Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Rescue & Rehoming General => Topic started by: Bryony84 on March 12, 2008, 14:05:09 PM
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I'm trying to adopt 2 little girls from the local rescue centre but every time I fulfil one of their requirements there seems to be another one! Its been a week since I first saw them, I brought my partner to see them last Saturday (I can understand why they need that), then my permission letter arrived from the landlord yesterday (again I can see why they might need this) but now they want written permission from the other 7 people in my building that its ok for me to have a cat. This was mentioned when I first went there but the woman seemed to reconsider as she said cats will go in whatever gardens they want and I can hardly ask everyone in a few hundred metres radius!
Apparently its because we all share a garden, but it isn't private, there are 2 open entrances to it and it is just a piece of turf behind the building. No-one ever uses it. I doubt anyone will mind my having cats, especially since they will most probably be indoor girls unless they object to this. But I have no idea how long it will take me to get a reply from each house, I know at least one of my neighbours goes away on buisness quite frequently. All this is meaning that I can't have my homecheck until they get this permission and the poor cats are stuck in the cage even longer. I go to see them most days and I hate closing the cage on them as they always cry when I leave!
And I bet after all of this they will fail me on the housecheck for some stupid reason and I will have totally wasted mine and the poor cats time!
*rant over* Its just so frustrating!
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I must admit I'd have second thoughts to letting one of my fosters go somewhere that did not have a secure garden. What happens if a stray dog comes along and chases them?
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I really think some rescues are their own worst enemies when it comes to rehoming. Obviously, rescues want to do the best for the cats but putting up too many barriers will just send people to breeders or petshops. I really can't understand that one about getting all the neighbours permission. I do homechecks for CP and it wouldn't even occur to me :Crazy: - As you have made your mind up on the gingers, probably best to try to keep them happy. Maybe you could type a letter for each of the neighbours and get them to sign?
Maybe you should be upfront with them and say they will be indoor only. They can't object if the cats have never been outside before. They should be glad that they have rehomed two more.
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I do feel for you Bryony, I know that this certain Rescue do seem to draw things out and ask for some long winded requirements, and then the next thing they are on the press moaning about how many animals they have there and not enough homes for them. :Crazy:
I hope you can get the signatures they need, I think Mark's idea is good as all your neighbours have to do then is sign the letter. To be honest, how would the rescue know if the signature was that of your neighbour anyway. :sneaky:
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They don't seem to have a problem with the unsecure garden, its hard to secure any garden for cats unless you can completely catproof it, just getting everyones permission. I would rather keep them indoors as they are only 6 months old and have never been outdoors but I know some rescues won't rehome cats that aren't FIV+/deaf etc into indoor homes so I havn't mentioned it to them.
I am going to type out a letter with an attached 'please sign here and put back through my letterbox' explaining that I have to ask permission in order to be able to rehome them. If the buisnessman guy is away this week, I may try and leave out his house in my list as they don't know how many properties there are and we are very friendly with this guy, I can't imagine him having a problem with it as he is never there anyway.
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I have a friend who went to a pet shop for the same reason I know that checks must take place but sometimes they are a bit scary
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Would it be quicker to write a sort of consent form and then knock on doors to get them to pop a signature on rather than relying on peeps to remember to post a letter back to you?
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My mum went to a rescue in Essex that insisted she keep the cat in for 8 weeks with all doors and windows closed the whole time - as my mum was on Tamoxifen which gave her sweats and it was summer, it was out of the question. She went to CP instead who advised 4 weeks and accepted that she was a responsible cat owner - she got her cat from CP ;D
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I can see why people would avoid certain rescues of even all rescues because of this kind of thing.
I'll be knocking on doors tonight but I expect over 50% of them to be out as they usually are, I've never even seen some of the residents and theres a strong possibility that one of the small downstairs places at the back is empty at the moment as their parking space is next to mine and there hasn't been a car in it for the last 3 months or a light on in the flat.
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This rescue does sound a little OTT. If the cats are going to be indoor, you've got the landlords permission, what the hell has it got to do with the neighbours :Crazy: I suppoise if you were to let the cats out, you would have to ask permission off everyone in the street just in case your cat decides to go in their garden :-: It's a shame you're not closer to me, I have a few here that would suit indoor homes :shy:
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This rescue does sound a little OTT. If the cats are going to be indoor, you've got the landlords permission, what the hell has it got to do with the neighbours :Crazy: I suppoise if you were to let the cats out, you would have to ask permission off everyone in the street just in case your cat decides to go in their garden :-: It's a shame you're not closer to me, I have a few here that would suit indoor homes :shy:
It's alright Dawn, Bryony is near me, I can always come and get some for her. :Luv2: :Luv2:
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My mum went to a rescue in Essex that insisted she keep the cat in for 8 weeks with all doors and windows closed the whole time
We actually suggest 8 weeks for adult cats in the hope that they will keep them in 4. If we said 4 people would possible only keep them in 2. ;D
I understand the reason for this if the cats were to be indoor/outdoor as so many times we have had problems when someone gets a cat and one person in the building does not like or is scared of cats. Having said that someone who approved of the cat could move out next week and someone who does not care for them move in. In places like this we actually only home indoor cats.
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The irony is Bryony doesn't even want the cats to go out but it's only because of their silly policy about not rehoming as indoor :Crazy:
If it wasn't for the fact that she had already fallen in love with two cats already, I'm sure she would have gone elsewhere by now and quite rightly :evillaugh:
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You're quite right there, if I hadn't seen those 2 when I did, I would probably just have gone to Lesley as she's so close! I feel very attached to them now so I am carrying on with this for their benefit as much as mine.
Ela, I can't see why the neighbours not liking cats should be a problem, the residences are seperate, each with our own front door going straight outside, surely its no different to people in houses living next to each other and one having cats.
And yes, its very annoying that the shelter would probably turn me away if I mentioned keeping them as indoor cats, its certainly safer for the cats that way!
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Bryony have they marked the cats as "reserved" whilst all this is going on?
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Yeh, they've been reserved ever since I first saw them last week. Worried that they might take it off after this weekend or something though.
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They shouldn't do as you are obtaining everything they are asking for. :Luv2:
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I hope not but I really wouldn't be surprised. The girls who work in the cattery are absolutely lovely and I had a long conversation with one who couldn't understand the need to get neighbours permission either but the women who work behind reception just don't seem to care and don't really seem to see the cats as animals who have feelings!
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They sound like doctors receptionists - think they know it all and they know nothing :tired:
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Sounds about right, the don't seem to listen to reason and they don't seem bothered that the animals are going to be stuck in horrible cages for longer than they need to be. I tried asking if they would order the homecheck while I was getting the signitures but they refused. So it'll be at least another week after I manage to get all the signitures to them!!! Meanwhile I have to keep shutting them back in their cage every time I go to see them, breaks my heart hearing them crying as I'm walking away.
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I've typed out a letter explaining the situation and attached a signiture declaration to it so hopefully this will be ok. Now I just have to hope that no-one in the block dislikes cats for any reason. I explained that they would be indoor cats but some people will just do things on the principle of not liking animals.
