rehoming a cat, dos and don'ts?

[swedeheart]

I'm trying to help the friend of a friend rehome her lovely tom. I'd love to take him on myself but he wouldn't be able to come and go as he's used to as I live smack dab in the middle of Stockholm:'( He'd be confined to indoors.

What should we think about when searching for a new slave for him? "Tom" is nine years old and used to jumping onto the ground from the balcony (ground floor). He doesn't have his bits anymore.He's an only cat and not used to dogs other than the ones he probably dodges daily on his excursions. There isn't all that much traffic where he has lived so far.

Will he be able - at his age - to learn a new "map"? Is it okay if there are other cats in the household already? Tomcats, she-cats? If there are females that haven't been sterilised, will that be an utter frustration to him? :'(

And so on. Anything you can contribute to help us make the right choices will be appreciated! TIA, will be back tomorrow to check your replies.

[ladybirder]

Are we talking about rehoming him in this country?

[swedeheart]

No, sorry, Sweden:)

[Buenchico]

He needs to go to another home where he's the only cat. That will stop the inevitable fights (and almost inevitable 'spraying' as each cat tries to mark the house as his/her own property). Further it will avoid the problem of trying to keep free access available (e.g. via a cat flap) to the original cat, while keeping the new arrival locked in for a while.

He needs somewhere without to much traffic and, ideally, a cat flap. However it will be important to keep him locked in for a fortnight or so, while he gets to know his new home. (Don't forget the litter tray!).

When he's ready to venture outside, try to watch him (and quickly bring him back if he's getting a little too adventurous) on the first couple of occasions but leave him to it after that. Don't worry, he'll soon work out where he fits into the local feline hierarchy and find his way around.

Chris

[welshlibranr]

We moved with our neuteredTom 3 times, he adapted straightaway!.........found his way home easily, didn't even keep him indoors for a day or two!..........he was fine!......as for the other cats, who knows!...............he may or may not decide to tolerate them!..............

[dotty.]

My Tom, Tom, moved here with us 3 years ago after 11 years from a kitten in the old house (he was born there) and he loved it here straight away and even deigned to stay indoors for hours at a time! You'll have to be very specific about his needs when trying to find a home for him.
I would let the local cat rescue places know about him as they will help you find a home and people come to them when they want a cat:
http://www.katter.nu/sv/katthem.htm

[ladybirder]

Remember this cat is being rehomed not moving with his current family. Big difference.

[askyourgran]

Best to find someone who has a similar life-style to the one he is used to if you can, with no other animals. Our Tom was neutered and was fine when we moved (3 times), he adapted to his new surroundings quite quickly, I watched him go outside and left the door open for him (no catflap) for a couple of days and he was pretty good at keeping his territory cat free. Nine years old is a bit middle aged so he'll need to have a nice quiet place to sleep (my cat always crept onto the end of my bed or slept in the crook of my legs when he thought I was asleep) and the new owners will have to know his favourite foods and any habits he has, maybe his own food bowls and soft toy etc. will help to make him feel at home.

[swedeheart]

Thanks guys, this is invaluable. My heart is breaking as I really want him myself but I want what's best for him and that would be a slave with a house and a garden:) Between you, you have answered so many of my questions. I'll print this thread out once the replies have stopped and hand it over to his Mummy. Dotty I'm stunned - how the hell d'ya do that? Great link!

[wolf63]

Don't totally discount the possibility that he might actually like living with you as an indoor cat. Although they don't like their routines changed they are adaptable animals.

My first cat was a stray when I was adopted by him - the Cats Protection (brilliant charity) people said that he had been straying for some time. He was an older that your little tom but he adapted to the life of an indoor cat with no problem.

I suppose it depends on whether you are in the house a lot each day and not left alone for long periods of time. If I am out too long my two make their feelings known - they meet me at the door and scream abuse at me.

;-)

[swedeheart]

Ah bless you Susan xx I really want him... but in addition to not being able to let him out I also live in a shoebox... i.e. my place is so small and he's used to a big apartment with a balcony... Then on the other hand, he is getting older. And I'm at home a lot, so that's good... Have you ever heard of a cat that old learning (and enjoying) to walk in one of these (don't know what they're called in English so I'm posting a piccy) http://i52.tinypic.com/2n6dlzp.jpg ? Give my love to Frankie and Princess Merlin please:) /Kit

[swedeheart]

(The photo is from a blog, not "my" tom.)

[wolf63]

I 'think' that we just call them halters. I have never seen a cat on one and nobody that I knows uses one. I would imagine that convincing the cat to walk in a straight line would be hard.

I live in a town that used to be a city and wants to be one again - Perth. There area about 54,000 people in the city/town. So when I say that I live in the city centre it isn't as busy as a large city. But the roads are still busy and it isn't safe for my two to go out.

I am lucky that I have a larger flat, it is on two floors and is big enough for me and the two furry idiots. They just love taking wallpaper off the walls and removing woodwork from door frames.

It is a shame that Mr Tom has to find another home - but I am sure that he will adapt to whatever happens to him. He is middle aged but not too old.

I better go and see what the big bang coming from upstairs was - do you think that it was cat related?

[swedeheart]

I'd be very surprised if it weren't! / Yes you're probably right about the halters... :'( I wouldn't accept one if I were a cat. Your flat sounds lovely, I'm coming there and bringing "Tom" with me;)