RSPCA - Trying to Rescue a Kitten, Refused?!
Discussion
My girlfriend and I would like to take on either a kitten or cat in the next few months! My girlfriend has owned 4 cats herself, as well as having cats in her life whilst growing up. My family has also had cats, but I personally haven't. A quick look through Gumtree and Pets4Home shows that there are plenty of cats and kittens available, although we thought it would be nice to rescue one from our local RSPCA shelter.
We've visited two RSPCA shelters this weekend. The first shelter was geographically closer, but we didn't feel as though we bonded with any of the cats, and visa-versa. The second shelter was around 25 miles away and instantly, we found our new addition - A long haired black kitten! Absolutely stunning. The girlfriend fell in love immediately. He meowed at us, followed us around, and when we went outside to view more cats, he left his indoor apartment to come outside and see us! Perfect!
I asked one of the volunteers if we could reserve him/collect him in the week. He asked for our card, which after reading, he 'tisked' and shook his head. "I'm afraid you cannot have this kitten. You work full time." I was a bit perplexed at this. He continued by stating that we could not leave the kitten for a lengthy period of time alone, for the first six months. I can understand his hesitance, but after protesting the fact that my girlfriend begins work at 9am and could pop back at lunch for 40 minutes, as well as the fact that I could rearrange my hours to allow me to be home for 3:30pm, he still declined our reservation.
A quick Google seems to suggest that all RSPCA shelters are a bit different in their criteria/mandatory requirements. I personally feel as though he didn't particularly like us. My girlfriend is rather upset at the whole affair ... It's no surprise that people buy kittens from breeders/families. Many of our cat-owning friends seem to think it was an odd decision too.
In essence, was he right to turn us away? Is it worth me calling the shelter tomorrow, speaking to someone else and reserving the kitten we fell in love with? Alternatively, are we limited to cats older than 6 months due to our working arrangements? In fact, would a kitten deal with the proposed hours above? For reference, we're only getting one kitten and will spoil it no end!
Cheers!
We've visited two RSPCA shelters this weekend. The first shelter was geographically closer, but we didn't feel as though we bonded with any of the cats, and visa-versa. The second shelter was around 25 miles away and instantly, we found our new addition - A long haired black kitten! Absolutely stunning. The girlfriend fell in love immediately. He meowed at us, followed us around, and when we went outside to view more cats, he left his indoor apartment to come outside and see us! Perfect!
I asked one of the volunteers if we could reserve him/collect him in the week. He asked for our card, which after reading, he 'tisked' and shook his head. "I'm afraid you cannot have this kitten. You work full time." I was a bit perplexed at this. He continued by stating that we could not leave the kitten for a lengthy period of time alone, for the first six months. I can understand his hesitance, but after protesting the fact that my girlfriend begins work at 9am and could pop back at lunch for 40 minutes, as well as the fact that I could rearrange my hours to allow me to be home for 3:30pm, he still declined our reservation.
A quick Google seems to suggest that all RSPCA shelters are a bit different in their criteria/mandatory requirements. I personally feel as though he didn't particularly like us. My girlfriend is rather upset at the whole affair ... It's no surprise that people buy kittens from breeders/families. Many of our cat-owning friends seem to think it was an odd decision too.
In essence, was he right to turn us away? Is it worth me calling the shelter tomorrow, speaking to someone else and reserving the kitten we fell in love with? Alternatively, are we limited to cats older than 6 months due to our working arrangements? In fact, would a kitten deal with the proposed hours above? For reference, we're only getting one kitten and will spoil it no end!
Cheers!
Thanks for all the replies - It seems as though the RSPCA's attitude to potential adopters is consistent, if anything! I'd always prefer to rescue an animal if possible. However I was genuinely taken aback by the criteria laid out in front of us, and the denial of a kitten to what would be a good home (No main roads, park/woods close, experienced owners, income to support cat/insurance).
A couple of work colleagues spotted my Facebook status and popped up to my office to share their stories, all of which resulted in them going to CPL or other animal shelters.
We're going to view a kitten tonight, albeit she was advertised on Pets4Home. She is a Maine Coon mix, with a long black coat and blue eyes! However if we do not bond, then we'll look at some of the other shelters available to us ...
Cheers!
A couple of work colleagues spotted my Facebook status and popped up to my office to share their stories, all of which resulted in them going to CPL or other animal shelters.
We're going to view a kitten tonight, albeit she was advertised on Pets4Home. She is a Maine Coon mix, with a long black coat and blue eyes! However if we do not bond, then we'll look at some of the other shelters available to us ...
Cheers!
Edited by Ikemi on Tuesday 24th May 07:55
C70R, I can understand their reluctance and thought process behind the decision. However it seems a little too strict in some cases. Both my girlfriend and I were willing to move our work hours around to accommodate the kitten (hard to prove to the RSPCA, I suppose!), but at least we were trying!
Anyway, we've put a deposit down on a kitten - Just need to think of a name now! We've decided to delay collection until a Friday night (June 3rd), just so we have all weekend to bond! Pretty excited!
She seems incredibly relaxed and hugely interested in just cuddling. Let's see how long that lasts!
Anyway, we've put a deposit down on a kitten - Just need to think of a name now! We've decided to delay collection until a Friday night (June 3rd), just so we have all weekend to bond! Pretty excited!
She seems incredibly relaxed and hugely interested in just cuddling. Let's see how long that lasts!I see this thread has popped up again!
I was hugely disappointed with our experience of the RSPCA. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. There are plenty of other shelters that do not lack the common sense required to find an animal a new forever home.
On a happier note, it was Zelda's first Birthday yesterday and she was spoilt with lots of new toys, an indoor water fountain and food-hunting bowl, fresh duck and sashimi salmon for dinner! She is the most loving, affectionate, and attention-seeking cat I've ever known. Zelda will always welcome us when we come home, loves to play catch, 'meows' at us when we sneeze, or when we leave the house for work, and loves being in the same room as us. I couldn't imagine life without her!
I was hugely disappointed with our experience of the RSPCA. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. There are plenty of other shelters that do not lack the common sense required to find an animal a new forever home.
On a happier note, it was Zelda's first Birthday yesterday and she was spoilt with lots of new toys, an indoor water fountain and food-hunting bowl, fresh duck and sashimi salmon for dinner! She is the most loving, affectionate, and attention-seeking cat I've ever known. Zelda will always welcome us when we come home, loves to play catch, 'meows' at us when we sneeze, or when we leave the house for work, and loves being in the same room as us. I couldn't imagine life without her!
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