Just got back from Cats Protection re: adoption - am confused.

[Nixxy]

I've just read through this thread (As we'll be looking into getting a kitten/younger cat some time in the new year) and god, I really feel for you  Not only have you lost a beloved pet, but you had a particularly hard time just trying to home another.  I'm sure the right puss for you will turn up, and that Jameson will have a paw in it somewhere! Best of luck to you

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

Tigerbaby, having been through your situation a fair few times, I can tell you that Jameson will send you a new puss, probably when you least expect it. Something about a rehoming picture, or an advert with draw you in, or a stray will just walk in the door and pop his/her suitcase on your sofa. I have never gone out to seek a new puss - they just turn up.  I am convinced my bridge babes send me a replacement as without fail, within a couple of weeks a new one has moved in. 

I think you're right to take it easy and let the puss come to you. 

[Bryony84]

Helena, I totally understand how you feel about waiting til it is right, until something happens to tell you that now is the time as it were, Jameson will be looking down and I'm sure he'll let you know when he thinks the right cats have come along!

When we lost our Lucy, our first cat who came to us in much the same way as Jameson came to you, I was distraught, going away to university certainly helped to ease the pain but there was always a sense of something missing whenever I came home. Mum was there when Lucy was PTS and that really affected her badly, she said it was too painful and she couldn't have another cat again and have to go through that. When I moved back home a year later, I still felt that gap in our home life and eventually persuaded mum to consider the idea of another cat. I found Casper, the last of an unwanted litter, with 2 huge collars on him (one flea and one average kind) with big scared eyes and a massive purr, and from the moment he took his first shaky steps out of the cat carrier and into our lives, mum was totally smitten with him.

Goes to show, you'll know when its right!

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

i found just immense comfort by stroking a cat again and knew my decision to allow new cats into my home within 7 days was the right thing for me.

but as said below, everyone is different and also i was lucky that cp helped me very positively.

you must do what is right for you and i am sure that jameson will make sure kitties appear for you at the right time 

[caledonia]

 

Your quite right to take your time and the right cats will come. Everyone deals with things differently and I also took my time to find a cat after Bertie passed last December. Edgar and Oscar didn't come to me until the end of february. I had saw them just after Bertie but it was too quick, then a special appeal was put on for them on here believe it or not and I heard that no one had even enquired about them and I knew then that the time was right and I should try and see if I was suitable.

They are lovely cats but in no way replace Bertie (how could they) just as new cats will never replace Jamieson. I can still think of Bertie today and cry and just reading Ela's post below brought tears to my eyes at the thought of Bertie - I still talk to him! 

When the time is right you will know and until then you are right to take a back seat and a breather!

[Janeyk]

 

[clarenmax]

Sending you and R a huge  hun, there's no need to rush into anything, you need to let yourself come to terms with everything at your own pace 

I'm sure when the time is right, Jameson will send some furries in need your way, and you'll know that he had a hand in it too, as he'll want you to the perfect meowmy and doody again in time xxx

[ems]

Oh Helena 

I think you are doing the right thing, give yourselves time to heal and the right puss cats will find you 

Jameson will never be far from either of your thoughts (or any of ours) 

[Ela]

I don't know how I am ever going to get over the loss of Jameson

It is very difficult I know but when you are able to take on another little soul it will help with the healing process, I know we sometimes feel guilty. After we lost 'Our Boy' (badger the dog on my pic) our daughter adopted a dog Jonty aged about 10 months old from a rescue he was a little (well not so little) darling and it  was obvious he had previously been beaten but I found it so hard at first to even touch him as each time I did I felt I was letting our boy down. My goodness in those ealy days Julie was always making up some excuse for us to care for him (mind you that has not changed much) I think that is because she knew it would help us and slowly but surely it did although, occasionally as we are having a cuddle the thought that I am letting our boy down come to me but then I think I know he would be happy that we have helped another little one have a quality life.  Badger is never far from our minds and we have a big pic of him hung up in the lounge and there is also one in the country pub we go in, they placed one by the seat we sit in and where badger used to lay and all the customers made a fuss of him. After Christmas one of the Purrs members is going to make a pic of him and I will give it to Stuart for his birthday.

As Badger is always in our thoughts, Jameson will be in yours and to know you gave him the best possible life is not a bad feeling and one of which you should be proud.

[Dawn F]

hunny 

[tigerbaby]

Hey guys

First and foremost thank you so much for your enthusiasm and invaluable help when it comes to finding us a pair of cats.  It means a lot knowing that you're keeping us in mind for any potential furbabies in need..

