Cat adoption - what if you don't have a spare room?

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Since we lost Harry in April I've looked at rescues and spoken to some but it seems to be getting harder and harder to adopt. One I spoke to said we had to have a separate room for the cat so I explained we have a one bedroom flat with one living room where we sit and I work, one bathroom and the kitchen. They suggested the bedroom but a) I'm not having a litter tray in there and b) where are we supposed to sleep if the cat needs it's own room for a month?!

I wasn't asked about a spare room when we adopted Harry, he arrived, got out of his carrier, found his food and litter and settled down! I understand not all cats are like that and I have no objection to them hiding but short of building an extension for the cat I can't provide it's own room!

Yes, we said the cats wouldn't be allowed on beds. That didn't last long.

None of my cats have ever minded having food or water near their litter trays.

Mine neither. If there's nowhere else to put them that works then I don't see the issue.

We didn’t have a dedicated new cat room - although we do have a spare room we could have used. Our cat hid under the sofa for about an hour, but by the end of the night was up on my lap. She slept behind the living room curtains (?) for a few days but other than that was pretty much right at home.

Six years on, she is currently sitting on top of the shed, having just snacked on some white fish I baked in the oven for her while I was making our dinner. I think she’s doing okay.

Apparently it’s something to do with the food contaminating the water in the wild. Another load of rubbish as far as I’m concerned!

My kitten has his own room. He sleeps there at night otherwise neither the older cat nor I would get any sleep at all.

Sometimes I tell him I'll take him up to his room to think about his behaviour. 😂

He has the run of the house the rest of the time. I hope he'll calm down a bit when he can go out (not long now).

I now have a image of a nervous car hiding under a bed blinking it's head lights and twitching it's exhaust pipe 😃.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat if you give us a rough idea where you are we could point you in the direction of local rescue centres that don't have them batshit rules

I went to Battersea Old Windsor today to drop off some bits we no longer need. It would have been easier to break into Fort Knox! Buzzed at the gates to get in as they are lost, someone came out to meet us in the car park, we dropped the bits off and were given instructions on how to leave - we couldn’t have looked around the shop if we wanted to! I don’t know if they thought I was going to break into the cattery and make off with a cat!

You must be very local to me Pink? All our four came from OW as we live within a few miles of it. Don't suppose you want a bad tempered stripey cat (in disgrace) do you? No house checks required 🤣.
Being serious I'm really disappointed that OW is no longer open to the public (havinf not reopened since Covid). We'd quite often go down there, pay our £2 entry, see the cats and buy something on the shop.

We're a few miles away as well so yes, we must be close!

Just after we lost Harry in April we took loads of food and could just drive in and walk in the shop so all this high security is new since April. We couldn't go and see the cats but at least we felt welcome! I think it's sad that you can no longer just go in.

Do consider adopting from abroad.

We did an application form and a video walkaround of our home. Then we had a Zoom call and lots of communication/videos and updates from the rescuer/fosterer.
All the paperwork and logistics were handled by the UK charity and the wonderful, dedicated volunteers in UAE.

We now have 2 beautiful, healthy young cats. They're neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
Our adoption was overseen by www.facebook.com/ClanMcCatScotland.

I follow them on FB and it's definitely something I'm considering @MockneyReject. Some of the stories are heartbreaking. We're probably thinking of getting a cat in October/November to fit in with our holidays so I'll keep looking to allow for flight times if we go down this route. Was it an easy process?

I think my biggest worry about adopting an ex street stray is I know a lot of them have issues with food and trying to get the food off your plate. I understand the reasons and I know it's not their fault but I can't cope with it as it's not something I've come across before! I suppose it's a question to ask a rescue and hope they are honest.

The process was easy enough for me, PinkSparkly, but there is a lot going on at the other end.
The rescuers/foster carers/UK charity volunteers/pet taxi driver etc, are amazing. They really are. The real time updates during the run up to the flight and the journey, showed just what a feat of organisation it all is.
They set up a WhatsApp group for video calls and we were updated, all the way. We could talk to other adoptees, whose cats were on the same flight.
My two are beautiful, healthy, young cats. Fully vaccinated, neutered and chipped. They've been here 3 days, and were shy for the first hour. They are very bonded, as they're the only surviving siblings from their litter. So, no fighting, but my girl didn't like other cats, when she was in a multi cat foster.
They are remarkably unscathed by their rubbish start in life, and their multiple moves between fosters.
I'm so glad I went down this route.

www.facebook.com/desertpawstotheUK

fb.watch/l_0CLMJCb_/

https://instagram.com/karenscatcommunity?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

i follow these guys on TikTok (their Instagram doesn’t do them justice) but they might help - they are based in Wales but “deliver” cats all over the UK to the right homes and do amazing work for a tiny independent rescue.

