Pre-owned, but just as loving. (Rescued Cats)

Member Name: Fiver29

Product:	Rescued Cats
Date:	21/02/09 (145 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gives a cat a second chance at happiness

Disadvantages: Not all cats suitable for all environments

We've always had a cat in the house, and even as a child living with my parents there was always a cat present. Only one of those cats was bought from new, all the rest have been pre-owned.

I have absolutely nothing against people who wish to buy a pedigree cat or kitten, but I have always had a soft spot for the poor misfortunate cats that have had a bad start to life for one reason or another. When I was at college I spent my work experience time in the local borough kennels and cattery. And it was heartbreaking to see the state of some of the animals, and the way in which they'd been mistreated, but on the other hand it was wonderful to see them recovering and find new homes with people that would genuinely love them and treat them well.

This review is mainly the tale of my current moggy who at this present time is using the edges of my monitor to scratch behind her ears!!

We have had Anna (my daughter named her, not sure where she got Anna from) for the past three years. She came to us from a rescue home, these are homes where cats (or dogs) live while they re cooperate, a bit like a foster home if you will.

She had been badly mistreated by her previous owner, and when she was found she had barely any fur on her body, just tufts here and there, but strangely the fur on her head was untouched. Needless to say she was not an out going cat at the time, but the loving family who nursed her back were very gentle and patient with her.

So three years ago she came to us, I have to admit I was a little worried that the children might be a bit boisterous for her, after such a bad time, so we agreed that we'd have a trial period to see if she liked living with us.

I'm glad to say we met with her approval, and after about a day of hiding under the bed, a tin of tuna tempted her onto the stairs. And from there, over the next few days she gradually braved the downstairs, and on day 4 she came and sat on my knee. From there she completely made herself at home, no where is sacred in the house, she'll follow you wherever you go, even into the bathroom!

What I find absolutely amazing, is despite her bad start, she is very much a peoples cat. She loves being with people, when she settles herself down to sleep she won't sit on an empty chair, if she can't sit on you knee or shoulder, she'll curl in next to you so she's touching some part of your body. Or if I'm in bed she'll settle down next to me, and as I shuffle and toss and turn during the night, she'll keep moving so she's always in contact somehow.

She still likes her own space sometimes though, which is lucky because in the summer when it gets warm having a permanent hot water bottle isn't always a good thing. But obviously she feels the heat herself and will stretch out along the window sill at night.

She still isn't completely 'cured'. We are still working on getting her outside the house. For the first year or so she never left the house at all, despite having a lovely garden for her to play in. We have made a little bit of progress, and if someone is outside in the yard (sorry forgot to say we've moved now and have a yard not a garden) she'll go out and stick close by them, and at night when it's quiet she'll go out for a sniff then come back in. Her longest time out alone is about 5-10 minutes, which is pretty good going. We never force her, although it can be irritating standing with the door open for ages while she sniff the air, because she generally chooses the climax of a television programme as the time she wants to go out.

The children love her so bits, and she's very patient with them. She gets picked up and woken up tag lag, but she has never once got annoyed or lashed out. In fact the only time she has lashed out was when my brothers dog put her nose to close, and I can't blame her for that at all.

I'm not saying there aren't problems associated with rescue cats, some are just not re-homeable like some dogs. But a reputable cattery/cats league will be able to recognise a cat that suits families or single people etc.

So next time you're thinking of getting a kitten, please don't forget about the poor cats that are in desperate need of a loving home, they can bring you just as much joy as a kitten can.

Summary: I love my cat, she's just purr fect