I haven't really been catching up with all my PM's and the threads - infact there are sooo many threads I am missing as Im not really on here as frequent now. Things have been a bit crazy over here and I think we are going to take each day as it comes with regards to adopting cats. We haven't really had time to grieve properly, and it's kind of resulted in a lot of mental stress. The other night me and R ended up having a huge row, shouting and screaming at each other... then none of us could work out why, or how the argument started in the first place. Tonight at Ikea (we had dinner there) we talked about Jameson and suddenly R broke down in tears.. and then I did, and we're sitting there sobbing while other people are trying to eat. 

I don't know how I am ever going to get over the loss of Jameson, and the sadness comes in waves. I miss him so much that my heart and body is physically hurting. I light candles on his grave everyday, I even had a crazy moment of thinking that we had buried the wrong cat - I was in total denial. I think we are slowly realising that he is actually never coming back. I just miss him. I nearly bought a kitten off the 'Tree' site because it was a spitting image of him. Then I get angry with myself for wanting another cat when everything is still so raw, and it feels like we're desperate for cats, which we're not, and then I feel guilty because of that!

So we have decided to 'let the cats come to us' and not actively look for them,  we are going to let it happen naturally. By all means, please continue forwarding links - it's just that we are going to try and switch our minds off a little bit, and take everything day by day, and when something feels right we will deal with it then. I think until then we are just going to take things slow. Of course we still want to go and visit rescues etc, we just wish they could be a little more local!

I hope all of this makes sense. Thank you all, you are the best support in the world 

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

I all
Just an update the two cats i posted about from the NCC i was emailed yesterday that they have both been reserved for a nice home.  However, i have given Tigerbaby a few more leads... So still hopeful

[Ela]

The local cps to Helena will not rehome as you have read and I didnt say all cp branches

I am very sorry, I assumed obviously wrongly that when you posted

cp local branches will not rehome kittens into safe indoor homes...........

you meant CP branches as a whole not some.

Anyway, hopefully very soon one or two little ones will soon find their new loving home that is waiting for them.

[caledonia]

Hope you find the purfect pair soon tigerbaby!

I'm just sorry to hear you have had such a tough time of it! Up my end of the country (Edinburgh) the rescues do re-home to indoor only depending on the cats circumstances and I have known people to get kittens from rescues too for indoor only as long as they take a pair - which you were going to do. Maybe it is because there are so many old tenaments in the city but of all my cat loving friends (there are a lot) have indoor cats from four posh persians two a rough and tumble pair of boisterous kittens and none of them let their cats outdoors....its funny how the regions vary.

My pair are rescues through the UKRCC and originally they had hoped they would go to a an outside access home as that is what they were used to  - however they had been with their fosterer for four months and shown no incilnation to go out and given their age (they were 11) it was thought a cosy home was best for their retirement - and they are happy chappies indoor and love finding the hot spots on the wooden floors where the radiators run under!

I am sure something will come up soon and you are right to stick by your original decison - there will be two lovely indoor furbabes just waiting for you.

And indoor cats can enjoy the sun too!!
 


Bertie on the large living room window sil - flat on his back with not a care in the world!



Edgar in more or less the same spot on the rug we placed there for him

[Ann Clarke (Tabby cat)]

Have been catching up with this thread and just wanted to say keep trying and you will find a rescue that will home to you, they would be very silly not to take up the offer of such a wonderful home. I only wish you lived near us at Gateshead CP as we would snatch your hand off. We regularly home to indoor only homes, possibly because we are such a built up area in Gateshead with very busy roads and we have a lot of people living in flats without gardens too. As others have said it does depend on the cat especially if they are adults but we have successfully rehomed many cats who were previously outdoors to indoor homes. As people on here know Hobbes and Dylan are indoor cats and I think people can see from their various photos that they are very healthy and happy. Dylan was an outdoor stray before I got him and he has never shown any inclination to go outside in the 5 years I've had him and Hobbes freaked out when he went outside in his carrier so I think it's safe to say he's not bothered about the outdoors as he's never been out. In an ideal world I would like them to be able to go out but I live next to a busy bypass and also live on a big council estate with some people around who shouldn't be allowed near animals so at the moment they will stay indoors. When I eventually get my own place I would like somewhere I can cat proof the garden so they can have the best of both worlds but they are certainly fine as they are for now. Some CP branches do annoy me when they have such rigid rules, as Mark said it gives the rest of us a bad name and they don't operate the way NCC wants them too either. A good home is a good home after all. Good luck with your search, I know the right babes are out there for you 

[Millys Mum]

Eventually my mum gave me Spook as a birthday present - but could only get her by driving 120 miles and paying £225.

  who on earth can get away with charging £225 for a cat with a physical defect, people whinge about rescues asking donations for a healthy vaccinated/chipped/neutered cat 

I'll just say - and I know Millys Mum agrees with me on this, so it's for general consumption really - that any physical defect doesn't make Spook any the less wonderful and deserving of love   Her point was a different one.

