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Post by AnnaAmber on Jun 8, 2013 18:16:22 GMT
Hello! This is the first time I have posted in the Your Cat section of the forum Anyhow, here's a quick introduction. I'm Anna aged 14, and we have three dogs: Amber, Holly & Wilson, and are currently puppy walking an assistance dog in training, Bramble. We also have 4 pygmy goats, 6 chickens and 2 gerbils. So lots of pets Basically , we are considering the idea of getting a cat.
We have a lot of mice so the main reason behind it would be it would help with pest control but also be a friendly pet. However, several of the family are quite badly allergic to cats, so it couldn't be a house pet My question is - Could it be an outside cat? Can we teach him/her not to go in the house? Or would it see the dogs (who are indoor & outdoor dogs) coming inside and the doors or windows open and come it all the same? We have a warm hay shed where they could sleep (or if they chose they could go in with the goats) and they could be free to roam around outside. Thank you in advance!!
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Post by lotsofcats on Jun 8, 2013 18:26:39 GMT
I suggest you contact the Cats Protection League and/or other cat rescue centres as they sometimes advertise cats that need a home but have lived outside. I have 7 cats and 6 of them are indoor cats that go out in a cat pen in the day. My other cat Toffee (my avatar) was a stray that I adopted last year. He is mainly an outdoor cat due to the fact that he hated one of my dogs and I suspect would not get on with my 2 male cats as he thinks he is the boss! Toffee does come in for a visit in the day when the other cats are out and he sleeps in the cat pen and shed at night.
I don't feel it would be fair to get a kitten that has lived in a house and then expect it to stay outside and live.
You could also consider getting the Siberian breed of cat as they are fine for people who are allergic to cats.
Hope this helps.
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Post by AnnaAmber on Jun 8, 2013 19:10:22 GMT
Thanks lotsofcats We were thinking of getting a rescue cat anyway so we will look at see if there are any needing "outdoor" homes. I agree it would not be fair to get a kitten who had been indoors and expect them to be outside, so if we did go for a kitten we would chose one who had lived outside. My sister had mentioned the Siberian breed, however I can't find any in Ireland. We still have to convince our Dad, the rest of the family are keen..... he just doesn't like rushing into things!!! Hopefully.
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Post by tonib on Jun 8, 2013 21:28:12 GMT
It could be that the various rescues in Ireland have feral cats that need a home. They would probably suit a hay shed, although not sure you would get a friendly pet but you never know.
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Post by SarahHound on Jun 8, 2013 21:33:22 GMT
Like others said, the CP often have 'barn/farm' cats, who wouldn't be happy living in a home, but would be happy with an outdoor shed of sorts, with feeding etc.
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Post by spider on Jun 8, 2013 22:34:50 GMT
maby a little jack russell might do the job they supposed to be great hunters of mice cats by there nature love to see everything they dont understand boundaries like a dog does so i think trying to keep a cat out of the house would be like trying to keep water in a sive u can say no as often as u like i dont think cats understand that word all it means not just now but when u not there then its ok its there nature to investigate everything maby not everyone will agree but its my thinking
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Post by julie72 on Jun 8, 2013 23:06:53 GMT
A jack russell may be worth a shout, ours will not tolerate any cats at all whatsoever! Her instinct of cat hatred is massive. Am sure rats or mice would be the same but I've never been able to test the theory. Having said that if you find yourself with one that turns out to be not bothered, then that's another dog you're lumbered with....
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Post by dutchkitties on Jun 9, 2013 7:48:58 GMT
You can contact Animalcaresociety in Cork. I support 4 cats there (financially)
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Post by spider on Jun 9, 2013 8:17:13 GMT
i just had a look at ur blog o wow ur dogs are lovely wilson is cute if u in midlands of ireland a friend has a cat rescue shelter she would be a great person to talk to last time we spoke she had over 100 cats she would be bound to have a little cat to suit u or at least she would be a good person to ask
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Post by AnnaAmber on Jun 11, 2013 18:19:21 GMT
Well, yesterday I was at the Vets and they showed me 5 adorable kittens.....it was so tempting to take one home!!! The poor things had been handed in to be PTS - but luckily they are trying to re-home them instead. However, there was no way if we'd taken one of them home that it would have stayed outside!!! They'd have ended up inside. And because of the allergies, that just wouldn't work. Personally I think a rescue adult cat who for whatever reason was best suited to an outdoor life - would be best. I have got in touch with a few rescue centres locally to enquire. spider If you could let me know the contact details for your friend then I could also ask her. Another question: Do you think a cat would be OK with our chickens? My sister is concerned especially if we got an adult cat who hadn't been raised with them since they were kittens. What do you think about this? I really do fancy a cat!!!!
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Post by judypops on Jun 11, 2013 20:33:34 GMT
You couldn't be sure of what might happen between them, but all chickens I know of have got quite an attitude and wouldn't be easily pushed around. Our neighbour has chickens that used to roam free and would come and nest in our garden, even with the cats being there. But they had to put them in a pen as out neighbour on the other side (the same people that owned Mrs.Woman our newly acquired cat) had a dog that would chase them and managed to kill a couple. Hope you manage to find a rescue that will suit.
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Post by gladys on Jun 16, 2013 17:04:23 GMT
AnnaAmber Living in the countryside I know quite a few people who have re-homed feral cats and kittens to live in the hay barns etc to keep mice and rat numbers down on their farms. One person I knew re-homed two kittens who were going to live in the barn and they made an encloses for them while they were young, so like a structure you would see at a cattery with indoor heating. They stayed in there while they were young and when they were old enough they had the run of the barn and still used the enclosure to sleep and to stay warm. Then only thing you would have to do is make sure they get lots of attention while young. If the enclosure was in the barn that you wanted them to live in I can't see this not working. They would have a better, happier, warmer life than the two cats we have round here, one is a stray that wont go near anyone and the other never seems to be at their own house?!?
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jun 16, 2013 17:06:06 GMT
I am sure that would be alright AnnaAmber, as long as it has food, shelter and the care extent it would do if it lived indoors.
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wildcat
Newbie
until you love a cat you have not loved.
Posts: 45
Animals I love: I love all animals.
Pets I own: two cats and a newfie
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Post by wildcat on Jun 16, 2013 17:56:31 GMT
Hi AnnaAmber, I have two cats and eight chickens and they are fine, Scooby sunbathes in the run and they don't bother at all. Hope you get what you want. Good luck.
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Post by AnnaAmber on Jun 17, 2013 15:45:36 GMT
Thanks everyone. We have just adopted three little kittens Toby, Tilly & Tara. Due to them being so young, they are currently in a pen in the garage with a heat lamp. The plan is when they are older they will be free to roam and will have access to the insulated goats shed (and the hay barn, if they prefer that. Or even the garage!) Whilst they are outside cats we are still giving them lots of attention so they become bonded with humans. In terms of the chickens we thought we'd introduce them once the kittens are fully vaccinated. Does this sound OK? Hopefully they will get on well.
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