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Adopting indoor cats - best charities to approach?


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Old 18-01-2012, 17:01
Sue_C
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A Feliway diffuser might be a good idea when introducing Honey to Daisy. The idea is that it sends out calming pheremones and the cats feel more laid back.

We adopted two very nervous cats last year, Zebedee first, then Angel a few months later. They had been rescued together and had shared a pen in the isolation room at the rescue centre because they were too nervous to be housed in the main cattery. We adopted Zebedee and Angel went to another home but was subsequently returned to the rescue centre, so we decided to have her.

We used Feliway when reintroducing the two cats to one another. It seemed to work quite well, but of course we don't know how they would have got on without it!

Zebedee has blossomed into a really friendly cat who loves to sit on your lap. Angel is still fairly nervous around people but will put up with being stroked. She seems to have settled in to the house, likes the garden and loves Zebedee even though he'll eat her dinner given the slightest opportunity!
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Old 18-01-2012, 17:11
*stargazer*
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A Feliway diffuser might be a good idea when introducing Honey to Daisy. The idea is that it sends out calming pheremones and the cats feel more laid back.

We adopted two very nervous cats last year, Zebedee first, then Angel a few months later. They had been rescued together and had shared a pen in the isolation room at the rescue centre because they were too nervous to be housed in the main cattery. We adopted Zebedee and Angel went to another home but was subsequently returned to the rescue centre, so we decided to have her.

We used Feliway when reintroducing the two cats to one another. It seemed to work quite well, but of course we don't know how they would have got on without it!

Zebedee has blossomed into a really friendly cat who loves to sit on your lap. Angel is still fairly nervous around people but will put up with being stroked. She seems to have settled in to the house, likes the garden and loves Zebedee even though he'll eat her dinner given the slightest opportunity!
Thanks! We have got one of those plug in Feliway diffusers so have put that in her room. My other cat is very laid back so I think it will be fine. She is such a gorgeous little thing.
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Old 19-01-2012, 13:11
Maleficent
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So pleased for you. She looks lovely. My cats have all been rescues, including a nervous one. They've all been great and ultra-affectionate in no time at all. Best wishes XXX
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Old 19-01-2012, 16:00
*stargazer*
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Thanks! She has been purring for England today! The signs look good.
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Old 19-01-2012, 16:34
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Honey has met my 12 year-old and there was some rather cute nose touching. In fact Honey seemed less phased by it than Daisy, who just looked rather confused! I am starting to wonder if the reason for her nerves in the cattery was the dogs barking as the noise was almost constant. Perhaps she lived with a dog and they did not get on which is why her owners abandoned her? She is clearly very nervous but her progress in just 24 hours is more than we could possibly have hoped for. She is loving the attention!
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Old 19-01-2012, 17:58
Missjef
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Aww glad to hear Honey is settling in well!! x
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Old 19-01-2012, 18:01
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It has gone better than I could possibly have imagined! She lives up to her name!
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Old 19-01-2012, 18:11
michelle666
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It could well be that something within the cattery was making her so nervous. I adopted a cat last year who seemingly was terrified of the previous owners dog. He'd spent 2 months hiding behind a sofa and only coming out when no-one but the owner was around. It turns out though, that its children he's terrified of (she had a 5 year old) He loves my border collie and bullies him just as much as the other cats do, but as soon as my little Niece's come around he hides behind the sofa and goes completely rigid with fear.
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Old 19-01-2012, 18:41
MarellaK
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It could well be that something within the cattery was making her so nervous. I adopted a cat last year who seemingly was terrified of the previous owners dog. He'd spent 2 months hiding behind a sofa and only coming out when no-one but the owner was around. It turns out though, that its children he's terrified of (she had a 5 year old) He loves my border collie and bullies him just as much as the other cats do, but as soon as my little Niece's come around he hides behind the sofa and goes completely rigid with fear. :(
One of my rescues, Millie, is the same. When she's with me and the other 2 cats she's the most extrovert cat of the three, very confident, playful and loving. She's the most attention seeking and will take over any game I engage in with either of the other cats. However, I have noticed that when people call round, particularly children, she hides behind the sofa for hours and hours. I had to leave my cats for 3 days alone over New Year and my sister in law and 11 year old niece went round 1-2 times a day - they never set eyes on Millie - but I made sure to ask them to check on her behind the sofa I'm not sure how to get round this problem. Her companion cat from the rescue cattery is the complete opposite, very laid back with strangers, as is my Bernard. Millie was rescued from the street when she was about 12 weeks old (found wandering) so I don't believe she's ever been subject to abuse or mistreatment by children or by anyone. She's had several homes in her short life (her original home, then the person who rescued her, then a Cats Protection fosterer, then a CP cattery before coming to me when she was just 10 months old). However, the same can be said for my other rescue cat who has a very relaxed approach to life.

