Pets and adoption

[CrazyCatLaydee123]

Hello all

We are currently in Stage 1 of the adoption process. We have a copy of many of the forms we need to look forward to in Stage 2, including the pet assessment form.

We have 3 cats (hence the username), aged 3-9. Their temperaments are all lovely and if they don't like someone they just go off into another room and hide rather than getting bitey. They are regularly given preventative treatment for fleas and worms, however, the 9 year olds have never had vaccinations and the 3 year old had her boosters as a kitten but none since

So my question is, does anyone have experience of adoption with pets and do you think it would be worth getting the cats vaccinated for the sake of the process or not make much difference?

TIA

[dumbbelle]

Yes, get them vaccinated. It makes you look like a super responsible pet owner, which makes your look like you'd be a responsible parent!

It's something easy to do, so that when they ask you can smile and nod and "OF COURSE the vaccinations are up to date".

We have all sorts of animal occupants in our house, and it wasn't a problem. I did have to fill in a form for each species. They'll worry if your cats ever bite, scratch etc. And if it comes to the cats and the child don't get on- it's the cats that leave.

[Goingthroughnamechanges]

We have pets, all of which are late with their vaccinations (oops!) and it was never even mentioned. We don't have a litter box for the cat so if you're adopting little people I'd make sure you can keep them away from the litter and just let the Sw know. our cat is an evil little bar steward but his temperament was never even questioned! one question that does come up is what would you do if the child(ren) turned out to be allergic/aggressive to the pets. Would you be willing to rehome? We advised we have family who would take the pets. All was well, don't stress :)

[Mightywease]

We have a cat (permanently disgruntled with everything :D) and had to fill out a cat risk assessment form...which was a dog risk assessment form with the word dog crossed out!

So questions such as "has your cat received training?"...no he's a cat
"How often do you take your cat out for a walk?"...never, he goes on his own
"Where does your cat sleep?"...anywhere.

I think the SW realised the ludicrousness of the questions fairly quickly and once completed it seemed to disappear from the records and was never brought up again.

And it didn't stop us being matched with our small one :)

[thefamilyvonstrop]

The assessment for pets is very much about how you would respond should the worst happen and the children/pets don't get on either because of allergies or behaviours. Try and think of common behaviours from adopted children and how your pet may behave. For example, stress behaviours like screaming meltdowns or being aggressive to the animal (often there can 've dissociative behaviours where adopted children show a lack of empathy to others and can behave in ways we might perceive as cruel).
It sadly sometimes happens that for the sake of pets, particularly elderly animals that the kindest thing would be to regime them - it's the worst case scenario but something you will need to consider.

[thefamilyvonstrop]

rehome

[CrazyCatLaydee123]

Thank you all for your help. We have some back up plans for if they need reforming, but something to discuss with DH. I need to get them chipped as we're getting a new cat flap, so I think I will kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

[RaisingSteam]

We had our middle aged cats rehomed with us, then 2 months later we found ourselves with a toddler and baby! I think it's fair to say the cats found it quite a shock. No allergy issues as it turned out. If the cats found the children too boisterous they just took themselves off to a quiet corner and glared. There was a bit of hissing at times but no actual injuries. We have a dog now and he and the children are devoted to each other. I think you just have to be prepared to react to what comes up but obviously prioritise the children. Just as if you had a birth child who turned out to be allergic to the animals you would have to make a decision.

[Kitsandkids]

I'm a foster carer not an adopter, so the form might be a bit different, but we were never asked anything about vaccinating our cats, or flea treatments, working etc. They asked what we would do if there were allergies or the cats and children didn't get on. I think they were just checking we were going to put the children's needs first over our animals.

As it happened there were no allergies. The cats were a bit shocked at suddenly having children permanently in the house, and for a while seemed to be hoping they would disappear, but no real problems. Our eldest girl cat (who's actually the most people friendly) did scratch each child once early on (not badly) to let them know she'd had enough of their pestering but now we're nearly 2 years in and she cuddles up to them and let's them pick her up etc.