Applied to adopt a cat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now we have to go through the vetting process.

They don't make this stuff easy.

Any idea how long this process typically takes?

Depends on the rescue. And, please give them a break. They are doing their due diligence. They are inundated with requests to take in cats whose owners no longer want them, and from shelters where they are literally lifesavers for the lucky ones to be rescued. AND it's kitten season. They will get thousands of requests a year. On top of that many of the cats have health issues and/or need "regular" vetting. They pay for ALL OF THAT. And in between, they are finding fosters, cleaning cages, and vetting potential applicants. Just to name a few of their duties.

They have to ensure the people have the ability and means to care for a cat, which can live 20 years. Even then, they get cats returned from assholes who say things like "the cat tries to snuggle me in bed so I'm returning him" (that's a true story.) These cats get traumatized from being abandoned.

So if they ask questions, if it takes longer than you think necessary, take a breath and be patient. Remember what you are seeing is a teeny tiny fraction of what they actually do.

I now feel scolded.

Thank you for talking to me like I'm 8 years old.

If the shoe fits . . .

I'm sick of people coming on here bitching about the adoption process. If you want to do whatever you want, I suggest going out to the country, or one of the vile rural shelters that will literally give you any animal you want, for nothing more than a fee. But, those animals will not have the same level of vetting, socialization, etc. that the rescues get. They are in need of saving, as well, however. And so that may be a better fit for your whiny ass.

Those "vile rural shelters" are also trying to save as many animals as possible, and give them a good chance at a good home. Those shelters' animals are also just as deserving. It benefits no one to suggest otherwise.

[Anonymous]

My "whiny ass" prefers a cat from a "vile rural shelter" so that cat does not get killed, and I get a fine animal companion. Is that cat as perfect as the ones you are providing? Probably not, doesn't bother me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My "whiny ass" prefers a cat from a "vile rural shelter" so that cat does not get killed, and I get a fine animal companion. Is that cat as perfect as the ones you are providing? Probably not, doesn't bother me.

All you have to do is drive to the south and stop at a few hotels. As people regularly dump their pets at such places - and then they have babies- you should be able to find a pet or two that you like.
The mill rates in those shelters are very high so I don’t blame them for leaving an animal at a hotel.
If rescues want to do something about it they should provide FREE spay/neuter clinics on a regular basis and give the owners something like a months supply of pet food too. Still cheaper than that $500/ pet costs to care for the animal before adoption.

Some of the dumped animals are also the result of backyard breeding to make money. When the animal isn’t purchased they dump them. How to solve that???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, it's easier to buy an AR-15 than to adopt a cat.

SO TRUE!

A lot of the animal rescues are pretty intense about the background checks. I had to provide 3 personal references and a vet reference, and the rescue people met my (then) small child, but there was no home check, so I figure I got off easy.

My brother was deemed unsuitable by a dog rescue because he and his wife both worked full time. I haven't run into a cat rescue requiring a stay at home pet parent...yet.

I know. The rescue people are a strange kind of cranky intense.
My son and I were playing some with some kittens at a rescue event at the Petco and I was told to ‘take my son away from the cats because he’s too loud and energetic’. Okay, he’s autistic but this boy literally just raised 5 kittens (we allowed a pregnant kitty to come live with us. street kitty. very easy adoption process - she begged to come live with us and we said sure) . They love him so much they wake him up in the morning and follow him around all day long - he’s hardly harmful to cats.
But yea - if you’re a cranky, boring middle aged lady you’ll be put right to the top of the cat adoption list.

We had a similar experience at a pet store rescue event. The women did not want us to adopt kittens with a then 4 year old and a 2 year old (who is also ASD). I'd been a cat owner for over 20 years at that point. We got two alley cat rescue kittens later that year from our neighborhood listserv. Ten years later, we still have both cats who sleep ON TOP of my son with ASD every night.

Exactly.

I foster too and the woman I fostered for put ‘no children’ in the description for the sweet dog I was fostering who was great with kids. I actually found it heartbreaking that she wasn’t going to spend her life with kids because she really loves kids and was great with them.

I was told that a good number of the foster people have never had kids themselves and some of them distrust children?
Kind of weird... Kids are way more fun than us stodgy old adults and they have much love to give. I spent my whole childhood happily loving animals....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now we have to go through the vetting process.

They don't make this stuff easy.

Any idea how long this process typically takes?

Depends on the rescue. And, please give them a break. They are doing their due diligence. They are inundated with requests to take in cats whose owners no longer want them, and from shelters where they are literally lifesavers for the lucky ones to be rescued. AND it's kitten season. They will get thousands of requests a year. On top of that many of the cats have health issues and/or need "regular" vetting. They pay for ALL OF THAT. And in between, they are finding fosters, cleaning cages, and vetting potential applicants. Just to name a few of their duties.

They have to ensure the people have the ability and means to care for a cat, which can live 20 years. Even then, they get cats returned from assholes who say things like "the cat tries to snuggle me in bed so I'm returning him" (that's a true story.) These cats get traumatized from being abandoned.

