Shelters refusing adoption

Birdyblue

Hey friends, I need to vent a bit perhaps but I really really need some advice as well and I'm confident there's good people around who have some experience with animal rescues and shelters around Ireland.

Me and my other half live in Ireland permanently, but unfortunately still in a rented apartment. My partner has been living here for over a decade, but I've arrived here a couple years back and had quite a debilitating eye disease for which i had had a transplant and some other procedures, i was not the most functional human being but am young and have plans and dreams which now seem closer than ever.

Because I'm so much time at home, I got lonely after all this time and really felt I needed company, i've lived with pets my entire life before moving here and had no idea i would come to miss it so. It got to that point where i would start sobbing over any kind of picture of video of an animal. And so we decided to adopt a cat. We have a wonderful landlord who has always been helpful and he agreed to us getting 1 cat.

i needed a social, happy animal to play with and interact with and love and care for, to pour in all the stuff i can't pour in anywhere else because being a foreigner in a country where i have just 1 person to talk to, is damn hard. Does that sound selfish? Perhaps, but i thought a kitten in trouble might look exactly for that. We would have been a perfect match.

It's been a couple months that we're looking for a cat to fall in love with, to have that "click, bang thats the one". And we have found a few but unfortunately we have been turned away every time. We've bough food, scratching posts, toys, litter and trays, bowls, brushes... blankets everything is prepared and waiting. Just no cat.

I don't know what to feel and what to believe anymore. I know rescue people have the cats' best interest in mind and sure enough i agree with that wholeheartedly, I wouldn't want a cat here to make her feel unhappy. But I would not settle for less either, because after our refusals, we have been asked if we wanted older cats (12 years old) or to foster kittens. Well, it does feel a sad to say no to these, but after all I'm not here for charity, I'm here to help myself and my family and confidently so believing we would make a perfect family of 3.

We have been told young kittens would go crazy in such a small space, it's a 1 bedroom apartment though, not a studio and it's decently large. Moreover, on this rescue's website said there's no such thing as "not enough space for a cat", as long as you provide toys, time to play and perhaps a cat tree, and they would actually be safer as indoor only pets. I'm confused. They suggsted old cats that don't play... I couldn't accept that because I don't want yet another source of depression and worries in the house. I don';t want to look at my pet and think it might die in a few months... that would make me feel even more miserable. I have old and alone parents at home, I worry enough for them already. I also can't foster kittens... for other people while sobbing that I'm not allowed to keep one.

Am I wrong?

It's not just that. After the home checks, I have mixed feelings. Maybe I'm looking too much into it. But I feel not everyone is completely honest with us. Because it looks like the conversation is driven towards all kinds of things but not the cat that we actually want. Not everybody is interested to find anything about us personally either. I feel empty and sad everytime and confused because things are definitely getting a turn for the worse each time.

At some point I had a feeling this person was concerned about windows and the fact that pets can easily run away if we're not careful. I probably made a mistake when they came visiting and left all my windows open because it was sunny and i wanted sun and air to come in that day for our guest. I guess lesson learnt. But then this person told us he had cats ran over after running away yet he had many cats in the house still. So he was allowed to be sloppy and crowding pets but we weren't even given a chance, as it felt to me then.

The questions we're usually asked are.. where are we from and are we permanently living in Ireland. At some point there was a very upsetting pause in the conversation after we mentioned where we were from. I don't even want to expand on this, it felt creepy and sad.

A few times I had the feeling the person who came in already had his mind made about not giving us that particular cat, but came anyway to try to convince us about cats that clearly didn't match us. Sometimes they would say the cats is in such high demand and they have a lot of good homes for it, but those cats still are today up for adoption. Why can't they jsut be honest about it? I could understand reason, I could take suggestions, i'm willing to make that effort to optimize the things they find lacking. But I keep feeling they're letting stuff out.

After all these... I tried switching a bit ann began pouring my heart to all these people hoping they would understand and would get to know us better that way. It doesn't make any difference.

