Finally got DH to agree!

[CatamaranViper]

So for years and years I've been trying to get DH to agree to us getting a cat and he finally has!

We've both had cats in our family homes when younger so we're familiar with them and their needs. However we've never owned one ourselves.

I'm just at the start of my research so thought I'd come on here to see what advice people might have? Best things to read, things to consider etc?

We are hoping to rescue one as we do have a friend who volunteers at a shelter who says we should be absolutely fine rescuing one. We're not in any major rush, so happy to spend time before making the commitment.

I've rescued several cats but the one we have liked the most personality wise, is a 5 month old tabby that we adopted through a rescue.

I looked through the rescue's website for days and days. I wanted a cat with an affectionate and playful personality, so I looked at thousands of profiles carefully to make sure that his personality matched what I wanted. He is the best cat ever, I guess because he's so young he forgot his past and felt at home in a day. He is now 2 years old and he still behaves like the baby of the house, loves to be with us and to be picked up in the arms.

On the other hand, a friend rescued an 8 month old cat on an "Adoption Day", which is when they have many cats on display at an event. They adopted the cat without seeing a profile or knowing more of her personality and they have struggled with her. The cat was a street cat and now demands to be let outside; otherwise, she starts "destroying" things inside the house.

My point is just take your time choosing a cat to rescue, they are a lifetime responsibility.

As another option you could sign up as a Foster carer of cats (you take care of him/her until it gets adopted) and then you will fall in love with the right one and can adopt him.

Usually rescues pay the vet bills and you only pay the food while fostering, it's very rewarding.

Fostering would be a great way to get to cats and a valuable service.

Just be careful! Once you get one you might start collecting them haha.

Ooooo that's an idea! I'm not sure DH would agree though. I know exactly what he's like and he'd fall in love with the first one, whether they were a good fit or not!

Also, we do have a hamster currently. Had him for around 18 months so I don't actually expect he'll be kicking around much longer BUT if we do end up finding a cat before he goes, any tips for keeping future cat away from him?

Let me put in a plea for a somewhat older black cat from a rescue. They tend to be overlooked and they are such beauties. Kittens are great but they are a lot of work to get socialized and you won't know if you have a cuddler or a more standoffish one until later. With an older one you know what personality you are getting!

I'm not ruling out an older cat. I think in my mind I would prefer a kitten but honestly, I just want a little snuggle buddy.

I have a hamster and two cats. The hamster is behind a locked door. I don't allow them to be in the same room, as it's quite stressful to rodents. But to be honest my two have no interest?

Get two cats.
Rescue mogs are best.
Boys are friendliest (other opinions exist on this one 🤣)
If you planning on indoor cats ensure that the cats are suitable for an indoor only environment.
Keep them out of the hamster room at all times.
Post photos here.

Phew! I don't think I could cope with our little hammy being attacked!

It's taken me 10 years to get DH to agree to one! No way will he let me get two!

I would prefer a house cat but he wants a free roaming cat so we'll end up with a house cat 😁

Will of course post many, many, many photos.

My girls are super friendly and affectionate

Get two black cats which look the same and just claim there's only one but it moves very quickly
🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

Following with interest. Also thinking of getting a cat but have a hamster. We don't have any separate space for it as live in a small flat, so thinking we might have to wait a bit. Our hamster is less than a year though so have awhile!

I have recently adopted an all black eight-year-old rescue cat. He just urgently needed a home so it wasn't exactly a planned decision. He is the loveliest, most gentlemanly, fabulous cat I have ever had. A absolute star.

*I've fostered lots of kittens, they're fun but they grow up so fast.

I think that your best choice is the Foster Cat, this way you can see if the cat gets along with the hamster (or at least doesn't try to kill it) and you get to know their personality before committing to adoption.

I already have a cat, so my next cat will be chosen through Fostering, that way I can ensure that the cats get along before adopting them.

Fostering is really not designed as a way to road test a rescue cat. Lots of issues there.
Usually fosters are kept separate from any resident cats, at least for a quarantine period, @Cherry35.

Hamster can go in the spare room tbh. That room is usually shut anyways because it's an absolute tip and I don't want people seeing it

Is it true that ginger cats are the craziest?

Oh Jesus don't tempt me!!!

I could have a whole pride of cats!

Fostering helps in many ways... I get to help cats that otherwise may get killed. They do get killed on the pounds if the rescue's don't take them, and often the rescues are at capacity and can't take anymore cats.

As a bonus, when we're ready for another cat we can keep one of those Fosters. As a cat owner, my priority is that my current cat gets along with any potential new cat. My cat is indoor only so they would be together all the time.

Cats are separated only during quarantine; afterwards, the fosters get treated equally to my cat, get same food, free roaming of all the house, gets to sleep in our bed if that's what they want, playtime, etc.

We have recently got a young rescue cat, where we live ( USA) you aren't really allowed to rescue a lone kitten they have to come in pairs if you don't already have a cat.
We got a year old ( ish) cat who loves people and hates other cats.
I agree with really thinking what kind of cat you want and asking specifically for that.

Yay I'm pleased for you. This was me last Summer after years of trying, hubby just wouldnt agree. Then our dd desperately wanted a pet too, so think that's what swayed him. So in October we got a kitten from the cat protection(her mum was found pregnant in a hedge). It was the best decision ever, she's absolutely fab and even hubby has developed a soft spot for her. Here she is rocking a red coat(she has recently been spayed)

Beautiful!!! Aw I'm so happy for you too.

God I'm excited!

Remember, Cat Tax .

Kittens look adorable but are an absolute nightmare - tons of energy, wanting to shred everything, need feeding incredibly regularly, and just when you're ready to sell them on eBay they'll hide in the tiniest place and you'll think that you've lost them :( I don't miss the kitten days of my current boy.

Anyway, another vote for an older overlooked cat or a bonded pair, from a rescue.