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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:
BaroqueAroundTheClock · 08/02/2011 20:59

Re the age thing - my DC's are 10,6 and 3 - and though I had my heart set on Jambo the CPL did say there was no reason that we couldn't rescue a kitten if we wanted to. (it just happened that I fell in love with this one from his first photo, and all the kittens and very young cats they had at the time were very timid ones that wouldn't have been suited to a family environment).

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 21:03

I always thought it would be fine...a three year old can follow instructions and understand not to be mean. I HOPE I get one! Iam excited as the DDs will be thrilled!

OP posts:
scaryteacher · 08/02/2011 21:15

My cats were almost 9 when I had ds, and it all worked well. I have recently been adopted by a 7 year old cat who is great - house trained, and he now has me trained as to his requirements!

My last cat died at 19, so having a young cat as opposed to a kitten isn't awful in the scheme of things.

DirtyBit · 08/02/2011 21:16

Might be an idea to look at your nearest Pets At Home type shop, they always have cards up near the front of the store with animals for sale. We found our (completely loopy) kitten that way and she was only £5.

MoonGirl1981 · 08/02/2011 21:40

My MIL has kittens needing homes. Gorgeous ginger one amongst them.

She's in Battersea. Any good?

thisisyesterday · 08/02/2011 21:50

sorry, but i can't help but link to this thread Grin

JBellingham · 08/02/2011 21:52

the best place to get hold of a kitten...

by the scruff of the neck :)

zikes · 08/02/2011 21:54

You'd be better finding out the opening times and going in person to visit the rescue centres.

They probably get a lot of calls and emails that are just time-wasters. It won't be high-priority to call people back - costs them money and all for what? To say "yes we have cats and kittens, why don't you come and look at them? You'll need to fill in these forms and choose your kitty".

Some rescue centres take animals from various agencies and will have different volunteer home inspectors according to which charity the kitten originally came in from. The one I got my cats from had to send an RSPCA one, rather than their own.

CrispyTheCrisp · 08/02/2011 21:54

We have spent 3 weeks waiting to get a young cat. CPL have been absolutely great but the cats they have had come in have turned out not to be suitable for homing with young children. We finally reserved on on Sun (pickup tomorrow) from a local rescue centre. She is 3 (DD's are 2 and 4) so they can all grow up together.

Good luck and patience will pay off Smile

5inthebed · 08/02/2011 21:56

Wehre do you live Wimple? If the NE, I might be able to help you.

Maud2011 · 08/02/2011 22:00

OP, how about a young cat? Plenty of them in shelters getting overlooked in favour of kittens..... and I suspect a young cat might be able to stand his/her ground rather more confidently when around small children and toddlers than a kitten might.

Maud2011 · 08/02/2011 22:00

Oh meant to say YABU, do reconsider :)

PurpleCrazyHorse · 08/02/2011 22:00

I agree with popping along to the shelter. We did when we were looking for our cat and were able to reserve her there and then (pending DH visiting two more times to check his allergy and having a home check).

I wouldn't go on a saturday afternoon though as they'll probably be quite busy, we went as soon as they opened on a week day and had a quiet look around.

Mokie was a year old when we got her, litter box trained and we could see a little of her temperament too.

bruffin · 08/02/2011 22:11

We are getting our cat at the weekend from the cats protection league. They have lots of cats at the moment. Our one has just had kittens which have all been homed. They are innundated with cats at the moment.

zukiecat · 08/02/2011 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Havingkittens · 08/02/2011 22:33

As a rule kitten season doesn't start for a couple of months. I got a kitten (now an 11 year old cat) for my 30th birthday at the beginning of Jan and then decided a few weeks later to get a companion for him but had to wait until May to get another one. Even if there are kittens being born now you will still have to wait 8 weeks to take it home. You might get lucky, there are exceptions to the rule but they won't be as prevalent.

Havingkittens · 08/02/2011 22:34

Oh, and contrary to my username.... I am not Wink

pugly · 08/02/2011 22:47

Where are you? I foster for a local organisation and cats protection, I have a mum with 4 newborns and her sister who is ready to drop. There aren't many about though to be honest but in a few weeks we'll be over run. I just rescued a young cat tonight - she's adorable - curled up on my bed grateful to be in from the wind & rain :(

Having a 3 yr old may put some rescues off you and also if you live on a main road, they get hundreds of enquiries for kittens but have so many older cats to home it really isn't a priority at this time of year, I know that we are pushing to rehome the older ones in anticipation of kitten season as we'll need the space.

Be patient, you'll find your family pet eventually. Smile

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 08/02/2011 22:55

I am in Cheshire pugly....I live in a cul de sac..very quiet.

OP posts:
pugly · 08/02/2011 23:12

I'll put the feelers out for you - I'm not that far - just a little further north ;) but quite a few of our cats go to Cheshire.

pugly · 08/02/2011 23:17

Was just sent this link on Facebook HERE

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/02/2011 23:57

I don't know where you are, OP, but there is the Haworth Rescue Centre... they were innunddated with kittens over the Christmas period and they're still coming in. They'd be delighted to help you.

Ladyofthehousespeaking · 09/02/2011 00:03

RSPCA and cats protection Manchester are full at the moment-literally!
I'm sure they'd bite your hand off!

salsmum · 09/02/2011 00:35

Are you near Brands Hatch, Windsor or Battersea? try Battersea Dogs and cats home

onceamai · 09/02/2011 05:01

I think the cat rescue centres are focussed on rehoming the plethora of older cats they have at present rather than returning calls requesting kittens. It's been a long hard winter and they don't tend to mate until the days get a bit longer. Hang on until Easter and there'll be more than enough kittens to go round.

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