Ad in my local paper for free abyssian - advice???

[Nomilynn]

There is an ad in my paper for an 8 yr old abbysian, free to a good home by Mar. 31. For some reason, I'm really tempted to call and see what it means. I didn't think that placing an Abby like that is easy?? :confused:

[jenluckenbach]

Any cat at 8 years old will find a hard time getting a new home, because people think they are too old. It would be interesting to find out the reason why? (not that you are guaranteed a truthful answer) Are you thinking about BEING that new home? Monte was 6 years old when I adopted him ,and it was the best thing I could have ever done.

[Nomilynn]

I don't know that I could take on an abby. From what I've learned here, they are very high maintenance. Are there any tips from abby moms and dads?

[lailamara]

Oh dear ! What happened that someone would have to give up a cat that they've had for 8 years ? I once was offered an 8 year old siamese that wasn't getting along with the children in the family. I didn't take her but my friend did. I ended up cat-sitting for almost 2 months one summer while my friend was studying in Europe .Kachmir and I bonded instantly. It was magical. I didn't want to give her up when she came back. I even tried to convince my husband to say she ran away. I figure my friend only visited us a few times a year and we could hide her . I was very serious about this subterfuge. The feelings between Kachmir and me were mutual. She howled all the way home (1 hour car ride) and sulked for months. I visited her every few months. She lived to be 14. I've always regretted saying no to adopting her.

Just read your second post. They can be high maintenance like siamese but it depends on the cat. My first 2 were very easy. Theo accepted cats, dogs, rabbits easily but was afraid of kids. He wanted to make friends with every one. Zoe was a little more difficult but would settle after a few days and would be fine. She loved to hang out and play with kids. My present female is another story. I don't dare try ro have a third cat..but as she ages she may mellow. If you can't adopt the cat you could put the person in touch with the Abyssinian rescue association. I'm not sure of the url but you could find it with Google.

[Nomilynn]

:(

How easy is it to introduce abbys into a household with more cats though? I know they need lots of exercise and stuff, but this ad says the cat needs a "quiet home"... I don't know anything about this breed

[Nomilynn]

Well I just called the owner. They have to move and the new place won't take pets. The lady sounds really sad about having to give her away :( Does anyone know someone around here that wants an only cat? She isn't good with other cats. The lady said that she's long haired - so would she be a somali? Anyway, the woman on the phone sounded so sad :(

[lailamara]

This site might be helpful. Maybe you could call the woman back and pass the info on to her. http://abys.net/NAR/

[Karen]

If she wanted to fly to Boston, I might know an older lady who might take an older kitty ...

Poor thing. How awful after 8 years, I just couldn't do it.

[Karen]

Originally posted by Nomilynn
:(

How easy is it to introduce abbys into a household with more cats though? I know they need lots of exercise and stuff, but this ad says the cat needs a "quiet home"... I don't know anything about this breed

PM sasvermont, she's an aby mom! Owns one, and another's just waiting 'til June to be old enough to come home ...

[Nomilynn]

I really wish I could take her :( She sounds like a gorgeous cat. Her name is Holly :(

[Barbara]

Some Abys like Miley are a little distant with other cats. Abys and Somalis are very active and playful cats. Filou is now seven years old and he's still jumping and running much more than Tigris. So you do not absolutely need and old lady for Holly:D And you cannot expect her to be a doiley.

Some like Graemer are very social -you remember how he welcomed Gabe. It is more the individual character than the breed.

Whoever has been owned by an Aby loves their affectionate style -they really love their humans. This must not mean that they are lap cats. Filou isn't but when he comes and says it's time for headbumpies I immediately stop what I'm doing....

The picture shows classical behavior of an Aby and his human:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/p94a4272c1969e67b3f3217fd25d7bca1/fcb88e04.jpg

[neko1]

OOOO I would love to have a Somali!! But 4 is my limit. My aby is very social and seems to get along well with the other cats. He was the 4th and the introductions were fairly easy. But he seems to prefer the company of people rather than the company of the other cats. Tama is a real lap cat and a momma's boy. He follows me everywhere and everytime I want to sit down, he sits on my lap and purrs away. He's also very social around visitors. Tama is also very active.

[sasvermont]

Thanks for using my two Abys an example. You are very on top of my two monkeys. Graemer was accepting of everyone and everything. I think he had very high self esteem. Miley on the other hand is insecure and demanding, but I think out of fear. Graemer had no fear!

An eight year old Aby would have to go to a single pet household if that is what Holly was used to. At eight, they are fairly calm, as I recall, but still demanding of Vet time and special foods. Somalis are unknown to me except they are bred with Abys ... so they must have some of the Aby traits.

I wouldn't think Holly would do well in a multicat household and would shy away getting her. There is a great rescue group called SABRE, I think. If you do a search for Aby rescues, you should find them.

Abys are great, but as someone said, they can be high maintenance.

My last Aby was expensive Vet wise, always having problems, but was sweet, sweet, sweet, and didn't mind my other cat. She died at age 13. She was my Mandy girl and it was Mandy that made me want to have more Abys. Mandy was three when I adopted her.

SAS

Miley

and somewhere in the house, Ti

(he is behind the sofa)....and I can pet him...awwwwwwwwww....I'm falling with his shyness!

[moosmom]

SAS,

Great advice. If I were looking to adopt a specific breed of kitty, I'd check out rescue organizations.

[Barbara]

I just want to add that in his seven years of life Filou had 2 light eye infections, 2 times tooth cleaning and one infection that needed antibiotics.
So he was definitely not very expensive in vet things.
(Keep everything crossed it stays like this).

He would be expensive in food things if he got all the stuff he really loves:D (fresh salmon and mango e.g.)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by lailamara
This site might be helpful. Maybe you could call the woman back and pass the info on to her. http://abys.net/NAR/

This looks like a great link, and like SAS says, there might be more Aby rescue groups out there. It's so sad that they have to give her up after 8 years. I sure hope she finds a good home or one of these rescues takes her...wish I could...but I was told this morning that two it is. :(