Some of the privately run rescues are run by eccentric individuals who just like to collect cats and get their upkeep paid for by charitable donations! Personally I don’t like the idea of flying animals thousands of miles. Have you thought about adopting an ex breeding cat? A home with enclosed garden would be looked on favourably as many can’t roam. Or try another rescue. could you cat room be the kitchen or bathroom? You need to put their food, litter somewhere, where would you usually put it? I think if you had existing pets having a separate room is important but as an only pet I wouldn’t take it too seriously

Thanks @MockneyReject, definitely something to consider when we're ready.

@BungleandGeorge I have thought of an ex breeding cat as I love British Shorthairs. Harry's litter tray was in the bathroom and we used to feed him in the kitchen until he got older and we fed him in the living room as it was warmer for him and closer to his bed. That wouldn't really work as a 'cat room' though as we have to go through the kitchen to get to the bathroom, the kitchen is tiny and we don't have a kitchen door! Our maisonette has an annoying layout where you have to go through the living room to get to the kitchen and the kitchen to get to the bathroom.

I think I'll just lie. It's not as though we have a huge space for the cat to be overwhelmed by!

'Personally I don’t like the idea of flying animals thousands of miles.'

I didn't (don't) either. But no-one wants them, there. Rescuers are just dedicated, overwhelmed, individuals.
They are rounded up and dumped - or worse. Kittens get separated from their mothers, and starve. Unneutered males fight - there are so many with missing eyes/ears/tails.
The journey is just one long, hard day. Life as a street cat in UAE is much longer and harder.

www.oipa.org/international/dubai-hell-for-strays/

I used to be against it as well until I started following some of the rescues in the UAE. It's heartbreaking what they go through and I certainly haven't ruled out adopting from abroad

I'm trying to adopt with numerous rescues in south Wales. Getting turned down due to having a young child (nearly 3 but cat savvy gentle for her age) I understand the reasoning but it's disheartening we have a loving home waiting while 1 or 2 cats are waiting for theirs.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats I had a call from Battersea last week with 2 potential cats for us!

One was a 17.5 year old girl who looks lovely but I can't deal with a really old cat so soon after losing Harry. The other one was a little boy who looks adorable on the website but has a list of health problems as long as my arm and will have a shortened life span. I would also be responsible for all his vet fees and obviously he'll be uninsurable so that was a no as well unfortunately.

OK neither one was suitable this time but at least we're now on the list!

That's a very good sign Pink. I'd start phoning them every week until they give in and find you a suitable kit.

Mind you Battersea do have previous for offering cats that are less than optimal choices. When we were looking for a couple of kittens last time we'd said we didn't mind what colour or sex they were but given a choice we wouldn't select black cats as we already had one. Cue being offered Karl and Lenny. I think Battersea saw us coming 🤣

This is the site I used to find my cat. If you click on 'Adopt a Cat' and then on your county, you will find pics of cats that need homes. If you click on 'Find a Shelter' and then on your county, you'll find a list of rescue organisations you might not know about other than Battersea. Good luck!

I didn't think I was quite ready to get my cat for my new home, but couldn't resist a bit of 'window shopping' - you can guess how that ended! 😂

CatChat.org

I rehomed an ex-stud cat who was 2 years old when I got him. He was apparently useless as a stud, which I can quite imagine, he does absolutely nothing.

He's a beautiful British short hair boy, the breeder asked me a few questions and told me I couldn't bring him back for a month as he'd already been returned twice (god knows why, he's honestly the easiest pet ever) . Anyway, he settled in right away and I love him so much, he's the best £150 I've ever spent.

May I recommend Karen’s cat community on tiktok and Facebook for any of you looking for a non crazy criteria rescue! Wales based but their furthest adoption so far is Essex as they’ll deliver anywhere for the right home and are completely over their heads atm as they’re the only operating rescue in their county as even cats protection don’t operate there. This is not them btw! Just followed them a few months back and If our dcat would accept another I’d have one in a heartbeat but I don’t think even a kitten would sway him

You’d think more rescues would be more reasonable considering they’re overrun and turning away so many atm because they can’t home enough when this is exactly why when there are perfect homes waiting. The amount of dogs and cats I’ve seen recently posted in neighbourhood groups and Facebook because they’re about to be put down if no one can take them on as every rescue has turned them away breaks my heart when so many already in rescue would have the right homes if it wasn’t just a case of computer says no and more case by case depending on how that particular animal would suit that home.

I think some rescues will continue to assist with medic bills after you adopt. Have you looked at London Inner city kitties they have some gorgeous ones at the moment https://linktr.ee/londoninnercitykitties?fbclid=PAAaYpVgnVOyhn2Vuxe3It6eUrO0SMpHuOwp3TJMfkicAMb_VMffiVJR4DqE4

@Crzy i recommended Karen up thread - my heart actually broke when Pansy was pts.