Looking For Advice On Getting A Cat

[Jimmyd]

We had the great fortune of being adopted by a stray kitten a few years ago. He was with us for about three years until he disappeared about 6 months ago or so. He is sorely missed.

Since he picked us, I have no experience in finding a cat for adoption here in Thailand (we live in Pattaya). If I were back in the US I would probably go to the humane society to adopt a stray, but I'm not sure if that is a possibility here.

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.

Thanks in advance,

jimmyd

[londonthai]

you might check kittens for sale or free:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=90471

as well as an ad in classiefieds

kittens for free http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=144160

free kitten in pattaya in pattaya forum

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=140374

[elfe]

any of these?

please...

[Nienke]

All pic's are very nice, but the last one is absolutely fabulous!

[Jimmyd]

Samui is a bit far from Pattaya. Thanks for the links, both of you.

[Jimmyd]

Sorry, I just thought I'd add that I didn't really start this thread expecting people to offer me cats, I started it more as a "beware of these pitfalls in adopting a cat" thread. Having said that I do appreciate the efforts made so far and would consider adopting a cat from someone on TV. Thanks again.

[elfe]

Samui is a bit far from Pattaya. Thanks for the links, both of you.

i can send to you by air, it's not even one hour.

[Jimmyd]

Wow, what an amazing offer. Let me talk to the boss.

[Jimmyd]

I had a talk with the boss and we decided we don't want to rush into things--we want to do this right. For right now, we just want to do some research so we are best prepared to provide a good home. I'm guessing we will spend a week or so making sure we know what we need to know.

I may get back to you elfe, but no guarantees. I'm a bit hesitant to adopt without having met the little ones, but you are so obviously a caring person, elfe, that I feel pretty confident that if we adopted from you it would be a win-win situation.

In the meantime we will continue to research and explore options. Thanks again for the help so far.

[elfe]

no problem jimmyd, i appreciate that you take time for you decision. i also would like to neuter the cat before i give it away. apart from preventing offspring it will also make the cat refrain from fights and stay only in your garden and neighbour area if you let her roam outside.

anyhow you decide - good luck

[Nienke]

This website, http://www.petplace.com/cats.aspx , has loads of info on cats: health care, behavior, breeds, etc.

Wish you a happy reading

Nienke

[sutnyod]

You could also check out nun's pagodas. Usually they always have cats and kittens.

[londonthai]

For right now, we just want to do some research so we are best prepared to provide a good home.

yes, take it slow, read some books about cats - a lot of useful info from the different attitudes. Your wife might want to check books written on the subject in thai. The style of breeding differs in europe, usa or thailand.

of cource see the cat before taking it - usually there are several of them to chose from so observe how they behave between themselves and towards the people. With adult cats is a problem with them adjusting to your home and some of them might have bad/strange habits. Opt rather for the kitten/young cat below 1y old.

cat is not just for xmas

[FolkGuitar]

We had the great fortune of being adopted by a stray kitten a few years ago. He was with us for about three years until he disappeared about 6 months ago or so. He is sorely missed.

Since he picked us, I have no experience in finding a cat for adoption here in Thailand (we live in Pattaya). If I were back in the US I would probably go to the humane society to adopt a stray, but I'm not sure if that is a possibility here.

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.

Thanks in advance,

jimmyd

Animals are like people; some great, others not so great. It always helps if you get them young and you can instill some values as they grow. (Have any of you cat people ever heard such a crock as that before?!? )

But really, you do want them as kittens, not full grown cats. I've been owned by many over the years, and the one who lives in my house now was purchased impulsively for 100 baht when I just happened to be passing a series of pet shops and saw her in a cage. One of the best cats I've ever shared a dwelling with. Just a garden variety gray tiger, not especially beautiful. but a fantastic personality.

I've just had a microchip implanted in her in case we want to travel for any length of time, and had another course of vaccinations verified by the Thai government. The next step, in another 30 days, is to take a blood sample and have this tested and verified. This save a LOT of hassle with quarantine. Most countries permit "house quarantine" for cats, so no need to put her in a cat house for a month or two when we travel.

