How soon is too soon…?

TheHorneSection · 2024-10-14T12:53:48+00:00

As in, it’s only been a fortnight but the rescue centre where we got the cat we put to sleep has said they have another very shy boy who might fit in with us. He is VERY gorgeous. 7yo was so close to former rescue and already talks about another one. But sole cat here probably prefers being on her own and aaaargh I wish I hadn’t seen photos yet. I can already see him with a new name!

Penguinsa · 14/10/2024 14:20

It's fine, there's no set time, just post a picture or 10 when you bring him home.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 14/10/2024 16:01

We adopted our boy very quickly after having our girl put to sleep - I was utterly mad with grief and couldn’t bear it. He’s a wee thug who couldn’t be more different to our beautiful gentle girl, and six months on (almost to the day) he is 100% the right cat, even if he did bring two mice last night (one dead, one running round the kitchen) and try to swipe my lunch from my plate earlier. I’m not at all woo, but I really believe she sent me him.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 14/10/2024 16:18

The cat distribution system always knows best - it’s clearly meant to be.
(we also need pictures when you bring him home)

CatChant · 14/10/2024 16:38

The right time is when you feel it’s the right time. Never think getting another cat means you are being disloyal to the memory of the last one. It simply means the cat-shaped hole they left is too unbearable to leave empty.

Original poster

TheHorneSection · 14/10/2024 16:48

Gah, it’s so hard! We’re trying to weigh up and pros and cons but I can see the kids are leaning towards a yes… Maybe it is a sign, the rescue having one so similar so soon? (Personality wise…)

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Original poster

TheHorneSection · 14/10/2024 16:54

This photo didn’t help…

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outforawalkbiatch · 14/10/2024 17:23

3 days after my last cat
I rang his old fosterer to tell her he had gone, she said oh I have my own charity now, and I just had a cat come in weirdly that reminds me of your old boy
He was home with me 4 days later and the best cat

BuzzieLittleBee · 14/10/2024 17:28

We got a new cat within a few weeks. The house wasn't right without a cat. Our previous cat was on borrowed time for months though, so we did all our grieving for her before she died.

It did take me quite a while to love the new cat. She was so different to our old girl, and I thought she just wasn't quite as 'good'. But OMG I love the bones off her now. She's such a lovely cat and I couldn't be without her.

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 14/10/2024 18:10

outforawalkbiatch · 14/10/2024 17:23

3 days after my last cat
I rang his old fosterer to tell her he had gone, she said oh I have my own charity now, and I just had a cat come in weirdly that reminds me of your old boy
He was home with me 4 days later and the best cat

Love this 💖. A house is too quiet without a furry overlord. I never intend to be a cat-less house.
Gorgeous cat OP.

TheLongRider · 14/10/2024 18:23

OP - does your rescue allow "Foster to Adopt"? That can be a fantastic way to work out if the cat is suitable for your other cat. I have fostered cats for a number of years and I have "foster fails" - I kept the cat, because they've been exactly the right cat for my household and other cats. Other foster cats I have merrily sent on their way to their new homes with a full report on their likes and dislikes!

Fostering is great for you and the cat/kitten. You give the cat space away from the shelter environment and help their socialisation. Some cats are very personable in the shelter and right little thugs when they get home! There's a saying - " Three days to relax from the shelter environment, three weeks to get comfortable in their new surroundings, and three months to be properly settled".

If the shelter lets you foster the new cat, it might be really worthwhile. If it doesn't work out, you can tell your kids that you were giving the cat a holiday from the shelter and a chance to meet people, play with toys in a proper house and have a good time.

outforawalkbiatch · 14/10/2024 18:24

@Allthecatseverywhereallatonce old boy and new boy

Original poster

TheHorneSection · 14/10/2024 18:43

TheLongRider · 14/10/2024 18:23

OP - does your rescue allow "Foster to Adopt"? That can be a fantastic way to work out if the cat is suitable for your other cat. I have fostered cats for a number of years and I have "foster fails" - I kept the cat, because they've been exactly the right cat for my household and other cats. Other foster cats I have merrily sent on their way to their new homes with a full report on their likes and dislikes!

Fostering is great for you and the cat/kitten. You give the cat space away from the shelter environment and help their socialisation. Some cats are very personable in the shelter and right little thugs when they get home! There's a saying - " Three days to relax from the shelter environment, three weeks to get comfortable in their new surroundings, and three months to be properly settled".

If the shelter lets you foster the new cat, it might be really worthwhile. If it doesn't work out, you can tell your kids that you were giving the cat a holiday from the shelter and a chance to meet people, play with toys in a proper house and have a good time.

Now that is a really good idea, we can say we’ll see how he gets on in a house environment and with an older cat but if either want to be a solo cat we can keep fostering until they find a new home.

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Toddlerteaplease · 14/10/2024 18:46

I've always adopted quickly, I find it helps move on. The new cat is never a replacement, but they fill a gap.

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 14/10/2024 19:20

@outforawalkbiatch love the name! It's like something a cat would say. Beautiful boys. I have two blackish cats, they are so underrated 💖

Ihatemondays1962 · 14/10/2024 19:27

Rescues are so overrun with cats at the moment. Please take on another cat if you can.

Overtheatlantic · 14/10/2024 19:31

6 weeks was all I could handle and it was fine. Our current madam has filled the hole in our hearts but her predecessor is still much loved.

Original poster

TheHorneSection · 14/10/2024 20:20

Ihatemondays1962 · 14/10/2024 19:27

Rescues are so overrun with cats at the moment. Please take on another cat if you can.

This is also playing on my mind!

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Scandigirl48 · 14/10/2024 20:24

My boy had been ill for weeks when he was pts and he was 18 so expected but still so sad. I lasted 2 days before I called the rescue and brought 2 kittens home 2 weeks later. They are very different from my boy. I still miss him and don’t feel like I replaced him, but I cannot live in a home without a cat. i feel like loving my new kittens does not diminish my love for him. I miss him cuddling up with me at night which the kittens don’t do yet, but they bring their own personalities and are busy wrecking my house!

Original poster

TheHorneSection · 15/10/2024 20:09

So we might be meeting him on Saturday and the kids MIGHT have chosen a name already…

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TheLongRider · 15/10/2024 20:13

Best of luck. I have a grey and white menace who looks very like your new cat. He is very pretty and knows it, as a result he is a total diva!

Ihatemondays1962 · 15/10/2024 20:20

Great news OP, glad to hear you are offering him a home.

CatChant · 16/10/2024 10:23

He really is gorgeous. I hope he will be a comfort to you and the DC, and it is lovely to think he will have a good home.

Original poster

TheHorneSection · 19/10/2024 19:13

Well that was a fairly swift decision… Meet Atticus, coming home in a fortnight!

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CatChant · 19/10/2024 19:19

Lovely boy. May he have a long and happy life with you.

Anniegetyourgun · 19/10/2024 19:33

Such a lovely little face! Fingers crossed your old girl takes to him. Take it slowly, but you know all that...

Oh, and Atticus is an ace name.