Thinking of getting a cat...

[MustangLady]

I've recently become single (about 4 months now) and feeling very lonely, so been thinking of getting a cat for company. Its been a long time since i had a pet of any sort (last one was a cat about 10 yrs back), so want to be sure i'm making the right decision. I don't think a dog would be suitable, though i love them, but go out to work very early in the morning (6am) and don't get home till sometimes 5pm, i don't have a suitable garden so wouldn't be fair on a dog. Cat's i know pretty much are independant so would be more suitable for my lifestyle. Could anyone give me any advice before i go ahead? Also i think i'd prefer a grown cat rather than a kitten, so where would be the best place to get one (I'm in Essex) and are there any 'check outs' i need to go thru to get a cat.

[Buenchico]

Cats Protection is the biggest rehoming charity. See here for information:
http://www.cats.org.uk/homeacat/how_to_get_a_c at.asp

However, your local branch of Pets at Home will also have fairly frequent (private) 'free to good home' ads. (Useful if you want to bypass the home visit from Cats Protection or if you'd rather not be put under pressure to make a fairly large donation to the charity). Pets at Home have stores in Basildon, Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow and Southend:
http://www.petsathome.com/storelocator/list-by -region/1412-South%20East%20England

For further possibilities in your area, see here:
http://www.catchat.org/adoption/essex.html

My own choice would always be to get a male cat (because I think that they're far more affectionate than females) but you have to balance that against the problems of 'spraying'. (Male cats tend to be far more likely to scent mark your favourite pieces of furniture than females. The problem is reduced by neutering but it can still occur).

Chris

[sara3]

hi MustangLady. find your local rspca rescue centre and go and have a look. I got my cat, Colin, from ours last year and he is a joy. he has a proper arrogant air about him, and he is much loved. he was short(ish)-haired but by the winter had a magnificent coat, long and swishy! I took my kids, we walked around until we saw him and just knew he was the one for us. he is good company.

go for it :o)

[MustangLady]

Thankyou both, i will take a look at the Pets at Home board this week. Also I will find out my local RSPCA and try them. I have already been advised it better to get a Tom cat so will bear that in mind. I'm looking for an affectionate cuddly cat, who will sit on my lap and keep me company,so wish me luck. Thanks again.

[Nosha123]

Yeah I agree with most here - and if you can.. go for 2... there may be a pair of brother cats out there who dont want to be separated.. that way they have each other for company while you are out for the day.. it is a long time to leave a poor cat all on their own. We had two brothers who ADORED each other.. and sadly lost one last month (died from stomach cancer). We are both devasted and so is his brother.. so we are thinking of waiting a while and then maybe getting a kitten or two to keep him company.

[pbeach]

Get two - preferably kittens, so they can play and grow up together. Avoid the RSPCA like the plague.

[Jugglering]

I recently adopted two gorgeous feline ladies.... one is 8 years old and the other about 20 months now... Unfortunately the older one detests the younger one so if you do go for two, make sure they know each other first and are ok together. I originally intended going for a ginger male kitten but fell in love with my two ladies - so go with an open mind and see which ones you like the look of. With an older cat, what you see is what you get (the rescue centre will be able to describe what s/he is like) whereas with a kitten you don't know what their temperament will be.

I wouldn't be without my two now - my blood pressure has dropped and I can't wait to get home every evening to be with them, they are great fun ! The cuddles and love are more than worth the cat hairs and having to buy cat food !

You may have to have a *home check* by the rescue centre - they will just want to reassure themselves that you have a safe secure home suitable for cats and that they aren't likely to get run over on a busy road or railway line etc.

[Nosha123]

I was so pleased I got 2 kittens from the same litter (both boys) and that they got on so well. I grew up with cats.. but they never got on... at best just tolerated each other.. at worst attacked each other!!! So to have Harvey Pickle Pants cuddling his brother Saff Bag Biscuit Monster.. was just a dream! Its just a shame poor Saf didn't live a bit longer!!!! Only 7yrs old.. and I miss him loads.. such a HUGE personality!!!
sniff sniff.....

