13 replies to this topic

[Iszie]

Deleted, this wasn't me who wrote this. My friend got into my account and... yeah.

Edited by Sablepaw, 08 May 2021 - 04:02 AM.

[Remy]

Hello!

I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t really think this arrangement is a good idea. :( I don’t agree with letting cats roam outdoors due to the danger it poses to them as well as the effect they have on wild species such as birds and smaller animals. Cats are also active animals who can get bored easily, and being confined to a bedroom for the majority the day is just not appropriate. Why can’t the cat have free range of the house?

[daisy~]

I think in practice your friend would have trouble finding a rescue that would home a cat to live in this kind of arrangement. Rescues in the UK will home out certain cats to live indoors but they will want them to have the run of most or all of the house. Cats are very intelligent and active animals and I think your friend might be underestimating how much enrichment they need. She might be lucky and find a smaller rescue with more flexible requirements, or perhaps a cat with some very specific needs, but I also think a rescue would want there to be a good reason why they can't live in the whole house. The parents not wanting a cat in the whole house isn't really a good reason from a rescue's perspective, and they will also have concerns if it seems like the whole family isn't on board with having a cat.

 

She might have better luck with certain breeds of cat from a breeder, but they don't come cheap and I suspect many breeders would still want their cats to have the whole house to live in.

 

Personally I couldn't imagine keeping a cat in such a small space for most of the week. Cats are prone to many undesirable behaviours caused by stress and boredom.

Edited by daisy~, 11 April 2021 - 05:31 AM.

[Iszie]

Hello!

I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t really think this arrangement is a good idea. :( I don’t agree with letting cats roam outdoors due to the danger it poses to them as well as the effect they have on wild species such as birds and smaller animals. Cats are also active animals who can get bored easily, and being confined to a bedroom for the majority the day is just not appropriate. Why can’t the cat have free range of the house?

I'm not actually sure why, so I'll ask.

 

She replied: "Oh ok, well idk but last time your forum said it was okay. The cat cannot have free range because my parents don't like cats and my brother is allergic."

 

I think in practice your friend would have trouble finding a rescue that would home a cat to live in this kind of arrangement. Rescues in the UK will home out certain cats to live indoors but they will want them to have the run of most or all of the house. Cats are very intelligent and active animals and I think your friend might be underestimating how much enrichment they need. She might be lucky and find a smaller rescue with more flexible requirements, or perhaps a cat with some very specific needs, but I also think a rescue would want there to be a good reason why they can't live in the whole house. The parents not wanting a cat in the whole house isn't really a good reason from a rescue's perspective, and they will also have concerns if it seems like the whole family isn't on board with having a cat.

 

She might have better luck with certain breeds of cat from a breeder, but they don't come cheap and I suspect many breeders would still want their cats to have the whole house to live in.

 

Personally I couldn't imagine keeping a cat in such a small space for most of the week. Cats are prone to many undesirable behaviours due to stress and boredom.

I agree with you about the whole enrichment part...

 

She responded with this: "I have found a rescue who wants their cats to have access to the outdoors. The main reason is that my brother is allergic. What do I do ugh. Omg I'm dying inside why does it have to be this way."

Edited by ~Crumble~, 11 April 2021 - 05:39 AM.

[4 Hamsters]

I'm not actually sure why, so I'll ask.

 

She replied: "Oh ok, well idk but last time your forum said it was okay. The cat cannot have free range because my parents don't like cats and my brother is allergic."

 

I have to agree with you about the whole enrichment part...

 

She responded with this: "I have found a rescue who wants their cats to have access to the outdoors. The main reason is that my brother is allergic. What do I do ugh. Omg I'm dying inside why does it have to be this way."

 

 

 

My friend thinks she might be able to take all the responsibility for caring for the cat, the only thing she can't do is save the money for the vet and for food/toys (although she can contribute to the cost every week). 

 

She has a few questions:

 

1. How can she let the cat go outside by itself if the room it will be in is upstairs? We asked HH if cats can live in one room with unlimited access to the outdoors, and everyone said yes. The only thing is, she can't have the room downstairs. If she gets it cat it would have to live in her bedroom, which is upstairs. So if she opens a window so the cat could go outside, there would be a fairly large drop to the ground, and it wouldn't be able to go back in again by itself. Perhaps she can keep it in the room whilst she's at school and let it out when she's home for an hour? Or do you have any other ideas?

 

2. In case she isn't able to get the cat outside as often as she hoped, is it possible to keep a cat in one medium-sized room if it has many toys, a cat tree, other stimulating stuff for five days, then on the weekend let it go outside? This doesn't apply to holiday days. Or is it possible just to keep the cat in the room and not let it go outside apart from the few occasions (I personally didn't think it was such a good idea but she wants me to ask anyway)? 

 

3. How long of outdoor-time should the cat have each day/week?

 

4. She asks whether this sounds like a good daily routine, if not, what should she do to improve it?

 

School day routine:

Spoiler

7:00am - 8:00am: Wake up and feed the cat. The food given will be a mixture of wet/canned food and dry food. Also give fresh water. Scoop the litter box and open the window slightly so the cat can listen to and smell the outdoors. Spend time with the cat (if it wants to), petting it and making sure it looks healthy and stuff. Say goodbye before closing the window and door. 