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well you can't really do more than that, shame they've let you get so attached
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Its my fault really, I feel sorry for them being locked up in a cage all day so I've been visiting a lot! I'll be upset if things don't work out, and sadly I'll probably never use another rescue like this one. I don't think I'd ever buy a cat from a breeder but this experience has really put me off big animal shelters.
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Hope it all works out for you and you can adopt these two kitties.
Just a thought when it comes to having a fenced in yard - even then sometimes things go wrong.
http://www.catchat.org/discus/messages/18/73448.html?1205316161
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I know, I saw that - poor thing. Cats are like children really, you can protect them as much as possible and accidents can still happen. Even with indoor cats there are things that could go wrong even if you are very careful. No-one and nothing can ever be 100% safe unfortunately.
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I almost broke my foot last year trying to save my burmese from falling off something ;)
So yes, we can't protect them all the time but we may all die trying!
Good luck getting the folks to sign the papers for the rescue.
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Thanks, letters are all ready so I will be knocking on doors when I get home and leaving the letters for anyone who's not in. I just really hope no-one says no, as I can't see any real reason why it will even affect them! Its not like they have carefully planted rosebeds anywhere for the cats to dig up, all we have is a largely ignored tatty lawn and a bin shed. Our sky dish would have been more of an inconveniance and yet sky put that up without a question asked and no-one has complained despite the wire running all the way round the building from our bin/bike shed.
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I would definately stick at it. I did with mine (different circumstances though) and it was well worth it :D
Also the place I got mine from prefers cats to be allowed outdoors but I've chosen indoors only and they are find with that (he's now 7 months).
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What a load of old rubbish! That rescue going OTT.. cannot believe they do that for all their homechecks. Obsurd i would say.. I hope its not a CP branch as they should know better!
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I really don't understand why on earth they need the neighbours to agree if you have your own private entrance to your own private dwelling :Crazy: Do you think they have misunderstood your set up and think that to get outside the cats would need to go through a communal area?
As for getting the letters signed, I know it's daunting knocking on strange neighbours doors (who even knows their neighbours names nowadays?!) but bite the bullet and try to talk to them in person rather than dropping a note through. If they're not in when you knock keep your eyes peeled for their car and go back as soon as they get in :luck:
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I don't think they misunderstood the situation because I explained it again today, that the only place that is communal is the area of grass at the back, which isn't really private as it has 2 paths to it and no gates, anyone and their cat could jsut walk in! I think its ridiculous but if its the rules I guess theres nothing I can do about it but hope that none of the neighbours have any grudge against cats or us!
I knocked round all the doors just now but no-one was in (they all seem to be buisness types and get in a lot later than me). We are off to guildford in half an hour to pick something up for one of the cars and pick some dinner up on the way so by the time we get back it'll be a bit late for door knockings so I'm afraid I've bottled it and put notes through. One guy took some post in for me a couple of weeks ago and it took me another week to get it back and that was only because he left it in the bin shed for me. Everytime I called round there was no-one in. I don't really want this all taking another week to sort out for the poor cats sake.
I guess the fact that we've been here nearly 6 months and only met 2 of the neighbours (one who has now moved away and left an empty property) shows how little any of them are actually at home. This is a really horrible feeling waiting for replies, I feel a bit ill!
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1 reply already! And possibly a very useful one.
our next door neighbour saying its absolutely fine as she has a cat! May be something to come back to if I get any no's, if there is already a cat living in our block.
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Oh Bryony, feel sorry for you...I totally 100% appreciate house checks etc but cannot understand why on earth you would need written permission from other residents, its the equivilent of getting neighbours from private local houses to sign a clause if your cat went in the garden.
Surely your landlords permission should be more than suffice.
I called a rescue the other week and told they would not rehome to my street - I am pretty sure she has never been to my street as yes there are cars as there are every road but apart from peak times there are hardly any cars, my cats will not be going out at these times anyway!!
Sometimes rescue (please no-one be offended) really should realise that by turning these potentially loving forever homes, they are pushing people to back street breeders???!!!
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Words fail me, I know these rescues have the animals interest at heart but as others have said this seems so over the top. Try not to let this get you down, easier said than done I know. Dont give up, sending you lots of :hug:
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this is bureaucracy gone mad - they should provide you with a list of their requirements up front and ensure you have a clear understanding of their policies. If all the residences in your building have a separate entrance then it is nothing to do with your neighbours whether you have cats or not. I live in a row of terraces - would they demand I obtain permission from all of my neighbours before homing a cat with me? Highly unlikely and if they did I would be demanding to talk to the person in charge. If they stuck with their policy I would not only be telling them their ancestry, I would also be telling the local paper of their idiotic, overly controlling and irrational approach to finding homes for animals - I have no doubt they use the local paper to broadcast requests for financial assistance, so I would have no problems with that approach. Be more assertive with them. OK, they might get really stubborn, but if they do, then subject them to the public condemnation route - they darn well deserve it!! >:(
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I am so sorry this is happening Bryony cos like others are saying this is just past the point of being careful and sensible.
Its :censored: nothing to do with your neighbours and if your landlord has agreed that should be it.
Sometimes I despair of rescues with these daft policys cos its like they dont want to free up a paen for another needy cat.
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Ela, I can't see why the neighbours not liking cats should be a problem, the residences are seperate, each with our own front door going straight outside, surely its no different to people in houses living next to each other and one having cats.
It is the communal garden that would be the problem if one intended to let the cats out, although I appreciate in your case you would keep them in, so I think in your case the policy is stupid.
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As people have said though, surely that means I'd need to go to every house with a garden that my cat could possibly go into if I let them out. Cats don't tend to stay in one garden unless it is cat proofed. The garden at my parents house is completely enclosed with walls but her cat will just climb over the walls and go for a wander.
I suppose its a positive thing that my next door neighbour also has a cat, I assume that it is an indoor only as well as I've never seen a cat going in or out and her house is laid out in the same way as mine. I got another yes reply as well so 4 to go, and I'm not entirely convinced that one of those isn't empty as well.
It just seems a bit much, the woman who replid saying she had a cat couldn't understand why I should need their permission and said she never asked when she got her cat!
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This rescue is beyond cautious - they are just plain nuts! :garf: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
How many cats did they rehome last year? Was it over or under 6? :Dont know:
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Probably not that many, if I wasn't so stubborn, I would have given up by now, but I won't let them stop me from giving the poor little things a home, they are so young and already been abandoned once!
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This is probably unethical and extremely illegal :evillaugh: but you could just make up signitures??? ;)
I am not being funny, but how the hell would they ever know or check, I personally think they are testing you to see how
determined you really are....
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Oh and make sure you use different shades of biro...... :rofl:
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Lol, I did consider it with one of my neighbours, he is the only one we know properly as people have recently moved away and he is always away on buisness, I highly doubt he would mind at all as I have seen him patting one of the neighbourhood cats so I would be ok with signing one on his behalf until he gets back (I think he is away at the moment) and can give me his signed reply. The others I wouldn't do it purely because I don't know them. Hoping there will be at least another reply on the mat when I get home.