Then we don't get called back each time. We lost a few cats like that over the weeks and at some point we started leaving more messages to remind them, but of no use. I completely understand shelters are undermanned and these people are busy. But it starts to feel like we're sailing against the wind. And with every such bad experience, I feel less and less likely and willing to continue. It's just not meant to be. And also, I started doing exactly what everybody says I shouldn't: browsing donedeal and adverts. At this point it doesn't really matter where the cat comes from, just want to be done with this ordeal. And the worst part of it is... we also considered a pedigree cat at the beginning. But we agreed it would be too expensive and unnecessary. Now when looking back at all the expenses we've had with all the travelling around and checking and seeing and talking and searching... its just too daunting.

Is this how it always is? And is really our home just not big enough for a cat? Why is it so hard to save a cat? Why does it seem like we're getting refused every time? I'm also under the impression that some shelters communicate or perhaps have a black list of sorts... and some just don't want us at all. Am I being paranoid?

boomerang

I honestly think a one-bed is too small for an indoor-only cat, sorry.

Irish people are terrible at being direct. I have a feeling cat rescue people are beating about the bush with you instead of being honest.

Graces7

boomerang wrote: »

I honestly think a one-bed is too small for an indoor-only cat, sorry.

Irish people are terrible at being direct. I have a feeling cat rescue people are beating about the bush with you instead of being honest.

Beg to disagree, from experience. Not as if it were a bedsitter

OP ask around locally, as at this time of year there are always kittens needing homes.
Also where are you? pm maybe?

One of my loveliest cats was one of three I found dumped at a Friary. I took one and rehomed the other two easily

Thoie

I'm not involved in animal shelters, but from reading your story, I doubt it's personal about you, but more about your circumstances. My first thoughts when reading it are:

Rented accommodation - current landlord has agreed to a pet, but what if landlord sells up, and a new landlord doesn't allow pets - will the kitten end up being rehomed again?
You're currently at home all day, recovering from medical issues. What happens when you're completely better, and maybe decide to get a job, or are out of the house more? Will the kitten/cat end up alone all the time, in a small apartment?

I suspect their primary concern is that your circumstances could change within the next year or two. By offering you an older cat, they're reducing the risk of having to rehome it again if things changed. It's a very practical approach, but I realise how disappointing it is for you.

You've mentioned that you've had to travel to the shelters, but is there any within a reasonable distance of you? Any chance you'd be able to volunteer to help out at a shelter a few days a week? That way you'd get to spend time with animals, but might also meet some new people too.

CircleofLife

Would you consider an alternative pet? Like a rabbit or guinea pig? They would do fine in a one bed apartment and while hard to find in rescue can be found easily going free to good home on online sites. The same can be said for cats though! There are so many offered free to good home on online sites. If you do decide to look at rabbits or guinea pigs- do your research as they have somewhat specialist diets.

Birdyblue

I've kept thinking about the space issue actually. But why would 2 large rooms and a kitchen and a hallway not be enough for a cat? Some say the cat's space is not horizontal, but vertical. In that respect I would agree we don't have much space for a cat to climb, irish homes aren't that crowded with furniture. But i would think a cat tree of sorts would fix this.
On the other hand, cats we looked at had things specified like... for quiet homes without children preferably. So in that case, it's a couple living there, 2 people. It is absurd to have more bedrooms if you ask me. As it is, we barely ever use the living room, it's just there with no purpose other than... adding space to the house.
Also, my family had cats when I was a child. From what I remember, they used to stay wherever we were sitting. Mainly, in the kitchen since that was where the food was constantly in the making and it was warm too. The bedrooms were very rarely open and the cats did not really have any curiosity to go in there by themselves, unless we were there. And if we were to have a 4 bedrooms house right now, I can't imagine keeping all doors open for the cats to roam for more space. I would probably not even have thought about this.

My first thoughts on the space issue were (and by all means i'm not trying to offend anyone and i'm in no way pretending to know how things are around here) that Irish people are not very used with the idea of living in apartments and perhaps they find it small and cramped and limiting because they have most likely lived in a house before. I mean I don't see many apartment buildings around, not even in Dublin, meanwhile my country is a concrete nightmare (and very much vertical in terms of living space) I'm the opposite, lived in apartments my whole life.

