What do you think? (opinions please)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Kay, I think you have a wonderful idea about building the catrun and getting a kitty. The only thing I would offer is that I agree with getting two to make sure kitty isn't lonely when you're not able to be there.

I don't understand why PIF is so adamant against this either. The way I see it is your kitty/kitties would have the best of both worlds. They'd be inside, loved and adored, AND they'd be able to go outside in a safe, secure environment. I know Tubby really loves to go outside and he would just be in kitty heaven if I was able to build a catrun the size of the one you're thinking about building. He'd never want to come in.

I do have some concerns about Simba, but she is bigger than the kitty would be, so you could maybe somehow build a second "safety trap." Like a second door that has a hole that is only kitty size that he/she could run through, but Simba wouldn't be able to get through. That way kitty would always have an escape route if somebody accidentally left the main gate open.

I think living with you inside and outside would be a dream world for a kitty. Soooo much better than life at a shelter.

Good luck and remember to take lots and lots and lots of pics when kitty finally comes home!

[Kfamr]

Thanks Debbie.


Although, this is just a thought and dreams, and of course nothing that's going to be for sure.


One thing though, I could get a kitty that does not enjoy the company of other cats, therfore it wouldn't matter if he/she had another kitty companion.

Here's a sweety named Lilly at our shelter. She's 1 year old and does not like other kitties.

[ChrisH]

Couldn't say it better, so ...

Originally posted by Logan
I would NEVER question your devotion to any pet, Kay. So if you think a cat would fit into your lifestyle, and your parents agree, I say "that's one lucky cat" to live with you!!!! Cats are mysterious and wonderful, and great additions to our households!!!! One, added to yours, would be terrific!!!!

As you may, or may not, know, Ebby is my first cat so I can't say I have a lot of experience of cats in general. One thing we do have in common though is that Bobby isn't too keen on cats either, or rather he is ok if they don't run, but once they do, hey, game on! So I have to keep them apart as best I can. I wish I could have an enclosure for Ebbs similar to the one you described. Sunny & fine days spent in there, come inside at night, and other times as she wished, she would love it!

Chris

p.s. I am glad you are thinking of an older cat, I think a kitten would be too much for Sims to take. At least that was my reason - substitute Bob for Simba - in getting Ebbs instead of my first choice of a kitten, well, two actually.

[PayItForward]

Originally posted by Kfamr
I appreciate your opinion, but i just don't understand it.

And I guess you don't understand that the cat would get just as much love and attention as an inside cat would.

And it's not necessarily going to be a "cage". The area where the enclosure would go up, is like the size of the rooms in this house.


I don't understand how it would be selfish. I wouldn't get an animal "just because". I'd get it to love, and to care for, and to give it a better home than it has at the shelter.

You'll have to go outside your house and have to make specific time to play with your cat. Fair enough if you do it every day rain or shine.

So whilst you are at school, with friends, doing homework, eating meals, talking on the phone, playing with your dog, doing chores.

Your cat will be sat outside bored.

A real inside pet would be able to see you all the time you are at home and would still need specific play times but cats enjoy being with their owners and if you cage a cat in the backgarden they'll not bond with you.

Placing a cat in an outside run for 20 years is cruel in my opinion.

There is no benefit to a cat to move from a shelter cage, to one in a garden.

What about spending the two hours a day you would have to spend with your cat in the garden and spend that time helping out at your local shelter. In that way it would be just like having your own cat, until you have the space for an inside cat !!!

PS. If you go ahead with this plan, get a minimum of two cats then they'll have feline companion all day.

[Kfamr]

"You'll have to go outside your house and have to make specific time to play with your cat. Fair enough if you do it every day rain or shine."


And this I understand, and will do.

"So whilst you are at school, with friends, doing homework, eating meals, talking on the phone, playing with your dog, doing chores. "

My animals come before friends, my dad is home 24/7 (thus being able to take care and give attention to cat while i'm gone, if needed), I do not talk on the phone, playing with dogs and a cat is easy, doing chores only lasts for a few minutes, if not an hour or so. I'm capable of eating outside, as well, if needed.


