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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Gumtree seller

28 replies

pippitysqueakity · 31/07/2014 08:05

Lost my old cat beginning of June. Now feel ready for kitten. Contacted seller yesterday on Gumtree. Lots of to-ing and fro-ing of emails, agreed she would drop kitten off at 5.30, then 6.00. Then apologies, been held up, then would be 8.30. Then nothing.
Just why? My DCs all excited, then disappointed, then excited then sad. ( actually me more than them probably ) don't get why she would bother, she put in the ad, I didn't initiate this.
I really don't understand the mentality.

OP posts:
Original poster
pippitysqueakity · 31/07/2014 08:06

Sorry, AIBU in thinking this is a mean thing to do?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 31/07/2014 08:07

Sorry but I don't understand why anyone would buy from Gumtree. There are plenty of rescue cats around without encouraging backyard breeders.

PresidentSpreadable · 31/07/2014 08:09

Bit mean, but rather than buying a kitten off Gumtree, why not go to your nearest animal shelter and rehome an abandoned kitten or cat?

CatKisser · 31/07/2014 08:11

IMO gumtree is full of unreliable idiots, many of whom have nothing better to do than agree to buy/sell things then not turn up. YANBU.

I got my cat Snowy off gumtree. His owner was moving and couldn't take him with her and was looking for someone reliable to take him. No money involved. She said just before I contacted her a woman emailed saying she'd take him but didn't have a carrier or a car so she'd just put him under her coat on the bus. Hmm

thecatneuterer · 31/07/2014 08:12

You should never buy off Gumtree. If you do this you are encouraging people to allow their cat to breed - bringing yet more kittens into a a world where there are not nearly enough homes to go round. Animal charities are campaigning to stop Gumtree selling animals.

Please go to a rescue instead.

Original poster
pippitysqueakity · 31/07/2014 08:15

Have chosen not to get a rescue cat this time round. Where else can I get a kitten? Am willing to go elsewhere, but this time, we want a kitten, not a cat. Can't buy from pet shops now. If anyone has suggestions, am happy to look elsewhere. Local shelter has no kittens. Need to get one while holidays still on so can settle it

OP posts:
CatKisser · 31/07/2014 08:17

If by any wild chance you're in the Durham area, I know a woman who takes in cats/kittens and does her best to re home them. She's a bit overwhelmed at the moment and looking for people to take kittens.

thecatneuterer · 31/07/2014 08:19

I'm amazed that your rescue doesn't have a kitten. Our is currently getting around 30 a week dumped on us - and we're only a relatively small one.

For details of cats/kittens needing homes and rescues in your area look at www.catchat.org

Also how old are your children? Small kittens aren't suitable for children under around 5 years old.

butterflybuttons · 31/07/2014 08:19

you need to see a kitten with the mother - a stranger turning up and dropping off a kitten you haven't seen and have no idea about is wrong on every level.

thecatneuterer · 31/07/2014 08:20

Here is the catchat link specifically for kittens: www.catchat.org/topcats/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=89&MMN_position=91:91

Original poster
pippitysqueakity · 31/07/2014 08:25

Have used that link, thank you, and rechecked it.I am in Edinburgh, there are none there, or in Central Scotland.
I take the point about seeing kitten with mother.
My DCs are over 5.
I do appreciate all the input. Think am not too U about seller, but maybe am about way I have gone about this. Gumtree now gone!

OP posts:
angelohsodelight · 31/07/2014 08:30

Cats protection league?

thecatneuterer · 31/07/2014 08:32

They may just not be listed there. Why not contact some more of the rescues and see what they say. You could also ask the SPCA what they advise. I can't believe there aren't any rescue kittens in Edinburgh when London has thousands every week! It just doesn't make sense. (It would be wonderful if true though as it would mean the welfare battle is being won somewhere - but I just don't believe it).

OneLittleToddleTerror · 31/07/2014 08:32

That's standard with gumtree. I sell/give away my second hand stuff a lot on it. I think about half the people won't turn up at all. And some will turn up on a different day at a completely different time. I don't think they live on the same universe as me when it comes to punctuality.

thecatneuterer · 31/07/2014 08:33

Absolutely CPL if they are in Scotland.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 31/07/2014 08:33

And yes to getting a rescue cat. Mine came from blue cross and she's lovely. You can meet the cat beforehand, and they can advise if the temperment is going to suit. Good luck with finding the right one for your family.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 31/07/2014 08:36

Oh just saw about the kitten thing. They had kittens when I visited them. But DH and I preferred a mature cat since we both work, so we didn't take one of the young ones.

ipswichwitch · 31/07/2014 08:37

CatKisser would you pm me the details please. We lost our old girl a couple of month ago and we're talking about finding a cat to give a home to.

Hereward1332 · 31/07/2014 08:41

Rescue charities can be a bit hit and miss if you have chilldren under 12, and I say that as a life member. We were looking for a cat - any model, any age, but our local Cats Protection had no cats suitable for rehoming with children for the four months we were looking. Contacted the neighbouring branch and they immediately suggested a pair they had, who we adopted straightaway. I suspect some volunteers are rather blinkered in who they allow to adopt their cats.

Tallypet · 31/07/2014 08:41

Try Lothian Cat rescue, I think I saw a few there. They're based in Bonnyrigg. Also on the Midlothian re homing Pets page on Facebook - loads of cats and kittens

Original poster
pippitysqueakity · 31/07/2014 08:51

Is that a closed group Tally? I have requested to join.
Have also emailed Lothian cat rescue. So fingers crossed.

OP posts:
CatKisser · 31/07/2014 09:16

Will pm you now...

CatKisser · 31/07/2014 09:18

I can't seem to pm on my phone... But the place is called Tenderise Cattery in Burnhope, Durham she never turns away a cat in need but I think she's looking to regime kitten desperately at the moment.

CatKisser · 31/07/2014 09:19

Tender Care not tenderise!!!!

Strawdolly · 31/07/2014 09:26

There's an SSPCA rehoming centre in Balerno, Pippity, might be worth asking them if they have any kittens just now.