Over reacting ???

That's just awful about that little kitty the poor little mite.

Sonia, although I think the ad is a good idea, I would be wary about the responses, I think you've identified correctly that all sorts of dweebs read these types of papers and you might get someone trying to off-load a sick kitty. Thing is if you've bought into their story it'll be difficult to back off and say no.

If you can be complete cold, brutal and selfish in your approach to selecting a cat this way then it might well work.

Sonia, I don't know if you've had a look at this portal, http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/cats.html, but they have lists of rehoming charities for cats.

There's lots of Cats Protection links (and I know their criteria are quite strict), but there are a number of others listed too, particularly one in London and one in Bristol who are independent.

Good luck!

Chapter 1...Is There Hope ???

Whooooo-hoooo !!! I am so happy...thank you all for giving me your support. But you'll never guess what happened today. I and my mother went to the local RSPCA cattery and talked to the people there about the homechecks and the situation we have. It turns out that because they are so over loaded with dumped kitties, the first time since they can remember, people dumped their cats, rather than look after them over the summer holiday season, and also there are a vast amount of autumn litters, they have researched and decided that in certain circumstances a homecheck can be waivered. Oh my gosh...I was so happy. We wentto the cattery and were introduced to a ginger tom who was very loving but had had an eye surgically removed. The operation was done very badly and the cat looked horrific. I couldn't believe the RSPCA would operate and leave a cat like that. The cat itself was skinny and kept sneezing. They said it had been in over a year because of it's looks. Whoever did it, practically butchered the poor thing. We would have taken him on, except that he needs to be an indoor, one cat family. They left us to wander around, showed us the kitten ward, where their were 10 day old nursing litters, in at least 8 pens, and then we carried on looking. Nothing caught our eye.

Mum and I just thought it would become our weekly visiting place, when we saw in the 4th from last pen, a beautiful big fluffy black and white cat. We just knew he was to come home. He was curled up in his litter tray, not shy or frightened, just laid back, and we asked if we could stroke him. With encouragement he was on his paws, and a couple of vaccinations later, and a microchip in place, we were on the way home with a beautiful one year old male black and white cat.

When we got home, he climbed out from his box and laid down on the table, purring, and hasn't stopped ever since. He is a big softie, and the RSPCA said he was 'not the most intelligent cat', but he is gorgeous and we are already smitten. I hugged him when we got home and sobbed my heart out. I thought of all the pain from losing my previous Black & white and of course, litttle Mozzie, and just sobbed. He actually turned round and licked my face, but just sat leaning on me, getting soaked. It is so good to have another cat. He was found on the 1st of November, wandering in a local town, taken to the cattery as a stray, and when no-one claimed him, he was up for re-homing. He was obviously a well loved cat before being lost, or becoming a stray. He is so affectionate and didn't bat an eyelid at the neighbours fireworks, or any of the other pets. Within ours he staked a claim on my bed, and my lap, and my mother, and the table, it's like he's always been here. Here are some photos of him asleep on my bed while I chatted to friends to inform them of the addition.


Er..well...it's really small, I'll get my brother to resize them tomorrow...it's all to technical for me !!!

CHAPTER 2...CATS,CATS, EVERYWHERE !!!

Soon after arriving home and snuggling this very huggable teddy bear of a cat, I get a call from a very distressed friend of mine. Her horse has Strangles. That is a very bad virus that causes abcesses in the neck, throat and if left without the abcessing bursting, it can travel to the brain and kill. It can be a little similar to Mumps in humans, except we don't get the brain killing thing, or the abcesses. Anyway, she begged me to come and help her remove the infected material from her horse's throat abcess. So off I went.

While I was there, my phone rang. My mother was in floods of tears. The new cat was nowhere to be seen and she thought it may have got out, when she came in. I said I'd be home soon but just to keep searching. As it turned out, when I eventually got home, I found the cat asleep, all sprawled out on my bed, in amongst all my soft toys...she just didn't notice him !!! phew !!!

