Too old

[Auntiemoll]

We are a couple in our early 70s and we are having difficulty in adopting a rescue kitten or young cat because of our age. We lost our 21 year old boy just before Christmas and the house seems so lonely without a pet. We live in a quiet cul de sac and have a nice garden, so no problem there. It seems such a shame that with all the love to give no one will give us a chance to give a loving home to some little cat.
Has anyone else come up against this problem?

[sincnoel]

Let's be honest ... a young cat is likely to outlive you and that could well present problems for your executor(s). The answer might be to adopt an older cat -- say, around ten. There are lots of these available and they need homes just as much as their younger brethren. Do consider it.

[chaptazbru]

Agree with above. You don't need to be without a pet, just take on an older one, they often get overlooked anyway poor things.

[mumsie_wumsie]

I agree with the two above replies. An older cat will still be a good pet to have around the house and will appreciate having a loving home again.

[LoftyLottie]

Agree with the other postings - and there are so many lovely older cats that need loving homes. A lot of delightful oldercats have to go into rescue centres because their owners have died or moved to accommodation that won't accept cats. You could cheer each other up and save each other from loneliness. x

However, I must say that I don't agree you are too old to take on a kitten. Early 70's is hardly over the hill these days!! If you were in your 80's, I could understand you being turned down.

[NOX]

They're only in their early seventies, not exactly archaic- and might well be in a position to make provision for a cat if they were to die suddenly.
I'd personally (assuming you really want a kitten and not a full grown cat) be looking in the papers for kittens free to good home etc, or on pet shops notice boards, thus circumventing institutions like the RSPCA etc as some animal welfare people really do have a bob on themselves and sometimes can't see the wood for the trees.

[NOX]

SNAP! lottie:)

[Maydup]

Couldn't agree more Nox.

[boxtops]

Have you tried Cats' protection league, auntie? they do make you jump through hoops but all their cats for rehoming are vaccinated and neutered.

[nungate]

I've been wondering how you've been doing since you lost your old boy and was thinking about you only the other day. It's good that you now feel ready to take on another pet. I agree to an extent with the previous answers, but do you really think you are up to taking on a young kitten. If this sounds a bit ageist I'm sorry, but my daughter still lives at home with us and she has two young cats (since kittens) and they are more than a handful for me to manage on my own and I am in my 50's, there are times when I could see them far enough, despite the fact that I adore them as they are very lovable. Could you give a loving home to an older cat? There's a lovely girl who comes on here who works at a cat rehoming place in Yorkshire, she often posts on a Sunday or Monday in the Animals thread, if you live in her area maybe you could get in touch with her. All but one of our cats (we live with 4) are all rescued and are very different in character, there is a cat out there meant for you and you will find him. Good luck with your search

[LoftyLottie]

Hi Nox and Boxie. I must admit that at 65 I wasn't very pleased to see that in five years time I will be too old to rescue a pet because I am near to popping my cloggs. Ridiculous!! :o(

[jno]

in another five years you'll need rescuing yourself, Lottie. I shall ask my great-grandchildren to take you in.

[ladybirder]

Celia Hammond is another good place to look. Nearly everyone wants kittens or young cats and the old ones get overlooked. Go for it, you know it makes sense:-)

[LoftyLottie]

Very true jno. A nice kind loving home with food on demand and a warm place to sleep will suit me just fine!! ;o)

[Auntiemoll]

Thank you all for your imput, much appreciated..We are going to take the majority decision and go for an older cat. Have been in touch with our local rescue centres and are being vetted!!! this week for possible adoption. Some rescue centres are really fussy needing recommendation from the vets practise we used with our lovely Ben, I don't mind this at all as we have nothing to hide but sometimes I think these rescue centres go over the top in assuring a good home for their animals. Will let you know how we go on. Again thanks.. God Bless

[LoftyLottie]

That's lovely news Auntiemoll. I totally agree with you about some centres going over the top. I have taken on rescued animals for about 40 years now, both dogs and cats (and rabbits on one occasion) and act as a home visitor. Please let us know how you get on and who the lucky puss is who finds you!!

[chaptazbru]

Good for you Auntiemoll. I personally don't think rescue homes go over the top though, don't forget some of these unwanted pets have had a rough ride and the rescue centres want to make sure it doesn't happen to them again. Like you say, you have noting to hide, so just go for it.

Also, I have to say if you did get a kitten and it lives say for 20 years (not impossible for a cat), there is a good chance you wouldn't be around for all of its life and who would then take it on? Which is why I suggested an older pet in the first place.

Here's to your new pet xx

[ladybirder]

Good news auntie, and good luck. I too don't care how much a rescue centre checks on me or anybody else. When you read the dreadful stories in the papers it makes me weep. And still many people return them for the tritest of reasons, like it's grown too big and they want to swap it for a puppy. No doubt they make mistakes sometimes but they want the best for the animal and they want it to be for life.

[LoftyLottie]

But chapratzu, noone knows when pets are likely to die or people are likely to die. That is life. We would never get married if we thought one partner would outlive the other. We can't plan to that extent. My friend of 80 has just taken on a three year old rescue dog and they are out and about every day going on super long walks. They have both given a new lease of life to each other and love each other dearly.

I have worked for several rescue organisations. and some of them do go really over the top with rules and regulations and some of the homes that they vet as being OK are really not.

Having said that I think it is great that Auntiemoll is going to take on an older cat because they are overlooked as you say.

[chaptazbru]

There are exceptions, but I stand by what I said.

[LoftyLottie]

I made a dreadful mess of your user name Chaptazbru. Sorry :o(