that he might arrive at his new home then have to be on his own as have cancelled cattery on your advice. I can get pet sitter but worried if he becomes poorly, he might not be seen in time.Would it be possible for him to stay at Animal Care until the 10/11th April when I am back, have a week more off work and can give him the attention he needs? Happy to provide food etc. Obviously,understand if that is not possible.

I would appreciate any advice on this,also regarding cat insurance as one has already started despite I have not got him yet and need to change it, possible could you give me the name of Loki's condition so I can ring up insurance company and see If he can be covered?

Lastly, my child has said he will donate all his lego to you as we are aware how much you have spent helping Loki- there is hundreds (at least) of pounds worth. We will bring it up when we are able to.
Hope to hear from you soon and thanks for all your hard work,

What a very lovely DC you have to want to donate his Lego to help pay for Loki’s treatment.

Offering to foster Loki for the long term sounds like a very good idea and I hope the rescue centre is open to it.

He will be much happier with a proper home and family but few people are going to be willing to take on a cat with a high risk of very expensive veterinary bills so his chances of a full adoption have plummeted.

On the other hand staying in rescue should only be a short term option. It isn’t kind to him to prolong it indefinitely. And it blocks space for another cat - goodness knows there are too many looking for homes at the moment.

If the rescue was willing to fund his initial treatment I would think there is a chance it would agree to help with any further treatment his condition requires. Otherwise it is all too likely it will be left with a beautiful but un-adoptable cat.

I really hope something can be worked out.

Good luck.

Thankyou, and yes, DS is a star!
I have not yet offered to foster Loki (although tempted) as seems like taking the mick after they spent so much money on the surgery rather than having him put down. He would still not be well enough to come here instantly as surgery was on Friday, takes a while to recuperate from and I have still not be asked to get him. I have said I can have him in a week on Monday, the second week of Easter holidays when I return, after he has hopefully recovered. My email from Monday has not been answered, I missed a call from them this evening, not been able to return it as answerphone so sent private message on their facebook page. Will keep you posted :-)

@Ghostofborleyrectory have you heard anything from them and are you still getting him ?

I am still getting him, going to try and put money aside each month in case of any vets bills. He is aparently doing well after operation and using litter tray. Can't get him for two weeks due to recovery from surgery and needing stitched removed etc.

Good news and a good plan.

My lovely boy has had no recurrence yet five years after having to be catheterised three times for a UTI. At the time I didn’t think he was going to survive.

Good plan , hopefully now he’s had the surgery there won’t be anything too expensive in the future .

Rescued mine at 7 yo on the day lockdown was lifted. You need a groomi and a car-pet (see amazon for the latter ) Mine are tiny. Only 3.8kg

Glad he ok now, must have been super stressful for you both!

❤So beautiful and thanks for recommendations, will look on Amazon now :-)

They are gorgeous cats, very friendly and food motivated. They do apparently put on weight easily, particularly after being neutered. I would have a lot of treats for the first few weeks to help him settle in and bond. They really do crave attention, ours is always around and on us. I used to think it was ultra important for cats to be free range (we are in a quiet country location). Have had so many warnings about rag dolls having zero stranger danger and being stolen. Can you make your garden cat proof - chicken wire around the top of the fence, etc. Otherwise I have heard of people having runs (like an aviary, particularly good attached to a window/patio door) in their garden, so the cat can at least spend time outside.

We are in urban area but not hugely busy, opposite park though so quite a few dogs and many other cats- am looking at getting area of yard fenced off as do feel sad at thought of him being in all the time despite the fact he must be used to it now. I have bought Dreamies. Can come home at lunchtime too as work ten mins walk away for and home at half three every day- my old cat used to be on my lap before I had even sat down. I do worry about the safety issue, talked to my child about being careful leaving doors ajar etc. Thanks for tips :-)

He has finally be allowed to come to his new home!

Oh, he is beautiful!

And huge! I hope he isn’t too big to be a lap cat. Your DS looks so excited.