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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that I can't get hold of a kitten anywhere?

95 replies

WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:46

We want a family cat...we're in the right position finally to commit to one and no bloody shelters are returning my calls and emails.

I understad that it might not be season yet...I thought though that they'd get back to me to perhaps do a ouse check now?

I sent emails and phoned up around 5 different places over the last 2 weeks nd not one reply!

I look in the paper and it's all Maine Coones and things for 300 pounds!

We just want a nice kitten! More than happy to pay for it and get our home looked at...WHY! Why won't they call us?

OP posts:
Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:47

Should add that invariably nobody picked up phones (I know they dont have much staff) so I eft clear messages about what we hoped to achieve and asked to be called back..nada.

OP posts:
HecateQueenOfWitches · 08/02/2011 20:48

What about offering a home to an older cat?

Everyone wants a cute kitten but there are loads of lovely, loving older cats who would love a family.

Cat's Protection League?

kormachameleon · 08/02/2011 20:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:49

No. I don't want an older cat. We have a young family and want acat to grow up in the family.

Not a sneezy old lady who may die prematurely.

OP posts:
emsyj · 08/02/2011 20:50

Would you get an older cat if there are no kittens?

Totally irrelevant but our neighbours have a Maine Coon and he is beauuuuuuuutiful and such a lovely friendly cat. Want one, but we already have a full complement here.

Can't you visit a shelter and pick a cat?? Confused

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:50

Surely they should respond to emails though kormachameleon?

Especially if it gets a cat a home.

OP posts:
faverolles · 08/02/2011 20:50

Try local vets too, they often have lists of kittens needing homes.

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:51

The shelters wont pick up the blardy phone emsyj! I have tried them in a 20 mile radius..and no call back!

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LaWeaselMys · 08/02/2011 20:51

How 'kitten' do you mean? They might have assumed you weren't interested as they had cats between 6mths and a year for example.

Just try ringing again... have you tried all the shelters? You might have better luck getting through at a small independent one.

RoyalWelsh · 08/02/2011 20:51

I got mine from cat action trust. Round here it's just a little old man who fosters them (sounds dodgy I know) but I think maybe they are less well known so maybe give them a try?

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:51

Vets...yes..there's a vet up the road. Will pop in tomorrow!

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emsyj · 08/02/2011 20:51

Cross-posts.... YABU to not consider an older cat. Kittens don't stay kittens for very long anyway.

kormachameleon · 08/02/2011 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ecobatty · 08/02/2011 20:52

you are probably better off going in person. Do they have regular opening hours?

LaWeaselMys · 08/02/2011 20:52

When we got our cat he was around 18mths. Not a kitten but not remotely a sneezy old lady either!

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:52

LaWeasel I dd say "A kitten or young cat" to them...I don't mind one that's a bit grown up...

OP posts:
Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:54

I don't mean to b cruel to the senior cats...but I've had cats and I know what theyre like when they get on...grumpy and a bt doddery. Not good with small kids in the house.

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MarionCole · 08/02/2011 20:54

Just to warn you, the shelters may be reluctant to rehome a cat/kitten with you if you have a young family. Ours wouldn't. In the end we got a farm kitten by word of mouth.

GMajor7 · 08/02/2011 20:55

GO IN to the shelters and have a look! You can place a reserve on a cat there and then.

My gorgeous boy was a year old when we adopted him from an RSPCA shelter. I love him to bits!

Do please consider young adult cats Smile

stoatie · 08/02/2011 20:55

check your local cats protection league website will give you an idea what they have (and if re-homing event soon) Don't rule out adult cats and assume they will all be old. When our beloved Oscar died aged 19 I didn't want a kitten and we ended up with a brother sister pair who were just 2 years old (owner had sadly died) perfect as they don't wreck house, litter trained etc.

Good luck

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:56

The DDs are 3 and 6 Marion...is that too young do you think?

OP posts:
BaroqueAroundTheClock · 08/02/2011 20:57

well cats can live for over 20yrs........

So a "Young" cat to me - is like the one I recently adopted - he's 2 - and a very cheeky chappy that the DS's love.

Our local CPL doesn't actually have a "shelter" - it's all fosterres and a few volunteers who have the rescued cats at home. Until homes can be found.

TheButterflyCollector · 08/02/2011 20:57

YABU. Most cat rescuers are volunteers who have jobs and lives too!

A kitten may not be right for you, depending on the ages of your children and suggestions that you consider an older - not old, maybe just a year or two - cat are wise, for several reasons. One is the reduced liklihood of the cat getting hurt by young children if you have them compared to a kitten, the other is that thousands of cats are in shelters and more still are put to sleep because they have no homes and by going to someone who has bred their female cat to make a few bucks you're encouraging the problem. Very often these kind of people are likely to breed their poor cats every season, keeping the poor creature almost permanantly pregnant, from far too young an age until far too old an age. Most don't give a shit about the cat's welfare, they just want the novelty of having kittens around or again to make a fast buck.

Some shelters can be visited - try the Blue Cross. And yes, be patient. :)

LaWeaselMys · 08/02/2011 20:58

Maybe if you skip kitten and just say 'young cat' they will be more keen? If they are very busy they might have just filtered out the call when they heard kitten if they didn't have any/don't rehome kittens to people with small children.

Interestingly our local shelter was not at all bothered about us getting a kitten with a toddler, but because I would be at home to look after it I think. I wanted an older cat and think having got ours at the age he is is absolutely perfect.

If they have opening hours turning up and saying hi has got to be a good way to get some answers.

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 20:58

Well it seems kitten season IS in full swing! I was told by someone it wouldn't be until APril! Confused

I just looked on the Cats Protction Site and will call as they have kittens now...Oh I want one!

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