Our circumstances will change for sure in the next year. We are planning to move, but in our own home. There is no reason to be concerned that our landlord might want us out before that, but of course it's nothing set in stone and there are shelters who straight out refuse to rehome animals to private home renters regardless. We have mentioned this when we talked about adoption and this apartment.

I haven't considered any other pets. We have our landlord permission for a cat only. And I have never owned a rabbit or a rodent but have heard that they are not cuddly pets and need more maintenance than cats. I would have considered a dog, but that one pet I know for sure needs more space than what we have here.

And I am searching adverts and donedeal as well, but many of the pets are actually listed by shelters, and others come from families but cannot be separated or similar things. Plus, people there don't give away there pets that easily either. in fact they might be even more pretentious because they are attached to their cats. The fact that they are free to a good home only means that the owner only cares to get the best of home they can. The one person I contacted on donedeal hasn't gotten back to me yet.

jaxxx

I wouldn't say it's personal. We've adopted in the past and the checks have always been very thorough and detailed. Jesus our own human-departments for a whole range of areas could learn well from the checks done by adoption centres! At the end of the day, the welfare of the animal is their main concern and if they don't think the possible environment would be ideal for the animal, there's not much you can do, whether it's lack of space or another issue.

bertsmom

Op I would try not to take it personally the rescue centres do their absolute best by the animal and your emotions and feelings aren't really relevant. You have to see from their point of view they want to rehome an animal once and not have a poor cat be bounced back to them when something unforseen happens in your world.
You have permission from your landlord but what happens if he needs to sell up in two months time? It's not easy find rented accommodation with animals every rescue Facebook page is testament to that fact.
I understand you would like a cat but the cold facts down on paper do seem to present too many variables in the home ye would provide for an animal. I am actually pleased the rescues are being so thorough and responsible.

Birdyblue

I am pleased too that they are thorough. However I would also rather sleep in a mobile house than abandon my pet. What happens tho is that regardless of their refusal, i will still get a cat somehow. I think most people who are in my position would do the same still, even if i were to go home and find a stray one there. At the end of the day, i see one cat in a home, one less cat in a shelter or on the streets. There's a chance that cat will come back to the shelter, maybe, but the other option is this cat stays on the street or in the shelter. There's a chance it dies on the street or just not get adopted for years (i've seen cases).
Plus, I would really want them to be honest from the start and say, like some do, no rehoming to private property renters. Which would be fine. But they asked to talk to my landlord and they said it was fine.

Sorry for the rant please don;t think I'm trying to argue ) i'm really venting

Graces7

Birdyblue wrote: »

I am pleased too that they are thorough. However I would also rather sleep in a mobile house than abandon my pet. What happens tho is that regardless of their refusal, i will still get a cat somehow. I think most people who are in my position would do the same still, even if i were to go home and find a stray one there. At the end of the day, i see one cat in a home, one less cat in a shelter or on the streets. There's a chance that cat will come back to the shelter, maybe, but the other option is this cat stays on the street or in the shelter. There's a chance it dies on the street or just not get adopted for years (i've seen cases).
Plus, I would really want them to be honest from the start and say, like some do, no rehoming to private property renters. Which would be fine. But they asked to talk to my landlord and they said it was fine.

Sorry for the rant please don;t think I'm trying to argue ) i'm really venting

It is OK: I always got my cats without a shelter who asked so many questions... You know your situation and that you can give a good home. Really that is all that matters.

volchitsa

I'm no longer living in Ireland, but I'm amazed that you seem to have to go through a shelter to get a cat : when I was growing up/living there, there were regularly people whose cat had had kittens looking to give them away. Not Dublin TBH, so maybe being a smaller town meant people were more careless with cats getting pregnant, or just more relaxed about being able to find people to give them to.

Done deal is a bit weird for animals IME, people always seem to want to sell on it, even cats, which I think is fine for used cars, but a bit dodgy for kittens. I get that animals cost money to keep, but I'm not sure that selling kittens (if they're not pedigree and are just as a result of letting your cat wander) is evidence of good animal care!