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What a wicked suggestion Lollylou! :sneaky: :evillaugh:
Hoping there will be at least another reply on the mat when I get home.
If there's not, knock on those doors - people can be quite apathetic about things that don't affect them. Plan a little mini speech if you're nervous so you don't get all tongue tied, just think - the sooner you get the letters back the closer you are to adopting those beautiful girls :wow: I had to knock on my neighbours doors to ask if they minded me catproofing my garden, even though it's going to be attached to my fences I didn't want to put it up only for them to complain. I was so nervous and had printed pics out to show what it would look like etc. My neighbours were absolutely fine about it and I really don't know why I was so worried about asking!
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Cos you dont have neighbours like mine :rofl: :rofl:
Apparently the law is on your side if you just do it without asking but if you ask and they refuse then you have real problems cos the law is on their side.!
If you have any probs Bryony I would certainly ummmmmmmmmm be artistic :rofl:
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Bryony, would you mind PMing me the name of this rescue? I'm such a nosey moo that I'd like to have a look at them closer. :sneaky: Promise I won't spill the beans in public. :wish:
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The centre in question, I dno't think its actually an RSCPA place looking at the site, as it doesn't get any funding from them, looks like they just work with them.
There is a section in the adopting an animal part that has a lift of check points and says: 'Can you give your cat safe access to a garden or somewhere safe outside? '
This makes me think they aren't hugely keen on the idea of indoor cats in general.
Pinkbear, this is the rescue in question, I am sure Bryony won't mind as this is taken from her other thread "Does anyone work for the RSPCA". When I worked at the vets locally, this Centre did not have the best reputation in the world and the dealings I have had with them have not been the best either, especially when I reported I had "found" a cat and asked them to take the details and two months later they phoned, saying they were up-dating their records and had I found the cat I had "lost" :Crazy:
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Thats the one, and no i don't mind at all, after all this I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.
And Lesley, that bit of text is exactly why I never mentioned keeping the cats indoors to them and that may well be my downfall if they don't like the way my garden is accessed from the house.
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No new replies on the doorstep when I got home :-[
Although I did have a nice chat with the lady who has a cat. Think I might have to knock on some doors after dinner, everyone except the buisnessman bloke seems to be home.
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I'm staggered! :Crazy: Just looking at their homepage it says they need £2000 a day to keep running! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
They also claim in their newsletter that in 2006 they took in over 1,800 cats. With the kinds of hoops they are making Bryony jump through, I don't see how they can rehome that amount of cats a year. So where are they all? You would need a cattery the size of a small african nation to keep all those puds. :-: Very odd... :shify:
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Id the home page just for this rescue or is it for other ark rescues too?
I am sure someone recently mentioned one in a different part of the country?
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What an ordeal. No wonder, like some others have said, it will put people off. Have not even tried that place after I heard a similar story from someone at work. I would not even stand a chance with a young child-regradless of my childminder telling me every day that he is superb with her new puppy and with her hamster and that she is amazed how good he is. well, that's growing up with animals.
I am looking to adopt in three weeks from now and even though I have been exploring other places, i think I stick to the one I have the other three from. They did a home check when one of my cats had gone missing (he is now back safe and sound) and were happy with what they saw and gave the green light. As I said, lots of cats unnecessarily looked up in those pens and stressed out even though genuine potential owners are waiting.
But I also had a nice chat with a CP lady yesterday although she did not have any animals for adoption. And keep missing the local one calling me when I am at work. Hope something will come up.
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No, Gill, this is the homepage for just this one rescue. It says at anyone time they have 600 animals on site - it must be massive! :scared:
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600!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My goodness thats ummmmm crazy....................Lesley knows this place but if they make it so hard for people to home a cat no wonder they got so many animals.
Wonder what other animals they have and how many people work there.
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As I thought, no young children at all and how exactly can you say that one cat is ok with children 6 and over and the next 8 and over. Don't understand that.
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600!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My goodness thats ummmmm crazy....................Lesley knows this place but if they make it so hard for people to home a cat no wonder they got so many animals.
Wonder what other animals they have and how many people work there.
It is known as an RSPCA re-homing centre, although they state they get no funds from RSPCA headquarters. They re-home cats, dogs, small animals and I think they have a wildlife section as well, and horses, goats etc.
Most of the people who I know have had dealings with it have not been impressed. I took a mum and kittens in from a family who live approx 1 mile from this Centre. They took the mum and kittens to the Centre, and were advised that you can't just turn up with an animal there, and were told they did not have room for them!!!!!
One of Mike's friend's daughters used to work for the Vet that does their veterinary work for them. They were asked to rear a litter of puppies that had been abandoned and Holly took them in until they were approximately 8 weeks of age, at which time they returned to the Centre. She missed them and asked her mum if they could re-home one. They went to the Centre and were told they could not re-home one of the puppies because they worked part time :Crazy: :Crazy:. They hadn't minded that when she had all six of them to handrear. They complained bitterly and were eventually able to re-home a pup from the litter.
I don't like knocking another rescue, but this one gets huge amounts of money from the local population and does not give a good service to the community and definitely should not be run undeer the auspices of the RSPCA (or maybe with it's reputation it should).
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They seem to have dogs, cats and other small animals (rabbits, hamsters etc). The cattery is fairly large, I guess there must be about 20 pens, most of which have more than one cat from the same home in. In the summer when they are very busy they have large pens on the floor as well. They also have an isolation cattery which looks at least as big as the adoption one. I suspect there are plenty of cats in there who don't need to be in isolation anymore and are just waiting for a space in the adoption cattery.
Most of the cats in the cattery have 'reserved' signs on them and have had since I first went there last wednesday so I can only assume most adoptions take the same kind of time that mine has, I hate to think what will happen if I go through all this and they still find some grounds to refuse me. The poor cats will be stuck in the cattery for at least another 2 weeks I think!
Got one more 'yes' reply yesterday and I'll have to knock on the other doors again today.
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Hi Bryony and :welcome: to Purrs
I think you have the patience of a saint - what a performance
You obviously have your heart set on these kitties to go to the lengths that you have, why on earth you need to ask your neighbours permission. :fart:
We went down to our rescue about six weeks ago and filled a form in for two kitties, a week went by and we heard nothing so I rang up and said "have you had the time to consider our application?" the young lady said "no, we have been too busy, if you still want them come and get them". So that is how we adopted Parrot and Cody - so far so good.
