Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 12:05:23 PM

Title: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 12:05:23 PM
Ok so I know that I shouldn't do it, but I occasionally look through Gumtree ads to see if there are any people I can give advice to or pass on Catchat's website. I've had a few people contact me back saying that they didn't realise there were so many rescues in their area and have gone through a rescue centre which is good.

I tend to ignore the kitten ads as I know that I can't help them all and it just makes me upset. However I just happened to click on one where someone desperately is trying to get rid of a 10 week old tabby male as the dog doesn't get on with it. I sent an email just to see if they still had him and to ask for a picture. I got a reply back to say that they still have him, but they don't have time to take a picture as they need to get rid before the rotwieler (sp!) eats it!  :Crazy:

He was joking but even so. I have never got another cat as Katie is a very dominant cat who soiled in her last property when they had kids and got kittens so I would never want to harm her, but I can't stop thinking of this poor little one.  :scared:
 
My superiors at CP would kill me as it's not the way we do things as we concentrate on strays and ferals, but I just so don't want this one to be just shut outside.

I have nothing here (in terms of food etc) for a kitten and would be totally unprepared, but at least maybe I could find it a good home and not just hand it out to anyone which is often what happens to these little ones....

What would you do? Is there anyone in the Leeds area who has a space for a little one???!!!!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on April 22, 2008, 13:01:42 PM
Now you are aware of the little one and it is playing on your mind I think if I was in your position I would get it and try and rehome.
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Dawn F on April 22, 2008, 13:04:44 PM
I agree with Sam, although it's why I never look!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 13:08:34 PM
Yes I thought that tat would be best, but i've never had a kitten before and only live in a one bedroomed flat. How would I keep Katie away from it? and also, what do kittens need? I know I sound stupid, but I've only ever had Katie and she was 5 when we adopted her!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Dawn F on April 22, 2008, 13:11:24 PM
could you keep it in the bedroom (unless that's Katies favourite place of course!) Tilly is the only kitten I've ever had, she was a bundle of trouble and bit and scratched like crazy (not wanting to put you off!!) but she only needed the same stuff the grown ups need, litter, toys, cuddles etc
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Dawn F on April 22, 2008, 13:12:51 PM
ooh what about a dog crate in the lounge so Katie can get used to it without eating it!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on April 22, 2008, 13:14:33 PM
Sent you a PM
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 13:15:03 PM
Yes I had thought of a kittening pen, but i'd need to get hold of one and i'm not working at the moment so money's a bit tight.

How do resident cats normally react to a new kitten? Katie hisses and fights like crazy with adult cats, but is she likely to do that with a wee one?

Sorry for all of the questions!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Dawn F on April 22, 2008, 13:17:12 PM
I was fortunate enough to have a spare room to keep Tilly in and I did the whole Wizz thing of letting her look around while they were out, in the end Algie was fantastic and they played footsie and the door of the room she was in, Oscar wasn't as keen but that is his style he is a loner, he did clip her ear a couple of times at first but I never had hissing or fighting, not sure if its any help but I have seen crates and things much cheaper than the shops on ebay
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 13:20:29 PM
Thanks you guys!

I will have a look at kittening pens online, but in the meantime I might have someone who can take him *fingers crossed*

(In future I just won't look at these things!)

I know I can't stop the kitten trade, but this one is in danger of the dog and it's in an area of Leeds which is generally good, but has a couple of dodgy estates where the breeding gets out of control and I don't want him to end up as yet another un-neutered male wandering the streets of Leeds!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Dawn F on April 22, 2008, 13:21:53 PM
good luck with getting him out - we're all the same, if cats were pack animals I'd have hundreds
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 13:24:18 PM
I love Katie to pieces, but it is upsetting that she doesn't like other cats as then I could take in more, but I know that i'm not financially secure enough to deal with more at the moment!

I'll update you guys on what happens xxx
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Gail Bengal Slave on April 22, 2008, 13:35:59 PM
Now you are aware of the little one and it is playing on your mind I think if I was in your position I would get it and try and rehome.

Yes me too  :hug:
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 14:05:30 PM
Just spoken to the "gentleman" if I can call him that! Not only do they have a rottie puppy who's had the kitten in it's mouth already, but they live on one of the busiest roads in Leeds. Hopefully i'm getting someone to pick him up later today, but have to confirm. Apparently they've had lots of interest in him on the estate so whatever it sounds like our Purrs member is saving him from a death trap!

I guess paying 40 pounds to get the little one out is nothing in what it would have cost my conscience to do nothing (I am silly like that!)
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on April 22, 2008, 16:11:44 PM
Ahhh bless you for helping this little one.
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 17:25:10 PM
Just spoken to Sabrina and she's picked up the kitten!!!  :innocent:

Appartently there were 5 other kittens who have gone to neighbours etc (they won't live past a year if they're let out on that road though). He's lively and friendly and seems to be in good health in general so fingers crossed!

She said she'll try and post photos if he stays still, but will probably spend her time settling him in etc.

Hopefully a good home will come forward and he can have a lovely, loving, safe home for life xxx
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Canterbury_cats (Sharon) on April 22, 2008, 17:44:55 PM
Hi there.
I am confused about your CP policy.. Okay strays and feral have priority, but what happens when you get a call from the vets with cat that has been taken in to be PTS fo no apparent reason? Isnt that a priority?