We gave kittens away and made a point of not taking money for them because I wanted my own children to see it as choosing nice families, not as making money from the kittens. Some people gave them a little present, a box of chocolates for example, which was lovely, but others didn't, which was fine.

volchitsa

volchitsa wrote: »

I'm no longer living in Ireland, but I'm amazed that you seem to have to go through a shelter to get a cat : when I was growing up/living there, there were regularly people whose cat had had kittens looking to give them away. Not Dublin TBH, so maybe being a smaller town meant people were more careless with cats getting pregnant, or just more relaxed about being able to find people to give them to.

Done deal is a bit weird for animals IME, people always seem to want to sell on it, even cats, which I think is fine for used cars, but a bit dodgy for kittens. I get that animals cost money to keep, but I'm not sure that selling kittens (if they're not pedigree and are just as a result of letting your cat wander) is evidence of good animal care!

We gave kittens away and made a point of not taking money for them because I wanted my own children to see it as choosing nice families, not as making money from the kittens. Some people gave them a little present, a box of chocolates for example, which was lovely, but others didn't, which was fine.

I think people sell them as a way to deter any scum that want them for sinister reasons. The kind of people who would use a kitten for blooding/baiting won't pay for it. They'll always take the 'free to a good home' ones. Because the type of people who give away dogs and cats free to a good home on the likes of done deal rarely actually check that the home or person is good. Charging is a simple way of hopefully weeding them out.

Graces7

volchitsa wrote: »

I'm no longer living in Ireland, but I'm amazed that you seem to have to go through a shelter to get a cat : when I was growing up/living there, there were regularly people whose cat had had kittens looking to give them away. Not Dublin TBH, so maybe being a smaller town meant people were more careless with cats getting pregnant, or just more relaxed about being able to find people to give them to.

Done deal is a bit weird for animals IME, people always seem to want to sell on it, even cats, which I think is fine for used cars, but a bit dodgy for kittens. I get that animals cost money to keep, but I'm not sure that selling kittens (if they're not pedigree and are just as a result of letting your cat wander) is evidence of good animal care!

We gave kittens away and made a point of not taking money for them because I wanted my own children to see it as choosing nice families, not as making money from the kittens. Some people gave them a little present, a box of chocolates for example, which was lovely, but others didn't, which was fine.

it seems to be getting that way. My three current ones all came from shelters BUT there was no intrusive questioning etc else I would have gone elsewhere.

volchitsa

Deleted User wrote: »

I think people sell them as a way to deter any scum that want them for sinister reasons. The kind of people who would use a kitten for blooding/baiting won't pay for it. They'll always take the 'free to a good home' ones. Because the type of people who give away dogs and cats free to a good home on the likes of done deal rarely actually check that the home or person is good. Charging is a simple way of hopefully weeding them out.

I'm not convinced by this, TBH - we gave our kittens to families or older couples - what on earth would they be "baiting" with kittens? Also, we mostly saw them all again after that, and when we didn't it was because we didn't feel the need to, or various reasons, but in any case we were happy they were pets and not pet food. Always.

Kitty6277

Maybe you could try a local radio station in your area? I work in one and we often get notices of kittens that are free to a good home

bootpaws

As everyone else is saying, it's probably not personal, but you may also have a point. I have worked extensively with cat rescues around Dublin in the past, and I can speak with experience that there may be a variety of issues and many are not your fault.

Often there is one person doing admin for the rescue, and there's a LOT of admin involved. It can take a while to get back to the many inquiries for kittens per day, sort out those who are serious from those who are not, contact fosterers and home checkers for you, all on top of dealing with the many other inquiries (missing cats, fundraisers, vet fees, people dumping unwanted pets on you, people with feral cat colonies moving in on their property, urgent issues like injured ferals, dumped kittens, diseased kittens...the list is endless.)

So it is possible you've been lost or forgotten amongst all that. This is not your fault or the fault of the rescue, it unfortunately just happens sometimes. If there's a place that hasn't gotten back to you, don't be afraid to remind them that you have your home set up, you've prepared and are excited to take a cat.

