Posted on 10/11/2013 6:58:47 PM PDT by Perdogg
I am thinking about getting a cat when I move into a permanent place (condo or Townhouse). I know some people think it is strange for a guy to like cats, well, I like all animals. So let's not draw any inferences from this thank you.
I was thinking about getting one of the rarer breeds, but if I do get a cat I am going to love the animal no matter what. I would get a rescue.
I was thinking getting a Bengal, Mau, or an Abby. I know people, including Freepers, have said that Bengals require a lot of attention and is probably for a more experienced cat owner. I also heard that it is not good to leave them alone for 9 hours a day.
Does any one have any experience with Maus or Abbys? Does anyone have a Peterbald? I am not opposed to getting a non-pure bred, in fact, the most loving pets I had as a child were mixed. And they tend to live longer.
Any thoughts or good advice?
Fantastic organization with some great cats and kittens that need homes.
CC
Well, there was another female cat, and they did not like each other. Finally my sister’s friend took the callie and said she was the best cat ever. I’m telling you, she was awful. Had a mental health problem, I think :).
CC
p. s. screw the cat adoption nazis.
“screw the cat adoption nazis”
With sadness, I second that emotion. The volunteers (as most are) probably mean well, but that doesn’t justify it.
In our area there are 4 shelters, all much the same in procedures for adoption, very invasive and rigid. In the county next to ours, there’s no shelter, and an indifferent animal control officer, yet it’s against the ordinance to feed a stray. You must resort to trickery to get a starving cat or dog into a shelter which doesn’t accept critters from that county. The dogcatcher might come for a dog but with a cat, a person is obliged to feed and encourage a “pest,” or ignore it and commit animal cruelty, particularly if it’s dying on one’s doorstep. Two evil choices: break the law or be inhumane. And if it dies on your property (as it once did on my neighbor’s back porch), you must make special arrangements to have it removed.
Most counties, however, do have shelters, always overloaded. In our area the bigger problem isn’t cats but assorted pit bulls, staffordshires and rotties, readily surrendered and infrequently adopted.
Between the nazis and the steroidal dog breeds, I can no longer stand to visit a shelter even to bring them supplies.
Short hair. . .less furr-balls hacked up.
“For most cats I have found the water suffices;”
Guthrie, my late cat, was one of those that the water treatment didn’t work.
We discovered he luved water when during our first Christmas he would climb the Christmas tree. We would “shoot” a stream of water at him and he would open his mouth to try and catch the water. Did the same thing on the ground, too, when doing something naughty.
Guthrie associated doing something naughty with play-time with the water-bottle, thereby encouraging him to act out.
Miss that dang cat. . .
>>>> Cats aren’t as smart as people think.
They eat,they poop,they sleep. <<<<
Hey, that described half of our citizens. And none of them as sweet as cats.
A cat among cats, an alpha and a tom, yet he knew how to be a person around people.
He was only five bucks at the pet store, which couldn't get rid of him for retail because he had a crooked foot and an unattractive face. Grew up quite handsome.
*sigh* Should have taken more pictures in those days.
Our vet apologizes to her clients for mandatory vaccines, but she says she has no choice, due to state regs. Of course; we all know what is going on there.
I got a cat at the local animal shelter this week. There were many, many cages along two sides of the wall in the large cat room. The volunteer there told me new cats coming in go in the top left cage. Older cats are shifted to the right. I chose the last cat on the bottom right on the second wall. She had been there five months. She had been there way too long and needed a home. It would be mine.
Would I have chosen her if all cats had been equal? No. Her hair is LONG and I am allergic to cat hair. I’d rather had a kitten than an adult cat. They had some gorgeous kittens in the top left cage that I would have liked to have had, but I knew they would go quickly. Obviously miss last in line wasn’t.
