Rescue centre adoption too difficult?

[vinegarqueen]

Ok I'll accept a little grilling here. Just been through the bruising experience of trying to find a rescue centre to adopt a cat from. I have found one now, but it's taken ages. I live abroad and one of them wanted us to put wire caging or plexiglass over every single window or glassed door in case cat got out. One said we had to have an indoor cat (fine) and then said they wouldn't let us adopt one because our particular island has too many snakes outside. One volunteer said we were just more of a dog family and wouldn't we like to see the puppies (DH doesn't like dogs). One said no children. Arg.


Throughout this I have had a little voice -my sister- saying ”you could just BUY one”. I just wonder how many otherwise good potential owners just end up getting frustrated and forking out for a purebreed, or worse, going on gumtree, because rescue centres are overly picky? I understand if you have an issue like allergies or another pet that is incompatible or whatever. But, ”more of a dog family”?? Really??

[Toddlerteaplease]

A friend of mine wanted to adopt from the RSPCA. It was so complicated that she gave up. I totally agree that background checks need to be done. Bit it was OTT.

[whatswithtodaytoday]

We were refused a rescue cat because we lived in a flat - not in a tower block, but in a small three-story, six-door block with constant access to outside (not that it mattered as we wouldn't have let the cat out unless we were home).

The rescue centre said the cat would get confused about which door was theirs I asked them, very amused, if they'd ever actually met any cats. They got angry and hung up.

(I'm sorry to say we did eventually get two cats from Gumtree, as no-one would allow us to rescue.
We vetted the ads very carefully and took ages to find one we trusted. We're still in contact with the owner, 11 years later. Now we live in a house we would absolutely rescue in future.)

[vinegarqueen]

Having met a cat I'd say the only ”confusion” about doors would be totally Cfery on the cat's part to see if it could blag an extra dinner or two. It is nice to see a good gum tree outcome.


My sis says it is because secretly the volunteers want to keep all the cats! I laughed it off and then found out it is a thing...
www.nbcnews.com/id/38978396/ns/health-pet_health/t/when-animal-rescuers-become-animal-hoarders/

[Allergictoironing]

I had a different problem when I went to adopt - I wanted indoor cats & just about everywhere insisted on outdoor space for the cats. I wasn't even offered FIV cats, despite saying I was happy to take elderly cats or those with some extra needs or health issues.

Finally found a small rescue that was very happy to offer me indoor only cats, and they had a few there.

[Mia184]

I live in Germany and got my cat from a shelter two years ago. I told them that I was looking for a middle-aged indoors cat and they showed me their cats that fit this criteria. The shelter didn’t tell me how to set up my flat but they also didn’t send anyone over for an inspection.

[Trinity1976]

I tried to adopt a cat from a RSPCA centre once. They told me that because I lived in rented accommodation I would need a letter from the landlord confirming I was allowed to have a pet in the flat. I had already chosen a cat and asked them to reserve her for me, which I believed they had done.

3 days later I returned with the letter and found they had allowed her to be adopted by someone else. The member of staff looked at my letter then asked me if the flat had its own garden. I said I shared a large garden with 15 other small flats. She said I would have to get something signed by the occupants of the 15 other properties to say they were fine with the cat doing its business in the shared grounds.

During this conversation she looked at me with such contempt it was clear she considered me unworthy of adopting a cat because I rented a flat, rather than had my own detached mansion with several acres of grounds.

When she asked for signatures from the other 15 flats I said "well, it doesn't matter anyway since you've already given away the cat I wanted" and walked out.

[vinegarqueen]

@trinity1976 that is appalling! I'm not surprised you walked... I was pretty upset just to be told ”no” with spurious reasons behind it. As pp have said, they often seem to have never met a cat - presumably shared garden already had cats coming in and out. Unless the cats had to flash a signed letter to be allowed in, of course.

[PristineCondition]

I tried rescue, rang and was told no because I lived in a flat. All they had was my name and that I lived in flat.

Yep ground floor with massive private garden and cat flap.
Woman was fucking rude

When I got another despite moving to house I just brought one and will probably do so again

[PristineCondition]

To a house...

[Babdoc]

I’m sorry so many of you have had such a hard time trying to adopt cats. Not all rescue centres are like that. My local branch of Cats Protection is wonderful.
They did a home visit to check the property was suitable, and then not only did they volunteer to collect the cat from its previous owner and deliver her to me, they discovered she hadn’t been microchipped, so took a detour to the vet and had it done on their way over! They also persuaded the ex owner to include her scratching post, blanket and carrier for free. I was gobsmacked!

[Sallygoroundthemoon]

I had rescues from the RSPCA and they were awful to deal with, very critical and looking for any reason not to say yes. We did live in a detached mansion with a huge garden and they were still arsey! My latest is from Battersea and they couldn't have been nicer, no home visit, just some questions and then matched with a gorgeous cat.

[mistermagpie]

I was refused by several on the grounds that I lived in a flat, so I got two pedigree cats. I agree with adopt don't shop, but my local rescues don't seem to.

[madmum5811]

Had this with adopting a cat, any garden, umm... two acres in the country, they still insisted on inspecting. When a pregnant feral kitten turned up a few years later in our barn, they were not interested so we took her and eventual kitten on, we rehomed it ourselves.