Given the circumstances as you describe them currently, I know a couple of rescues that shouldn't have an issue homing to you. But if you're willing to consider it, saying you'll take a pair of kittens will endear you a lot faster.

Many people are wary of homing a single kitten, especially under a certain age, to someone who may not always be home with them. If you can take two kittens, that lessens the rescues concern that the kitties will ever be bored or lonely. It's also nice for the cats to have someone to hang out with and play with.

I understand your frustration. Even working with these rescues I was often frustrated with how slowly we would have to go before homing the cats sometimes. I won't name any names, but there are some people in rescue who live by "do as I say and not as I do" in terms of how many cats they keep personally and the conditions they're keeping them in. But there's not a lot you can do about that.

If you're willing to work with the space you have, provide enrichment and interaction, then you're already more qualified than a lot of people who have cats.

The <snip> don't home check or ask anything very invasive as far as I'm aware. If you haven't, you might check in with them. They will usually have a lot more cats than are advertised on their facebook page, so if you call ahead and plan a trip to have a look you might just fall in love with one of theirs

sillysmiles

To me, the thing that strikes me is your reluctance to foster a kitten. To me this is ideal for both you and the shelter as it gives both parties a fall back position. If the kitten you foster is a match for you then you just keep the kitten. Also, are you not meant to adopt/foster kittens in pairs as they keep each other active and entertained and company?

Graces7

sillysmiles wrote: »

To me, the thing that strikes me is your reluctance to foster a kitten. To me this is ideal for both you and the shelter as it gives both parties a fall back position. If the kitten you foster is a match for you then you just keep the kitten. Also, are you not meant to adopt/foster kittens in pairs as they keep each other active and entertained and company?

I also would never ever foster. Takes a special kind of person to do that and i am not that.

sillysmiles

I would think that you could foster with the view to adopt - like a probation period. So fostering kittens that you are interested in, and then if they aren't a match for you, no harm done in returning them. If they are a match for you, then you have kittens. Seems like a win win.

I'm not suggesting the OP become a serial foster carer - more foster with the view to adopt.

Cupra280

Both my cats came from different animal shelters.

I did start typing up my experiences but, that would be completely off topic!

First cat was pure adoption, and it was touch and go about actually getting her, the animal shelter was so strict.

My second cat was from a different charity. I started fostering with them. Initially it was difficult, especially when it came to say goodbye. But, I got to meet the new families when they received their new cat/kitten, and that was always a lovely moment. Charities also offer to provide litter and food, but I opted not to accept. I fostered 4 times, and the last kitten I could not give back! I will admit, I did not take to her initially, but she is now with me over 5 years and I would be lost without her.

I would second the recommendation of joining a foster panel. It is a great way to meet new people, plus you will meet a wide selection of cats.

Graces7

Cupra280 wrote: »

Both my cats came from different animal shelters.

I did start typing up my experiences but, that would be completely off topic!

First cat was pure adoption, and it was touch and go about actually getting her, the animal shelter was so strict.

My second cat was from a different charity. I started fostering with them. Initially it was difficult, especially when it came to say goodbye. But, I got to meet the new families when they received their new cat/kitten, and that was always a lovely moment. Charities also offer to provide litter and food, but I opted not to accept. I fostered 4 times, and the last kitten I could not give back! I will admit, I did not take to her initially, but she is now with me over 5 years and I would be lost without her.

I would second the recommendation of joining a foster panel. It is a great way to meet new people, plus you will meet a wide selection of cats.

Far more involvement than I or many others would be seeking.

My 2 ( pictured on AH) were dumped in a filthy shelter, the 3rd from a smal lnewish shelter that was stopping taking in cats,

OP try the spca in your area?

Birdyblue

I haven't actually asked anyone to let me foster some kittens. It was offered at some point, but not with the perspective of actually adopting one of the kittens in my care. I was told pretty clearly that a young cat would not be happy with us so it did not leave me an option. But either way, I have mentioned that our landlord agreed to just 1 cat, which is actually sad because I do agree that it would be a lot better for the cat itself to have another feline companion. And then, there's the fact that... well yes I don't see myself taking care of some kittens and parting with them because chances are I would get to really like one of them and not be allowed to keep it. I know it must be rewarding, but I'm not sure I could get past the bitterness of it.