Anyway, it's good to hear that Honey is settling in so well. Hopefully, she will soon be good friends with your other cat.
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Old 20-01-2012, 08:26
*stargazer*
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Honey is thriving! Less than 48 hours with us and she is eating and drinking well and very good with her tray. Her little head pops up when she hears us and she is a very purry and affectionate cat. I think we will be just fine If anyone is considering adopting a cat, please consider the nervous little cat in the corner. Because I think the rewards are going to be enormous! It will take time, but all the signs are that she really loves being with us and, most importantly, she feels safe and loved.

I will get OH to take some photos later and post them.
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Old 20-01-2012, 10:45
Missjef
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That's fab to hear ! So glad she is settling in so well, it seems like maybe it was the chattery kind of envirOnment that was making her so nervous, she obviously just wanted a loving home to settle down in!

I wish my housemates rehomed cat had settled in so well , she's about 17 & got many problems - deaf / partly blind, + health problems, and she s been mostly fine minus lashing out at me a few times - she s known as a biting cat.
But my 2 girls just will not settle with her at all, she s been in the house for a few month s now but my 2 are terrified of her & either run away or sit growling & hissing at her. To begin with she just ignored them, but now I think she s starting to lash out at them. which is making me really worry since my 2 haven't settles with her & then they have a new baby to cope with soon as well.
Fingers crossed it will be okay !
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Old 20-01-2012, 10:59
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I think we just need to win our older cat round because she is displaying the classic older sibling feeling usurped by the new baby. We have decided that incorporating her favourite toys and food into the meetings is the way to go. With lots of praise and reassurance. Blimey, you need to be a psychologist to own cats!
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Old 20-01-2012, 19:04
Blamhappy2
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Honey has met my 12 year-old and there was some rather cute nose touching. In fact Honey seemed less phased by it than Daisy, who just looked rather confused! I am starting to wonder if the reason for her nerves in the cattery was the dogs barking as the noise was almost constant. Perhaps she lived with a dog and they did not get on which is why her owners abandoned her? She is clearly very nervous but her progress in just 24 hours is more than we could possibly have hoped for. She is loving the attention!
Well, that warms the heart all over again. I wonder how long it takes cats to forget. When we got our first cat Sandy from the RSPCA, bother her back legs had been broken. We often wondered whether cats remember previous ill treatment.
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Old 20-01-2012, 20:53
avasgranny
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Brilliant news. Give Honey and Daisy a big hug from their aunty a.g. xx
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Old 21-01-2012, 03:19
Blamhappy2
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(I meant "both", not "bother".)
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Old 21-01-2012, 10:25
*stargazer*
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Brilliant news. Give Honey and Daisy a big hug from their aunty a.g. xx
Will do! Honey is fine. Very nocturnal. She eats and uses her tray at night and I give her little Whiskas bikkies during the day as she doesn't seem to want to come out of her basket.

I went down in the early hours and she was on the window sill but shot straight back into her basket. She was soon purring away after some strokies.

I have a theory that the activity in the cattery with people constantly walking up and down and the staff tending to the cats was too much for her. So she has got into the habit of sneaking out at night.

