Oh help me, I looked at the "cats needing homes" page!

[SureJanOK]

Hello all

My 18 yr old cat died peacefully 3 weeks ago following kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. I have been surprised how "ok" I've been. I think I did all my grieving these last 7 months since she was diagnosed.

I've been away twice already since, just for a couple of days. And I'm booked to go on a city break 26-28 July. I had had in my mind also to go to the USA end of Sep which is my next annual leave. The only major thing still on my bucket list tbh (I'm 41). And then to look into adopting another cat when I came back. I've not had any holidays for years, they've never been that high on my list of priorities, esp when the cat was older.

But I STUPIDLY looked at the "Cats Needing Homes" page on my local rescue. And there's a 12 year old there who's been at the rescue for nearly 2 months already. She looks ideal for me. (Wants to be a single cat in a quiet adult home with garden).

What to do?!!!!!!!

Assuming I went, met her and fell in love...I wouldn't want to immediately go away for the weekend.

And SHOULD I get the US trip out my system? Or save up for a few years more (it would clear out my savings).

I'd feel SO AWFUL if I came back from the US and she was still there and I ended up adopting her then. She would have had to wait MONTHS for me.

I live alone and have never used catteries or pet sitters. I have SOME family but not sure I'd trust anyone enough with my baby!

Should I phone the rescue and see what they say?!

Also am I crazy to adopt a 12 year old and set myself up for another load of heartache and expense in just another few years?

Thanks

Whereabouts are you? The London rescue I volunteer for usually has several adult cats who would rather be solo.

@EmpressaurusDeiGatti England. The few solo adult cats I have seen advertised tend to be needing an adult-only home?

Mostly cause cats love companionship

A little more precise than "England" perhaps? E.g. I know of a rescue in Kent that may well rehome a solo adult, but that's no use if you live in Newcastle or Manchester!

@JennyWI Iappreciate that, but our budget won't stretch to caring for two. Cats are expensive when everything factored in.
@Allergictoironing East Midlands.

Try https://catchat.org for rescues in your area. You can filter the Cats needing homes page by location.

Izzy is a much "taller" cat than my last cat. I got a right fright today when I realised she'd crept up to my work chair and stood up on her back legs. Her face was nearly in my face!

I'm slightly concerned that she's learned how to nag for food. I MUST BE STRONG!!!

Have you tried the Ashbourne Ark?

I know exactly what you mean about a "tall" cat! My three are all tall, but my friend's three are really stumpy and close to the ground. Mine can reach the kitchen counter easily when they stand on two legs and have always got their noses into something! 😁

@Dashel Thank you. Just Googled where that is but over 1.5 hours away.

Just a quick update as don't want to derail... visiting a cat in foster care on Thursday! So excited! 🐈 😻

Oh exciting news . Hopefully you;ll meet your New Overlord

That’s fantastic news, good luck!

Exciting news! Izzy sends adoption glitter your way!

Izzy has vomited on the bed a few times in the early hours of the morning. I'm going to cut down on the treats I usually give her last thing at night. She has also vomited once in the morning, straight after eating. I suspect she's gobbling too much/too fast.

Her stools are also quite loose. But been like that the whole time I've had her.

She's eating and drinking fine as well as purring, playing and grooming herself so I don't think she's actually ill.

But I'll certainly be mentioning all observations when the vet visits for another check up in a few weeks. And might even bring that forward if the vomiting is persistent.

Get her a raised tilted bowl to see if that helps with puking after eating

This won't help with gobbling wet food, but I've used this with some of my cats to slow them down when eating kibble. www.amazon.co.uk/PetSafe-Food-Dispensing-Interactive-Dispenser-Activity/dp/B0018CG40O

Thanks both. She already eats out of raised tilted bowls (got them for last cat) and showed zero interest in a similar puzzle feeder.

She's a wee bugger!!!

Something I have noticed is that her fur is a lot nicer than when I first got her. It was sort of greasy and spiky then. Now it's a lot more soft and silky.

Google tells me it's probably an improved diet and her grooming herself better (perhaps because she's happier)

@SureJanOK Never underestimate the difference you make to a rescue!
I took on an elderly rescue dog nobody else wanted and had the pleasure of her company for about five years. I have two photos - one the day I got her and one about three days before she passed away peacefully of old age - and the difference in her face makes me know I made the right choice. It really is so beautiful 😍

@Youthiswastedontheyoung I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!

My first foster cat was incredibly nervous. The rescue didn’t know what happened to her before they found her, but she’d obviously learned to be scared of people.

After she’d been with me for about a week I was allowed to make a fuss of her, but for the three months she was with me she ALWAYS hid when anyone else came into the flat, & never went on the furniture, even when invited.

Until a couple came whose cat had just died of old age, and who were looking for a ‘difficult’ cat who needed a home. She came out from under the sofa and sat and stared at them.

When I got the video a few months later of the cat curled up between them on their sofa, purring, I cried.

I've been giving the Rescue updates and they are so pleased to hear she's happy & healthy! They were like "she hated it in here, thank you so much for taking her" and I'm like "no, thank you for looking after her those 2.5 months"!

My two cats were born in someones garden, they were fed (well the Mum was ) by a kind homeowner who contacted the CPL to have them caught and taken onboard .

Like the George Micheal song "Different Corner" it makes me think what would've happened without that chain of events .
Female would've had one litter after another and Male would've been in fights/knocked over /bullied out of town.

They are not the most sociable of cats (understatement) but they happily co-habit with us enjoy regular meals , garden, warm house and 4 Cat Slaves .
They like to sleep on our bed and enjoy the Life of Riley

Izzy had a lot of "I am Not" and "I Want/Need" on her Rescue Profile didn't she .( No kids/No Cats/No Dogs ./ Quiet Adult Home ) but it was what she was used to with her previous owner and she must've been so confused in Rescue .
It is so heartwarming that you have replicated the loving home environment for her .

They don;t make too many demands , really