:luck: :luck:
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my goodness :Crazy: how mad does this all sound. pleased your neighbours are being lovely about it though :)
its funny i was just chatting today about rescues.... its a weird thing being on this site, hearing all about how many cats various independent rescues have etc and then knowing full well it'd be a battle and a half to get a cat from a rescue. i'm fairly sure i wouldnt have been 'allowed' one from a rescue at home :-: and as for here... well i'm a very willing, and i hope able fosterer, but i'm guessing the word student means i'm not even considered. :tired:
all very highly stupid to me.
hope all goes well and you get those two lovely gingers soon :Luv: fingers crossed this is the last hoop :hug:
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I am speechless (yes I know that's unusual :sneaky: )
Can't add anymore to what's been said really :hug:
I am sure everything will turn out ok in the end and well done for sticking with it :hug: :hug:
Btw the furbabes are gorgeous :Luv2: :Luv2:
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I am afraid this rescue sounds VERY similar to my local rescue. I volunteer for CAT77 in Oldham, despite living in Rossendale due to my local rescue's attitude. They have similar hoops to yours Bryony and have loads of animals there for sooo long because of it. Also I took some donations up once, the lady at reception didn't even look up - she simply said 'put it in the trailer round the side' - not even a thank you! And of course the trailer was full to bursting - they need it though if they never rehome!
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Hello - I've been following your posting with interest as we are currently adopting a pair of cats from a rescue centre, too. Luckily, although we've been jumping through some hoops, they've not been half as bad as you. We have certainly been a little frustrated at times but can't begin to imagine how you must feel!
The way that I have been rationalising it my mind is that I expect the people who work in these places probably see cruelty and neglect and simple uncaring 'owners' on a daily basis and this is bound to cloud their view somewhat. It must be galling to have people pitch up with their unwanted cat and hand it over saying "the baby has allergies" or "we are moving and can't take it with us." And, regardless what they might think about these excuses, there is the knowledge that at least the cat has been handed in rather than just kicked out of the house or left behind in the old property. It must be tough to therefore put your trust in people who offer to give a cat a home and so the hoops and highjumps are employed in order to ensure that the cat is not going to be returned to them in the future. . . . .
I know from experience that it's sometimes quite hard to know that you are being judged - even though I have nothing to hide, I still squirm under the glare of the RSPCA staff! But, like childbirth ( :wow:) it's a 'positive pain' as there is quite some reward at the end of it!
I admire your patience - good luck and keep us updated!
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Harna
I have to say many of us here work in rescues. Thoughts are always with the poor puds we have to turn away through lack of space, because few people step forward to adopt the cats we already have. Prospective owners that approach us, in Canterbury, are welcomed with open arms and given tea and biscuits. After all, the very action of steping forward to adopt an adult cat from rescue is a positive sign as it's all so easy to get a kitten out of the local petshop. Such people should be dragged through the door!
Not for the life of me can I see how making life difficult, to this extent, for would-be owners is in the cat's interest. :-:
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Thanks for everyones comments - glad people see it from the same point as me!
We took all the completed agreement forms in yesterday, everyone was fine with it, which I was so grateful about! The lady in reception was one of the nicest ones I've seen there and sighed as I showe her the forms, I got the distinct impression that she didn't agree with asking for neighbour permission any more than we did but there must be a protocol they have to stick to.
Our poor babies have developed the sniffles since their spay on wednesday, I saw them thursday lunchtime and they were fine but apparently started sneezing in the evening and are now on antibiotics so they have been a bit down in the dumps today and yesterday when we've seen them. I just wish we could take them home as I'm sure they would be more comfortable here. Unfortunately we still have the home visit to go, which apparently could take up to a week to sort out and then they need another 2 days notice to book an appointment to collect them!!! :Crazy:
I will persevere though, I hope they can see how dediated we are by the fact that one or both of us has visited them most days since we first saw them!
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they'll probably make that another excuse to hang onto them >:(
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I know how the OP feels. When we got our cats in the latter part of last year we were met with a kind woman who seemed genuinly pleased for us. We illustrated some knowledge about looking after them and gave her assurance etc. We collected the kittens a week later and everything went well.
But over this weekend we met with someone who whilst she loved her cats seemed to flit in between being grateful that we wanted to potentiall take this cat and then would change tack and seemingly not want us to have them. (We said yes and then it was...see how you feel next week wtf?).
She then asked us what we would like to call this cat and said it had to start with a specific letter! I then queried that this cat's leg was shaking a little and she said that humans shake and it doesent mean there's anything up with them. erm. no crap sherlock! But if a cats shaking it could possibly mean he's going to drop dead in a few months! I dont mean to sound flippant but through no fault of our own we lost our kitten through no fault of our own. He had all his vaccinations etc. and it was through a blood parasite that he probably got from his mother. The other cat we have then went through blood tests just for peace of mind and our cat has a delightful glossy coat, is brave, inquisitive and loves having her belly rubbed - We DONT want to go through the death of another cat so soon after and this is why I brought the problem to light.
To be honest with you I felt quite insulted by this woman. When we told her what we want to call it you could feel the tension! It put a bad taste in my mouth!
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:hug: :hug: No one said rescue workers have to be sane, Steve. :evillaugh: I remember when you first registered and were all fired up about getting your first furbabes. I was so gutted for you when it ended way too quickly for one of them. :( We do forget sometimes that new owners have needs as well as the cats we car for. It's a 'buyer's market' and if one set up doesn't suit, move on before your eyes get turned by a specific pud. Eventually, badly performing rescues will have to examine their proceedures and the penny will drop. We hope! :sneaky:
Bryony's situation, though, is just plain nuts and that's what gets sensible people up in arms - how many of those animals are stuck there because some :censored: of a doddery old love thinks it's valid to sniff everyone's bedsheets before they be judged fit to cuddle a puss. :censored: :censored: :censored:
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To be fair, this was a great rescue and was very clean. Maybe I needed to vent a little :) tbh I'm quite nervous about getting another kitten because I dont want the same outcome as before :( hence, why I mentioned the shaking.
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Steve any questions you have about a cat or kitten are valid and if they start getting upperty its a sure sign they are hiding sometthing.
I agree with Pinkbear that people who are wanting a cat should be courted and not made to feel like the enemy, like Bryony is.
I hope that you get a kitten that is totally right for you and forget about the name cos you can call it what you want as soon as the kitten becomes yours.
I hope the gingers are Ok and recover from what ever they have quickly.
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Steve - telling you that you have to name your cat with a specific letter is ridiculous!!!!
The girls seemed a little better today so I guess the antibiotics must be doing their job, but I can't help feeling that being in a drafty pen isn't helping. I noticed today that although the way through from their little indoor pen to the partially outdoor run/litter area is cat flap shaped, there is no flap there so it must be a bit cold for them which can't be doing them much good! I'd really love for everything to be sorted out by the weekend as myself and my OH both have bank holidays off work so we'd have 4 straight days to help them settle in rather than having to leave them for a couple of hours. Luckily OH works shifts so they would only be left for 4 hours but I'd still prefer to be around.
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I reckon if they have just had an op and are living like that, they were bound to get ill, poor little things. I do hope you can rescue them.
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Thats what I thought, considering they both got ill the day after the op - seems likely. Fingers crossed they keep getting better, but with this wind we've been having the drafts must have been awful!