[Jimmyd]

Thanks again for all advice and help so far.

Here's an update on where we are in the process.

First, we went to talk to the vet who helped our last cat through many a trauma and scare, and he said he'd contact us if anyone comes in needing a home for a cat.

Next, we went out to Tony's shelter to look at the cats there. We were a bit shocked as a good portion of the cats there seemed to have serious eye infections--it almost looked like it was a contagious thing spreading through the single, large cage they had. There were some sweet souls there, but as we are taking things slowly, we didn't take the plunge.

When we got back home, our landlord asked my boss if we ever thought about getting another cat. The boss explained we were thinking about it, and the landlord said her mother had some kittens and she'd check and see if they were available. Kismet.

In addition, I've been researching away, though not too frantically. I mentioned the vet we know--he really is kind soul and I think he'll help us through this. If anyone wants a good vet in Pattaya, I can highly recommend him. His shop is on Third Road between Central and South Pattaya roads a few hundred yards before you get to South Pattaya road on the left. PM me if you want specifics.

Anyway, thanks again and I'll keep you updated as things progress.

[sbk]

In addition, I've been researching away, though not too frantically. I mentioned the vet we know--he really is kind soul and I think he'll help us through this. If anyone wants a good vet in Pattaya, I can highly recommend him. His shop is on Third Road between Central and South Pattaya roads a few hundred yards before you get to South Pattaya road on the left. PM me if you want specifics.

Anyway, thanks again and I'll keep you updated as things progress.

Jimmy, feel free to post your vets details in the pinned Veterinarians topic

[Jimmyd]

I'll put the vets details in the thread soon, as I've just been to see him. We adopted two cats from the main temple on South Pattaya road. They have a place for animals back near where they keep the dead people. We got a couple orphan kittens only a month old. I will smell like cat feces for quite a while, I'm sure. We're still thinking about names. I'll post pics if there's any interest.

[londonthai]

teach your kittens to go out when they need a toilet - the best straith after giving them food move them to the garden.

[Jimmyd]

Bad news--looks like they were too young and may not make it. One is almost sure to die according to the vet, the other is 50-50.

He said they were orphaned too soon and didn't receive enough mother's milk to strengthen their immune systems (that's my guess, the discussion was in Thai and I'm not fluent). We're not sure how long ago the mother abandoned them.

Update: The vet just called. Both little souls are gone. Life is tough.

[londonthai]

sorry to hear.

the next time take kitten only after at least 8-10 weeks

[Nienke]

Sorry to hear that, Jimmyd.

From what I have read about cat behavior, their sociliazation period is longer that that from a dog and well 3 to 5 months. Further, i've understood it is better to leave the kittens longer with their mother and siblings, at least untill they are approx. 3 months of age.

From what I pick up about the sick cats at Tony's shelter, it looks as if they were suffering from a viral respiratory disease, a most common and highly contagious disease under cats, and a big problem in places where there are many cats together (even when they are vaccinated). Adult cats usually pull thorugh, but death rate in kittens seems to be around 50%. One of the big problems with this disease is that the nose get stuffed, so that they can't smell. And because of that they won't eat. And THAT is very dangerous as cats, unlike dogs, can't fast that long. One day is already pretty long for them.

If it was the cat flu, I suggest not to be too harsh in judging Tony's shelter, as it is something very hard to control. One needs only one cat in the incubation time or as a chronic carrier and the disease spreads like crazy.

Therefore, maybe it's an idea to go back there in the near future, just to have a look how it is then.

Nienke

[Jimmyd]

Sorry to hear that, Jimmyd.

From what I have read about cat behavior, their sociliazation period is longer that that from a dog and well 3 to 5 months. Further, i've understood it is better to leave the kittens longer with their mother and siblings, at least untill they are approx. 3 months of age.