After getting her home, she slapped my dog so hard that she knocked her over sending the dog screaming and crying to hide under my bed. From being in the cage so long, her claws were crazy long and made short work of my sofa in two days. My husband ordered me to return the “hellcat” to the pound first thing in the morning. I had them removed yesterday... both the sofa and the cat’s front claws. The vet also trimmed her rear claws so they will no longer hang on the carpet and furniture when she walks. Rubbing her fur with baby wipes cuts down on the dander I have been told. So far it seems to be working. My eyes are not swollen and watering. No post nasal drip and sneezing. I’ve found a groomer that does cats and will have her groomed periodically to cut down on the amount of hair floating around in the air.
She’s precious and loving. The expense and trouble were nothing compared to the pleasure she gives me. She’s parked in my lap right now. I had no idea what I was missing in my life until she ripped her way into my heart. My husband even loves her now and is glad I didn’t succumb to his hissy fit and return her to the animal shelter. My black, orange, and white long-haired “Goblin” is here to stay.
Whatever kitty you choose, with a little perseverance, you will be glad you chose her.
Bump that...I had to fight tooth, claw and nail to rescue my two youngest Siamese from the 'Green Mile' at a Tennessee shelter. Every solution I proposed they would tie up in red tape. Finally; a wonderful woman from the Siamese Rescue program liberated them from the shelter at the last moment, and we were able to give them a great home. One male sticks to me like glue; the other is my wife's 'little boy'.
...after the comic character? The resemblance is striking.
Ah, that could explain it.
IMO, a rescue cat is best. You save a little life, you give a cat a desperately needed home. And a lot of the time, plain old tabbies don’t have the health problems that some pure breeds do.
I love Bengals, but they get big, they are very active, and they have a streak of wildness. I agree that they’re better with folks who have some cat experience.
And dude, it isn’t weird for a guy to like cats! Cats are the coolest animal on earth. They’re miniature tigers in every way.....nature’s perfect little killers, tough and
resilient.
Thanks, I was older then, I'm younger than that now...
Regards,
GtG
PS To the question; I've found that Rag Doll cats have a wonderful temperament but they do shed a lot.
I rescued a pair of kitten siblings. I can leave them for a weekend and they’re OK. They keep each other company.
“people, including Freepers, have said that Bengals require a lot of attention and is probably for a more experienced cat owner. I also heard that it is not good to leave them alone for 9 hours a day.”
My sister and BIL have a pedigreed Bengal and leave him for 4-5 days at a time with plenty of food, water, and litter boxes. He seems to do OK, but displays plenty of attitude for several hours after they return. Gorgeous cat.
We have eight rescues, including five ferals we’ve tamed, none of which is pedigreed. (No, our house does not smell. Yes, they use their litter boxes. Yes, they all get along. Jackson Galaxy would be proud.) If we go away for one night we’re OK leaving them alone, but wouldn’t think of going longer without having someone live at our house and take care of them.
People say dogs are social and cats are not. Not true. Cats ARE social, love company (except when hunting), and especially want to have their humans nearby.
Get ready to have a stinky home. You will get used to it but everyone that comes to visit will immediately smell cat urine. Do yourself a favor and get a toy stuffed animal instead.
_______________________
Not true. Today’s cat litter absolutely prevents that.
(The best of the lot: ‘Fresh Step’.)
If your house smells from cat urine, it’s YOUR fault.
The cat is a very clean animal. It will use the box and cover his droppings.
It’s up to YOU to provide good cat litter and change the box.
If the cat stops using the box, something is wrong- either the box is being left unchanged and stinky or the cat is sick.
Whatever little work and inconvenience a cat may cause, it’s well worth it for the joy they bring you.
“here in Northern Cal they just want to move the kitties OUT of the cages! Here in our area they have $25 “specials” all the time, where you get a fixed cat complete with rabies shot and a chip (if you want it). “
When we got Apple, the shelter was running a special where you could adopt a cat for $10. At least for the initial outlay, she was probably the least expensive gift I’ve ever gotten for my wife, and she says Apple is the best gift I’ve given her since her engagement ring.
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