Rescuing a cat

1 day to go.

Rooms ready. Just got to pick the nepeta to scatter around - I’ll do that in the morning.

Just to say, surprisingly all the twos were reserved. There were two siblings that were absolutely beautiful, I’ve never seen such beauties - just opening one eye as we peered in.

Any unwanted animal would be grateful for a lovely loving home.

After losing my last of 9 cats over the years could not face living with another then losing them or worse as I am older now, them losing me. Spent too much time with pictures of Poppy & crying over her as I thought she was the most perfect little love ever! Then found a beautiful big fluffy 12 year old indoor boy! How no one wanted him I cannot imagine! To me he is perfect too! Doesnt like being brushed & refuses to leave the carrier at the Vets sitting growling & threatening. How he goes from quiet & lovely to demon in seconds is unbelievable but he is now my best friend & comfort! So definitely adopt another cat. There will be the right one just waiting for you!

I have a cat that I rescued from Corfu (basically kept coming round to our apartment so in the end, after arriving back home, I flew back to get her). My son and his wife had a difficult-to-place FIV cat for many years who died 18 months’ ago. They were devastated. After a little while, they decided to foster cats from the CPL - a service the CPL were thrilled they could do (they have always had indoor-only cats). Recently, they decided to adopt again and now have a very small five year old really beautiful tabby (HUGE eyes) who had been rescued from a multi-cat household. It's working really well especially as she’s so different from their cat who died.
As an aside, these days it’s really worth putting up fence guards, rollers or other deterrents to prevent your cat getting out of your garden. There’s so much traffic and speeding drivers these days - it’s tragic to hear when cats get unnecessarily run over,

My Mom went to the Cinnamon Trust (I think it's called) They take in cats/dogs who have been left alone after the death or hospitalization of their owner. Might be worth a look.

Can you get trackers for cats like the ones you can get for dogs? Or would they be too heavy?

I have had two very bonded siblings who had to be adopted together from the same rescue centre as my beloved Amie who had to be put to sleep in Summer 23.

They don’t replace her, I still grieve for her but they help and the girl cat is very for me ( her brother is half cuddly half still nervous ) . They’ve been here 14months . Moo the boy is not very bright love him. Cleo is very switched on.

Enjoy your new addition or better still two. My two are very affectionate to each other and they kiss ad groom each other

Totally agree- we should all, cat/dog/pet 'owners' (well we don't onw them, I know)- have an agreed plan just in case. Both ours have approved adopters in case of our demise.

AuntieE

Ladyleftfieldlover

We’ve always had two!

And they look exactly like my two!

OP I don't want to rain on your parade, but an older cat may well have or develop health problems too, you know. Perhaps a young adult would be better, if you don't feel like starting from square 1 and teaching a kitten (or two) not to walk, sit, etc on kitchen counters or tables, where not to sharpen claws and so on.

The reason we’ve chosen an older cat is because we will soon be 80 and we are hoping that the little cat will live the rest of its life with us, whereas a kitten or younger cat would almost certainly outlive us.

Saying that we are going to join something done by cats protection that guarantees that they will care for her if we pop off.

Health wise, she is absolutely fine atm

This is Smokey.

AuntieE

Ladyleftfieldlover

We’ve always had two!

And they look exactly like my two!

OP I don't want to rain on your parade, but an older cat may well have or develop health problems too, you know. Perhaps a young adult would be better, if you don't feel like starting from square 1 and teaching a kitten (or two) not to walk, sit, etc on kitchen counters or tables, where not to sharpen claws and so on.

Our son and daughter-in-law’s cat they adopted just before Christmas has a health problem for which she has to have a monthly injection which is costly. Because Louise doesn’t work the cost would have ruled out them adopting the cat but the charity agreed to fund the cost of the monthly injection and even send a veterinary nurse to the house to administer the injection.

My son and daughter-in-law have had cats for most of their married life. Sadly Louise has terminal breast cancer which is thankfully stable at the moment and they lost their female cat six months before she was diagnosed. Louise is now unable to work and longs for another cat but because she has limited use of her right arm and hand she knows to have a kitten would place more pressure on our son.

Just before Christmas Louise’s sister happened to mention her desire for a cat and a friend said she knew of somebody who was housing an elderly cat for a charity but couldn’t have her permanently as there was a dog in the house. So Louise was sent a picture of the cat who is fifteen, a lovely dark grey colour with a white bib and paws. The charity have agreed to fund the medication for a health problem the cat has so Louise and Steve now have Smokey the cat as a member of their family.

Smokey arrived a week before Christmas and settled in immediately, she is a house cat so company for Louise and is really friendly, when we visited she approached us immediately for attention. I’m not sure which charity they had the cat from but will find out.

Ladyleftfieldlover

We’ve always had two!