Your cat will be sat outside bored.

A real inside pet would be able to see you all the time you are at home and would still need specific play times but cats enjoy being with their owners and if you cage a cat in the backgarden they'll not bond with you.

Placing a cat in an outside run for 20 years is cruel in my opinion.

There is no benefit to a cat to move from a shelter cage, to one in a garden.


Again, it will NOT be outside and alone all of the time. It will be outside or alone for possible a few hours at a time... not even. I'm pretty sure you leave your cats alone for the amount of time i'd leave it alone. Beside, i'm pretty sure every cat would enjoy outside time in a protected area.


There's no benefit from getting a loving, caring human?

Ok, whatever you say. I've heard enough from you now, I just don't think you understand the time and devotion I am willing to give this cat.

[Kfamr]

What about spending the two hours a day you would have to spend with your cat in the garden and spend that time helping out at your local shelter. In that way it would be just like having your own cat, until you have the space for an inside cat !!!



The shelter is 30 or so minutes away. If you are willing to drive me each and everyday there, sure thing. I'll do just that.
Once a week is enough for my dad to drive me... he would not be willing to do so everyday.


Besides, it's NOT that we don't have enough room.... It's just that I don't think the cat could be inside 24/7 so it's day would be divided among the outside enclosure and inside, either in the guest bedroom while Simba is inside, or free-roam of the house while simba is outside.

[PayItForward]

Originally posted by Kfamr
Besides, it's NOT that we don't have enough room.... It's just that I don't think the cat could be inside 24/7 so it's day would be divided among the outside enclosure and inside, either in the guest bedroom while Simba is inside, or free-roam of the house while simba is outside.

If you attach the cat run to the guest room so the cat ALWAYS had inside space it would be the same as our catteries which are OK. You could place a cat flap in the window of the spare room INTO the run.

As cats needs to be able to go inside when they choose, not just when you are around. That is why an isolated run is bad, a run attached to the spare room would be much better solution.

Still suggest two cats as they will still be isolated to one room.

[Kfamr]

It is not possible as the spare room is at the front of our house.

[rosethecopycat]

Kay-

It sounds like you have a wonderful spirit towards animals.
In the future, I can see you doing great things.
But, at the moment, ask yourself: What/where will I be in ten years?
At your age, although you sound very mature, it is hard to know.

I waited a long time, many years, before my lifestyle, deemed it logical to have cats. No matter how much I wanted them.

You limit yourself, and your possibilities by taking on the guardianship of a pet at this point in your life. (you can't count on parents taking over for you, it's not fair)
What if you get a job offer overseas?
What if you become a flight attendent and are only home 50% of the time?
These are only examples. So many possibilities.
Maybe you say: But, I never want to leave here, or do anything different.
We just don't know what the future holds. Many things we never imagined.

Secondly, I think Florida is just too brutally hot for outside cats. Why? Because I live in FL.
You will wage a constant battle with fleas. Frightening animals may draw near your enclosure.
Winters in FL? Well, I don't want my cats out in close to freezing weather.
Too cold for me, too cold for them.

I have foster cats. And while they have free range of an isolation bedroom, not in a cage, I am consumed with guilt about not spending as much time with them as I'd like.
I yearn for the day they come out of isolation and can be a part of the family.

Please, I urge you, wait until you can accept a cat, truly as a family member.

Patience. Your rewards will come to you.

Just my opinion.


Rose

[Kfamr]

I really have no idea where i'll be in 10 years, BUT, My pets come before everything. There's no way i'd leave my dogs, or and possible future cats (fish really could careless who feeds them) for ANYTHING.

Florida is hot, but even so, the enclosure will have shade or even a roof. Maybe I could even get my dad to build something similar to our shed and insulate it somehow and get a small AC unit. And even so, it'd be the same tempatures for them in the shelter.
AND, it won't be outside all of the time.

