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Phoenix's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 cats black/white and one tabby
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04-01-2011, 02:10 PM   #1

Rescue Cats Need You


Rescue Cats Need You
by rescuecatsrule and Elaine

Considering taking on a rescue cat?

For every cat or kitten that's rehomed, another cat gets a chance, free from what could be a life of hunger, misery or even abuse.

Before taking on any animal, please think about what best suits both yours and their needs. Contrary to popular belief, your lifestyle matters - cats like human company and many love nothing more than a nice lap to sit on. If you are away from home a lot them perhaps it's worth considering whether you will be able to provide an good life for the pet or not. Remember, on average cats can live for sixteen years, some can live to twenty years so you need to be sure you can commit to this length of time.

Basic needs for cats are:

•Fresh water daily.
•A good quality, nutritional diet.
•One or more scratching posts, invest in a good one as it will save you money in the long run as well as your furniture.
•Litter tray.
•A nice cozy bed
•A brush for grooming.
•A cat carrier and some toys.
•Register with a good vet and be guided by them with regards to vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, micro chipping and neutering (most rescues have usually neutered/spayed before rehoming)

Other costs to consider are unexpected vet bills, so it's always a good idea to think about having your cat insured, you never know when you might need it!

Before getting your cat

Every one in the household should be in agreement to getting a cat, many cats find themselves back in rescue because the idea hasn't been thought out as well as it may have or they discover that a family member has an allergic reaction to the cat. Make sure your rental/tenancy agreement allows you have a pet, too. Is your pet to be indoor or have access to outdoors? NEVER leave a cat outdoors with no shelter, it is cruel.

There are thousands of cats in rescue, just waiting for the chance of a good loving home. There are breed specific rescues, as well as your good old fashioned moggy. If you are looking for a pedigree, please do your homework on which breed you would prefer as their needs may vary.

Cat personalities vary greatly, when visiting the rescue, don't jump at the first poor kitty you see there, take a little time, talk with the people at the rescue and let them guide you towards the cat which best suits you and your family's lifestyle.

Remember, cats scratch, hunt and moult. It is necessary for cats to scratch, not only to help keep their claws in good shape but also to scent their new surroundings. Cats have claws, it's a fact, if you can't cope with a little scratching on your new sofa then consider a goldfish instead of a cat.

Once you have decided that you are able to provide a good loving home for a rescue cat, somebody from the rescue will normally visit you at your home before signing the cat over to you. Don't panic, they are not there to make sure you have washed your dishes, they just want to make sure they are placing the right cat into the right environment, that way there is less risk of the cat being returned to them.

When you get your cat

When your new cat has arrived home, be patient and don't overwhelm him/her. Introduce them to one room where it has all it needs, allow the cat to settle there for a few days. When your cat seems comfortable with that then you can introduce it to the rest of the house - let it explore but be able to go back to it's comfort room as and when it wants to... slowly but surely it will start to feel comfortable around the house. Don't be surprised if your cat goes into hiding for the first day or so, just allow your cat to gain confidence in you and the new surroundings, in his or her own time

Well done for taking on a rescue cat, we hope you'll both be very happy together!



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calismum's Avatar
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Cats owned: Two Tabby Girls
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Location: Scotland, UK
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04-01-2011, 02:49 PM   #2

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


Great guide for potential rescue cat owners. Well written and clear. Wonder if it could be placed at top of the rescue related forum section



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Elaine's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 moggies
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Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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04-01-2011, 03:10 PM   #3

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


I like it RCR, I like the changes you have made and the layout is so much better, clearer and simple to understand.
Well done you for taking the time and effort. xxx



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angieh's Avatar
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Cats owned: Magnificent moggies
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Location: Hampshire, UK
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04-01-2011, 03:44 PM   #4

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


That is very comprehensive and well written. Good work.



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dandysmom's Avatar
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Cats owned: Leia: blue torbie
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Location: Washington, DC, USA
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04-01-2011, 05:21 PM   #5

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


Excellent!! Well done, thanks for the time and effort you took.



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Shelley123's Avatar
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04-01-2011, 07:56 PM   #6

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


Brilliant, perhaps it could be a sticky in the rescue section ?



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Shelley123's Avatar
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04-01-2011, 08:01 PM   #7

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


Just wondering RCR as we have heard of several Cats recently relegated to a life outdoors with no shelter whether you could add something about Cats not being pets that should be kept outdoors and must have shelter.
The bit where you ask whether the cat will be an indoor or outdoor cat could be misinterpreted by some people. We all no what you mean but it seems there are people who think it perfectly acceptable to leave a cat with no shelter ?



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dandysmom's Avatar
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Cats owned: Leia: blue torbie
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04-01-2011, 09:29 PM   #8

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


Good point, Shelley! We know better but it might be misinterpreted by a person new to cats.



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Phoenix's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 cats black/white and one tabby
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Somewhere or maybe nowhere
Posts: 4,296
04-01-2011, 09:32 PM   #9

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


Quote:
Originally Posted by Elaine
I like it RCR, I like the changes you have made and the layout is so much better, clearer and simple to understand.
Well done you for taking the time and effort. xxx
Az changed the layout for us Elaine I just added in the odd new sentence here and there

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelley123
Just wondering RCR as we have heard of several Cats recently relegated to a life outdoors with no shelter whether you could add something about Cats not being pets that should be kept outdoors and must have shelter.
The bit where you ask whether the cat will be an indoor or outdoor cat could be misinterpreted by some people. We all no what you mean but it seems there are people who think it perfectly acceptable to leave a cat with no shelter ?
Added (in bold in the first post so it stands out)



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Shelley123's Avatar
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04-01-2011, 11:04 PM   #10

Re: Rescue Cats Need You


That's great RCR



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