And they look exactly like my two!

OP I don't want to rain on your parade, but an older cat may well have or develop health problems too, you know. Perhaps a young adult would be better, if you don't feel like starting from square 1 and teaching a kitten (or two) not to walk, sit, etc on kitchen counters or tables, where not to sharpen claws and so on.

Great idea, my last cat, all too long ago now was from The Cats Protection League, I'd go for another in a heartbeat, except my husband's objections which are, I like cats, but they make me tight chested, it'll claw the furniture, we'll have to make arrangements for it when we go away, That's covered, my step daughter, who lives 8 miles away said she'd step in. At this stage in my life, I'd definitely go for an adult cat. I remember kittens I had as a youngster, in that scatty period at the end of the day, swinging on the curtains and my father cursing them. Plus a fairly youngish cat, when I left home run over, inspite of not living on a busy road. Hopefully older cats acquire some road sense, after all they have 9 lives don't they?

Good luck with your new cat WW, I'm envious.

Barleyfields

I’m so pleased whitewavemark. What a miserable life that poor cat has had. I wonder if you would consider a cat lead for taking her into the garden initially, in case she bolts? My mum had a deaf and partially blind kitten years ago, and he was happy to be taken outside on a lead until he got to know the place and could safely be allowed out on his own.

DD used to take her cat for a walk on a lead; it's the rule in some cities in Australia. He was quite happy to be on a harness and lead.

Hope your new cat settles down well, Whitewave.
She deserves to have a happy home at last.

Wonderful news Wwm2. So happy for you, and for pusscat.

Barleyfields

I’m so pleased whitewavemark. What a miserable life that poor cat has had. I wonder if you would consider a cat lead for taking her into the garden initially, in case she bolts? My mum had a deaf and partially blind kitten years ago, and he was happy to be taken outside on a lead until he got to know the place and could safely be allowed out on his own.

Good idea. As she won’t be allowed out for at least 3 months I could get her used to the harness indoors.

Going to pick some nepeta to scatter around.

Also sow grass seed for her digestion.

I’m in danger of over thinking this😊😊

Enjoy getting to know your new family member. I predict an outburst of happiness all round.

I’m so pleased whitewavemark. What a miserable life that poor cat has had. I wonder if you would consider a cat lead for taking her into the garden initially, in case she bolts? My mum had a deaf and partially blind kitten years ago, and he was happy to be taken outside on a lead until he got to know the place and could safely be allowed out on his own.

Roo sounds perfect for you wwm2, what a sad life she has led. Luckily those neighbours fed her. Some people don't deserve the love of animals.

I know how much you loved Duncan and how you have grieved for him.

I hope that she can bring some happiness into your lives. I wil be thinking of you on Sunday.

Well we’ve met - 😊. Very timid, but open to a cuddle with the carers she trusts. I’ve left my gloves for her to smell.

Her background is that she was thrown out as a kitten - small mid-Sussex market town - and has survived because the neighbours fed her for 7 years😮😮. She is in good Nick, so they were obviously very kindly. But one of them decided that she was getting older snd needed warmth and shelter. She was chipped and so the cat people contacted her original owner who said that they weren’t interested. - some people eh?

So I have to think in 3s

3 days getting over the trauma

3 weeks getting used to the new routine - over which I will be strict to give her confidence.

3 months to begin to understand that this is her permanent home.

After which I can begin gradually to introduce her to the garden - 10 minutes at a time - squeaky bum time!!

Haven’t got any photos yet as we kept a low profile and very quiet so as not to frighten her.

The cat people said they’d send a couple but haven’t done so yet.

Now off out to buy all the gubbins. Got some good second hand bargains in their shop, but need litter, food a new bed etc.

Picking her up,on Sunday at noon. Takes a good 2 hours there and back as it’s through the Sussex country roads.

The vet I used to take the cats to summed it up when she said how upsetting it was when a much loved cat died as it was part of the family.

Claremont

How are you doing Whitewavemk2?

Re-homing cats (and/or dogs) is the most satisfying thing you can do in the honour of the one you lost. Please send news when you've got one (or two) home.

We've always rescued them in pairs.

I’m doing ok thanks.

Tomorrow is viewing our potential new companion. Appointment at 2pm at Haywards Heath the cats protection national HQ. About 20 minutes up the road.

I’m also hoping this feeling of constant grief will be less sharp.

Whitewavemark2 I still miss my Mr Cooper, and we've got
a huge photo of him, in vinyl, on the side bit of our half-bay window - but Jaffa (new boy) is lovely.

How are you doing Whitewavemk2?

Re-homing cats (and/or dogs) is the most satisfying thing you can do in the honour of the one you lost. Please send news when you've got one (or two) home.

We've always rescued them in pairs.