Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Rescue & Rehoming General => Topic started by: caledonia on December 18, 2008, 07:58:19 AM
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hello all- I'm not sure if this is the best sub group to post in or not but given your all the experts on rehoming I thought I would give it a try ( happy for it to be moved if I have missed a more approprate place).
So I have been thinking about getting a third cat for some time (aren't we all!) and whilst I have been keeping an eye on local rescues I also know that finding an indoor cat that can live with other cats is not easy- especially as having two 12 year olds I thought younger may be better for once. The main reason I thought a third cat may be good is because whilst Edgar is like an overgrown kitten oscar is showing his age and then some and is really doing his own thing. I think Edgar misses playing with oscar and having someone to hang with since oscar decided to retire to his igloo bed! Obviously it's for myself too- why have two furballs when you can three! LOL! In their foster home the boys lived with a house full of cats and two litter o puppies so hopefully with the right intros they will be ok.
However now a potential cat has came up (6 month old Siberian kitten- and I said I would never consider a kitten) I'm swinging from great idea to panic. My last three cats have all been rescues and in the case of bertie it was clear with his ongoing health probs that surprise surprise the reason his previous owners gave him up were prob his health probs and it broke my heart to loose him after only two years. My current two I affectionatley call my special need cats and in the case of oscar who is now nearly if not fully blind and has re-occuring nasal infections that require meds and mean the house is usually covered in snotters from him sneezing LOL! - however none of this was clear before I rehomed him. I have loved and love them dearly however I think if we end up with another cat with issues (Edgar is so vocal he puts a Siamese to shame and combine that with his head buts, loud snoring from the tumour in his nose...well we haven't had a full nights sleep since we got him LOL!) then I think my patient oh will move out. I'm just worried that again there may be unknown issues with this puss or she won't like living with other cats, or one more is too much!
It's such a gamble introducing a third cat and I'm just worried it will be a disaster but I also think it could be the best thing!
I apologize in advance if this is full of errors or I sound irresposible- I'm on bus to work on my mobile LOL and just wanted some last minute advice before I decide whether to meet this little lady or not ( cos I know from pics she is adorable! )
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oops just realised how long this post is! Sorry! Also should have said this is a home to
Home regime and not through a rescue unlike my last two and bertie
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I personally wouldn't have a 6mo with 12yo's, but I know from experience of fostering that mine dont tolerate anything of that age group - and while Edgar is like an overgrown kitten, he might not be able to keep up with a young kitten, although I dont know enough about Siberian's to know their energy levels. I thought OH was dead against a third cat? Might be an idea to foster one through a rescue first, to see if a 3 cat household will work.
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So you think the age gap would be too much?
OH was dead set against a third cat - however I have been talking about it with a lot and he had started to change his mind to the point that yesterday he agreed that maybe thats a good idea for Edgar. 95% of the time he loves the cats as much as me but he works night shift and I think sometimes Edgar's insistance he wakes up and Oscar's sneezing fits drive him up the wall!! Edgar really is a handful and whilst it is very enderaing and what I expected from a ragdoll I didn't really think it would be this much bearing in mind Bertie was Balinese!
Your probbably right about the fostering route. I was looking at Edgar on the radiator bed today thinking hmmm is it such a good idea and wondering whether fostering might be better because if they do work out - then I can keep the cat - if the don't work out then the cat can go on to be re-homed!
Its just such a quandry because I don't want to upset the apple cart and with two 12 year olds I really don't know what would suit them.
Siberians according to what I read on the net and an article I had read in the cat mag are quite laid back and similar in some respect to ragdolls although they don't meow and are meant to chirrup and are also similar to Maine coons and NFC (Oscar being a Maine Coon). Although yes you are prob right about the age gap! Thats probbably ignorance on my part as the last time had a cat under the age of 7 I was about 14!!!!
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We've got a 12 year old and a 10 month old.