[madboutcats]

Go for it MustangLady, just be prepared to be well and truely twisted round their paws, you will be given unconditional love by the bucket load, and if you have any questions all us owned by the furry purries are here to help.

[Prudentia]

you may be lucky enough to be adopted by a cat, in our early sixties we were, our only regret is that it didn't happen many years earlier, he's a georgeous neutered male with the most endearing personality

[Jugglering]

Nosha.... what brilliant names !!!! I am giggling now

Yes MustangLady... be prepared, very prepared to become a slave to your new mistress or master.... now what side of the bed did you say you slept on ? Ha, that will soon change.... You have a sofa... that you actually sit on...Ha, change is a coming there.... What do you do when you get in from work... yep, that's right.. you will be soon be attending to your master or mistresses every need... look, now, your needs come way down the list haha. Supermarket shopping will now be dominated by all the wonderful pouches on offer in Aisle 8 (aka the feeding stations) hehe. However the benefits include lower blood pressure, a happier mentality, lots of contentment and loads of cuddles and fun !

[madboutcats]

A lass i work with was asking me today about a young cat that just walked into her house over the weekend and has made itself at home, she was asking me what she should do as its showing no signs of wanting to leave. I and two other cat owned colleages have come to the conclusion she and her family have been adopted. She is going to put up a sign in her local corner shop in case it is a missing cat as its wearing a collar, but she was saying when it did go out it was only for half an hour at a time, and hid in the kitchen over night where they didnt realise it was in, anns not a cat lover and hasnt actively attracted the cat to her, so everyone agree,..? the cat has adopted her.

[Avatar]

A cat called Colin! Now that's funny!

Get him some friend cats, perhaps they could be called "Big Dave" or "Ian"

[MustangLady]

Thanks all... and i love the names of your cats. I'm planning to go this weekend to a couple of cat rescue centres to see if there is a cat willing to adopt me and really looking forward to seeing them all. I'll let you know how i get on eventually. Wish me luck !

[MustangLady]

Good news everyone. I've adopted an adorable loving female cat, who is approx 7-9 yrs old (unfortunately they don't know definate age). I got her from Battersea Dog/Cat Home in Ash,Kent on Sunday. I went to Chelmsford first but they 'refused' to re-home a cat to me because i was 'outside their area'.. how ludicrous! I thought they would be pleased to re-home a cat regardless of where i came from. They told me my nearest Cat Protection Homes are Tilbury and Basildon, but on calling the numbers they gave me all i got were answer machines where i had to leave a message for them to call me back. I still not received a callback from the Tilbury number. The lady from Basildon suggested i attend one of the re-homing shows held once a month! Anyway made my way to Battersea Cat/Dogs home.. they were great. They let me look around, i had to fill in a questionnaire, then gave me an intense interview lasting about 15-20 mins. They 'matched' me to a couple of cats they already had, one of which i immediately felt affection to on having a look around. (She came to the edge of her cage and offered me her paw thru the cage, she was nudging the door as though asking for attention from me. I didn't get this from the others). Then the lady from the home gave me an opportunity to spend time with her outside her cage whilst they let me ask questions and they asked me more. I sat on the floor and let the cat come to me.They completely went thru her medical checks and any medical conditions she may have had. They told me her temperament and what she likes/dislikes etc. When they / I were happy, I agreed to give her a loving home and they accepted. I've fell in love with her.

[MustangLady]

She'd had 3 previous homes and was a gift to Battersea, the previous owners had to move to rented accommodation and couldn't take her with them. She had not been mistreated in anyway but just needed a loving stable home where she could finally settle down. Her prev owners thought she was a male cat and had called her Bruno! Only on entering the home was it discovered he was a she. I couldn't keep her name Bruno, doesn't suit her. I've renamed her BonnyBoo (aka BooBoo) and she has already settled into her new home with ease. Even now she sits on my lap as i type this message. I work during the day (the home said she was used to being left alone daytime as previous owners did same), and she welcomes me home every night. I love her to bits and think she loves me. She's found the home she rightly deserves and I've found the perfect companion. Thank you to everyone who gave advice. ML xx