Hi everyone!
My partner and I live in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. We're looking to home a kitten/under 1 year old cat in September this year. We're talking to breeders etc, and keeping an eye out for local moggie litters, but we're also a bit curious about taking on a rescue. We've has a traumatic experience lately with our cats so we are also very wary about taking on a cat with an unknown/dubious background. I shall explain....
Until May 5th we had two kittens, our first cats, Drifter a neutered male Maine Coon (now 10 months old) from a fantastic breeder, and Jellybean, a neutered female moggie kitten who we purchased locally when she was 10 weeks old. On May 5th though Jellybean lost her battle with Feline Infectious Peritonitis. She was only 8 months old when she was put to sleep, we had her for 6 months and then lost her. She was the most wonderful kitten, she loved people and laps and was so caring and full of love. I feel as if she was my kitty soulmate because we bonded so tightly and so quickly. After she was put to sleep we donated her body to the university so that they can find out more about FIP. One day there will be a cure for FIP, and Jellybean will have been a part in developing that cure. I am sure that is why she was brought to earth and to us, to go on to save other lives after enriching ours.
Drifter is ok, touch wood the virus hasn't erupted in him. The vet said that he is unlikely to get FIP himself and we can get him a new friend after a few months of quarantine. So we're looking to home another cat in September. We can never replace Jellybean but Drifter is a young gregarious boy, and he really needs another cat around as a friend. The reason we are scared of taking on a rescue is that what if they have picked up diseases, viruses and illnesses during their time as a stray, and they will die a really horrible way like Jellybean did. Or they will give Drifter a bug and he will get hurt. With a pedigree breeder we would at least know the health and background of the cat and it's family. But rescues are often lovely cats too. It's difficult to know what to do.
Drifter is growing into a very big boy, over 11lb already (and not fat, just huge), and doesn't tend to realise his own strength when he plays. But in general he is a gentle, slightly nervous, boy who I think could be bullied by a particularly assertive cat. Jellybean was tiny (less than half his weight) but she was in charge of him, though she did rule with a silk covered iron glove! We don't Drifter to be unhappy with his new friend, this IS Drifter's home and he should feel safe and secure in it. He does need a friend though, he misses cat interaction and has taken to talking to flies instead....
As to what kind of cat we want, well, the right cat will choose us like Jelly and Drifter did, but we do have a few desires. We would really like another people loving lap cat. This is very important. I am disabled and the cats are my companions during the day, I find that stroking a purring fur-ball on my lap really helps to control my chronic pain. For Drifter as well as us we would like a cat young and friendly enough to play and be a kitten. After having Jellybean so poorly I am afraid that we are not willing to take on a cat with pre-diagnosed illnesses, though they will get all care they need if they fall ill while with us.
What can we give the cat? Two loving parents and two sets of devoted grand-parents (who send presents for said cats at Christmas and when they go on holidays!). We live in a 2 bed terrace house (our cats are indoor cats, we live too close to a dual carriageway - literally 100 yards away - for it to be safe for them to go out alone. We do take them out on harnesses though if they like the idea), with a small fenced garden (in which their Dad is building a little pen for summer lounging). They have full access to the house in the day, and half access during the night (otherwise Drifter jumps on our heads then goes and raids the fridge). They have 3 lovely scratching posts (one 6 foot tall tower, one 2 foot tall post, one 1 foot tall post. Guess which one humongous Drifter likes??
), beds if they want them (though obviously the sofa is far more attractive), and 2 covered litter boxes. They have good quality dry food (Drifter is on Arden Grange Sensitive because we noticed a grain intolerance) with occasional treats of fish (or raw/frozen vegetables in Drifter's case, strange cat). They are insured for life with Pet Plan and get prompt veterinary attention should they need it, as well as standard care. I think the most important thing though is that they have two people who will love them very much indeed.
We can travel up to an hour's drive from Weston-super-Mare to come and visit cats. We believe in clicking with a cat, and they will show if they want to be ours, and so we know that we may have to see a few cats before finding the right one for us. We won't take on a cat who would not be happy with us, as it's not fair on us or them.
Hope you managed to get through this essay!
Sakura