I have to say we get calls from vets every so often with cases like that and we do what we can, always finding space. So although i agree there has to be a system in place for "prioritising" priority cases, i suppose its a matter of this little one would maybe ended up a stray anyhows! Its difficult i know but as rehoming when i get calls from vets regarding cats, we talk it over with the welfare people and although we probabluy cannot help everyone, i dont think we have never said "no" yet. For instance Thomas the FIV puss found a place in HQ, even though we didnt have room... You probably have a much greater problem with un neutered toms then we do but still its hard isnt it prioritising things and it never gets any easier.. But talking to others within your group really does help...!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 17:54:46 PM
Hey Canterbury,

I think I made it seem confusing, what I meant was the the branch (as we have no funds!), does not agree with paying over money to save cats or kittens. If people call us about cats and kittens then obviously we take them in whatever the circumstance, it's just the money aspect that is difficult to get round. We save cats from PTS cases, ferals, strays, pregnant queens, people in trouble etc. and very rarely say no.

I've paid with my own money but I still think that my Welfare Officer would be annoyed with me for doing this. We have strict rules about the process we have to go through when we get a cat in, and i've just bypassed them all! If i'd have phoned my colleague to ask if we could take it in, I know we're full at the moment and she would have just said that however much it's hard to leave them, we can't take them in and we certainly can't pay to take the little one in!

I hope this kind of explains things. The branch is very set in the way that things are done and it's my own stupid fault for getting emotionally involved! Don't worry though I'm going to ask if we can re-home it through the branch, we'll just have to do things a bit differntly this time!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Teresa Pawcats on April 22, 2008, 18:42:25 PM
Can I just ask if anyone has had a thought for the mother cat ? 6 kittens gone she will be getting pregnant again then the man can sell the next lot before dog kills them.
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 18:56:58 PM
Hi Teresa,

Yes you're alsolutely right and the mum cat would have been our priority but there didn't seem to be a mother cat (well not one that they were admitting to) and as we don't have powers of searching or taking cats away, we can only deal with the cats that people ask us to take in!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Canterbury_cats (Sharon) on April 22, 2008, 19:08:04 PM
Hi Adel cats! Oh i see, i can see that being somewhat of sticky wicket.. and i dont think we would pay either...! But glad to know kitty is okay, even though i just wonder about the rest of the litter and the mum....its a vivicous circle!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 19:19:23 PM
I know, I wonder what will happen to the others but i'll just try and concentrate on the positive!

I remember last year we went to pick up three pure white kittens and their pure white (un-neutered) mum. When we got there, she'd given one of the female kittens to a gentleman who owns one of the filthiest, horrible and dispicable pet shops in Leeds (if you know Leeds, you'll know the one I mean). He said it was a present for his daughter, but if that's true i'm a Dutchman. It still haunts us what kind of a life that little one is living now, churning out babies for profit....  :( We just didn't get there in time to get all of them.....
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on April 22, 2008, 19:25:05 PM
How about this little heartbreaker...

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/2433875597_7275420a3c.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2434689144_4496c4f2c1.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2433874783_43d4ca4aa5.jpg?v=0)

Sorry they are a little blury he's not exactly standing still for any length of time!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten?
Post by: JackSpratt on April 22, 2008, 19:27:20 PM
Handsome guy....looks like a "Noon" to me.  :Luv: (Character name in the book I'm reading!)
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on April 22, 2008, 19:35:51 PM
Ahhh what a gorgeous lad.  I think he looks like a  "Rascal"
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 19:45:57 PM
Sabrina says that they little girl in the house called him Gizmo so they're calling him Gizzy which I think is very apt, judging by the way he seems to be whizzing round her library!
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: JackSpratt on April 22, 2008, 20:15:37 PM
He also has those big ears.....no way will he ever grow into those! ;D
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: koscha (Ruth M) on April 22, 2008, 21:05:59 PM
I agree Jackspratt- what an impressive set of tin-opener radars hes got!  :wow:

Going to be VERY handsome boy when he grows up, well done you for helping him  :hug:
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on April 22, 2008, 21:07:54 PM
Just to say that i'm trying to get in touch with the guy to see if there was a mum that needed neutering, and we're also going to do a leaflet drop around the area to see if we can encourage people who might have taken the other kittens to neuter when they come of age (that's if they live that long living on a main road!) Fingers crossed we can get through to some people it's importance!


Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 22, 2008, 21:37:58 PM
Aww, fingers crossed he can be found a good home and that the leaflets help.
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: madkittyrescue on April 23, 2008, 09:23:43 AM
glad to hear this little one is safe.   always a good sight to see them so happy.  well done guys.
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on April 23, 2008, 12:13:36 PM
I think you did the right thing, I would pay to get a kitten/cat out of a dangerous situation
He is lovely, bless him heart and he is safe now xx

Remember last year the little pregnant cat on Gumtree, £70 was nothing to get her away from the home she was in and to stop her from having anymore litters

Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on April 25, 2008, 08:46:03 AM
Just to let everyone know that Gizmo has been adopted, by us!

He'll be safe and happy and is currently enjoying himself. He'll be staying in our library for a while as we bring him out slowly.

Rascal fits him but I'd end up calling him Raz which would end up being linked to Batman and I'm not allowed. So he'll be keeping the name Gizmo (though I'm not fond of gremlins in general, films were funny but...).
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: Kirst on April 25, 2008, 08:51:32 AM
Just ber VERY wary about feeding him after midnight! :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on April 25, 2008, 08:55:37 AM
And not letting him get wet!

Title: Re: Help! Should I take in this kitten? - UPDATED WITH PICS!
Post by: Dawn F on April 25, 2008, 09:19:26 AM
omg that was quick!!  I would be so, so bad if I looked at those adverts, not sure how often oh would believe it had been left on the doorstep in a box though!  congrats on your new addition