As I was clearing up at the stables, the phone rang again. I thought it might be my mother saying the cat had turned up, but it wasn't. You will never guess who it was...it was the man who I was put in touch with, regarding a Bengal needing a home from the Bengal Welfare, and he was seeing if he could work things out, and as I'd heard nothing in weeks, we'd all assumed that this was not to be. Well, his plans failed and he asked if we wanted to come and take the cat from him tomorrow !!!

Consequently we are seeing the cat next weekend, as a family, and will more than likely take on this 6 year old Bengal fellow as well. Good grief !!! Talk about a stroke of luck !!! First I can't get a cat for love nor money, and now two come along at once !!! And we all couldn't be happier !!!

Ok, but now I need your opinion. The black and white one, which still needs to be named, has only just arrived...what do you think about the arrival of another cat in exactly 7 days...is this asking for trouble ??? Is it fair on either cat ??? The 6yr old Bengal is a dominate cat, and the 1 year old black and white is a submissive lap cat. If we don't take the Bengal, then he will be handed in to a rehoming centre. Please advise us on your thoughts, and opinions !!!

I will post pictures, of the new addition when my brother gives me a hand, but for now, I thank you again for all your help, support, and guidence. It is wonderful to be able to speak to people who really understand the need for cats. Thank you.

Peace, Love, and Happiness, Always
Sonia

P.S.
Sorry these post are sooooo long, but I just had to share it with you all !!! I'm so happy !!!

Sonia, that's such wonderful news and I'm soooo happy for you!!!!!

Sonia, I am so happy for you. And I'm overjoyed that a loving, purr factory has a loving home. As for the Bengal, I would try to find out just how dominant he is. Is he a fighter? If not, and you decide to take him, introduce them slowly, making sure you transfer the scent from one to the other by rubbing both with the same towel. There are many other tricks. I would post that question in the Behaviour column. You'll find that the moderators there will have concrete ideas for you. Yea, Sonia!

Congrats Sonia! that is wonderful news.

As far as introducing them, if you email or PM hissy she will be able to help you. She has extensive knowledge and has been through the process, many, many times. She'll let you know what to do.

good luck!

Oh Sonia!!! I am so very very happy for you!!! I was a bit worried about you when you first posted, you seemed so sad!!!

I am thrilled you will have not one, but two beautiful cats in your home to love! And you definitely have enough love for both of them!

I have a black/white tuxedo cat named Sylvester. Hey there's a name idea for you!


Keep us posted on how everything goes when you bring the other cat home, and I can't wait to see pictures of both of them!!!

I hide my feelings well but for the first time in years I just burst into tears. I'm so happy for you, and you deserve those two cats. Just goes to show there's always hope

I am so glad that you have been blessed with 2 kitties! It broke my heart to read your posts at the beginning of this thread, and I know we were all praying for a good outcome for you. I guess you got it! I know nothing can make up for your loss, but these little ones will fill that empty space. Best of luck with your new little family.

Sonia - that has really made my weekend. I've had a real pig of a weekend and feeling tearful already, I was also bawling for joy that you've found a couple of furry darlings to call your own.

I can't help wondering about the big one-eyed ginger guy though, I know the RSPCA DO euthanize cats they cannot rehome and I'm now worried sick about him.

Here at last are the pictures, taken a few hours after our new feline friend's arrival. He just sprawled out and cuddled up to me, whilst I was in my bed chatting about him to all my friends. He is an absolute sweet heart, and we are all smitten with him.

and another :

last one......for now !!!

Peace, Love, and Happiness, Always
Sonia

I can understand why you are smitten. He's beautiful and snuggable. Did I see blue eyes, or is that a camera problem? Regardless, he's a beauty!

Oh Sonia!! I'm SOOOOO happy for you!!!!! The pics are great, your new baby is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

*Bunn does a jig*

Aw what a lovely cat, and he looks so regal on the red blanket. I'm so pleased for you

Hey Sonia, he's gorgeous!

Have you got a name for him yet?

If you haven't how about the name 'Button'?

What a gorgeous boy! I'm smitten with him, and I've never even met him.