chuckmum6 Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 We have decided that we would like to get a kitten. This comes after our lovely Duffel was PTS, five weeks ago, he was 17 and is much missed by us and his companion Scribble (tabby of 14 yrs). Scribble is really missing Duffel and has never been without feline company, he has become much more vocal and quite frankly we have always had two cats. So we have decided to get a kitten, we have our 8 week summer holidays coming up in just over 4 weeks and feel this would be ideal timing. I just wondered if anyone had any ideas about where to go for a common moggie, I don't want a pedigree, I had thought about giving the vet a ring, but not sure beyond this. Any ideas welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Try your local rescues... This is a big time for unwanted kittens ending up in shelters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share Posted June 4, 2012 I would love to, but because I work four days, we have been told we are unsuitable. A great shame and this has never been an issue on any of our cats welfare over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 That seems madness Both OH and I work full time, and we could have adopted kittens if we wanted. We chose fully grown cats as they were a better "fit" with us, but we were between our two and two kittens at the shelter. Hope you find the right cat for you and Scribble x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 The rescues wouldnt let us have a kitten either I recently bought a 'pedigree' kitten (its from pedigree parents but is a reject having the wrong coat type for the breed if that makes sense) I found it through an ad on Preloved. I trawled through loads of ads and chose this breeder because of the obvious health of the kittens and the passion and knowledge that clearly came across from the wording. I went to meet the breeder who took a lot of trouble to talk me through her cats, kittens and set up. Once I was totally happy I bought the kitten I would say though that I think I bought our kitten when it was a bit young, officially she could leave her mum so the breeder didnt do wrong in letting me take it but older kittens have learned a few more boundaries and manners from their mum and penmates so next time round I will look for a kitten 12-16 weeks old I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 I would love to, but because I work four days, we have been told we are unsuitable. A great shame and this has never been an issue on any of our cats welfare over the years. We were told the same thing..It seems such a pity, (and a bit small minded) imho on the part of the rescue places. We were told we could have an adult cat but not a kitten, ( ) and so we did the very thing that they ask you not to do, buy from someone who hasn't been responsible enough to have their cat speyed/castrated....I found Spikey the Wonder Cat through a small add (and he is a grey tabby on the outside and Einstein on the inside!) and we paid £50 for him! If there have been any welfare issues in the last seven years since he came to live with us these relate to my welfare not his, he has us all very well trained he has his own special place in the top of the airing cupboard, I know which foods is acceptable and which are not, obvs nothing supermarket bought...specialist foodstuff available at out of the way warehouses are preferred, especially on bank holidays....well I won't go on because anyone with a cat knows how it goes.... Good luck with your kitten hunting....xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 That sounds bonkers, and I would try another rescue centre, ask around, look at small ads, and ask at the vets (not just your own vet) - as SpaceChick says, this is a premium time for kittens needing homes. Having said that, do you really need to have a kitten? I've made the mistake in the past of thinking that an older cat would 'adopt' a kitten and that the kitten would adjust to the household more easily. In fact, the older cat found the kitten much too bouncy and playful, and had no parental feelings at all, quite the opposite! A young cat could be just as good, and easier to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I went to one of our local rescue centres to volunteer as a foster home and told I couldn't, why? Here was the list I was given... Two children under 12 1 large basset hound who barks when a stranger approaches the house (like most dogs do) 1 cat and 2 small cats The chickens Next doors dog barks at the slightest thing Never mind I don't work, so am available all day (I wouldn't have a dog myself if I was going to leave it at home on its own all day), my kids are 8 and 12 and have been brought up to respect animals, my cats don't give a wotsit who is in their house because they can hide upstairs as we have a stair gate(I don't allow the basset upstairs, he gets too excited and wees, although he does like to sit with my son to watch tv) The rules are all a bit too strict sometimes, and tbh I think that's why a lot of rescue centres are full, people would rather go and buy a 'cheap' animal that's not vaccinated, chipped etc etc than have to go through the bother of going through a RC where they ask for a donation to help cover their costs and home checks, all of which take time. With regard to looking for a kitten, try preloved, free ads, gum tree, pet shop notice boards, supermarket notice boards, post office boards etc etc. I hope you manage to get one soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Blimey... whats wrong with these people! Foggy has been taught to behave around the rabbits (they do boss him a bit), our dogs have been fine with him - Dylan is Foggys best friend and the can be seen chasing each other and having play fights. He stays in when the hens are FR ( just to be safe), OH's two boys have been trained to only fuss and play when Foggy asks them too and not to chase. The only problem we have had is the Spaniels eating Foggys poop . He is growing in to being a well rounded cat if a little cheeky. I think these rescue places need to judge cases on individual merits rather than a check list for all. Sounds like they are missing out on some good homes for their cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 we were turned down as well!! This will sound utterly awful, but look on facebook, type in For sale in (wherever your nearest town is) there are animals galore advertised on these sites. I make no comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I've come across similar problems in the past: Cats Protection League in Durham had a blanket ban on anyone in rented accommodation so we couldn't have any cat despite the fact we lived in a detached house in the countryside on a long lease. However, the RSPCA had no trouble with letting us have two cats. Now in Scotland when Wesme died and we wanted to get a companion for Rosie we went to the SSPCA. My OH drove over 30 miles, chose a cat, we had to wait as she was still feeding kittens, the day before collection rang up to check all was ok, on collection arrived at 9.30 am to find someone else had taken the cat - apparently part of their first come first served policy, so despite us thinking we had reserved her other people were also choosing her. Needless to say we didn't get a cat from them, opting instead for a 16 week kitten (lunatic) from a local rescue centre, and paying the required £60 donation. So, no, it's not surprising