So if they ask questions, if it takes longer than you think necessary, take a breath and be patient. Remember what you are seeing is a teeny tiny fraction of what they actually do.

I don’t know - I think that plenty of those cats are pretty pleased to be away from the morons that they used to live with.

I've fostered cats. A lot of cats. And, while this may be true, it's also quite stressful for them to change situations, routines, etc.

Yes , cats don’t like change - but they’re going to a better place. Keep your eyes on the prize...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My "whiny ass" prefers a cat from a "vile rural shelter" so that cat does not get killed, and I get a fine animal companion. Is that cat as perfect as the ones you are providing? Probably not, doesn't bother me.

All you have to do is drive to the south and stop at a few hotels. As people regularly dump their pets at such places - and then they have babies- you should be able to find a pet or two that you like.
The mill rates in those shelters are very high so I don’t blame them for leaving an animal at a hotel.
If rescues want to do something about it they should provide FREE spay/neuter clinics on a regular basis and give the owners something like a months supply of pet food too. Still cheaper than that $500/ pet costs to care for the animal before adoption.

Some of the dumped animals are also the result of backyard breeding to make money. When the animal isn’t purchased they dump them. How to solve that???

WTF are you talking about?

You can go to a shelter and adopt a pet, and have a wonderful companion PLUS save them from the possibility of euthanasia.

I honestly don't know why I ever come to the pets board. It's insane people who hate pets and who hate people spouting insane things.

OP: Sorry about your experience with the rescue group. Go to a shelter and adopt a cat. You and the cat will be very happy.

[Anonymous]

+1000

[Anonymous]

I actually drove down to North Carolina. Went into Franklin county animal control. Came out with two awesome cats! I know a few people who've just gone out to high kill places and handed them cash and proof of home ownership or renters permission. The ones around here required a stay at home parent. One volunteer actually said that working from home isn't enough time for the cat.

[Anonymous]

I tried to adopt a great cat on petfinder from PA. The rescue mom had her for 3 years and she was 7 years old. Said nope, you need to be in or around this one zip code. You've had the cat for 3 years looking for a home and now I know why. This is with vet references and personal references.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My "whiny ass" prefers a cat from a "vile rural shelter" so that cat does not get killed, and I get a fine animal companion. Is that cat as perfect as the ones you are providing? Probably not, doesn't bother me.

Great! I applaud it. I am glad you did or do. But, you're still whiny for not understanding why the rescues in the area have the processes they have. Are they perfect? No. But is there a reason for it? Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually drove down to North Carolina. Went into Franklin county animal control. Came out with two awesome cats! I know a few people who've just gone out to high kill places and handed them cash and proof of home ownership or renters permission. The ones around here required a stay at home parent. One volunteer actually said that working from home isn't enough time for the cat.

You can do this at shelters here too, I promise. I’ve adopted two cats and two dogs and it’s been very easy each time. People are being really dramatic. Yes, there are some insane rescues around here but also a ton of really awesome shelters who will adopt to most anyone.

[Anonymous]

OH MY GOD! Just go to pet smart, choose your cat, pay $150.00 and leave in less than than an hour.

I got a wonderful cat there 12 years ago - he died a couple of years ago of cancer and he is still missed! He was the best cat EVER! Two weeks ago we decided to get a cat again and did the same as before. This weekend we went back for a second cat. They are here playing and happy and my children are over the moon.

Home study...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually drove down to North Carolina. Went into Franklin county animal control. Came out with two awesome cats! I know a few people who've just gone out to high kill places and handed them cash and proof of home ownership or renters permission. The ones around here required a stay at home parent. One volunteer actually said that working from home isn't enough time for the cat.

You can do this at shelters here too, I promise. I’ve adopted two cats and two dogs and it’s been very easy each time. People are being really dramatic. Yes, there are some insane rescues around here but also a ton of really awesome shelters who will adopt to most anyone.

+1 - this is exactly right.

[Anonymous]

The way my parents got my first cat was to call my cousin who lives on a farm and ask if there were any kittens coming. Sure enough, that fall we got a kitten. Of course, she came from a long line of fairly hardy and smart barn cats. Which meant she was ABSOLUTELY wild. And a terrific hunter. She settled down a bit when she was an old lady. But for most of her life she would bite the sh*t out of me anytime I came near here. Love that mean old girl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The way my parents got my first cat was to call my cousin who lives on a farm and ask if there were any kittens coming. Sure enough, that fall we got a kitten. Of course, she came from a long line of fairly hardy and smart barn cats. Which meant she was ABSOLUTELY wild. And a terrific hunter. She settled down a bit when she was an old lady. But for most of her life she would bite the sh*t out of me anytime I came near here. Love that mean old girl.

A lot of shelters now have working cat programs, or barn cat programs, for cats who really would be unhappy living inside as pets. They are spayed and neutered, and vaccinated.