(as well as a 4 and 2 year olds) In our house and they do get along fine, but our eldest Penguin is very laid back and doesn't flinch at anything. Even when Gizmo is hanging off of him.
So fostering might be the way to go unless you can get a good idea of how the kitten is at first!
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I don't think age is a problem, although there is no way I personally would have a kitten ;D, In akmost 20 years of fostering and dealing with over 1000 cats a year and as a group taking about 1000 phone calls a month (me alone perhaps over 700). It depends on your own cats temperament and of course that of the incoming kitten/cat and also the way in which they are introduced. Time and patience is the order of the day. I would say though that you need to make sure that the kitten is not forever taunting an older cat and making its life a misery. When mum was alive I once bought from a pet shop a kitten that was alone in a cage and no water in it. (I had 22 at the time) Mum said she would care for it until I found it a home although she had an 18 year old at the time, the kitten gave Tuta a new lease of life and they got on fine and the kitten stayed with mum. ;D
I have to say though that if all in the family do not want another cat/kitten then we would not home.
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My two are very laid back and not fazed by anything including my 3 year old sister who sometimes visits. I also just spoke to my friend who has four persians who range in age from 4 to 10. She had a lovely old boy Ben who lived to the ripe old age of 18 and had kittens introduced to him at various points from 12 through to when he was 16 and my friend said it actually gave him a new lease of life and he became more active - however I realise not all cats are the same!!
I think I am in too much of a quandry and should maybe just e-mail these guys and explain there are too many doubts - I think if I went to see the little lady I would find it too hard to say no!!!
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Sorry Ela didn't see your response there - yes my friend had the same experiance with the kitten giving her old boy a new lease of life too.
I know I am being too indecisive which probably means I shouldnt go for it. OH is def fine with it now - it has been something we have discussed for a while but maybe I need to give him more time too!
THanks for the replies everyone - will go e-mail the guys now- I am sure they will find her a lovely home elsewhere!!
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I think if you have doubts hun you should perhaps defer your decision until you are more sure of exactly what it is you want.
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Yep your right - I have e-mailed them to let them know.
It's not so much that I don't know what I want - I just don't know what will be the least unsettling to my current pair. Maybe I am putting too much thought into lol!!
I want a young (younger than them anyway!) cat in good health who is indoors only and happy to live with other cats - I would prefer semi long haired or long haired as my brother who is at mine a long is badly allergic to short haired more so. I also would have loved the little lady because of her coat, breed temprament and gender (having had boys latelly)
Thats what I want lol however what would suit my pair and the cat in question is a whole different question then my oh always brings the finance question in (his only and consistent objection) as he is convinced the country including us is about to go bankrupt (we both are comfortable so he is being silly!) !
Anyway decision made as e-mail now sent so thanks again for all the advice everyone and when and if I do get a new kitty you will all be the first to know :Luv2:
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Once we had decided to offer Harry (our 4th Bengal along with 2 moggies) I had some misgivings as to whether it would upset the balance of my fuf family and worried that we were doing the wrong thing but it has all ended up brilliantly and Harry is now the biggest cuddlebum and gets of great with all the others
When we introduced Mellika and Raffiki at 3 months old we had Roxy and Amber (RIP my babies) who were both over 15 years old and again we had no problems - the new lease of life definately happened and it was lovely to see my "oldies" having lots of fun and games
I would say that if you have got your heart set on the little one then go for it
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Ours range in age from 17.5 to 5 ad 6 months respectively and all get on the older ones bop the kittens and they soon learn who they can play with!
We have 36 under 10 years old and some will play with the kittens some will ignore them and the others play with each other - we also have the 2 pacls indoor/outdoor and indoor only and it makes no difference really, they all adapt and play - catnip parties are a joy to see as they all domestic, pedigree and feral interact a bit like the laser pen really they all join in
Even introducing Sunny has had not a major effect - Archie sems to adore Sunny and Sky has Panther the feral the others seem to bop the dogs occassionally all except Jazz - she is more cat size!
