Adopting a cat

[Cheekystar]

My partner and I are thinking of adopting a cat from a local rescue centre , has anyone got any tips and advice for us?

Thanks

[wolf63]

as long as you obey every order that your new master gives you will be fine.

I have adopted twice - I am easily trained.

Find out what its favourite food is at the centre - it will help if you continue to feed that at least until he/she is settled into the house.

Keep it in for a few weeks before letting it out, you will need a litter tray.

Good luck - you will be trained in no time.

[pussnboots]

I have a rescue cat, he was a scruffy flea ridden 8 week old kitten. He was born in a dustbin and I saw the article in the local paper. I went to the local Cat protection league where he was being looked after. I had to bathe his eyes, clean his ears, de flea him etc. He is now 14 years old, and a big fat cat who is so affectionate. I luv him.

[coco pops]

Just remember you don't own the cat-----The cat OWNS you!!!

[garner]

Oh I agree with wolf and when you go to the rescue centre you will know which cat you are having because he/she will adopt YOU. good luck and many happy times ahead

[wolf63]

Cheekystar - have you decided whether to get a cat?

I am a dog lover and for my entire childhood I wanted a dog. When I was 16 I got a dog and when he died I got another.

But when Robbie died I decided to get a cat because they could be left for longer and were easier to care for. I naively figured they were like dogs - just smaller.

I got my first cat from the Cats Protection and after a week I tried to give him back. It was horrendous. I was off work with depression when I got him and he didn't help. He was an older cat when I got him - maybe 12/13 years. He walked around the house screaming and opening all the cupboards - it was awful. I kept him and we grew to love each other and I was really upset when he died after 5 years.

About a month ago I adopted two - boy and girl siblings. They are about 18 months old. The girl is shy but will bite without warning - the boy is 'chilled' and is fascinated by water. They are my kittie kiddies for the next 20 years. They are evil and mischievous. It is 3am - Frankie was hungry and woke me up to tell me.

Get a cat - soon you will have loads of funny cat stories to tell your pals. They are fascinating animals.

But if I won the lottery I would get a house with a garden and get myself a dog. The terrible twosome would have somebody other than me to bully.

[Cheekystar]

Wolf your so right!! Ideally we would adore a dog, mine now lives a very happy life in wales (he's old and to up root him would now be unfair) as my partner and I work, we figure it'd be unfair on a dog if we got one, and so have settled for a cat.
We would love a youngish cat/s like what you have, and we have been looking around - not much luck yet but we'll hang on

[Dee Sa]

good luck with your adoption.try and find out if your new "child" is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat, then you know whether to leave in or out whilst at work [ a cat flap is the answer but not always possible to instal.]
Pls dont leave you cat out at night there are sooo many foxes out there nowadays and pls dont tell me that foxes wont touch healthy cats , I recently saw a fox on my shed with a small terrified cat in its mouth and could do little to save it, by the time I got downstairs and in the garden they had gone.

[tashare]

You will know by just the way he or she looks at you. You will be the first one to fall in love. He or she will twist you round their little paw. If he is happy with you, you will get his attention when he wants to give it, even at 3 in the morning. dont you just adore these clever furry felines. Try your local cats protection league they have loads looking for a home to take charge of. Your local vet will be able to give you a number to contact they all work with the animal services. My vet has a contact board on the wall with all the cats that get called in and a photo and a little bit about them, perhaps your local vet does the same. Ring round the vets.
happy adoptioning.

[Cheekystar]

Its just finding one thats suitable is the issue, I've called the local vets and pet shops - no joy
Have called cat protection in my area and they are coming to visit - also tried other ones and they said they could not help as they are governed by area, some were really rude to me.

But I am willing to be patient until we find the right one, or rather the right one finds us!!
And dee don't worry I would never leave the cat out at night