I inherited some roses with our new house. Last year I used Dr Earth Final Stop fungicide on black spot and it seemed to work. Not sure if it would be okay for cats.

If you haven't already, it could use some fertilizer/manure. I've heard ripping the rootstock canes off works better than cutting.

Thank you. I will add Dr Earth Total Advantage Rose & Azalea (which I used to apparent good effect last year). I have all-purpose insecticidal oil mixes with similar contents as the Dr Earth fungicide, but didn't know they'd be effective for this! I also have a few neem products (we have plenty Japanese beetles). One commenter somewhere said use nothing immediately after a cutback this severe, it's too traumatic. But I feel like the poor adoptee needs something! I think the undesirables have their own root knot: too big to tear. I might be able to saw it. Should I paint them with diluted white glue?

I think rather than bombarding it with products I would just keep it well watered (daily if necessary) and shade it if it's getting hot sun. i didn't know roses could get ticks and I don't know what a home defense base is but this would be my strategy.. I would also remove any dead or dying foliage.Sometimes less is more.