I get so mad when people say adopt do not buy puppies, we bought ours without a moment of guilt.

[MistyMeena]

I had exactly the same when trying to rescue a dog, many weren't interested as we have children. Which is understandable I suppose. But I got ripped to shreds on here for saying it was hard to find a rescue!

[chemenger]

My branch of CP adopt to flats all the time, either we look at the access to the outside world or we have cats who need to be indoor only. We do a home visit for everyone, a large part of that is to check for busy roads for outdoor cats. I know some branches are happy to look on Google maps, but we think its better to see things with our own eyes. We would have done a visit even if you live in 2 acres of grounds just to be sure. It is reassuring for the fosterer, in particular, that someone has a good chat with the prospective adopter. The fosterer may have a lot invested in the cat in terms of time and love and its helps if the cat is going to someone we feel we have got to know a little. Most fosterers will be shedding a tear or two when they send a cot off toits new home. It also helps in matching a suitable cat to the environment that we see, so if we meet an energetic and enthusiastic child we know to recommend a bomb proof and resilient cat. By far the most common comment back from a visit is "lovely people/couple/lady/man/family" becasue people who want to adopt, by and arge are lovely. There is the very odd "over my dead body" but they are few and far between and usually relate to wanting to do things we don't accept, like not neutering, putting the cat out at night etc.

[Oldraver]

We were looking at cats (and dogs) for ages and just gave up, so many restrictions. And while I do understand to some extent I wonder where these perfect at home all day, living away from roads, full on 6ft fencing, no primary aged children families are.

My about to retire neighbour was turned down by a dog charity

[madmum5811]

Checked Battersea Dogs home and filled in the criteria. One dog was suitable for me because we have older children and a cat. Do the test yourself and see how many dogs are suitable. This is why we buy a puppy who learns to live with cat, other dog, visitors, children. In other words a dog who knows their place in the pack.

www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/dog-rehoming-gallery

[vinegarqueen]

I think my issue is that we were happy to take a cat the recommendation of the rescue (I would love a bombproof cat) but to be looked at and have ”you are a dog person” thrown at you is very strange, and presumably based on the idea that it is easier to rehome dogs in our neighborhood, which is locally famous for being where everyone owns dogs, so maybe they were trying to rehome surplus puppies? I have never tried to adopt in the UK, but I do find it upsetting to be fed the idea that you are a bad person if you buy, but adopters jump through hoops that someone buying from even a reputable breeder would never have to. Rescues, as demonstrated by posters above, seem to differ wildly in their practices, between sensible and demented, so maybe a national set of guidelines would help people who just want to save a life by rehoming.

[madmum5811]

Just checked Battersea dogs home raised £40 million last year. Which means they have £769,000 a week to spend on animals. They have 75 dogs available and 67 cats that is nearly 5.5k per animal per week. I do wonder why so much money is needed in this case. Do they send a lot of money overseas or support other rescue places??

[PristineCondition]

Staff, building rent, utilities, vets bills

[Oliversmumsarmy]

Years ago we went to a rescue centre we wanted a dog.

We had a cat so wanted one that was ok with cats.

Woman without asking us even our name let alone where we lived said

No we wouldnt adopt to you because you have children. We don’t adopt to people with children.

We didn’t have any children.

We also wouldnt adopt to you because dogs need out door space and you live in a flat.

We didnt live in a flat

We also wouldn’t adopt to you because you live on a main road.

You’ve guessed it.... We didn’t live on a main road.

We looked around and questioned why they were handing over a puppy to a couple with 2 children.
Answer

They have had a home check.

Well then can we have a home check.

No it wouldn’t be worth while.

We left and went to Dogs Trust who welcomed us in and we met our beautiful girl there.

A few weeks later we got the Sunday papers and guess who had a starring role.

Kennel maid who had blocked our hopes of adopting from them had apparently been having an affair with another kennel maids bf and they had ended up having a massive cat fight in one of the dog runs in full view of the viewing public.

[vinegarqueen]

Salaries, heating, food, and vets bills, I should think. Vets aren't cheap and many won't be fully covered by the adoption payment, and the CEO of Battersea was on 85,000 a year in 2003 (ie. there has probably been a pay rise since). Add that to the administration and marketing staff salaries as well as the salaries for the people who care for the animals, and I imagine that'll do it.

[madmum5811]

Well for £5.5k a week, can I foster a dog, happy to pay the vets bills.

[Scienceforthewin]

I was initially refused as I live by a lake and the cat may jump in and drown. I appealed and asked for an intelligent cat, or one that could swim, luckily they agreed. Years later the cat has never turned up soaked (even when it's raining 🤷‍♀️)

[incendio]

I tried to adopt as well and had no luck as I live in a flat. Not even a block of high flats, I'm on the first level of a 3 story building. I ended up buying a kitten from a lady I found on gumtree, even though it wasn't what I wanted to do.

Luckily it all turned out fine, the kitten I ended up getting was from a litter of the woman's two pet cats. I went to visit and she had three cats of her own who were all clearly very happy and well cared for. When I went to pick up my kitten the lady seemed so sad to see all the kittens go and gave me a bag with food and toys. I still keep in touch with her and send her pictures of my girl. So, I think as long as you do your research on the seller and go visit the kittens at the house to see mum and dad it's fine to buy as a last resort.