Of course C 

What a crazy world we live in 

[Christine (Blip)]

Eventually my mum gave me Spook as a birthday present - but could only get her by driving 120 miles and paying £225.

  who on earth can get away with charging £225 for a cat with a physical defect, people whinge about rescues asking donations for a healthy vaccinated/chipped/neutered cat 

I'll just say - and I know Millys Mum agrees with me on this, so it's for general consumption really - that any physical defect doesn't make Spook any the less wonderful and deserving of love   Her point was a different one.

[Millys Mum]

Eventually my mum gave me Spook as a birthday present - but could only get her by driving 120 miles and paying £225.

  who on earth can get away with charging £225 for a cat with a physical defect, people whinge about rescues asking donations for a healthy vaccinated/chipped/neutered cat 

Helena i hope NCC have something for you

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

The local cps to Helena will not rehome as you have read and I didnt say all cp branches

[Ela]

just read the thread below ela, cp local branches will not rehome kittens into safe indoor homes

That will not be CP as a whole, I know CP branches that do including ourselves, to be honest with you more people nowadays ask us for indoor rather  only than  than indoor/outdoor. We would home very few if we did not home a lot as indoor only. Having said that we having a lot of kittens lately who are needing to go to a heart specialist for bad heart murmurs, (it is costing us a fortune) in fact we have one going to Sheffield on Monday (Ellie on our site). We home these to as indoor only.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

just read the thread below ela, cp local branches will not rehome kittens into safe indoor homes...........its no good picking up one little quote !

[Ela]

its no good rescues saying they are full, cant take any more etc etc and then will not rehome into safety when they can

.

I am not saying it does not happen but I personally don't  know of a rescue that would not home when considered safe to do so.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

When I lived in New Zealand, and we wanted to adopt a cat, we just drove down to the RSPCA and picked out a kitten, and took her home.  Why does it have to be so difficult up here?

Because there are a lot of people out there who mistreat cats and so it is important for rescues to check circumstances. We also do follow up checks to make sure that all is as it appeared. I understand that you may not realise the way people treat animals, but trust me it is not at all nice at times and we have a duty to the cats to ensure they go into great homes.

but some great homes are indoors and cp branches should know more about cats and homes before they start saying peeps cant have a kitten for indoors only and then say well you cant have a kitten cos its too dangerous to go out side!

i am someone who has 4 cats who have 24/7 access and believe that cats miss something by not going out but all this stupidness needs to stop.

its no good rescues saying they are full, cant take any more etc etc and then will not rehome into safety when they can.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

When I lived in New Zealand, and we wanted to adopt a cat, we just drove down to the RSPCA and picked out a kitten, and took her home.  Why does it have to be so difficult up here?

Because there are a lot of people out there who mistreat cats and so it is important for rescues to check circumstances. We also do follow up checks to make sure that all is as it appeared. I understand that you may not realise the way people treat animals, but trust me it is not at all nice at times and we have a duty to the cats to ensure they go into great homes.

[Indys Mamma]

I think the home visits for adoption are a fairly good idea, but the whole issue in the UK of keeping a non-pedigree cat as an indoor only cat annoys me, especially when they say you can't have an outdoor cat because of where you live etc In an ideal world then I really believe cats should have the freedom of the world outside... but in my area and many other, letting a cat outside without supervision is beyond risky... a friend of my mums has lost 9 cats in 2 years to road/trai/teenagers and another friend had her 6 month kitten thrown into a canal.

I am kinda glad that I ended up with Misha and bypassed the whole paperwork and arguments over having an indoor cat... but at same time I really hate those 'free to good homes' ads... Mishas previous owners never asked any questions about our home/area/other pets and they didn't even ask about care... other than saying they wanted 'her' to have a litter before neutering

[mallory]

Cats and roads just don't mix.  Before I left home, we had a cat (ex-stray) who used to lie in the road, and make cars drive around him. Fortunately it was a very quiet 20mph zone, and he was never hurt. But then my mum moved, and the new house was on a busy road. You would think that a former stray would be streetwise, but he lay in the road, and was hit by a car. He lost one leg. Once he was recovered enough to climb the fence, he got back on the road and got killed.

My current cat Spook has a small disability - one of her hind legs is about an inch short, and has a clubfoot. She gets around fine, but she doesn't climb or jump very well.  I'm worried that she wouldn't be able to hold her own against dogs or other cats. She's an inside cat, and only goes out in the garden when I'm with her. 