The cat will have some sort of flea control, as my dogs do. We do not have flease here because of my dogs being on flea control.
Again, if the weather gets too cold (or possibly too hot) I will bring the cat inside.
Not animals bother coming our yard, besides squirelles and birds. they will not be able to reach the cat with the type of enclosure I have in mind.


Again, this is nothing final or ever a for sure thing. It's just a thought.

[Aspen and Misty]

Hey Kay. I say get a kitty if you can. Nova wasn't good with Cats when we got her. It took ALOT of time and patience and understanding but we got over it and now she is good with them.I don't know how bad Simba is with them. Just rember there are ALWAYS accidents, but it helps alot if the people in the house knows the rules. Such as, When I have the bunnies (Which Nova is NOT good with) in a room it will say

Please Do not Let Nova in here, she wants to eat me.
Love, Jaxom.

It's a cute way of getting across to the people in the house that they can NOT let that animal in there. When having 2 animals in the same house who don't get along there is alot of things you have to do. For instance. One of our rules is the bunny can NOT be taken out of my room unless Nova is outside OR in a locked crate. Or, when the bunnies are in the living room in there play pens Nova MUST be either in the hallway behind the baby gate or outside with the door locked. If she needs to come inside you have to step outside and put her haltie and leash on her, then you make walk her down to the hallway. There are many many rules that we use, but I just wanted to show you some rules we use with our animals that dont' get along.

Ash

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by rosethecopycat

I have foster cats. And while they have free range of an isolation bedroom, not in a cage, I am consumed with guilt about not spending as much time with them as I'd like.
I yearn for the day they come out of isolation and can be a part of the family.

I know what you mean! Right now Nova, Sada and Wyatt are locked up because of Jax, Julian and the rats being in the living room. I feel sooo guilty because I can't let them all be out all the time. But it's just not praticle. The bunnies have been out for 2 days (expet Nights) and I am feeling so Guilty, I can't leave them in my room (too hott, no air conditoner) so they have to be out here and those animals have to be locked up. Sometimes I think it is un-fare to all 3 sets.

Ash

[Pam]

KayAnn if it was anyone other than you asking I would think twice. Everyone here knows that you are devoted to Simba and Nala and I have no reason to believe you couldn't be completely devoted to a kitty. I think your idea of borrowing Caeleigh and Orion for a while is an excellent way to get Simba a little more used to a kitty in the house.

When I first got Trevor 11 years ago (he was my first cat) he was only a 3 lb. kitten. My two dogs at the time had never been around cats. I sort of held my breath during those early introductions but soon everyone learned to respect each other. When Andy came along it was a piece of cake. So I have had good luck with adult dogs and kittens. If you do get an adult cat you could ask about their background as to whether they have already lived with dogs. Good luck and keep us posted and thanks for being brave enough and responsible enough to ask for opinions before jumping into this. I wish all pet owners would be as responsible.

[guster girl]

I don't know if this has been suggested, but, you could go in the middle of getting your own cat(s) and volunteering daily at the shelter....by fostering. It would be a great sortof halfway home for a kitty or two. Just a suggestion, though.

[jazzcat]

I really don't know where I stand on this. I think PIF has good points and I am concerned about Simba - all it takes is one second of turning your back and there could be a bad accident with Simba and the cat. On the other hand you sound like you are really thinking this through and your dedication to your pets is obvious. I also think of the alternative for the cat. If you plan to adopted an older cat from a kill shelter you may be saving it's life. I think your plans are better than being PTS for sure, as long as Simba isn't a problem.

I have one concern though. You are 16, right? Well do you plan to go to college in two years? If so who be taking care of your pets and if you plan to leave them at home what will happen to the cat? Will it be abandoned to the outside run until you come home? If there are no issues of you going away anywhere then I think it might be okay.

I'm just not sure on this. People have brought up some very good points on both sides.