Am I too old for a young cat?

[Anonymous]

I'm only 48, but my four previous cats have lived to be 23, 20, 18, and 17. I know adult cats are less adoptable, and I would be willing to adopt older to match my own lifespan a bit more but DH is military, and rescues don't love adopting to us. We've been turned down 8 times over the course of our marriage, despite providing vet records and proof that the cats PCS with us each time. Of course, here is where I also point out 23, 20, 18, and 17, but they don't care about that. I am pretty anti-breeder, but also desperate to fill the hole in my heart and the house, and rescues won't work with us. But buying from a breeder means kitten, and I just feel a lot old for that...

[Anonymous]

Why do you feel too old? Are you disabled?

[Anonymous]

Don't get a cat from a breeder. Find a shelter with a young adult cat, 1-3ish.

They will still have LOTS of energy, but still a bit more mellow than a kitten.

[Anonymous]

No, not disabled. But if I get a kitten at 48 who lives another 20 years... I know, not guaranteed. But with our history, I worry.

Are shelters more open to adopting to people that rescues have turned down?

[Anonymous]

At 48 you are worried about this?! I'd worry once you are 70.

[Anonymous]

A shelter will turn you down? Rescues are a scam anyhow. They just take animals from mills and "home" them. It's a ridiculous cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A shelter will turn you down? Rescues are a scam anyhow. They just take animals from mills and "home" them. It's a ridiculous cycle.

I don't know about shelters. Our cats have either come from rescues (pre-marriage) or we found them on the street. I'll look into that, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you feel too old? Are you disabled?

I think she is saying she does not want to commit to taking care of an elderly cat when she is in her 70's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you feel too old? Are you disabled?

I think she is saying she does not want to commit to taking care of an elderly cat when she is in her 70's.

More I don't want to outlive them. Sounds silly, I guess, but I don't know. I want to be responsible about it.

[Anonymous]

You won't outlive them at 48. Statistically time is still on your side. Go get yourself a cat.

[Anonymous]

My parents got cats from their 70s and basically set up future guardianship if needed (unofficially, of course), with my sibling. Make sure a friend/sibling/child is willing to care for them or carefully re-home them if that's ever necessary. Then enjoy them for the next 20 years.

[Anonymous]

*That should read "My parents got cats in their 70s"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You won't outlive them at 48. Statistically time is still on your side. Go get yourself a cat.

She almost certainly will outlive them. They won't outlive her. Or if they do, they won't outlive her and her spouse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You won't outlive them at 48. Statistically time is still on your side. Go get yourself a cat.

She almost certainly will outlive them. They won't outlive her. Or if they do, they won't outlive her and her spouse.

Yeah that was a typo. You WILL

I'm tired.

[Anonymous]

People on this board are still raising toddlers and preschoolers at your age.

Get the cat.