POPPYLOVE - BEST FRIENDS FOREVER SCHEME

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER SCHEME (B.F.F.)

As you can immagine, the change to go to a new home for a young kitten is a strange and sometimes challenging times.

When kittens are used to be handled from birth and been used to have constant human contact the move from their place of birth to their new home is usually not too bed and they usually adapt in few days without trauma.

But one thing that can really affect them is solitude.

If a kitten is left for long hours on his/her own it will create, behavioural problems and can also severly change the way the kitten might interact with the members of the family.

We have to keep in mind that these kittens require and need attention and playing time as much as a human child.

As we always reccomend to anybody, who is out of the house for long hours (more than 3 hours at the time), there are 3 possibilities to explore to avoid any problem that loneliness can cause:

Adopt a second kitten from the same litter of from a litter born around the same time (but we understand that sometimes the cost could be a problem).
Adopt one of our adult cats that might be available for re-homing. The kitten would already know and trust the older cat (but not all the time we have adult available for re-homing).
Adopt at the same time as one of our kitten, a little rescue kitten. We work closely with our Vet, Clare Meade of The Cat Hospital, Cork. We would look for the best possible match available i.e.: character, etc and after blood tests will be carried out to make sure that the little stray is healthy and does not carry any infectious disease. After that the chosen kitten will be fully vaccinated, microchipped and neutered (please note that vet fees might change depending on individual circumstances etc).Both kittens then will arrive at their new home on the same day, as kittens are very adaptable as such a young age, 90% of the time the "introduction" period required is usually very short.

Please note that this option is also available to families who already have one of our kittens/cats in their home and wish to add a little friend :0)

We cannont stress enough how important and rewarding both for the kitten and the new family to have such a wonderful addition to the family.

THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE FAMILIES WHO

OPTED FOR THIS CHOICE AND HERE THEIR STORIES :

POPPYLOVE Wingy Salomon AKA Merlin (Male Ragdoll)

Pip AKA Roundy (Male European - Non Pedigree)

I wanted so to get a pet, ideally a dog, as I love animals.

However, I work full time and felt it would be unfair to get a dog as they need so much company.

I looked up "affectionate cats" on google and found the Ragdoll Breed.

I had never heard of it before and made some enquiries through Jim and Natascia.

I visited them and met Merlin for the first time and was really smitten.

Such beautiful kittens and I knew they had been so well looked after.

I had never seen such beautiful animals before.

Natascia told me Merlin would need lots of company.

My housemate worked nights at the time and was home all day - I would be home in the evening, so company wasnt a problem.

Merlin arrived in September and settled in really quickly.

We all grew to love him in no time at all.

After 6 months my housemate's hours changed and Merlin had less company that he needed.

We though he might be lonely and I enquired through Poppylove about getting another cat to keep him company.

I couldn't afford to get another Ragdoll and Natascia said she would make enquiries as it was really important to get a cat who would get on well with Merlin.

Two days later I got a call from Natascia to say her Vet had a cat who was rescued and would make an ideal companion for Merlin.

I travelled to Cork and met Pip - a beautiful 6 month old kitten - jet black, with green eyes, a fun personality and very placid.

Pip travelled home with me - very relaxed, purred for most of the journey.

My instructions were to keep them apart for the first while as they adjusted to each other.

Pip wasn't bothered by anything and was curious to meet Merlin.

Merlin wasn't a bit happy and kept guard outside the door where Pip was.

After a week of growling and hissing I thought I had made a mistake by bringing Pip home.

I felt bad because he already had trauma in his little life when he was a stray on the streets.

I rang Natascia who put me in touch with another person who had taken home a Burmese kitten to his two Ragdolls.He advised to stick with it and time would sort it out.

After 2 weeks my patience was running out and I put the two together.

I kept a close eye on them and after a nervous start they started to relax.

Whithin a couple of hours they were curled up asleep together on their bed - Awww !!!

They have become good friends and Pip brings out the fun side of Merlin.

They chase each other around, eat from the same bowl and often sleep in the same bed.

Sometimes they get fed up of each other, annoy each other and ignore each other.

It's been really good for the two of them and they are happier for it.

Pip has an amazing appetite which has given him an impressive belly and earned him the name Roundy !

We tried other names but none suited him as well :0)

I trust Natascia & Jim totally and I know they are special, and also all of the gifted people in the Cat Hospital who can read a cat's personality very accurately.

I hope this helps if you are thinking of adopting a companion cat.

As you can see from my experience, it's worked really well for us.

Deirdre, Merlin & Roundy xxx

POPPYLOVE Flirty Makeda AKA Lily (Female Ragdoll)

BELLE Female European - Non Pedigree

POPPYLOVE Just Salading

AKA Sal (Male Ragdoll)

POPPYLOVE Maori Dream

(Female Ragdoll)

GEORGE

Male European - Non Pedigree