Cats now? Or cats later?
July 14, 2015 9:38 AM Subscribe
After being catless for almost three years, we're finally ready to adopt again. Not sure about the timing though.
We are (today!) getting our damaged carpets replaced so the new cats won't mark the same spots as our previous cats. I've been looking online for a while and there are a few "maybe" cats I'd like to see. But. We have three trips currently planned: a weekend away in early August, then 4 days away 2 weeks after that. Then a longer trip (6 days) in September.
Logically, we should just wait until after September, right? But I'm so eager to start seriously looking. And all the cats I've ever lived with have been fine being left alone for 2 or 3 days. And we would be re-hiring our excellent pet sitting service to come in twice a day. And our ideal cats will be a bonded pair (brother/sister?) around one year old - so not tiny kittens.
Is this a terrible idea?
We are (today!) getting our damaged carpets replaced so the new cats won't mark the same spots as our previous cats. I've been looking online for a while and there are a few "maybe" cats I'd like to see. But. We have three trips currently planned: a weekend away in early August, then 4 days away 2 weeks after that. Then a longer trip (6 days) in September.
Logically, we should just wait until after September, right? But I'm so eager to start seriously looking. And all the cats I've ever lived with have been fine being left alone for 2 or 3 days. And we would be re-hiring our excellent pet sitting service to come in twice a day. And our ideal cats will be a bonded pair (brother/sister?) around one year old - so not tiny kittens.
Is this a terrible idea?
My opinion is that cats need stability their first few weeks in a new place - they don't like change and it takes them a while to settle in. Of course, this varies based on the personality of the cat. If it were me, I would wait until September.
posted by matildaben at 9:41 AM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by matildaben at 9:41 AM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: By all means, start looking now. You never know when the right kitty will plunk herself in your lap and choose you. It may be next week, it may be September. But you have this Internet Stranger (TM)'s permission to go visit some kitties already.
posted by Dashy at 9:42 AM on July 14, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Dashy at 9:42 AM on July 14, 2015 [5 favorites]
If you're excited now, go now!
posted by Ms Vegetable at 9:47 AM on July 14, 2015
posted by Ms Vegetable at 9:47 AM on July 14, 2015
The longer you wait the more overall time a cat is in cat prison and the greater the fraction of your life you are without kitty cuddles.
posted by biffa at 9:54 AM on July 14, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by biffa at 9:54 AM on July 14, 2015 [12 favorites]
Honestly, it doesn't matter. Do what is convenient.
posted by oceanjesse at 10:10 AM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by oceanjesse at 10:10 AM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
We got our current cat right before we went on a week-long vacation. We really missed him, but I actually think it was a good thing because it helped him learn that we're going to occasionally be gone, someone else friendly will come take care of him, and we'll always be back. At least, I like to think that's how his thought process goes :) I do know that he's never thrilled when we travel, but overall he's pretty laid back about it. He's happy to see us when we get home, but not super stressed out or anything.
posted by primethyme at 10:15 AM on July 14, 2015
posted by primethyme at 10:15 AM on July 14, 2015
Just think - if you get 'em now, you'll have kitty cuddles to look forward to when you get home!
posted by Everydayville at 10:48 AM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Everydayville at 10:48 AM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
Every time is the right time for cats.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 10:53 AM on July 14, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 10:53 AM on July 14, 2015 [7 favorites]
Best answer: I think that if you're getting a pair, it's fine. Obviously it depends on the cat but I think most cats would be fine, particularly coming from a shelter; you're still going to be a big step up!
