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AIBU?

AIBU to want to see kittens at home

43 replies

MrsPeacockDidIt · 22/09/2016 16:34

I've been communicating with a gumtree seller about 2 kittens I want to purchase out of a litter of 5. She's now said she'll meet me in town rather than at home.

AIBU to want to see the kittens in their home environment ? She'd already said I wouldn't be able to see the mum as she'll be recoverying from being spayed.

I've bought and sold things from gumtree and facebook before and always exchanged in home environments. The last cat I bought was from loot (the paper version!) and we saw them at home. I just didn't know if this is a thing now, not wanting to give out your address.

OP posts:
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Ratley · 22/09/2016 16:35

This sounds really dodgy.
If I were you I would find alternative kittens.

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DementedUnicorn · 22/09/2016 16:36

That sounds super dodge.

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Soubriquet · 22/09/2016 16:36

No that's dodgy

If you can't see young animals with mum, walk away

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Wrinklytights · 22/09/2016 16:37

This would ring warning bells for me. Why can't you see mum because she's been spayed. You could just take a peek, it's not like you want to handle her. I would insist on seeing them at home or walk away. We got ours from cats protection BTW. A better option IMO. Your money goes to the charity and your kittens will have been vaxed and flea/wormed.

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HereKittyKit · 22/09/2016 16:37

Do not buy one.

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lastqueenofscotland · 22/09/2016 16:37

Agree with the above, if you can't see mum say no.

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DownWithThisSortaThing · 22/09/2016 16:38

If you can't see the mum and where the kittens are living, walk away.

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SheldonsSpot · 22/09/2016 16:38

No.

Dodgy as fuck.

As tempting as it is to 'rescue' these kittens, just don't.

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melibu84 · 22/09/2016 16:40

you should always be able to see them at home, with the mum. If you can't, it sounds like she's breeding them in bad conditions. Could be worth dropping a line to the RSPCA, in case they have heard of her or they can do an investigation.

I personally have only ever adopted cats from a shelter. Our last cat was from Cat Protection and she is lovely.

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WannaBe · 22/09/2016 16:43

Why are you buying kittens from gumtree? For every person who buys kittens from these sites you are discouraging another owner from neutering their animals and breeding more. And don't be tricked into thinking that the cat has really been spayed.

Anyone with any ounce of care for animal welfare doesn't agree to do a handover in town. Walk away now.

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MrsPeacockDidIt · 22/09/2016 16:44

Thanks everyone. I'm glad it wasn't just me thinking it sounded a bit dodgy. But I also understand poeple not wanting to give out their address. It's hard to know what to do for the best.

She's just replied to my concerns saying she just wants to meet me nearby and then go to her house where I can see all the kittens with their mum. I wouldn't have gone otherwise, I would not buy a home cat without seeing the mum. I've mostly had rescue cats or had them from friends for one reason or another (not kittens).

Once I get there, if I feel it's dodgy in any way I won't get them.

OP posts:
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MrsPeacockDidIt · 22/09/2016 16:45

Wannabe - one of the reasons I wanted to see mum was see if she had been spayed.

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mathsmum314 · 22/09/2016 16:49

They are running a kitten farm, common tactic. Kittens will be being bred in horrible conditions and will probably have a lot of health problems as they get older.

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footballmum · 22/09/2016 16:50

How can you tell if a female cat has been spayed?

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WannaBe · 22/09/2016 16:50

How much are you paying for these kittens? They tend to go for around £120/150 on gumtree and the like, and then you still have to pay for vaccinations/chipping/neutering. I've only ever had rescue cats, because IMO there are too many unwanted ones out there already.

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Mybeardeddragonjustdied2016 · 22/09/2016 16:50

The poor mother is prob pregnant again!

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Soubriquet · 22/09/2016 16:52

Where the hell are you seeing kittens for £150?!

Most around here are £20 max. Some are going for around £50 but £20 is the usual amount

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SheldonsSpot · 22/09/2016 16:52

Why meet you nearby and then go to her house - why can't you go straight to her house? Why the reluctance to give out her address if you'll ultimately be going to her house anyway?

Nah, this sounds really off. I don't understand why you're encouraging this when there are so many kittens and cats in rescue centres needing homes.

I'll guarantee on the day she has the kittens with her and/or some excuse as to why you can't see mum.

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ghostyslovesheep · 22/09/2016 16:53

please don't buy kittens :(

go somewhere like this www.wonkypetsrescue.com/our-cats-kittens

so many unwanted and abandoned kits and cats out there - paying for them from online breeders just makes the problem worse

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Sancia · 22/09/2016 16:54

Gumtree is a nest of dodgy animal sellers. I'm sure they're described as 'Bengal' (they're not) or 'Ragdoll' or some other kind of pedigree - they're not. Or, like puppies, perhaps they are of these breeds and have been bred in a vile farm and shipped in from Eastern Europe.

Please seek out a shelter, which will be full of kittens and young cats.

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mathsmum314 · 22/09/2016 16:56

she just wants to meet me nearby and then go to her house where I can see all the kittens with their mum

When you meet her 'nearby' she will have a very urgent 'thing' she has to deal with so can't go to their house but has the kittens in her car for you to see, ohhh look aren't they cute. If you don't take then right now you can't have them as she will be 'away' for a few weeks.

If she actually takes you to a house it wont be theirs, no way would an illegal breeder allow you to know where they live.

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Geekmama · 22/09/2016 16:56

You really shouldn't buy kittens, Kitten farms are absolutely disgusting. Please consider going to cat protection or any other animal shelter. It's really irresponsible to buy kittens and other animals like this.

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JellyBelli · 22/09/2016 16:58

Once I get there, if I feel it's dodgy in any way I won't get them.

Its dodgy, you think its dodgy enough to post here, we all think its dodgy.
Dont go. dont get involved, dont give them money. You are enabling BYBers.

There is no good reason to meet them anywhere, they wont take you to their house.

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smashedhen · 22/09/2016 17:03

Maybe the owner of the kittens wants to check who you are first? Maybe she has moved to get away from someone and doesn't want to give out her address at this stage ?

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ghostyslovesheep · 22/09/2016 17:20

yet chooses to breed and sell kittens online?

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