I've Got Two Cats To Choose From

[pastafreak]

And I can't decide.
Both are male strays, and about 5 years old.
One, a tubby black and white boy, is currently in foster learning to trust humans again. The first photo I'd seen of him, he looked like he'd been through the wars.
The second, a ginger tabby, is fiv+. He's come from Cyprus, is very nervous and doesn't like other cats. That might be the deciding factor as I've thought I'd like 2 eventually.

[roopower]

It sounds as though the black and white would be the better of the two for you, if you eventually want a second cat. If the ginger doesn't like other cats he would be better off as only cat in the household

[barry1010]

I'm confused as to why one cat has come from Cyprus

[pastafreak]

I'm assuming he was rescued there, and transported here. He has a pet passport.

[barry1010]

Oh. My friend adopted a dog from Romania. I don't understand it - she could have given a dog in a local rescue centre a home, we don't need to import unwanted animals, we have enough of our own, and too many have to be euthanised because homes can't be found for them.
The RSPCA euthanised 53000 unwanted pets in one year - nearly half of the animals given shelter by the RSPCA that year.

[calmck]

Well meaning people rescue an animal abroad, spend money on vaccinations and passport and transport etc. they usually do this because they plan on keeping the animal. It is possible the cat from Cyprus has social issues.

[barry1010]

You could be right about the cat, calmck. This is the sort of thing with dogs from Romania https://paws2rescue.com/
https://www.barkingmaddogrescue.co.uk/
https://abldr.org.uk/

I can't help but wonder if it is simply a way to get round the laws regarding the sale of dogs and puppies, and breeding.

[barry1010]

Sorry for hijacking your thread, pasta. As you hope to have two cats the black and white boy seems favourite :) I'm sure you will be very happy together.

[Mamyalynne]

I agree that Tubby sounds like the one for you Pasta x

[anneasquith]

I’m for the ‘ tubby black/ white ‘male for you Pasta. Are they both neutered ?

[pastafreak]

This particular branch of a local charity specialises in getting long term male cats off the streets. The lady who does it built pens in her own back garden, and traps...humanely...these poor cats. They are swiftly neutered and receive all necessary vet treatment before then going into foster homes to help them start to adapt. All are adopted out as house cats and apparently adapt very well.

[shoota]

If you're looking for a tubby male...

[Mamyalynne]

Are you neutered Shoots?

[shoota]

Occasionally Ma'am.

[shoota]

Or is that 'newted'?

[Mamyalynne]

Sigh...

[pixie374]

Personally, I would go for the one that is hardest to rehome. But if you would like a second one, you either need tubby, or hope that they can get used to each other.

[pixie374]

Barry, local rescues are running short with dogs and cats that don't have problems. They are too easy to sell now. So people are buying from abroad.

[pastafreak]

Are you house trained shoota? I'm not buying a giant litter tray...

Dogs without problems are on gumtree for £500...or more.

I've emailed the lady with my 'concerns' and why I might choose one over the other. I'll have to wait and see what she thinks. I did say in the home check that I'd be willing to take an fiv+ cat.

[pixie374]

At least, pasta.... there have been some issues since animals were "given away", as it sometimes seems to be a bit easy come, easy go. I think it is right that people should make a proper commitment tbh... and that it is discouraged to give away free or cheap animals now.
Can an FIV cat live safely with another that doesn't have it? Sorry, I really don't know xx

[woofgang]

I know with the brexit thing a lot of people who had holiday homes in Europe came home and just abandoned the cats that they either owned or had been feeding. A mate of mine was involved in the rescue and rehoming in Cyprus. Generally the locals don't want them, couldn't understand why the brits encouraged them in the first place and sometimes will do things like put down poison.