Garden with no grass - Cats Protection will only let us have a older cat, why?

We own our house and garden, its just me and my husband, no kids etc, we have had a cat flap fitted (its a court yard style garden, paved with a shed and tubs of plants) it backs onto a ally and surrounding gardens are other courtyards and some grass gardens so a real mix. The road arent busy.





We have been told by the cats protection rescue centre that because its a court yard garden we have we can only have a cat over 8 years old. (the rspca however said we could have any age including kittens although they dont have many cats in at the min) We dont really understand why as generally cats wander anyway and dont always like to stay in their own gardens. They said its because younger cats like to play... Ive fallen in love with a few of the younger cats they have there...





We obviously want to do the right thing - Can anyone explain this to us?

Garden with no grass - Cats Protection will only let us have a older cat, why?
Have you tried the Blue Cross? We have PLENTY of cats at the moment and if you were to make your garden really cat friendly with lots of interesting features such as a water feature it can drink from, things it can climb on and laze around on, I don't see why actual grass (or lack of it) would be a problem. Please try the Blue Cross web site which will give you details of your nearest shelter and you can also view all the cats available for adoption.





It would be lovely if you did consider a slightly older cat (8 really isn't old these days with cats living up to 24) as they are more difficult to rehome but have so much love to give.





Thank you.
Reply:gosh, I'm rather supprised at their criteria!!!! I've had cats all my life, and I have to say that it's certainly not essential to have a lawn at all!!


In fact, they don't really spend much time sitting on a lawn at all! You'd usually find them either playing in a bush, in your plant pots, investigating everything but the lawn. grass- unless it's long enough to hide in, is pretty boring for a cat. if the weather's nice and the sun is out, they'll sunbathe on flagstones, or garden table, or a path, something that usually gives off a little warmth.


the only thing i can think of, is they probably think it's a soft landing for a kitten when it's having a mad moment. Have you tried looking somewhere else for a kitten? i feel you'd obviously make wonderful owners for a cat. good luck!!!
Reply:You're best off saying 'please explain this to me' to the Cats Protection person who said this to you. They will tell you all about it, believe me!





I do a lot of work with the ladies at my local Cats Protection branch, and once volunteered at another branch. Believe me when I say they are HARD ASSES when it comes to who gets their cats - they're all for the cats you understand, and they don't care who they offend. I do admire this, but I think they make it too hard sometimes - they have a lot of cats to home and I do think they sometimes pass up perfectly decent homes without good reason. This sounds like one of those cases.





Actually, this does sound like one of the sillier rules I've heard the Cats Protection hand out - I know one person who won't home to anyone who doesn't live in a cul-de-sac, and another who won't home to anyone in a town unless they keep the cat indoors (including my own sister!) But just saying 'young cats like to play' - what, they can't do that without grass?? That's what I'd say to them!!





Chalice