Introductions are special and need to be handled but as long as the other 2 won't be neglected for the kitten then go for it - we make sure folks speak to the dogs in the order they came in pretty much the same with the cats we also advise who will shred them to!
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Oh no - so everyone seems to agree aside from Desley that age isn't really an issue!! My wee heart was set on the kitten but I have already e-mailed the guys to say no and I know they had another couple of enquries and hmmm they ain't going to pick me if I go back and say I have changed my mind lol!!! :shify:
Its a wee shame because I so think it was meant and should have trusted my gut - one of my flaws is I always ask other folks opinions - which is not always a good idea.
I had read about the Siberians in cat mag whilst working in my mums newsagent and thought hmmm they sound good and didn't think about it again. Then this girl came up and my memory was sparked and then I called my friend who works at airport who is even cat madder than me and who I never can get on the phone - and she was on her break and we were laughing saying 'oh it must be meant if I have managed to get you on the phone' lol!!
However OH talking about finances and then worrying about settling - then mention of the age issue - Oh I think I got a bout of cold feet!!
I can't really e-mail them now and say I have changed my mind - they will think I am crazy!! :mad2:
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Oh they just sent me lovely lovely e-mail to thanks for being honest with them about the age concern and they really sound like they are trying to find her a good home. They said they have already turned a few folk away as they were worried they wanted her for the wrong reasons and someone had asked whether she would be ok with three staffies!!! They do sound very genuine and ohhhhh dam I wish I hadn't said no already!!!
he would think I was crazy to change my mind eh?
Maybe I could show them this thread lol!!!
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can't you give them a ring? I'm sure if they spoke to you they would see you are taking the decision very seriously
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I would phone them and have a chat and go and see the little one
Sometimes things are meant to be and even with all the advice in the world its your decision and really only one you can make
Please call them and hopefully you will have a little bundle of joy to come in and wreck your home - some of our oldies revert to kittenhood when youngsters come in - Sweetie at 17.5 years young can give the kittens a run for their money with a laser pen - she just does it in smaller doses!!!! :shocked:
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I'd email them back if you really want to take this little Siberian on - I did the same with little Gwynnie - I told the breeders I'd have her, but then Jasper got ill and I felt it wasnt really the right time, so told them I couldnt have her - they then said well just in case you change your mind, we won't put her on the website for homing for a week or so. Well of course, the rest is history - and her breeders were perfectly fine (and happy) about me changing my mind again.
I wouldnt worry about the age difference - after all, my lot all survived Gwynnie LOL!!
Why is this kitten being rehomed?
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Thats how I was with Harry but something just told me that I should take him and I couldnt get him out of my mind until we officially offered him his new forever home.
Give the people a call and explain your concerns and take it from there.
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Just a very brief update as I am dashing out the door but I e-mailed them and explained my change of mind and my constant deliberations...even mailed a link to to this lol to show how seriously I had thought about it and they called and I have went to see her and she is adorable and I think would fit in lovely with the boys. !!!
So just going home to check all still ok with OH and then fingers crossed they are still happy for her to come to us - they were very genuine and clearly trying to find the little bundle of fluff the best home!
will keep you posted :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
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Oooo sounds good!
Don't forget pictures though.
:hug:
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I agree with Desley, older cats and one with joint/sight problems dont always appreciate kittens running around, completely different life speeds. Imo kittens are better off playing with another kitten.
It wasnt long ago you posted about Oscar being off with Edgar now his sight had gone because he doesnt know Edgars there, if a kitten is running rings around him, will he cope?
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Hello Fello Cat Lovers !
I'm so glad Nina has found a purr-fect home.
My parner and I will be so sad to see her go off to her new home but after meeting Rachael today and seeing her deliberations on here we're both convinced she'll make a great new mummy for nina
I've attached a few pics so you can see how lovely she is.
