Rehomed cat advice
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 10:42 am
Hi, I’m new to the forum and need some advice about a cat I will be getting.
The background:
I have owned cats before. I’ve had two sets of two from kittens each time. The first two were rescue kittens (second ones weren’t rescues), however I was very young so don’t remember the specifics of how to deal with that sort of cat. I’ve not owned any cats for a few years as my parents decided they had had enough of all the cat stuff. I’m on the verge of moving into my own place, which was deliberately picked because of its suitability for cats. I have SO been looking forward to getting a kitten.
About nine weeks ago, I was approached by a mate of mine, asking if I could take a four year old cat which belonged to his mother who died. My mate isn’t able able to take the cat. At the time, I had no idea when the move would take place so it was left as my mate would find someone else. Last weekend, he asked again, saying he can’t find anyone who can give her a permanent home. He really wants the cat to go to someone he knows as he wants updates about the cat (I guess it reminds him of his mother). Anyway me being the mug that I am, said yes but not until I have actually moved. All I know about the cat is she was living with a ten month old kitten, a dog and a bird (all of which were rehomed quickly). She has spent weeks on her own (in the previous owner’s house) with the neighbours going in to feed her and being bounced around between temporary homes since her owner died. She has been described as ‘super friendly, cuddly, lap cat even with strangers’. She has not been neutered.
And where I need advice:
Do rehomed cats have the same behaviour problems as rescue cats? I will be living on my own so a cat/kitten needs to be a companion for me. Also I have autism so a cat I can touch and cuddle is important (I’m gentle but I still need that sensory input). From the description I was given of her personality, she sounds absolutely ideal. But could the last nine weeks have affected that? I also have no idea how she was cared for by her owner (though might be able to find out). It will be another six weeks before I move.
I have a pretty good idea how long it takes for a kitten to settle in and how long to leave it before they are allowed outside. I have no idea for an adult cat. I know it’s probably longer but any advice about timescales or how to know the cat is ready would be great. I have no idea whether the cat was allowed out or not with her previous owner.
My mate lives a little over two hours away so the cat is probably somewhere near him. Arrangements for collecting the cat aren’t made yet but if I have to pick the cat up, I have never been in a car for more than 20 minutes with a howling moggy and I know how hard that is. ALL advice for how to travel a long distance with a cat is really needed.
Though there is no doubt I can give this cat a good home and I would love her, I still want a kitten. Given that she was living with a kitten, would buying a kitten at some point in the future when she has settled and established herself as the dominant cat be ok? I want the memories of a crazy kitten as part of a complete picture of all the memories of a cat growing old.
Do you think it’s ok (or not) to ask my mate to pay for her to be neutered before I get her? I’m currently out of work and it will be a few months before I return to work so money is tight. If I had been buying a kitten I could have timed for after I am in work. I plan on asking that he makes sure she has had flee treatment as I know it’s easier to control if she never brings flees into the house in the first place.
I don’t actually know what the cat is called (or her colour for that matter) but I know I am quite particular about names. Her name might be totally fine but if it isn’t, I will rename her. Is it better to just get on with it without telling my mate? I know cats don’t actually learn their names, they respond to the tone of the voice and the voice going up at the end of the word.
Is there any other advice that you can give for taking on a rehomed cat?
Sorry about the long post. I know it sounds a bit like I would prefer a kitten (I would) but if she really is ‘super friendly, cuddly, lap cat even with strangers’ then that will more than make up for that she four years old. Particularly as with a kitten you have no idea what personality they will be. And I just love all cats so will form a bond anyway.
The background:
I have owned cats before. I’ve had two sets of two from kittens each time. The first two were rescue kittens (second ones weren’t rescues), however I was very young so don’t remember the specifics of how to deal with that sort of cat. I’ve not owned any cats for a few years as my parents decided they had had enough of all the cat stuff. I’m on the verge of moving into my own place, which was deliberately picked because of its suitability for cats. I have SO been looking forward to getting a kitten.
About nine weeks ago, I was approached by a mate of mine, asking if I could take a four year old cat which belonged to his mother who died. My mate isn’t able able to take the cat. At the time, I had no idea when the move would take place so it was left as my mate would find someone else. Last weekend, he asked again, saying he can’t find anyone who can give her a permanent home. He really wants the cat to go to someone he knows as he wants updates about the cat (I guess it reminds him of his mother). Anyway me being the mug that I am, said yes but not until I have actually moved. All I know about the cat is she was living with a ten month old kitten, a dog and a bird (all of which were rehomed quickly). She has spent weeks on her own (in the previous owner’s house) with the neighbours going in to feed her and being bounced around between temporary homes since her owner died. She has been described as ‘super friendly, cuddly, lap cat even with strangers’. She has not been neutered.
And where I need advice:
Do rehomed cats have the same behaviour problems as rescue cats? I will be living on my own so a cat/kitten needs to be a companion for me. Also I have autism so a cat I can touch and cuddle is important (I’m gentle but I still need that sensory input). From the description I was given of her personality, she sounds absolutely ideal. But could the last nine weeks have affected that? I also have no idea how she was cared for by her owner (though might be able to find out). It will be another six weeks before I move.
I have a pretty good idea how long it takes for a kitten to settle in and how long to leave it before they are allowed outside. I have no idea for an adult cat. I know it’s probably longer but any advice about timescales or how to know the cat is ready would be great. I have no idea whether the cat was allowed out or not with her previous owner.
My mate lives a little over two hours away so the cat is probably somewhere near him. Arrangements for collecting the cat aren’t made yet but if I have to pick the cat up, I have never been in a car for more than 20 minutes with a howling moggy and I know how hard that is. ALL advice for how to travel a long distance with a cat is really needed.
Though there is no doubt I can give this cat a good home and I would love her, I still want a kitten. Given that she was living with a kitten, would buying a kitten at some point in the future when she has settled and established herself as the dominant cat be ok? I want the memories of a crazy kitten as part of a complete picture of all the memories of a cat growing old.
Do you think it’s ok (or not) to ask my mate to pay for her to be neutered before I get her? I’m currently out of work and it will be a few months before I return to work so money is tight. If I had been buying a kitten I could have timed for after I am in work. I plan on asking that he makes sure she has had flee treatment as I know it’s easier to control if she never brings flees into the house in the first place.
I don’t actually know what the cat is called (or her colour for that matter) but I know I am quite particular about names. Her name might be totally fine but if it isn’t, I will rename her. Is it better to just get on with it without telling my mate? I know cats don’t actually learn their names, they respond to the tone of the voice and the voice going up at the end of the word.
Is there any other advice that you can give for taking on a rehomed cat?
Sorry about the long post. I know it sounds a bit like I would prefer a kitten (I would) but if she really is ‘super friendly, cuddly, lap cat even with strangers’ then that will more than make up for that she four years old. Particularly as with a kitten you have no idea what personality they will be. And I just love all cats so will form a bond anyway.