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Hi Bryony
Have I read this correctly???, the rescue have made you do all this, and collect permission from other residents and they still haven't done the home check???????????????????? :Crazy:
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Yup, absolutely correctly. They refused to do the homecheck until they had all my paperwork. I even asked if they would put the homecheck through last week as I knew it would take a couple of days to get replies back. I was told that they couldn't do it.
And now I may be waiting up to a week to even hear from someone to do a homecheck!!!
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I had a similar hassle when looking for my new cats from the RSPCA in Brighton. They asked me who my vet was, but obviously not having an animal I didn't have a vet yet. They said they don't rehome to people who aren't regsitered with a vet! I said I would obviously get registered when I got my cats. THey said they would have to check that was okay! That is just completely illogical. I was also looking for indoor cats because I live in a busy area. They said that I lived in too busy an area - what if they got out? Hello, that's why I want indoor cats! Then they asked what provision I have made if I get ill because I am single. I just couldn't believe the questions actually. It was laughable.
They said I had to have a homecheck before I could reserve a cat. Fair enough. They gave me a number to ring to arrange a home check. When I rang him he asked about parking and then said it wasn't his area and to get someone else. And he was really rude! I rang to get another number, rang the new guy 6 times and left 6 messages. He never got back to me. I got tired of waiting and went somewhere else (another rescue) who were much better and now I have my lovely boys.
No more donations to the RSPCA from me, I will be donating to the little guys from now on.
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I'm sure many of us would say we've heard these kind of tales all too often.
If you aren't happy or comfortable about a rescue's attitude or the health of the cats and they aren't open in telling yuo 'what' is going on then I'd ask the question, what else are they hiding?? and probably look elsewhere.
I hope things come through in the end Bryony, they are certainly making you jump throughout enough hoops (for no good reason at all!!!).
Fingers crossed for you :hug:
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Wow, I hope my homecheck isn't like that! This place isn't technicly RSPCA run, as they don't give them any funds, it justs works with their officers. They didn't ask me whether I was registered with a vet, but they did ask where my vet was, which I knew. I don't see how you could be registered with a vet if you don't have a pet yet!
I just got back from going to see the girls and their sniffles seem a bit better, only a couple of little sneezes while I was there and their breathing sounded better. They were also having a proper cat flap with a door fitted while I was there so I guess they knew why they got ill too! The girl who cleans out the cages and feeds them was there and she said she was surprised that I come in so often, I didn't think a couple of lunchhtimes a week and both days at the weekend was that much, but maybe it is for them, hopefully that will work in my favour as the cats definitely know me now.
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what I would recommend, is that after you have (finally) taken delivery of your two babes, you print out this thread and send it to them. It might make them shake up their ideas (or it might not!) but it will certainly give them room for debate over their methods ...
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I was actually planning to do something along those lines. I hadn't actually thought of printing out the thread but I had thought about telling them my feelings after the cats have moved in and backing this up with the fact that a lot of people on here, some of whom have or work for rescues thought that some aspects of the rehoming process were a bit ridiculous!
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It strikes me that the multiple viewpoints might make a greater impression than just yours ... they can see you are not being unreasonable, but that this is a widely shared view, despite most of us also understanding and appreciating the need to ensure that the cat's interests are clearly paramount. They have got the balance so far wrong and they need to see that there are more effective and efficient and friendly approaches that will, ultimately also ensure a safe haven for their rescued babies ...
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definitely agree with blackcat - it's important that they know that people already have reservations about being under scrutiny by rescues and stuff like this really doesn't help
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Yeh, i certainly agree that I am spending most of my time worrying about whether I'm going to get them in the end, even though I know I have an excellant home for them. I do feel like I am being constantly judged by some of the staff, although they all seem to have different opinions!
Maybe I should direct them towards the site, might make more impact than just showing them the thread.
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given how confusing this site is to the uninitiated, I would give them the link to this thread - they can read it without having to join the site ...
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Thats true - better for the environment than printing out a big wodge of replies as well!!
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I would do it with caution if there is a proviso that they can take cats back :scared:
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i personally wouldnt show them the thread, it could get Purrs into trouble. AT the end of the day, every rescue is entitled to work as they see fit, with their own rules, and while some seem unreasonable, there might be reasons behind it, and you have to remember that the bulk of people in rescues are unpaid volunteers, and if we weren't here, these cats wouldn't get any chance.
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I agree that showing them this site at your stage in the prpceedings may not be a good idea. I can only say that you have learned your lesson from this for any future adoptions. I went to my rescue yesterday and seeing how everyone was there, I now know why I have three cats from them and no one else and why the notion of going anywhere else was just a mad fancy. I know that in three weeks I will go there and go home with a new cat, well adviced and assessed by the staff. Actually Briony it is near you too as I am near you-sort of.
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I certainly wasn't going to say anything just yet, it was more a back-up if they decide after all this to refuse me, or something to mention in a few months, more by way of a friendly observation than a huge criticism, at the end of the day, they are doing something to help these animals.
Which rescue are you going to Pandora?
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I just feel really sorry for you Bryony, I think its beyond a joke now...if I were you I would smile sweetly, go along with whatever they say and get your kitties and don't use them ever again.
I just hope after all this upset you get the end result you wish for...fingers crossed hun
xx :hug:
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Thats pretty much what I plan on doing, the only reason I havn't gone elsewhere is for the cats sake. Sadly I would never recommend anyone else use this rescue after the experience I have had. Pandora recommended me one which sounds much better and has a better policy of home checking first, then you can take your cat home the day you visit! Unfortunately I noticed that they won't rehome to my area though as it is too far away from their centre! If things don't work out with the Ark though, I know exactly where I will be going - to see Lesley!
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The sad thing is, it's the animals that suffer over their policies. Probably stuck in pens a lot longer than is necessary :( - Also, being RSPCA, they probably don't have a no-kill policy :'(
I can't see anything about it - all I could find was "Last year we found homes for 85% of our charges but that record has become hard to maintain." - is it any wonder?
If people don't use them, this will just mean more innocent animals PTS :(
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Thats pretty much what I plan on doing, the only reason I havn't gone elsewhere is for the cats sake. Sadly I would never recommend anyone else use this rescue after the experience I have had. Pandora recommended me one which sounds much better and has a better policy of home checking first, then you can take your cat home the day you visit! Unfortunately I noticed that they won't rehome to my area though as it is too far away from their centre! If things don't work out with the Ark though, I know exactly where I will be going - to see Lesley!
I'm holding them here with your name on at the moment :Luv2: but hopefully, things will finally work out with these two gingers for you. I know how attached you have become to them and my little ones here will always find a loving home.
Cornelius and Kali are growing well here, I think Cornelius will be a real bruiser - he-s much bigger than his sister and very much into playing although at just under four weeks his legs do not always go where he wants them to. :rofl:
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Mark - I know exactly what you are saying, which is why I have stuck with them. It would be no more fair on them for me to walk away, as they only have a couple of cattery staff, the most contact with anyone they have had since coming there has probably been with me - when I went in yesterday they immediately both came over and sat on me, fighting for who could get closest - so cute!
