Last night I was very emotional about everything and it wasn't fair to post what I was feeling but after a nights sleep I will try and have what I hope will be the final word because it will be a shame if things get fraught on here. Whatever my thoughts I am an upfront person and passionate about what I believe and I am always guided by my values.
Sean was against rehoming another cat because he felt we have two great cats, so let's not rock the boat. However each week in our local MK paper there are homesless cats and he started to wane. We were both reading artcles about how charities were strugggling and we thought. Hmmm our house is big enough, we are not rich but we can afford it. Archie is young and adaptable and Ella loves other cats. Both of my cats play happily with Sam, Boris, Toby and all the other cats in our street, so I felt they would welcome another cat. At first, we went to Hula to see whether there were any volunteer opportunities and then fell in love with the cats there. On our first visit Sean was worried about committing as he was so scared of rocking the boat with Ella and Archie so we didn;t put in an application but after the second time of seeing Princess, we had a discussion and Sean agreed about applying as he could not bear to see the cats in their pen when they could be at home being cuddled!
The first question I asked at reception was how would Princess get on with other cats. The receptionist asked two other people and all agreed she would be fine. I said I would like to apply and at that point was told that TWO other applications had been made - I saw the paperwork in the desk file - (now I do wonder what happened to the second applicant, as I was told the first pulled out. Is that now three homes that Princess has lost??) Sean and I were gutted as it felt she was the right cat and we talked about whether we should adopt - what would happen if one of us was made redundant, could we afford threecats ? Each question was answered with the answer "Yes we can offer a cat a loving and stable home".
I called Hula on Monday and asked if it was too late to submit an application and they said it was. When I found out that Princess was back looking for a home, I put in an application. I hoped we would get her but I never banked on it as I knew that we would have to pass a home check and that there was always the risk that they might not feel Princess would fit our family. Perhaps being a similar age to Ella may mean they would clash? Maybe Archie was too young and boistrous for a timid cat?
I also knew in the back of my mind that I had seen on their website on on the form that cat flaps were needed for all cats and had to be installed before a home check. This was a quandry for me 1) Princess was an indoor cat so I didn't think it was needed. 2) We are SLOWLY introducing Archie to the outside world. Archie is a very cute and very friendly cat and the first person to show him kindness he would trot off with. Plus even tho he cannot get out of the garden, he climbs up on our garden shed, mounts the conservatory and then gets on the roof and cries to get down as he is scared. My concern is with a cat flap is that he would do this whilst we were out and on a hot day and be stranded. 3) I prefer my cats to not be out at night and I prefer my cats to not be out when I am not at home. This would mean they would only able to use the cat flap when I am there - the exact time that Ella either comes through a window or I let her in the front or back door anyway. 4) Sam the white cat tailgates my neighbours cat Suker and manages to get in a chipped flap and then be trapped in the house all day. My neighbour says this causes her older cat Suker a lot of stress. All of these reasons make me stand by the point that I did not want a cat flap and I stand by that point. The fact I have put so much though into it must mean I am not adopting on a whim.
So to be told, "We are declining your application because you answered no to a cat flap" angered me. There was no home check, no interview, no meet and greet - just a no. I was left upset and bewildered.
It made me think what if Sean and I didn't have Ella and Archie what would we do? We would go and buy a cat from gumtree for between 60-200 quid and although we would love it forever so we could have a cat, this contributes to that "black market" of cats and means that those people that are using their cat to help fund their lifestyle and income win.
It was mentioned here yesterday that I was protesting too much and that made me angry. Why should I not challenge a rescue. Yes rescues do a fantastic job and yes they have to vet owners but it appears to me from my experience, and a post I read here yesterda, y that perhaps some unachievable standards are being set. Good indoor, or cat flap-less, or working people (where the cat is left) are being declined the chance to own a cat when there are so many out there.
This is contributing to the situation where there is not a fast turn around in rescue, cats are getting dumped, this coupled with the gumtree kitten population leads me to one thing; The cats of the future are well and truly screwed! The fight is being lost and even that one cat not homed to me has contributed to that. If Princess was sat in my home now, another cat would be in her pen. What has happened to that cat? where is it now? is it safe?
I would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words recently. I will quietly pursue Princess but if it is not to be it is not to be. I have two wonderful, beautiful cats and despite what some may think Sean and I are fantastic owners and no cat could have a better life than what ours do. What a shame Princess could not experience that and I am being frowned upon "for raging against the rescue machine" because I see safety in a very different colour shade then they do...... How very ironic as I have been one of rescues greatest supporters in the past.