Birdyblue

@bootpaws and @Graces7

That was actually a wonderful suggestion. I did not realize that <snip> does not do home checks. All others I've ran into do. In fact I find their adoption process pretty fair considering you have to meet the cat first. the only problem would be that <snip> is at the end of the world for someone without a car and considering you'd have to make a few trips there, but that can be arranged still.

And when bootpaws mentioned adopting 2 cats I had a revelation lol. You might be right, that would solve a probably significant issue in many shelters' eyes. I'm not sure my landlord would agree to it though, I'll have to try. Thank you for your reply it gave me something to think about. I always thought in fact that I would get 2 cats or 2 dogs if it came to it, but since we live in this apartment now I just went for the easiest option that I knew would be more likely to get my landlord to say yes.

I am currently following 2 cats again, one seems likely to maybe be an yes, it's been up for adoption for over 6 months, we found it on <snip> site and the lady seemed helpful and happy about it, but the home check will be carried out next week so we can't know for sure. Looks like this one needed a vaccine and some ear cleaning which they said they would do now. And then, indeed, there's this boy at <snip> I like so much as well.

These cats at <snip> all have sad stories poor things and they live in those pods all day, perhaps they need more help than those in the foster care, me feels. Perhaps that is why they are not so picky with the home checks either.

ebbsy

Animal shelters are correct to check prospective owners of their animals.

And if the proposed living quarters is not suitable then their decision must be respected.

Cherry Blossom

OP, we are not permitted to mention individual rescues by name in this forum.

Graces7

ebbsy wrote: »

Animal shelters are correct to check prospective owners of their animals.

And if the proposed living quarters is not suitable then their decision must be respected.

disagree. I would never follow up if there was a home check suggested nor have I ever demanded a home check when homing kittens myself.

ebbsy

By the way Im not saying the OP would not be a suitable person to foster a cat. In fact she sounds great for it.

shakencat

I fostered my most recent dog, with view to adopt... It does work!

3 years later he's still barking at leaves!

Graces7

I came across a pre-cat-adoption questionaire and was appalled at the intrusive ????s asked.

sillysmiles

Graces7 wrote: »

I came across a pre-cat-adoption questionaire and was appalled at the intrusive ????s asked.

Why? The rescue needs to be sure that the potential adopter has thought it though thoroughly, including what happens with holidays etc.
The rescue needs to ensure that the adopter is serious and it's not just a whim or that the adopter is fulfilling a need to feel like they "doing good" by adopting without thinking through the next 10+ years. They need to ensure that despite good intentions the adopter is set up to look after the animal and also that they are future-proofing against "change in circumstances".
Honestly how often do you see an animal up for adoption "due to no fault of it's own" due to "change in circumstances", or due to moving house and new landlord not allowing pets.
I understand that it can probably be a pain for an adopter but I can understand how from a rescues point of view "any" home is not the same as a good home and a forever home, which is what they (I assume) are trying to achieve.

BTW - this is not directed at the OP - just that I can understand where a rescue is coming from.

Graces7

sillysmiles wrote: »

Why? The rescue needs to be sure that the potential adopter has thought it though thoroughly, including what happens with holidays etc.
The rescue needs to ensure that the adopter is serious and it's not just a whim or that the adopter is fulfilling a need to feel like they "doing good" by adopting without thinking through the next 10+ years. They need to ensure that despite good intentions the adopter is set up to look after the animal and also that they are future-proofing against "change in circumstances".
Honestly how often do you see an animal up for adoption "due to no fault of it's own" due to "change in circumstances", or due to moving house and new landlord not allowing pets.
I understand that it can probably be a pain for an adopter but I can understand how from a rescues point of view "any" home is not the same as a good home and a forever home, which is what they (I assume) are trying to achieve.

BTW - this is not directed at the OP - just that I can understand where a rescue is coming from.