One strange thing though. My older cat has popped in to see her twice in the mornings and then been a bit sick afterwards. No contact. This morning she was even in a part of the room Honey had not been. Stress perhaps? Honey has a Feliway diffuser and I think I need to get a spray for Daisy's various little beds!
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Old 05-02-2012, 16:54
MarellaK
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Hi Stargazer, any updates on how Honey is progressing and how Daisy is coping with the new addition? Or is it still a work in progress?
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Old 05-02-2012, 22:28
*stargazer*
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Hi MarellaK, thanks for asking. Just came on here to post an update.

Honey is the most gorgeous affectionate cat and has been growing in confidence slowly but surely. She adores me and my OH and I have just had the most gorgeous cuddle with her sitting watching TV. Talk about progress!

She still has her own little room just off the lounge and she loves her bed and her teddy. But she is definitely moving around in the late evening and has been spotted on the sofa, window sill etc.

She also has a huge appetite and can demolish a small bowl of chicken in minutes - hence her nickname Honey Hoover.

Daisy is not sure and gets quite upset if she sees me petting Honey so that is work in progress. But we are perservering!

You guys are going to LOVE this photo!!!!!!!

http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/s...ddlesteddy.jpg
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Old 05-02-2012, 22:53
wildpumpkin
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Oww that is so sweet, bless her little white socks, Honey is a honey indeed
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Old 05-02-2012, 22:59
*stargazer*
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Oww that is so sweet, bless her little white socks, Honey is a honey indeed
Thanks! Her little socks are beyond cute. And her name is spot on. If anyone has any qualms about taking a nervous cat can I just say that the rewards are enormous! I am so proud of her. The photo does not do her justice because the flash hides the fact that she has the most beautiful hazel eyes.
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Old 06-02-2012, 15:09
wildpumpkin
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Thanks! Her little socks are beyond cute. And her name is spot on. If anyone has any qualms about taking a nervous cat can I just say that the rewards are enormous! I am so proud of her. The photo does not do her justice because the flash hides the fact that she has the most beautiful hazel eyes.
My Rolo was painfully shy and nervous when I had him, he hid under the bed or in the wardrobe for nearly a month, when I was around....he came out when I was asleep or at work, and then one night he appeared in the lounge and rolled over for his tum to be rubbed. Slowly we progressed in getting to know one another, but it took nearly a year for him to sit by me on the sofa. He's till timid with visitors over two years on, but he is getting there.

It has been a wonderful experience in gaining his trust.
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Old 06-02-2012, 16:06
*stargazer*
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My Rolo was painfully shy and nervous when I had him, he hid under the bed or in the wardrobe for nearly a month, when I was around....he came out when I was asleep or at work, and then one night he appeared in the lounge and rolled over for his tum to be rubbed. Slowly we progressed in getting to know one another, but it took nearly a year for him to sit by me on the sofa. He's till timid with visitors over two years on, but he is getting there.

It has been a wonderful experience in gaining his trust.
OMG! I bet you had tears in your eyes - how wonderful!!! My cuddles with Honey have been very emotional as I didn't think that would happen.
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Old 06-02-2012, 18:58
wildpumpkin
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OMG! I bet you had tears in your eyes - how wonderful!!! My cuddles with Honey have been very emotional as I didn't think that would happen.
Yes I had, but the best moment was when he finally jumped up onto the sofa and settled down on the seat beside me with his paws resting on my leg....I was afraid of even breathing incase he jumped off :
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Old 07-02-2012, 17:41
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Yes I had, but the best moment was when he finally jumped up onto the sofa and settled down on the seat beside me with his paws resting on my leg....I was afraid of even breathing incase he jumped off :
OMG! That happened to me with Phoebe, the cat I lost in July. It took nine years though!

I had the most gorgeous cuddle with Honey last night while I was watching TV. Must have lasted more than ten minutes. Like you I was scared to breath in case she became jittery!
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