 

She has to leave school at 8am and arrives at 5pm, sometimes 6pm if she has an after-school activity. 

 

Without after-school activity:

Spoiler

5pm - 6:30pm/7pm: pet/play with the cat before letting it go outside (assuming she can't let it go whenever due to the room being upstairs). Bring it back inside when it wants to, or when it's dark. Give it dinner, again a mixture of wet/canned food and dry food. Spend time with it, play or pet it, etc.

 

7:30pm - when she goes to sleep: Spend more time with the cat, groom it if necessary. Scoop litter box. Tidy stuff. Open the window for a short while so the cat can listen to and smell the outdoors. Close the window and go to bed. 

 

With school activity:

Spoiler

6pm-7pm: pet/play with the cat before letting it go outside (assuming she can't let it go whenever due to the room being upstairs). Bring it back inside when it wants to, or when it's dark. Give it dinner, again a mixture of wet/canned food and dry food. Spend time with it, play or pet it, etc.

 

7:30pm - when she goes to sleep: Spend more time with the cat, groom it if necessary. Scoop litter box. Tidy stuff. Open the window for a short while so the cat can listen to and smell the outdoors. Close the window and go to bed. 

 

Weekend/Holiday days routine:

Spoiler

7am or 8am - 9am: Wake up and feed the cat. The food given will be a mixture of wet/canned food and dry food. Also give fresh water. Scoop the litter box and open the window slightly so the cat can listen to and smell the outdoors. Spend time with the cat (if it wants to), petting it and making sure it looks healthy and stuff.

 

9am - 12am: Let the cat outdoors, bring it back when it wants to come inside. Let the cat have some alone time, or play with it a bit.

 

12am - 3pm: Let the cat outdoors if it wants, bring it back when it wants to come inside. Let the cat have some alone time, or play with it a bit.

 

She sometimes have activities planned on weekends/holidays, so she left two hours (3pm - 5pm) in case that happens.

 

5pm - 6:30pm/7pm: pet/play with the cat before letting it go outside (assuming she can't let it go whenever due to the room being upstairs). Bring it back inside when it wants to. Give it dinner, again a mixture of wet/canned food and dry food. Spend time with it, play or pet it, etc.

 

7:30pm - when she goes to sleep: Spend more time with the cat, groom it if necessary. Scoop litter box. Tidy stuff. Open the window for a short while so the cat can listen to and smell the outdoors. Close the window and go to bed.  

 

Edit: Sorry forgot to add, before she decides on a cat she's going to try the routine with a plush toy to make sure she can stay committed and stuff.

 

Thanks in advance from both her and me!

 

 

I think that your friend should be on a cat forum, there's some that have more people that understand in cats. However, I don't think it's fair to the cat that he/she must be kept in a room for 5 days, medium sized or not. 

[daisy~]

I'm not actually sure why, so I'll ask.

 

She replied: "Oh ok, well idk but last time your forum said it was okay. The cat cannot have free range because my parents don't like cats and my brother is allergic."

 

I agree with you about the whole enrichment part...

 

She responded with this: "I have found a rescue who wants their cats to have access to the outdoors. The main reason is that my brother is allergic. What do I do ugh. Omg I'm dying inside why does it have to be this way."

 

Most rescues in the UK want most of their cats to have outdoor access, but the cat should still have a fully enriched indoor environment rather than being restricted to a small space.

 

It's a shame about her brother's allergies but I think a rescue will still have serious concerns. It's not a good reason to keep a cat in just two rooms. Also, cat hair flies and gets everywhere, so it's likely he will react just from being in the same house. It's not fair on the cat and it's not fair on her brother to have to live with this arrangement. Your friend might have to accept that a cat isn't right for her at this time, but perhaps in the future her circumstances will be right for a cat.

[Iszie]

Most rescues in the UK want most of their cats to have outdoor access, but the cat should still have a fully enriched indoor environment rather than being restricted to a small space.

 

It's a shame about her brother's allergies but I think a rescue will still have serious concerns. It's not a good reason to keep a cat in just two rooms. Also, cat hair flies and gets everywhere, so it's likely he will react just from being in the same house. It's not fair on the cat and it's not fair on her brother to have to live with this arrangement. Your friend might have to accept that a cat isn't right for her at this time, but perhaps in the future her circumstances will be right for a cat.

I told her this: "I really don't think you're in the right situation to have a cat, knowledgable members agree. Sorry, maybe in the future?"

 

She replied: "I DON'T CARE OMG YOU'RE SO STUPID CAN YOU JUST LET ME HAVE A CAT???????? HONESTLY YOU DON'T DESERVE FRIENDS UGH." 

 

She proceeded to block me, I'm rather glad she has. I guess that's the end of this drama.

Edited by ~Crumble~, 11 April 2021 - 05:11 PM.