And I'm absolutely sure that all this could have been done more quickly - firstly they should have been prepared to be organising the homecheck while I was getting permission from neighbours. I did ask them if they would consider doing this but they flatly refused and now I have been told I will hear about the homecheck in up to a week! That doesn't even mean it will be done in that time. I know they are volunteers but I gave them the oppotunity to move the process along faster and they didn't take it. I was really hoping to be able to take them home this weekend when they finish their course of antibiotics.
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Obviously I don't know what their workload is but when Sharon needs an urgent homecheck done, she emails us all (well there are only a few of us) to see who is available or may be in the area. I did one on a Sunday a while ago so they could pick the cat up on the Monday. It's not a big deal and only takes 10 minutes :-:
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Thats what I thought but I don't think they see it as being urgent, they don't seem in any hurry to get the poor cats out of the pens or free them up for more needy animals to be rehomed.
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I do hope no one takes offence at this as it is not aimed at any rescues on here but as the whole point of a cat rescue is to home as many as possible, real priority should be given to homechecking ASAP to make space for other cats.
My last experience with the RSPCA was a :censored: nightmare waiting over a week for a homecheck, after being encouraged to choose Freddie, which would have been longer if I hadn't written a 2 page letter to manager stressing our monthly donation. Leaving Freddie at the RSPCA in the meantime was hell. Horrible place for my boy. I would guess that about 60% of the cats there had been reserved pending a home check. Our previous 2 boys came from a local rescue (much nicer conditions) who did homecheck same day bless em as they needed the space.
In letter to manager at RSPCA and chat with homechecker that eventually came (lovely lady) I offered to go on next home checking course available (did you have to do that Mark?) to supplement numbers. Only contact a few months later trying to get me to flog raffle tickets. Decided couldn't work for badly organised people and didn't follow up again. Still donate as it's the cats who suffer.
Hope you get them home soon Bryony and well done Mark for what you do (and Sharon of course and everyone else;).
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I had a similar experience with them Rosella - an offer to foster became a deluge of raffle tickets!
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At one point I did think, maybe I should become a homechecker/got involved in some way and maybe help make things better, but I doubt they would listen to my input and as you have just said, I'm not so sure that it is a lack of homecheckers that is a problem, rather lack or organisation. I have to wonder whether they have even contacted the nearest homecheckers about my case.
Even so, I would still like to help out with a rescue, albeit one who appears to care more about the welfare of the animals waiting for their new homes. If anyone needs a Whiteley area checker - give me a shout.
As others have said, this is certainly not a blanket comment about all rescues or indeed about all staff at this rescue, I have spoken to some lovely members of staff who genuinely seem to care, but I fear that they are in the minority.
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Sorry to hijack this thread.. But i know the RSPCA send people on homechecking courses. CP strangely dont! This brought a whole load of problems for me as i wanted to make sure that people who were doing HC for us were coming up to some kind of standard.. I have a bit of alist of HC people know and all have been very experienced cat owners, and i make a point whenever i can to met up with them while we go through the paperwork. But realising that wasnt enough over Christmas i set about producing a HC manual for our branch that i now send out via email to all interested parties then i met them and we go from there. So far its worked really well.. ! Most HC people who are new go out with another person that has been doing it abit longer and through the system of emailing people if i need a HC done or not people are given the choice to say "no" if they are busy etc.., this is rather then me ring them and put them on the spot. However, i do, to reduce peoples time try to get HC people from many different areas and so that no body has to go miles out their way... However, getting a HC system in place has taken abit of effort and time, but its paying off as now i have a good bunch of reliable volunteers who fit it in with their daily lives.
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I didn't do a course but had already been volunteering for a while and had some training from Sharon & Caroline. I think CP have a different attitude. When I got Kylie from CP in Archway (London) 6 years ago. I had just moved and went to see the cats the 1st weekend as I couldn't wait. At the time, I wasn't really thinking about her being stuck in the pen longer than necessary but I asked if I could have a week to sort myself out. The woman at the cattery said no as someone else had taken Kylie 2 weeks before and dumped her back - he said "cats are boring and don't do anything so I am getting a dog instead :tired:" - anyway, she said that Kylie was stressed and needed to be rehomed ASAP. She arranged a homecheck for the Monday and I collected her the day after :Luv2:
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Even so, I would still like to help out with a rescue, albeit one who appears to care more about the welfare of the animals waiting for their new homes. If anyone needs a Whiteley area checker - give me a shout.
Maybe the animals there are more in need of someone that cares about them.
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I think the manual idea is very good, would you mind emailing me a copy so I could see what kind of thing would be required of me if I volunteered to be a homechecker? I'm sure every rescue differs slightly but it would be interesting to read. I would certainly like to be involved in rescue volunteering, and this seems like a good start.
I would have imagined that unless the cat has behavior or medical problems that need addressing, the less time they spend in a pen, the better! Maybe I will have to try and speak to one of the nicer members of staff next time I go there. I know the girl in the cattery was hoping (like me) that I could have them on Friday but I don't see that happening at the moment! I would do whatever it takes to make it happen, even if it means driving to pick up a checker and returning them to the center/their home afterwards. I can't bear looking at the girls little faces when I close the cage door on them!
MArk - I agree to a point, but looking at the previous comments, it doesn't look like I'd be able to do any good if they never really contact their homecheckers apart from to sell raffle tickets.
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Hi Bryony Of course will send it later, but be warned its 14 pages long!! But alot is just good old fashioned common sense!
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Even so, I would still like to help out with a rescue, albeit one who appears to care more about the welfare of the animals waiting for their new homes. If anyone needs a Whiteley area checker - give me a shout.
Maybe this is the rescue you need to be helping as Mark has said ;) I know all their messing about is a pain in the butt but like Desley said, they may have their reasons, short staffed being one of them. I don't have anyone to do checks for me and sometimes although I'm chocca and need the room, sometimes it's taken up to two weeks to get one done although I try and do them asap. If this rescue needs help, regardless of your experience or maybe moreso because of your experience, I would approach them to see if there's any way you can help to lessen the load. In doing this, you can explain to them about your experience when adopting and maybe your input may change things for the better.
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You guys have given me the inspiration to try with this. If the nice lady I spoke to on Saturday is there tomorrow when I visit, I will speak to her about it. I guess if I at least try to help, it will be worth it!
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That's great news Byrony, I'm so pleased you can put your experience to one side and try and make a difference :hug: :hug: Good luck with the homecheck, I'm sure you'll pass with flying colours :hug:
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Even so, I would still like to help out with a rescue, albeit one who appears to care more about the welfare of the animals waiting for their new homes. If anyone needs a Whiteley area checker - give me a shout.
I may well take you up on that offer Bryony - and could you e-mail me a copy of the HC manual when you get it, it's always nice to know what others do - it's one of those things I hate doing, even though it is for the benefit of my babies.
