to adopt or not to adopt?

Hi everyone! I need some advice. I currently have 3 dogs right now, and I am renting a house. I use to have cats and i miss having them around and I was thinking of adopting one. All my dogs are great with cats and I want to adopt an older cat 2 years or older. I just can't decide. I really want to but is that too many animals? I currently have a dog room for my girls and I have an extra room i am using right now for an office but I never use it. I was thinking of making it a cat room. Also I was thinking if I did get a cat I could make him/or her an outdoor/indoor cat but mostly indoor, but then agian I am kind of nervous about the outdoor thing. My landlord only knows of one of my dogs and not about the other 2 so thats one reason I am hesitant although a cat is easier to hide then a dog since they stay home all the time. I went and looked at some cats today and saw this pretty little Siamese girl, about 2 years old. She is fine with dogs and is really sweet. But I told the rescue I wanted to wait and think about it because I want to make sure I make the right decision. So what do you all think, should I go ahead and adopt this kitty?

 

my advice (I foster for siamese rescue) is to wait especially if you are unsure your landlord will allow another pet. Keep in mind the personality of siamese cats - they get very attached to their owner...very much. Imagine rescuing this kitty and getting attached to him/her and if your landlord found out you have the cat and are made to get rid of it this siamese will suffer greatly from being separated from you. My past 2 fosters have gone through this and it does affect them deeply.

Either get permission from your landlord first (and I'm surprised this rescue isn't looking for paperwork from your landlord even our local shelter does that if a person rents). You'd be taking quite a risk in opening your heart and home to this kitty if your landlord doesn't want you to have it. Also be sure this kitty is okay with dogs or you'll have a siamese cat that'll do nothing but hide

 

I agree. Maybe you should ask your landlord ahead of time. If he/she allows dogs I can't see why they would'nt be okay with you getting a cat and that way you won't have to worry about rehoming the cat down the road. I rent too and my landlord allows dogs ands cat but is'nt aware of how many I have. I plan to buy a house in the next year or two so I'm hoping that this will never be an issue.
With the landlords approval, I say go for it. :y_the_best:

 

good thing cats dont need as much exercise as dogs else u might be in trouble lol
but yes find out from the head honcho first, then adopt! :y_the_best: lots of beautiful kitties out there that need a loving home.

Just be sure of their temperment before u bring them home... some cats just cannot and willnot tollerate dogs. the stress could lead to all kinds of problems.

Good luck!

 

Hi Winnie. I miss seeing you in the cat forum. The last major post you made here, was about how you decided to give away both of your cats, because you were moving (to the house you are currently living in) and one or more of your family members was allergic to cats. You said that you wanted your family to be able to come over and not have to deal with allergic reactions from your cats. Another reason you decided to give away both of your cats was because of your landlord. So, I don't think it's a good idea for you to get another cat right now.

 

Winnie, I've got only three main concerns about this. 1)landlord, 2)Siamese behavior(see below) and 3)you getting evicted for breaking your lease agreement.

I personally would talk to the landlord and explain that you took the dogs on under a temp agreement and got stuck with them (ok, lie...I know, but a white lie), and invite him/her to come and view the clean/undamaged conditions that you keep them in.

It would also help to offer a damage deposit.

I have to give you major kudo's for looking to adopt an older cat. Most folks insist on kittens and the poor cat's fall through the cracks and die.

Another consideration is care. Can you afford another pet? (though you've been here at auspets long enough to expect to hear that consideration LOL).

And Mary is absolutely correct about Siamese cats being attachted. In fact I think she understated it. Most Siamese cats become attached to one person and one person only and will be hostile to others. Not all, but most. And Siamese can and will change their alliance so she/he could become 'yours'.

And my last words on this is "don't adopt unless you're prepared to care for all your pets if/when you're evicted for breaking your lease". I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound cold, but if your landloard bust's you and evicts you...what will happen to these little babies?

 

Thank you everyone for your replies and your right, I should ask my landlord. When I moved in I remember her saying she was a cat person so maybe she will say yes.

Chessmind....your right that I said I had to give up my cats because of my family's allergies, especially my mom. It was my mom that was my main concern and she is the one who convinced me to give them away to friends so she could come over all the time. However she lied to me and it turned out she was being sneaky. She never has liked cats and she found a way into tricking me to give them away. She never has come over even though I have invited her numerous times. I actually got a little pissed at her cause my cats were my babies. So I figure its my life, my house, my animals and if I want a kitty I'll get one, I'll just have to go to her house intead of her coming here which is fine with me. But yeah I will definitly ask my landlord first. Thank you