I found that I was unable to adopt in my area - apparently there was a shortage of kittens, so you had to go on a waiting list for an HV, and then if you passed, go on another waiting list for a kitten. They wouldn't let you adopt just one, you had to take two, and they didn't home kittens under 6 months old. They told me that I couldn't have one because I'm in a rental property, unless I had a letter from my landlord giving permission, and they could call him to confirm.  I didn't even dare mention that I'm disabled.  I gave up after 2 months trying to arrange the HV. Eventually my mum gave me Spook as a birthday present - but could only get her by driving 120 miles and paying £225.

When I lived in New Zealand, and we wanted to adopt a cat, we just drove down to the RSPCA and picked out a kitten, and took her home.  Why does it have to be so difficult up here?

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

Helena, I would call the NCC and say you are possibly interested in those two but would be open to the idea of any pairs of cats who are indoor only. I know they had some really sweet FIV+ b&w kittens too! They will be able to talk to you about the home visit and who will do it in advance of you going down there. Once you ahve the home visit done you will then be able to drive down, choose your cats and take them home same day.
Calici is one of the strands of cat flu but really not that bigger deal... just make sure you keep up to date with their vaccinations and thwy will be fine. It is just likely they may get a case of the snuffles at times of stress but in a home like yours I am sure that will be minimal! When cat's get cat flu they never completey get rid of it, it can flare up but it is very common and lots of cats never have a flare up again so def not something to put you off. 

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

Haywards Heath is not far from Gatwick,,,, Crawley way so not far at all... I dont know the details but i can give you tel numbers and contact people if you wanted to speak to someone.. But Debs has seem them also... ! Good luck and thanks for the PM

[tigerbaby]

They are both calici + and have slightly sore gums because of this but they have had dentals and so it will hopefully calm down with time. Other than this no major ongoing health problems

Thank you - whereabouts is NCC? And what does Calici mean? Will discuss all the offers we've had so far with Robin, but probably won't be able to give an answer until Monday. If possible we'll drive down to see them - I think Haywards Heath is nearish to where R's parents live (a small village near Lewes).

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

I met Sydney and Bear when we got Jasper and they are goegeous. We were both very taken with them but knew that we only wanted one! I also got to cuddle both of them when we had our branch visit and I can honestly say they are sooo friendly and very good looking cats!

Bear is especially snuggly and such a gorgeous shade of ginger 

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

I have had several emails back from local SE branches including this one from the NCC, so indoor type cats are indeed out there. Cannot believe these two have been in care since April!!!

We have a lovely pair of cats here looking for an indoor home. They have been with us since April for one reason or another but they are a really friendly pair. They have been used to living as indoor cats in the past but there is no reason why they couldn’t go outside in the future. They must go as a pair.

They are:
Sidney, mn, black & white, dsh, 8 years old
Bear, mn, ginger, dlh, 5 years old
They are both calici + and have slightly sore gums because of this but they have had dentals and so it will hopefully calm down with time. Other than this no major ongoing health problems I can see.
Cattery Reception
National Cat Centre

[Kirst]

Oh I so hope this comes right. Mind you I seem to remeber when I was looking I only wanted one and look what happened there!

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

Okay we have some success. I will PM you details.. !

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

Oh well never mind.. Its wise to think about these things.
If you wish me to send out a email to local branches then the offer is still there..

[tinkers]

i have three cats and it works fine lol

[Dawn F]

you have to be realistic if money might be an issue hun your kitties are out there I'm sure

[tigerbaby]

Awwww what gorgeous cuties!!

I mentioned the 3 kittys to Robin, but he is not really keen. Our apartment isn't small, it's quite spacious, 1 good sized bedroom, 2 small hallways and good sized lounge, small kitchen and small bathroom, but for 2 cats we would still struggle to find a quiet corner/space for 3 litter trays (would need to put 1 in hallway, and one in bathroom and our bathroom is tiny, so 3 cats with 4 littertrays would start taking over space. Plus it's the money - although we both have semi- regular income I think the costs of insurance and food might be a bit too much to start with. We actually wanted only 1 cat first, but with the Indoor issue we felt that it would be better to rehome 2 so they can keep each other company. We talked about whether 2 cats might be a bit crowdy here but decided it would be ok.

I appreciate that 3 cats might not be that much of  a difference, but I think we kind of feel that it's a bit too much in one hit.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Wow 

[Bryony84]

Ah ha, as if by some strange magic, I managed to upload the photo from my phone to flickr and it actually worked!

[LesleyW]

Ohhhhhhh look at all of them, thats as good as pics from Gillian 

Thank youGill, that is a real compliment