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So long as CC doesn't mind then I wil do! I'm quite happy to help you out with your babies, I imagine its even harder to home check when you run your own rescue from home!
And Dawn, this has certainly not put me off rescues, if I hadn't considered rescuing, I would never have found this site, and it is the people on here who have really made me want to make a difference if I can.
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I dont mind emailing out the HC manual i have done.. It took me ages.. But please bare in mind it was written with our branch in mind and some of its contents dont necessarily cover all rescues, and also we have some flexiability in our policies. I try not to make it that people have to jump through hoops to get a rescue cat .. So some of my views are not necessarily what everybody else thinks or does.. So if your okay with that then i dont mind at all.
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I dont mind emailing out the HC manual i have done.. It took me ages.. But please bare in mind it was written with our branch in mind and some of its contents dont necessarily cover all rescues, and also we have some flexiability in our policies. I try not to make it that people have to jump through hoops to get a rescue cat .. So some of my views are not necessarily what everybody else thinks or does.. So if your okay with that then i dont mind at all.
It would be really useful to have a copy - as I say, it's one of those things I hate doing and it would be nice to see someone else's slant on it. Thank you.
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CC, I'd agree with your policies there, some flexibility depending on situation and none of the jumping through hoops that I've had to do! I don't suppose it is too hard to spot a genuine cat lover offering a loving home without having to examine every aspect of their lives!
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As I said it did not even cross my mind to try them because I heard another story from a colleague. It would be outrageous if you wont get the cats after all that. Have you had a home check before? I would recommend you are ready for all eventual awkward questions. That's what upset the person I know. And don't tell me it is a place where animals are put to sleep if they are there too long...can';t bear the thought. At least where I am going the cats have a lifelong attachement to the place and never get pts if healthy. Makes the adoption less biased too although I would like an older cat anyway- but without the guilt factor.
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Have to say I was dreading a home check from Cp but I wasnt asked anything embarrassing at all and it was just a chat. Ok I know I emailed them with lots of info and they knew Kocka had only gone to the Bridge the day before.
I guess it helped that homechecker had also recently lost a muched loved cat and she knew exactly how I was feeling.
I do hope you get the gingers and soon :hug:
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I picked up my two newbies today! When I got there, I was told that they had telephoned my vet for a character reference! Is this usual!?
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intrusive without prior permission from you, and also possibly a breach of privacy ... >:(
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Definately they should not have done this unless you have given permission and you would also have to give the vets permission to give out information.
sooooooooooooo pleased you have them ;D ;D ;D
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This is getting scarier by the minute. I mean my vet would not see a problem in, I am sure but the fact that such a process even exists is scary. No wonder people wait for the kitten season and take all those 'thrown away' unwanted litters privately rather than through the rescue process. But then it maybe like the conversation I overheard at a vets. A woman had been given a five weeks (!!!!!) old kitten by her boyfriend and she sounded like she knew nothing about cats, especially not the weening age etc. I mean i am not saying that she will be a bad owner but I would expect someone to find out about kitten care first before taking one on. or maybe that's just bookworm me doing that.
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Nooo not just bookworm you. ;D
I had a stray who decided she loved me and I read everything I could about cats as knew not the first thing about them but suspect she is not the only one who doesnt bother.
The good thing is that she was at the vets so learning process started. As for the one who gave her the kitten, this is best left undspoken about!
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that's what I thought. I had to clench my lips tight shut as I was that tempted to say something about being ignorant and that the kitten was obviously far too young (it did really look like 5 weeks) and should be with the mother. But I had my little boy with me and I am not one to make scenes at all. I was appalled though.
Yes, have read so many cat books by now and am addicted to the animal rescue programmes on Animal Planet (it gets that bad these days...). Still learning more though.
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Well, maybe I should clarify; I was adopting from outside my area and gave them my vet's number so that they could confirm that my current cat is in good health and has been vaccinated. I gave them permission to call them to find out these facts.
However, (and this is where I am pleased that I am able to read upside-down :sneaky:) I wasn't aware that it was ME being checked out, not just the cat! Luckily, I have a fantastic relationship with an excellent vet (same one for 15 years - I think I've paid in entirety that flashy car he drives :tired:) who I actually saw yesterday and he says he can't wait to meet the newbies. . . . .so it doesn't matter too much.
As I have absolutely nothing to hide, I don't mind so much. But the fact that they seem to have SUSPECTED that I was hiding something makes me a little >:(
Still, I have the lads home now and that's all that matters. I can say :P to all the hassle and see that it's been worth it!
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I think its a bit odd to ask your vet, what do they do with people who havn't had a cat? I could give my rescue our vets number but its the one I used when I lived at home with Lucy (now at the bridge) and Casper, and not the one I will be taking the girls to if I get them.
Still heard nothing about the homecheck so I think its very improbable that I will have them by the weekend, at least they aren't shutting over the holiday so I can still go see them every day! I'm kindof prepared for the sorts of things they might ask me and they should be able to see that we are already getting ready for our new arrivals by all the cat stuff in our spare room, but I have never had one before and so I'm pretty worried about it as I know I'll be really upset if they say no after all this and my OH will probably get angry about it.
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Bryony
Who knows how these :censored: idiot's minds work! :tired: But rest assured, if they do say no I think you've already proved yourself a devoted Meowmy and i'm sure Leslie will sort you with a prefect pair of fluffballs. I cannot tell you how seething I am that they're prepared to put such an obviously dedicated person though this. >:(
I am one step away from organising a Purrs jail-break to spring those kitties out of there for you! :sneaky:
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Hehe, jailbreak! :sneaky:
Wouldn't be hard, theres rarely anyone in the cattery during the week and they always seem to leave the door unlocked! But I'm not like that, Plus I think I'd be pretty obvious walking back through reception with all the meowing and wriggling!
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Please watch how you describe this rescue, while they do seem to have odd views, if they weren't there, where would these cats be? Also bear in mind we dont know their reasons behind things - the rescue Kelly mentioned have certain policies due to the amount of animals brought back, so they brought in blanket policies. Whilst I dislike blanket policies, it was done with the animal's in mind.
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I'm not criticising everything they do, and I don't have a problem with a blanket procedure as such, it just seems that they way things have been done are not in the cats best interest at all. If they had put through the homecheck when I was first asked to get my neighbours permission a week ago, I would have heard from the homechecker within a week, as I have been told this time, homecheck would hopefully have been done maybe today or tomorrow and I would have been able to take the cats this weekend assuming everyone was satisfactory for them.
As it is, the likelyhood of having them this weekend is getting less and less and they will be stuck in a cage for another week needlessly, if , god forbid, they refuse me, that adds another week on to the total time of their inprisonment and then probably another 3 weeks while another potential home gets vetted in the same way.
I know these rescues are doing a wonderful thing, it just seems that the way they do things could be done a lot better for the animals involved, I'd be perfectly happy waiting however long it took to home my cats, but it is the thought of them stuck in a little cage for weeks on end that upsets me more than anything.
