Can I get a cat / cats?

[WhatNext24]

I had a cat growing up and just love them. I have wanted one for years but keep thinking my situation is not quite ideal. Am I being to harsh on myself or would it be unfair on a cat to have one? My biggest consideration is whether the cat would ever get lonely, so I would also consider getting a pair if that would help.

Here is what I am weighing up:

Positives:

• I live alone in a good size, ground floor flat (3 beds) with large communal gardens well away from the main road. I have no other pets and any cats could have free roam of my flat and the gardens
• I currently work from home and am around a lot to give plenty of attention
• I have family nearby who would be willing to pop in if I went away for a day or two; alternatively, there are catteries nearby
• I am well aware of all the possible issues (health, etc.). I can afford to insure and take good care of a cat and understand the responsibility entailed
• It would get a lot of love and attention when I am home. I would get a rescue cat and have the patience to nurture a shy or nervous one

Negatives:

• I would like to get back to working from an office, ideally in the next few months / the autumn; if I did that I would not be home all day with the cat (this is the big concern that I have)
• My upstairs neighbours have a massive dog, and there are a few smaller dogs in the building where I live. They have to be kept on leads but I don't know how big a deal this is
• I am single and my circumstances could change. I don't have any overt plans to move etc. but it's always possible I guess. I don't see this as a big issue but throwing it out there anyway.

What do others think - could I look after a cat well enough, or two cats if that would be better?

Thanks for any advice!

Fairly sure you can't put a cat flap in a fire door, technically yes, but legally no.

I would have thought window best bet in a listed building but you would still need permission.

Growing up, we didn’t ever had a cat flap and managed just fine. Our cats went out when we were in and we had a litter tray inside. We don’t have a proper cat flap situation now- there is one into a ‘lean to’ at the back of our house where our cat can shelter if we aren’t in. You could get a cat shelter and keep in outside your patio doors if you had to start being out all day.

So excited for you, OP! Cats are the best.

We don't have a cat flap, and it works fine for now. It does mean we are beholden to the whims and comings and goings of our overlords, but we always know where they are, too.

Might I suggest a mother-kitten pair if that's a possibility? We adopted a duo years ago, the kitten was about 6/8 weeks old and still nursing occasionally. Having a kitten was amazing, but watching her being raised by her mum was interesting! We still laugh about how the mum used to waggle her tail at her kitten for her to pounce on. And how mum would tell her off for getting too rowdy. It was so cute.

The outer building is listed but we can alter anything inside our own properties except the windows, which are original. The door I would put a cat flap in is my own apartment door that is not original and I can do what I want to (only it has to meet fire regulations). That door leads into an entryway. There is a separate original door from the entryway into the garden but that is always open and cannot be closed.

https://hspfireprotection.co.uk/fire-door-components/2325-envirograf-fire-proof-cat-flap-protector.html

This is what I have seen in terms of flap for a fire door. I would check with a fire safety company first.

This is interesting. There is a little patio area just outside that isn't technically mine but in practice is. I could potentially put a little shelter there although it wouldn't keep a cat safe from the dogs!

Oh wow, that's fabulous!
They really do think of everything these days.

Sorry, but you've been misinformed, a listing covers everything within curtilage.

Not sure that applies to the internal doors here. The building was converted in the 90s. The listing on Historic England says that "to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948". The lease also states that the only restriction on alternations within the apartments is regarding the original windows.

Anyway, this is a tangent because I would check before doing anything. The purpose of posting was to understand what a cat/cats would need to be happy.

Ha! Yes. I have also discovered automatic litter trays which did not exist the last time I had a cat!

Oh definitely get two! They're great fun!

I'd recommend the smaller local rescues - they tend to be more knowledgeable about the cats and mix them more. I've got three. First one came from CP, and was in a pen on her own. She'd been straying in a city centre. During the adoption process I'd fallen in love with a kitty in a local rescue, and got her shortly afterwards. She'd been neglected and outdoors 24/7. They don't get on even 2 years later!

Fell in love just after last Christmas with a boy on the same rescue's page, whose owner had died. He had also been used to outdoor access.

All three are happily indoors only with us. They've never looked to go out. Think they're just so grateful to be warm, safe and dry! Bonus is the new boy loves our second girl, and they have such fun!