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STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO ADOPTING A CAT
So you’d like to give a home to a cute cat, but what sort? That’s easy – a rescue cat! Why shop for a cat when there are so many abandoned cats desperate for a loving home including breeds like Bengals and Persians?
Humans invited cats into our homes centuries ago and soon discovered they could be loving companions. They can be just as affectionate as dogs – and easier to look after because they don’t need long walks. There’s a common misconception that they are aloof, independent creatures. In fact, there’s nothing like the warmth of a cat who runs to meet you, tail up high like a flag in greeting. And when he or she jumps into your arms, rubbing his whiskers on your hands, and puts his paws around you, there’s a real sense of privilege that you’ve earned the unconditional love of such a mysterious creature who still resembles in so many ways the lions, tigers and leopards of the jungle.
But cats can become homeless for many reasons – the death of an owner, family break-up, too many kittens, or they may never have known a home at all. Not very long ago ownerless cats were put down, but Cats Protection, founded 90 years ago, fiercely objected to this. It campaigned for neutering as a solution, and then some supporters argued that not just kittens but mid-life cats could also be ‘rehomed’. Today there are many reputable rehoming charities throughout Britain housing thousands of cats needing good homes. Our own pair, Fergus and Luis, came from Animal Rescue in Clapham in London. They’ve brought us endless joy and changed our lives for the better, just as we’ve changed theirs. So what are you waiting for? There’s a mischievous, meowing moggy out there ready to fall in love with you. Just follow this step-by-step guide...
1. ARE YOU RIGHT FOR A RESCUE CAT?
Do you live in a flat or by a busy road? Do you have a garden? Are you away from home a lot? Are there people with allergies in your home? These are things to consider before you decide to adopt. ‘Although cats are regarded as independent they’re like any other pet and need shelter, food, warmth and veterinary care,’ says Zahir White of Cats Protection. Once you’ve decided you want one, tap ‘rescue cat’ and a location into the internet and see what happens. Zahir’s advice is think local, visit in person and talk to the staff about what type of cat might suit you. If you’re older, for example, you may find a snoozier animal appealing. The whole process takes about a week and costs around £120.
2. DON’T JUST CHOOSE THE FLUFFIEST KITTEN
It can be heartbreaking seeing cats nobody seems to want at the rehoming centre. Don’t just choose the cutest kitten, many elderly, blind, deaf or disabled cats would love to find a home, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping an animal that may not have found love again. Black cats tend to be less popular on the absurd grounds they’re unlucky and not photogenic. I was inspired to write a book about rescue cats and cat rescuers with my husband Christy because of our joyous experience with
Fergus and Luis, but I had no idea of the extraordinary stories I’d find. Here’s just one. A lady in
Manchester went to a Cats Protection shelter looking for a kitten to ‘make us laugh again’ after the death of her and her partner’s pet. They agreed to adopt a kitten and another mature cat, but there also was Fluffy, an old black, tatty long-haired cat desperate for affection. ‘I pulled my partner away saying Fluffy was too old and I couldn’t go through the upset of losing another cat,’ she said. But she found she couldn’t forget Fluffy and went back for him. ‘It was wonderful to see him enjoying his old age. We decided we’d always keep space for an oldie.’
3. MAKE SURE IT’S HEALTHY
Blind cats, deaf cats, three-legged cats – they’re all adoptable and can live normal lives, but make sure there are no hidden health problems. Ask for medical records including its vaccination certificate and records of worming and flea treatment. Lily Mae Lacey, ten, from Aylesbury, and her family adopted Tiddles, a three-legged rescue cat. Their previous cat had died at 17, and when they went to the local RSPCA centre Lily Mae fell in love with Tiddles. He’d been abandoned outside the centre, unable to move because his back leg had been crushed, possibly as a result of being hit by a car. Sadly the leg needed to be amputated. But he was such a beauty a lot of people were interested in him, so Lily reserved him. When he arrived at their home Tiddles was terrified and hid under the sofa, but since then he’s made a special bond with Lily, who spends hours playing with him. He especially likes sitting on her homework.
Make sure you neuter your cat if it’s four months of age or older – this prevents unwanted kittens and makes cats less likely to fight each other. Get your cat micro-chipped too, it’s a permanent form of identification that increases the chances of a happy reunion if the cat goes missing. And take out pet insurance to cover against unexpected veterinary fees.
4. TRY AN INDOOR CAT
Don’t worry if you don’t have a garden – cats can be fine in flats as long as your tenancy agreement allows them. If you live near a busy road you may prefer to keep a cat indoors. Without all those birds to bother and gardens to explore, indoor cats need extra stimulation and Cats Protection will not re-home in a flat where the owner is out all day. You’ll also need to reassure them there’s no danger of a door or window being accidentally left open, as an indoor cat may not be able to fend for itself if it gets out.
Many cats make good indoor pets. Older cats aged 12 or more are ideal because their personalities will be more settled. Cats can live into their late teens, making them great indoor pets for the long-term. Blind and deaf cats should also be kept indoors as they will not be able to see or hear danger signals. Some cats have been abandoned because they’ve been found to have Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which makes them less able to fight off infection. They need to remain indoors to prevent them passing on the virus to other cats. But they can live happily for many years as the virus acts slowly and they are completely harmless to humans.
If you’re out a lot, consider getting two cats to keep each other company. But remember cats are naturally solitary predators and some siblings may not remain close and playful with each other when they get older. When adopting, ask if there are any pairs of indoor cats they’d recommend being homed together who aren’t likely to compete over their territory.
Cats love to climb trees, scratch and hunt, so try to make their indoor surroundings as stimulating as possible, with a scratching post and somewhere high to sit so they can keep an eye on their territory. A catnip mouse can provide hours of ‘hunting’ fun, and do allow yourself plenty of play time. A covered litter tray is a good idea – there are all sorts of cat litter trays that prevent odours.
5. CAT NECESSITIES
Along with the basics – food and water bowls and bedding – you’ll
need a cat-flap for adult outdoor cats, a litter tray for indoor and juvenile cats, pet toys and a quick release cat-collar before your cat arrives. Clawing is a way of marking territory and relieving stress but remember that some of your upholstery may suffer – so put scratching posts around.
6. YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE
Don’t expect instant bliss. Any cat arriving in new surroundings will be shy for a while before natural curiosity takes over. Some are very sociable and will come to you for a cuddle in no time, others will take much longer. The important thing is to let them make the first contact. ‘A change of environment is stressful for any cat so set aside a quiet place in your home to help the cat settle in,’ says Zahir White. If you have young children, explain the need for patience. And don’t let your new pet outside until fully adjusted to their new home – this usually takes three to four weeks.
7. TRAINING AND DIET
A rescue kitten, like any other, will need toilet training. Your rehoming centre will advise you on this as different cats require different regimes. All cats are meat-eaters and should not be fed a vegetarian diet. Commercial cat foods are specially designed to meet a cat’s dietary needs and provide all the nutrients they need. Kittens, pregnant and lactating mothers have specific nutritional requirements. Again, your rehoming centre will advise you. Please Take Me Home: The Story Of The Rescue Cat by Clare Campbell with Christy Campbell is published in paperback on 3 August 2017 by Corsair, £8.99.