All my current cats ? The 2 sibs were from a litter of 3. The cat had been killed on the road and the man had hand raised them until 12 weeks when it got too much. My third cat was handed in as the people were having to move and there were allergies where they they going

Neither of these things would have been covered b any ?aire.

I have been keeping and breeding cats for over 30 years. People know this and trust me. Also I always gave a detailled info sheet with every kitten about care etc
No home visit made and no personal ?s asked on either side.

As I said, this is new to me and I am not alone in finding it too intrusive of my privacy .

But then I am older than the hills

Birdyblue

Well, we have found a boy and he's been home since Friday He's quite shy but slowly getting used to us and to the new places. He loves to play, is very gentle and quite chatty too, all kinds of mews for every kind of situation haha

The kind lady that brought it to us didn't actually make a "real" home check as she just brought the cat in and perhaps there was not much to complain about. She advised us on the windows issue, food, water and litter. She also noticed that there was not much space in our home. One thing she said and I found interesting was that since the beginning of the year, her association has rehomed 6 times more dogs than cats. I had this feeling that perhaps that was one reason she was so happy to give this cat to us. This cat has been in foster for 7 months, and we didn't really know much about his personality and we were quite curious why nobody had adopted him. I am SO glad we got him because he's everything I dreamed of and more.

What made me a bit sad is that she told us he likes to catch birds in the garden and told us that maybe we should take him out from time to time, in his carrier, just to sniff the grass or buy a harness and get him for a walk. After seeing him play it does feel like he's a proper hunter boy. He goes crazy chasing after dangling toys and ignores all and every other boring static toys. He loves his scratch posts and hasn't touched anything else except the carpet which he uses to claw at and crawl on around the house ) Still quite shy though, he doesn't quite like being picked up as of yet, so I don't dare take him out yet but maybe I will try what she suggested in a couple weeks.

Graces7

Birdyblue wrote: »

Well, we have found a boy and he's been home since Friday He's quite shy but slowly getting used to us and to the new places. He loves to play, is very gentle and quite chatty too, all kinds of mews for every kind of situation haha
The kind lady that brought it to us didn't actually make a "real" home check as she just brought the cat in and perhaps there was not much to complain about. She advised us on the windows issue, food, water and litter. She also noticed that there was not much space in our home. One thing she said and I found interesting was that since the beginning of the year, her association has rehomed 6 times more dogs than cats. I had this feeling that perhaps that was one reason
she was so happy to give this cat to us. This cat has been in foster for 7 months, and we didn't really know much about his personality and we were quite curious why nobody had adopted him. I am SO glad we got him because he's everything I dreamed of and more.
What made me a bit sad is that she told us he likes to catch birds in the garden and told us that maybe we should take him out from time to time, in his carrier, just to sniff the grass or buy a harness and get him for a walk. After seeing him play it does feel like he's a proper hunter boy. He goes crazy chasing after dangling toys and ignores all and every other boring static toys. He loves his scratch posts and hasn't touched anything else except the carpet which he uses to claw at and crawl on around the house ) Still quite shy though, he doesn't quite like being picked up as of yet, so I don't dare take him out yet but maybe I will try what she suggested in a couple weeks.

Sitting here smiling with joy for you; wonderful news and thank you so very much

metaoblivia

I'm so happy it worked out for you, OP! My father has experienced similar issues with adopting from a shelter. He's retired, rents in a pet friendly apartment complex, is in good health and has a long history of taking excellent care of his pets (his last dog, a dachsund, died about 10 months ago, at the age of 17) with vet references and everything. I advised him to go to the county animal rescue shelter instead of a private one. The one in his county (in Florida), euthanizes hundreds of dogs and cats every month, and they do have requirements and questionnaires, but they're not nearly as strict as privately run rescues.
And of course, failing that I told him he could always find a reputable breeder. Prior to trying a private rescue, he was already in contact with a breeder regarding puppies, but decided not to go through with it because he wanted an older dog. And he's still having trouble with the private rescues even though he's not looking for a puppy (but still a younger dog - like 1 or 2).