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It does all sound a little OTT and I have to admit even I feel that with your particular situation and involvement with the cats to date they could have tried to speed up the process a little, but then you never know how short staffed they are. :-:
Looking at it from the rescue's point of view, despite the fact that I feel they are being a little too officious, from what you say they do genuinely care for the cats they have in their care. Most likely they are trying to do the best for the cats to ensure a perfect and permanent home but what may have started as a couple of procedures has turned into a bit of a circus for potential adoptees. :shocked:
I'm so pleased that you are sticking with it for the cats sake and as the others have said speak to them about volunteering. Once you get a foot in the door tell them how you felt as an adoptee (when you get the opportunity and at the right time! lol) and you never know you may be able to help them 'tweak' some of their current policies or at least shed some light on the effect of their overly strict procedures.
still keeping all fingers, toes and paws crossed though that you get your little ones home with you soon. ;)
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... but it is the thought of them stuck in a little cage for weeks on end that upsets me more than anything.
I really sympathise Bryony and now know NEVER to chose a cat in future before homecheck has been carried out. One of the many things I've learnt from this site.
Now being devil's advocate for a minute, put yourself in the furries' shoes. I don't think they will see it as imprisonment ;D. They have each other so they have company. Do they really look upset? Are they being fed and kept warm? Do they have a lovely lady coming to visit every day offering cuddles and who is very likely to give them a future home with toys and stuff? Everything will be fine.
My OH was livid but mainly coz he could see how upset I was with the wait as he wouldn't visit Freddie until the homecheck had been arranged (when he did go and visit 1st time on his own, he picked up the wrong cat!). It will all be worth it in the end. Give them a :hug: from me.
There will be plenty of time to discuss homecheck delays with this rescue when your homecheck is over. You will sail through. Like Gill I had just lost Aslan and was in a state and home checker was lovely and very understanding. Stangely both Tom and Billy Whiz came in to see her and behaved well; not like them at all ;)
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Hehe, jailbreak! :sneaky:
Wouldn't be hard, theres rarely anyone in the cattery during the week and they always seem to leave the door unlocked! But I'm not like that, Plus I think I'd be pretty obvious walking back through reception with all the meowing and wriggling!
Funny you should say that, there was a report on the telly not so long ago about a dog that was stolen from there. :-:
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Rosella, whenever I go to see the cats, they are curled up in their basket staring through the perspex, as soon as you come up to the pen they are climbing up the plastic trying to get out, once you open it they come flying out either onto the floor or onto my shoulder! I can only see them for 20-30mins during weekday visits as opening hours are short and through when I work, so I have to go in my lunch break and it is a 1/2 hr drive in total. When I go in at weekends, I am usually there around an hour/hour and a half so thats a bit better. When I leave I have to try and get both back into the pen and as I walk away I can hear them crying, that is the worst bit as it must be hard for them to understand. Hopefully they realise because I keep coming back that I am not leaving them like their last owner did. They are certainly not ill treated and now that their cat flap thing is fixed they are warmer than they were, but their warm indoor pen is very small and I have never really seen them in the outdoor area except to use their litter tray. Maybe I'm just being overdramatic.
Lesley - I can see how that could have happened to be honest, I have seen the van entry/exit gates left open several times since I've been going there and although the pen door is normally locked, the big door into the outdoor section always seems to be open.
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Maybe I'm just being overdramatic.
You're are in a frustrating situation. I've got the T Shirt and remember how very upsetting the wait was. At least they have each other for company and you've got a bit of heaven to look forward to when you bring them home.
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I had unofficially reserved mine (for about 6/7 weeks or so). DDay came where I could finally reserve him when I went in I was told he had been promised to someone else, so I couldn't have him. My heart sank and I was truly devastated. I had developed such a love for my baby boy. They saw JUST how much I loved and wanted him (yeah there was a ton of tears :-[ ) ... I walked out of there a couple of hours later with him, and he's been here ever since :Luv:
It's obvious you want these kitties ... they've got no reason to keep dragging it on.
:hug: :hug: :hug:
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Aw, thats such a sweet story! Glad your got your baby home!
I think they must have noticed how much I go there because the people on reception recognise me when I go through and the cattery girl commented last time I visited saying that they are going to know me really well by the time I can actually have them. I guess maybe some people don't visit their reserved cats as much, most of the cats there at the moment have reserved signs, yet every time I go in during the week, I am the only visitor in the cattery!
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When I volunteered/worked in a rescue that was pretty common. People came in once to see the animals/put in a reserve then then next time they came in to see the cat was when they were picking it up.
Dogs they had to meet them several times, so very different.
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I suppose it depends on the people, I get excited every time I can go and see them and I always want to stay longer than I'm able to!!
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I suppose it depends on the people, I get excited every time I can go and see them and I always want to stay longer than I'm able to!!
Same as me :wow:
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Last time I went, I was sitting on the floor in the outdoor part of their cage, in my work trousers with one of them on my knee and half on my front and the other sitting on my knees, which must have been very uncomfy!
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Last time I went, I was sitting on the floor in the outdoor part of their cage, in my work trousers with one of them on my knee and half on my front and the other sitting on my knees, which must have been very uncomfy!
:rofl: :rofl: Been there done that! One of Memphis' litter would always sit on the back of my neck and fall asleep!
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Just got back from seeing the girls today, their colds seem to have cleared up, only had one or 2 sneezles so that good. Everyone seems to recognise me now and the girls in the cattery know which cats are mine! A few purrs and heatbutts later (nose to nose - so cute!) and it was nearly time to go, but not til I'd shown them their first toy from me - a laser pointer - they loved it!
I spoke to the reception lady on the way out and she said that my homecheck was POSTED out on Monday 17th, then muttered something about Easter post, so I guess unless it arrives wherever its going today or tomorrow morning, theres no chance of me hearing anything until at least next tuesday so I'm not a happy bunny, this is why I would have liked the home check put through while I was getting the neighbours permission!
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I guess the post was uncharacteristicly good this week because I just got the homecheck call, well there was an answerphone message when my OH got home so he called me and gave me the number!!! Its a lady called Sue so I'm going to give her a call!!!
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Excellent news :wow: :wow: :wow:
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Just called her, she seems lovely and she's coming over later this afternoon so I've arranged to leave work a little early!! I'm a bit concerned that I may not have given her great directions of how to get to my house - I'm awful at it at the best of times but hopefully she'll be able to find it! I'm starting to panic a bit now, but I've got my OH on the case making sure theres no mess in the house - he came home at lunchtime and its amazing how much mess he can make doing his lunch!
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Good luck :hug: :hug:
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Hey Bryony,
By the time you have got this post I expect you should have been home checked! I bet it all went well :hug: and hope that you can have the cats home with you by Friday so you can enjoy the long weekend together. :Luv2:
Let us know!
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Thanks Harna - All went really well and hoping to have them on Saturday as Friday is their last day on their meds and they will be getting checked over by the vet!
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Hurrah!!!!
:cheer: :yesss: :attention: :happy dance:
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Aww, really glad things worked out for the best in the end