I know, I know... there are other topics about this. But each situation is so unique, I'd really like some opinions about my own.
I got Liz in January of this year. She is my only pet, and the very first pet I actually got under my name and assumed all responsibilities for (before that, I'd had pets, but only as a child, so my mom really was the one to care for them). One day I just decided I needed to get a cat, and after a few weeks of obsessing over it, I finally went for it.
It took a lot to convince my husband. He loves animals, but as a very responsible person he is cautious about getting into these serious commitments (a good quality to have in a significant other, if I may add). He came with me to look at the cats at the shelter one day, and then I just would not leave without Liz. He felt apprehensive but did not try to stop me. He eventually became just as attached to her as me, and took on some responsibilities with her, so that now we are doing half and half.
We were both cautious getting into this, not knowing what it would take to take care of another living thing. We would not have dreamed of getting 2 cats at once. However, it turns out that this is much easier and less time-consuming than I'd thought. So I know that I could handle a second cat.
And for a few months now, I've really been wanting to get one. There was one specific cat at the same shelter, who was FIV+, that I wanted to get... but he was adopted recently (good for him)! I went to visit him and it turned out he was probably not a good match for Liz. Also, despite being known for his friendliness, he did not warm up to me. So it wouldn't have worked out anyway.
Well a week ago, I found a cat that is being fostered by a rescue group I added on Facebook. She's also female, and the same age as my cat. She is petite, like my cat. Cutest.thing.ever. I got in touch with her foster, and personality-wise she sounds like everything I'd want in a cat. She gets along with the foster's cats, which gives me hope that she might get along with Liz. It would be wonderful if Liz could have a friend, and I don't want her to be miserable because we got another cat. But just to make this very clear, *I* want this cat... it's not just for Liz. But I also want to give Liz the best I can give her.
Problem is... my husband thinks we need to wait to move into a bigger house before getting a second cat. Our current apartment is 2 bedrooms (my brother lives with us), one bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen. So, pretty tiny, and we will have to shuffle things around to keep the cats separate in the beginning. I don't think it's a huge deal, but in the event that they do not get along, it would be nice if they each could have their own space that is bigger than a tiny room, or if they could roam without running into each other all the time.
We are currently shopping around for houses, but this could take months. I'm afraid that if I wait until we have a house, the cat I am in love with will have been adopted. What should I do? Should I convince him to get her before then? Should I wait? Does anyone have experiences introducing a new cat to an old cat in a small apartment? Please, share!