From what I pick up about the sick cats at Tony's shelter, it looks as if they were suffering from a viral respiratory disease, a most common and highly contagious disease under cats, and a big problem in places where there are many cats together (even when they are vaccinated). Adult cats usually pull thorugh, but death rate in kittens seems to be around 50%. One of the big problems with this disease is that the nose get stuffed, so that they can't smell. And because of that they won't eat. And THAT is very dangerous as cats, unlike dogs, can't fast that long. One day is already pretty long for them.

If it was the cat flu, I suggest not to be too harsh in judging Tony's shelter, as it is something very hard to control. One needs only one cat in the incubation time or as a chronic carrier and the disease spreads like crazy.

Therefore, maybe it's an idea to go back there in the near future, just to have a look how it is then.

Nienke

I'd say 80% of the cats at Tony's have eye infections, ranging from leaky eyes to apparent blindness. The man who talked to us there said it's an allergic reaction to some spray they use at the shelter (presumably for the benefit of the animals). It was a bit shocking to see, but I am in no position to judge whether they are a doing a good job there--I'm no expert on these things. I'm simply reporting what I saw.

londonthai: I've learned my lesson. The lady their said the kittens had been abandoned by their mother. I wish you could have seen the conditions that they were living in. Unfortunately, I'll never know if they would have survived if we had left them. I doubt it, but I suppose there's a small chance a nursing mother would have shown up with enough spare milk for them. You live and learn.

[Sheryl]

I don't necessarily agree with the recommendation to get a kitten...I've taken in (been moved in on by is more accurate) some really fabulous adult cats in my time. The personality is more set by adulthood and easier to ascertain. But only take an adult cat that is sociable with humans...some are, some aren't, and by adulthood this is not likely to change.

A kitten should stay with its mother for a full 12 weeks in order to be both healthy and properly socialized, and the effects of missing that will last its lifetime. So if you do get a kitten try for one 12 weeks or older. If you find a kitten you like which is with its mother and not yet 12 weeks old, "reserve"it and wait. You'll be glad you did. Among other things, if the mother is litter box trained, she'll train the kitten for you and no need for you to do a thing.

(I realize tho that many shelters give them away at 8-12 weeks and they may have to do this or else the chances of finding a home go down...people often want the cute itsy bitsy ones. It's not optimal but the lesser of 2 evils if there's a risk of no home at all by waiting)

[elfe]

sorry to hear about poor kitties...

unfortunately it's very common in shelters or other places where many cats live, that kitty newcomers won't make it, the diseases spread fast and as nienke said, the adults are mostly carriers which seem quite healthy from outside...

the eye infection of the cats there might very well be a symptom of other diseases. it is almost impossible to keep diseases out if always new cats are taken in, that is a big problem with shelters.

i stand by my previous offer, if you want healthy, lovely cats, give me a call, my cats are all vaccinated and fit and also look for a proper home as here they only live in the cat run (for safety as i got many dogs here)... all of them used to live inside as well. adults and kitten from 3 months of age...

how about missi, she is adorable and iwould love to see her in a good home with lots of affection...

[Jimmyd]

What are the technical details of getting them up to Pattaya elfe? As they say, the devil is in the details.

[elfe]

there is nothing much about it, they would be sent by plane in a cage or transport box. no papers or certificates needed, only recipiants details.

i have had sent dogs to samui from pattaya and bangkok already, never a problem.

[Nienke]

Well, if you bring the cat/s on November the 17th you can even enjoy the 5th anniversary aprty of Thaivisa

[elfe]

as much as i would like to nienke, but cannot leave my animals...

the cat/s would travel alone

[Jimmyd]

Do you have any idea what the shipping costs would be?

[elfe]

last year i had a puppy sent from bkk (contact through tv, the finder of the pup couldn't keep it and threatened to drown it ) and as far as i remember the costs were below 500 baht for the shipping. then you have to add the transport box.

you could call the airport in pattaya, cargo section and ask for more details