A close friend of mine recently died, at the other end of the country to me, leaving behind his much loved and well cared for 13 year old cat.
He had been in hospital for some time prior to his rather unexpected death and a neighbour had been caring for his cat both then and after his death. A feral queen got in through the cat flap and had a kitten in the house, 2 days after his death the kitten was found, apparently abandoned in the house and in a very poor state.
When my friend's family arrived they discussed what to do about the kitten and the cat with the neighbour. Neither neighbour or family could take the cat because both had dogs who could not be trusted with cats.
They called a local rescue and someone came out with an incubator for the possibly 2 day old kitten but they refused to take the adult cat, saying that she would be fine living outside and cats had the right to roam. There is a fed feral colony in the immediate vicinity but this poor girl had been a cherished pet for all of her life. While this was actually happening the family called me and I asked them to ask the rescue person if the cat could be taken into care for a few days to give me time to get there and collect her. I offered to pay any expenses. This request was refused. The kitten was taken off in an incubator and the adult girl was left behind. Fortunately the neighbour offered to continue feeding her until I got there.
After all the activity in what was normally a very peaceful, quiet house the poor girl promptly went missing for a week, possibly searching for her deceased human.
I did the 500 mile trip to collect her and she is living with me now and settling in well, poor girl was so desperate for a little love.
I know all rescues struggle, but I was incensed by this. This poor, grieving girl was to be left to fend for herself.
Am I wrong to feel so angry?