Will a rescue let us adopt if we have a dog?

[Coasteroller]

We are thinking of getting a kitten or a young cat from a rescue but we already have a dog who has never lived with a cat.
She does chase cats who come into the garden or if she sees one when out but when one has been sitting still in the garden she’s not been bothered and also has lived with guinea pigs and never paid them much attention.

We’d be able to keep them separate for as long as necessary (although I’m not sure how it will work if the cat wants to go outside at will?)

I’ll be honest and say it’s my 16 year old daughter driving this as she’s been absolutely desperate for a cat for years and it will be good for her. I trust her to take most of the responsibility for it but obviously it’s my house and my dog so I need to be on top of it.

The rescue will state if the cat can live with a dog, they will arrange a meet n greet and it will be on the rehoming paperwork. If your dog already chases cats it doesn't sound ideal but you do hear stories of them becoming close friends.

They tend to find any reason to not let you have one.

Here's a FAQ from one near me

I have a dog - can I rehome a cat?
Many of the animals we see at Battersea thrive in homes where they’re the only pet so it could take us longer to match you with a cat to suit your home environment and your dog. We always want to ensure the health and happiness of all the animals involved, including your current pets.
Rescue pets are the best pets, so if you’d like to expand your search, you’ll find a list of other rescue centres who may be able to find you an animal here.
Types of cat

Yes although it may take longer to find one. Cats Protection has a filter where you can search specifically for cats who can live with (ie have previously lived with) dogs. Of course this is no guarantee that it will work out with your particular dog.

I would tell your DD that if you do get a cat it is on a trial basis and if either dog or cat is not happy after a settling in period then the cat will need to be rehomed.

I would suspect an adult cat (age 3+) is more likely to work out, although take the rescue’s advice.

We rehomed a pair of kittens last year from Battersea Old Windsor, when we already had a Golden Retriever. I wasn’t optimistic they were going to be able to find something for us, but in the end, we got a super pair of kittens they felt would be suitable (and this was after me asking after a previous pair, which they didn’t think would be a good temperament to live with a dog).
They couldn’t have got it more right - the kittens adore the dog, and the dog loves to play with the kittens (though maybe she wishes they wouldn’t invade her personal space so much sometimes 😂).
Our dog has never barked at cats, but does love to chase a squirrel. She also shouts at the horses behind our house 😬 She is so good with the kittens though, they are all very relaxed together.

Yes I wondered if an older cat might be better at holding its own.

we have several local rescues so will see what they say. I’m in no hurry so happy to wait for one that would work.

The link I posted has a page for searching for a rescue centre near you. Might not be of interest to OP.

I rehomed an adult cat (not a senior but a few years old from an individual) and he was very happy and much loved here for over 10 years.

Depending where you are I foster in South Yorkshire and they state if it is a dog friendly cat. Some cats live in foster with dogs so have been trialled

If your dog chases cats then I would be very wary.
And at 16 she could be moving out in the next few years. A cat can live for 20 plus years. She should wait until she moves out.

And at 16 she could be moving out in the next few years. A cat can live for 20 plus years.
Cats are fairly easy as pets go, but they need regular flea and worm treatments, and have litter trays.
They also need looking after if you go away for a few days etc.

Do not adopt a cat unless the whole family is ok about it.

I very much doubt she will be moving out in the near future if at all! And if she does she’ll want to take the cat with her.. And if she can’t for some reason then the rest of us will be fine with that.
hmm-I thought the chasing cats in the garden would be less of an issue. Our old dog with a much higher prey drive and would go crazy if a cat came into the garden went to a dog sitter once who bizarrely hadn’t told us she had multiple cats in the house and he was apparently fine with them indoors!
But will see what the rescue say..

What kind of dog do you have @Coasteroller and how old are they? It would be good to start working on some impulse control training, things like wait / leave it/ stay etc as well as try to teach them not to chase cats in the garden.

There is a cat available for adoption via the sanctuary I volunteer for. His adoption advert explicitly states that he wants to live with a dog because he loves them! Happy to PM you details if you are interested

Rescue centres often seem to want to re-home cats in pairs.

Ah that’s cute! We are going to see some in a foster home who are currently living with a dog. They’ve said we can take our dog with us to see how she reacts.