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She is lovely - you must be really sorry to see her go. You can tell she is loved :Luv2:
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What an angel :Luv2:
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What an adorable little one!
I love that last pic.
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Wow - she is beautiful and I am sure that your boys will fall head over heals in love with her. x
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Good grief! :Crazy: For half a minute I was wondering what you were doing with pics of my bridge babe Lucy. :scared: Talk about living image! :-:
She's adorable and looks better behaved than my Lucy - who had a reputation round the whole town for having a bit of 'tude! :evillaugh: We put this down to her outside start in life and not being rescued until she was 12 weeks. The tufts on the ears were always something we giggled about. :evillaugh:
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she is adorable - I take it that means she is going to live with caledonia after all!!!
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Kittens tend to treat blind cats with respect - all our keepers and fosters avoided Bert somehow the Stevie Wonder stare keeps them at bay.
We had about 20 foster cats and kittens through Berts life wioth us and he also moved house and mastered stairs so age and sight loss are not an issue unles you make it one
Bert and Moose were 9 and 10 in our adoption list and both handled 25 cats and kittens tthat stayed and more who worked on through so I wouldn't worry and good luck she is a poopet and will look fab at the top of the tree! ;)
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thanks eveyone for your responses and especially David for taking the time to pop on purrs and leave some photos. Yes little niña is coming to join us tomorrow. I will be getting the middle room ready for her arrival and to allow very slow introductions. Will take along something of the boys to put in her carrier too. Will update once she is here and thanks everyone for the wonderful advice and to niña's dads for allowing her to come join us!
Caledonia (Rachael)
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thanks for sharing your experiance liz, that's encouraging to hear! The jury is still Out on what oscar can and can't see but there is no doubt his vision is worse! However he surprises me with what he can to sometimes and today joiners are in just finishing off kitchen. They had very noisy equipment and whilst Edgar bolted at first oscar didn't flinch
From grooming himself on the couch and he def has
No hearing issues LOL cos he still hears the treats coming out!
I hope it works out fine and I have a feeling it well, everyone that knows the boys thinks the same too... They are very laid back and not to fazed by most things- they did share a house with 23 cats including kittens and two litters of puppies before I got them in feb!
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You must be so excited - cant wait for lots of photos x
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OMG just seen this thread -
CONGRATS she is :Luv: :Luv2: :Crazy:
My lot age from 13yrs down to 2yrs old........
So glad you have decided to add her to your family xxxx
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I hope it works out for you. If you have any problems then please contact Helen and there old foster carer as they will know them best and how to deal with anything that might a rise.
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Just to update that the lovely Nina joined us yesterday at lunchtime and was swiftly put in her delux bedroom - complete with all the toys the boys never use and some of her toys from her old home -
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/sundevil_rachael/Nina/Nina-1.jpg)
Nina seemed quite happy with it and within a few hours had ate a meal and used her litter tray - not seen her take any water yet but then I always seem to miss that with the boys too and she has had a lot of wet food so far so no worries there.
I ended up going in to read a book in her room and let her get to know me - I ended up falling asleep in there this morning and woke up to this next to me
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/sundevil_rachael/Nina/Nina1.jpg)
Yesterday when I came in I let the boys have a sniff of her in her carrier - so they know she is here but so far Oscar has showed little interest (nothing new there :rofl:) however Edgar is clealry jumping at the bit to meet her and has been a real gentleman - this afternoon we let her out to explore the downstairs (where our three bedrooms are) and Edgar watched her - did not react and in fact when she had a bit of a hiss at him he backed off. We then played with 'da bird'and Nina was at the bottom of the stairs and Edgar at the top and there was no hissing or anything.