[daisy~]

I wouldn't post any more of her questions then. She's clearly not interested in the answers.

 

Why is she having you post her cat and dog questions on a hamster forum anyway, rather than joining a more relevant forum?

[Iszie]

I wouldn't post any more of her questions then. She's clearly not interested in the answers.

 

Why is she having you post her cat and dog questions on a hamster forum anyway, rather than joining a more relevant forum?

I don't know. I actually don't know why she's asking me instead.

 

The only thing is, what if she ignores us and goes ahead anyway? Will the cat be okay? I hope the shelter won't let them adopt the cat if she tries though. 

[daisy~]

I'm pretty sure no good rescue or breeder is going to rehome a cat to live like that, and likewise with the dog question.

 

Since lockdown, backyard breeders have been charging exorbitant amounts for kittens and puppies and even online rehoming adverts tend to ask for a fair amount for a dog or cat.

[IsAnyoneThere]

Yeah.. no. This person should not (and will not) get a cat from a rescue.

I, as an adult with my own home and finances, with enclosed garden and a fully-budgeted vet and insurance plan, had to have the RSPCA come to give me an at-home interview before I was allowed to adopt. They asked a lot of really intrusive questions, such as if I ever planned to have children, how many holidays did I take per year, what would be my plans if I went on holiday etc. before they would let me sign the adoption forms. And it was £120 per cat (I have a brother and sister cat) to adopt them. So £240 before we even started on supplies.

You might want to give those stats to your friend.

 

If their parents don't even like cats, and they have already said they can't afford the vet bills, how on Earth are they going to afford a cat? Much less even get through the interview where the shelter (CPL or RSPCA) ask all of the above questions? I was seriously left questioning myself whether I was competent enough at the end of the interview.... this would have to be her parents (who don't want a cat) to be taking this interview. Yeah.

 

Overall, I don't think you have anything to worry about, this person is not going to be allowed to adopt a cat from a shelter in the UK.

Edited by IsAnyoneThere, 11 April 2021 - 06:46 AM.

[IsAnyoneThere]

 

My friend thinks she might be able to take all the responsibility for caring for the cat, the only thing she can't do is save the money for the vet and for food/toys (although she can contribute to the cost every week). 

 

 

 

Also just to add:

 

This translates as.... "I want a cat but I can't pay for its food, toys, any essentials, or vet bills. I cannot pay in any way for this cat, aside from what I assume is an allowance, which is coming from the parents anyway."

[ajuniceuhamsters]

Just wanted to add this- if it did work out, I wouldn't say the feeding is much good since I strongly believe in raw diets for cats. Dry food is quite bad imo. Raw has a lot more benifits to their health than just being fed <poopy> food.

 

 

 

It doesn't really sound like she has the money, space or responsibilty to provide for many types pets, let alone a cat from the information given and how she reacted.

Edited by ajuniceuhamsters, 11 April 2021 - 08:59 AM.

[Iszie]

Spoiler

I'm pretty sure no good rescue or breeder is going to rehome a cat to live like that, and likewise with the dog question.

 

Since lockdown, backyard breeders have been charging exorbitant amounts for kittens and puppies and even online rehoming adverts tend to ask for a fair amount for a dog or cat.

 

 

Yeah.. no. This person should not (and will not) get a cat from a rescue.

I, as an adult with my own home and finances, with enclosed garden and a fully-budgeted vet and insurance plan, had to have the RSPCA come to give me an at-home interview before I was allowed to adopt. They asked a lot of really intrusive questions, such as if I ever planned to have children, how many holidays did I take per year, what would be my plans if I went on holiday etc. before they would let me sign the adoption forms. And it was £120 per cat (I have a brother and sister cat) to adopt them. So £240 before we even started on supplies.

You might want to give those stats to your friend.

 

If their parents don't even like cats, and they have already said they can't afford the vet bills, how on Earth are they going to afford a cat? Much less even get through the interview where the shelter (CPL or RSPCA) ask all of the above questions? I was seriously left questioning myself whether I was competent enough at the end of the interview.... this would have to be her parents (who don't want a cat) to be taking this interview. Yeah.

 

Overall, I don't think you have anything to worry about, this person is not going to be allowed to adopt a cat from a shelter in the UK.

 

 

Also just to add:

 

This translates as.... "I want a cat but I can't pay for its food, toys, any essentials, or vet bills. I cannot pay in any way for this cat, aside from what I assume is an allowance, which is coming from the parents anyway."

 

 

Just wanted to add this- if it did work out, I wouldn't say the feeding is much good since I strongly believe in raw diets for cats. Dry food is quite bad imo. Raw has a lot more benifits to their health than just being fed <poopy> food.

 

 

 

It doesn't really sound like she has the money, space or responsibilty to provide for many types pets, let alone a cat from the information given and how she reacted.

 

Yeah, I think I can safely say she's definitely not ready, and rude about it. She blocked me on the app we used (she's used to be an online friend) so I'm not sure how to tell her anything but it's good to know that the shelters won't allow her to adopt one.