all the rescue centres are full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I find it bonkers that they won't let people who work adopt a cat. I understand about if you were wanting a dog. But a cat! Who are the most independent animals! Madness. We got our first two cats from our friends whose cat had an unexpected litter, and then when Oliver died, we got a rescue one from Cats Protection but a home from home re-homing, so not technically through them and she was free. And insane! I'd look in your local papers and preloved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 It's very sad that they are trying to stop people irresponsibly breeding because there are too many in rescue centers yet because they are turning people away those people are going to the breeders. Is there a method in their madness or is it just madness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I agree, when we got Georgie (our dysfunctional rescue cat) I tried various local rescues before I found one which would let me have a cat because I work full time, despite having had numerous previous cats, and an existing menagerie. I understand that they have to be careful but there are times when common sense should prevail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Hmmm - seems very strange. I volunteer for the UK's largest cat charity and certainly in our Branch we try to judge every case on an individual basis. We will home to rented accommodation provided that we can see a copy of the tenancy agreement (or a letter from the landlord) to say that pets are allowed. We won't home a single kitten to a house where there is no one at home for a large proportion of the day. This is as much for the benefit of of the house as it is for the kitten (bored kittens tend to amuse themselves with whatever they can find!). We would home a single kitten if there was already a cat in residence, or if someone was around for part of the day (we have had people come back at lunchtime for the first few weeks of having the kitten). Most times something can be agreed on that suits the kitten and the owners. Each rescue will have its own policies though and we've heard various tales from people over the years who have been refused by other rescues (some allege that one rescue won't home without a cat flap, some that another rescue won't home anything if you work all day, etc). We are full at the moment with kittens and/or pregnant cats and have others on our waiting list to come in and I know that many rescues are in the same position - kitten season is definitely upon us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I used to volunteer at the shelter Loki and Cleo came from and, whilst they were not keen on people adopting kittens who were out at work all day, they would consider each case on its merits, especially if there were other cats or the people were very experienced. They would have let me take a kitten, even though I was working full time. I'm sure you've already thought about it, but would you consider an adult cat? You'll have far more choice, you can see exactly what you're getting personality-wise and they tend not to be as demanding as a kitten. Loki was about a year old when he chose me and Cleo about five, and they're both utterly gorgeous (not that I'm biased or anything ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Wood Green animal shelter turned me down for a puppy some years ago as I worked. I was a qualified veterinary nurse having trained and qualified at one of the RSPCA's largest veterinary hospitals plus my husband was a vet. The puppy was going to be coming to work with us too. We were told that we were not a suitable home for a puppy I asked them if they would rather we were unemployed and they said yes Sadly not allowing people to that work to take kittens is feeding the growing number of people breeding 'moggies' and selling them for £25+ I think that it is a real step backwards in terms of getting people to neuter their cats to reduce the number of unwanted kittens that fill up rescue homes every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 I guess if I gave up work, rehomed my dogs and our existing cat, maybe rehomed the children - I would be a perfect owner. I have owned many cats and kittens, all of whom have had happy fulfilled lives in a busy 'normal' household. I would have loved to have been able to give a home to an unwanted kitty, but I will sadly need to look elsewhere. I understand the need to find good homes, but do wonder how many cats will ever find them as the criteria seems so restrictive. I am looking for a kitten ready at the start of July, as I have two months to spend with the kitten during its early days, with the intention of doing the 'going outside' part whilst we are on school holiday. I have discovered Gumtree has listings for kittens, but I will put the word out at school to see if any are available there, before going down this route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 It may be worth trying a couple of other shelters, as they clearly don't all have the same approach. Sometimes it can even come down to the individual you speak to . Putting the word out at the school sounds like a great plan and you could mention the "vacancy" to the vets too, as they are likely to know if anyone's had any unexpected little blessings they're looking to home. I'm sure there's a little kit out there with your name on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeloo Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I am in a similar situation. We had to have our 17-year-old cat, Kira, PTS last month. We've talked about getting a kitten. We've never had one before. Kira was half-grown when I found her, so I was concerned how much care one might need while we were at work. The rescue places here don't have any restrictions on work hours, as far as I know, but they do make you promise to keep them inside exclusively which we wouldn't do once it was fully grown. Our last two cats were in and out all day with their own cat door and they both lived well into their teens! We've never paid for a cat before. One was given to us and one was found by the road. I figure another will come to us eventually! I would love to have two, but the last two engaged in territorial spraying despite being spayed females so I'm leery of trying it again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I know we were turned down flat over the phone by Cats Protection years ago as we worked all day so we went to the RSPCA who did a home visit and were satisfied we knew what we were doing and we took 2 mogs who gave us years of pleasure. More recently I was given a very hard time when I went to volunteer as a foster carer by another place as we don't have a cat flap although I now work at home - as a door opener . In the end I just walked out - I've kept cats for over 20 years and will not be made to feel like I am an incompetent, uncaring owner. I was trying to do a good thing, for people and animals. Reading this thread has made me wonder if rescue centres seriously need to rethink their policies. As I understand it, you nearly always make a 'donation' (although round here it is a set fee) so its not like you are getting a cat for free; in fact the price seems to be the same as you see moggie cats advertised for from private homes (not pedigrees obviously). Back to the kitten - good luck with whatever you decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