Maybe you could get the catsitter to come by even for the shorter weekend trips, just so that they wouldn't be left alone for 36-48 hours that soon? That'd be what I might do.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:55 AM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Maybe you could get the catsitter to come by even for the shorter weekend trips, just so that they wouldn't be left alone for 36-48 hours that soon? That'd be what I might do.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:55 AM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
A few days alone in a nice quiet place, even if it's new to the cats is going to be less stressful than living in a shelter. Go rescue some kitties, let them start their awesome new lives as soon as possible. I say this as you are talking about getting a bonded pair, they won't be alone they'll have each other. The main advantage to waiting will be the savings in pet sitting fees.
posted by wwax at 11:09 AM on July 14, 2015
posted by wwax at 11:09 AM on July 14, 2015
Best answer: I wouldn't get them right before a 6 day trip, but before a weekend trip? No problem. But if you don't get them in July or early August, I'd wait until after your long trip.
posted by jeather at 11:43 AM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by jeather at 11:43 AM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
of course fluffy battle kitten feels that way!
I say get cats! And a bonded pair will have each other to entertain. Omg.
posted by sweltering at 11:43 AM on July 14, 2015
I say get cats! And a bonded pair will have each other to entertain. Omg.
posted by sweltering at 11:43 AM on July 14, 2015
Nthing "get cats". Especially since you're looking for a bonded pair of non-kittens, will be getting a pet sitter, and the first two trips are short enough. Especially since you don't know whether you'll find the perfect pair of cats immediately or not, so you may as well start looking now.
posted by sailoreagle at 12:26 PM on July 14, 2015
posted by sailoreagle at 12:26 PM on July 14, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks, all! I went ahead and sent an email asking about two sisters I was looking at, and outlining our travel plans. I'll respect the opinion of their current foster caretaker. (They're younger than what we were thinking of, but those ears just slay me.)
We will get petsitters, even for weekend trips. The company we used was great, and they'll even take in your mail and such as well.
But if you don't get them in July or early August, I'd wait until after your long trip.
Agreed.
posted by JoanArkham at 1:04 PM on July 14, 2015 [5 favorites]
We will get petsitters, even for weekend trips. The company we used was great, and they'll even take in your mail and such as well.
But if you don't get them in July or early August, I'd wait until after your long trip.
Agreed.
posted by JoanArkham at 1:04 PM on July 14, 2015 [5 favorites]
AAAAAGH BLACK KITTIES YAY! (sorry...black kitty haver/lover). I hope they work out!
I also wouldn't discount the possibility of asking the foster how they handle being left alone -- they're going to know their personalities best. Our cat Giles almost went to a family with kids til we showed up, which would have been AWFUL for him, and the foster mom knew it, so she pulled that adoption and gave him to us instead. (Ten years later and he's still convinced we are planning to eat him or something...).
posted by bitter-girl.com at 2:49 PM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
I also wouldn't discount the possibility of asking the foster how they handle being left alone -- they're going to know their personalities best. Our cat Giles almost went to a family with kids til we showed up, which would have been AWFUL for him, and the foster mom knew it, so she pulled that adoption and gave him to us instead. (Ten years later and he's still convinced we are planning to eat him or something...).
posted by bitter-girl.com at 2:49 PM on July 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
Adopt two now and two more when you get back.
posted by Melsky at 5:24 PM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Melsky at 5:24 PM on July 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Quick update: the kitties' foster mom thought they would be fine being left alone for those dates, since we're getting them both and they are "very bonded." We are hoping to meet them (and take them home?) next weekend. I've already gotten in touch with the petsitters to have an in-home visit as soon as possible after we take them home.
Thanks, all! I promise to post follow up cat pics if all goes well. :)
posted by JoanArkham at 8:38 AM on July 15, 2015 [3 favorites]
Thanks, all! I promise to post follow up cat pics if all goes well. :)
posted by JoanArkham at 8:38 AM on July 15, 2015 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Update! We took them home, and they have been doing well. Renamed Carmilla and Mircalla - they are full of mischief and purrs.
(The pet sitter is coming to meet them on Tuesday.)
posted by JoanArkham at 4:55 PM on July 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
(The pet sitter is coming to meet them on Tuesday.)
posted by JoanArkham at 4:55 PM on July 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by H. Roark at 9:40 AM on July 14, 2015 [11 favorites]