So we let Edgar into her room - just inside - for a few mins and Nina did not hiss or growl at all -
Here they are
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/sundevil_rachael/Nina/NinaEdgar.jpg)
Thats Edgar having a nose at her but he seems to understand that he has to take it slow - they have had a sniff at each other and Edgar has made no noise (he has never hissed in all the time I Have had him ) and Nina was a bit growly however by this point was fine and in fact right after this was taken she padded over to her food and ate away with her back turned to Edgar so it anything I know she does not feel threatened...or certainly no more than would be expected.
She will still be in her room most of the time as I don't want to rush things and have a lot of time off over the festive period to monitor things and I will leave the Oscar introduction until she is more relaxed - I know he won't approach her anyway. Nine has saw him as when I opened her door he was at the sop of the stairs in her line of vision and she just watched him.
Right now they are all asleep at different parts of the house and I have left Nina's door open so she can explore a bit more before its bed time and door closed - so far so good!! :hug:
Thanks again everyone for the advice - positive and negative - and look forward to updating you on here - but under a different arm of the forum as realised this doesn't really fall under re-homing and rescue.
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Aww looks like all is going well and isn't she adorable :Luv2:
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Its so nice for another furbabe to havea forever home and its nice at this time of year to
Our introductions with Jester have been ongoing and he has met most of the cats and he is a bit vocal but they all just look at him like what the hell is your problem!
he is in his own room at night because of Beijing but she is showing no signs of any calling yet - she is now 6 months old and dear baby Archie doesn't show any idea as to what his bit are for he hasn't mastered the worktop jump yet!
Good luck and I'm sure all will go well - slowly slowly and it will work - our lot are used to newbies so Jester is getting the oh no look from some and being ignored by others and he has seen the dogs and wasn't sure!
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Glad your intros are going well too Liz - so far so good and yep I am def going for the slowly slowly approach. In saying that when I went in this morning to see Nina she was behnid the door to meet me and darted out right into Edgar who had came down to see her too - they had a sniff at each other (looked more like a kiss lol) and Edgar gave her a gentle head butt which is what he does with anything and everything and then out she trotted. She had a mad wee hour and then back in the room until OH gets up from night shift.
Going to keep her in the room when we are out for the time being....at least until my 5 day stretch off work when I am around all the time.
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Glad everything's going so well, sounds as though she's settling in fine and the others seem ok with her, brilliant! She's lovely :Luv2:
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She is lovely, hope she settles in well :)
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She looks so relaxed and she is beautiful :Luv: :Luv:
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What a beautiful girl :Luv2: Glad the boys seem to be accepting their new found little sister :)
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yep they are - although Edgar keeps giving her gentle head butts and the poor wee thing doesn't realise that that usually signals the start of the grooming ritual between the boys :rofl:...oh well she will pick up their ways I am sure!
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She is beautiful and you must be so proud of your boys - I am so glad that it is all going so well x
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Just wanted to update that the last few days have been fantastic with Nina's intro and to add a couple of pics
Nina currently curled up with Edgar whilst I type
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/sundevil_rachael/Nina/cats070.jpg)
And the site I awoke to this morning - yes even blind boy Oscar joined in the fun with the others on my bed and Nina was not fazed - the three of them were curled up next to me!! :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: Although Nina is glaring over as this was my 3rd attempt to get them all in the photo!
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/sundevil_rachael/Nina/cats069.jpg)
Sorry its not the best photo - but was taken with Edgar half on top of me lol!!
And finally the little lady flat on her back last night sound asleep
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/sundevil_rachael/Nina/cats067.jpg)
A week in I didn't dream she would be so settled! :Luv2: :Luv2:
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I am glad it has worked out so well
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Only just seen this thread. She's simply gorgeous and so obviously happy with her new bros :Luv:
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How lovely!
I researched Siberians as my partner was slightly allergic to cats - they are little loves :Luv2:
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It's lovely that everying is going so well, they are all really lovely cats :Luv2:
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Her glare is a classic :evillaugh: :rofl:
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Gorgeous! :Luv:
Am I the only one who thinks she bears a passing resemblance to Ms Noni Baroni??? :shify: