Kittens - AIBU to take them back?

[Lotsofsocks]

This may be long! We have a rescue cat who is three years old. We decided to get two kittens from a rescue and have been to pick them up today - now I'm not sure we've done the right thing!

When I was asking the rescue about cats/kittens to adopt I made it clear we had five children (and we'd rescued from them before so they had all our details) and another cat. Every cat/kitten I was interested in I asked would they be good with another cat, how would they be with children?

I was told the two I was interested in were a little shy but would be fine and that they were chipped and neutered. We've been to pick them up today and it was then confirmed that they weren't chipped and neutered as they are only 10 weeks old and the woman at the rescue couldn't confirm where they had come from! I was also told they are a little shy and will hiss a bit but keep picking them up and they will be fine. That's an understatement!

We got home and took them into one room and let them out of the carrier. They both fled into the corners of the room and won't let us anywhere near them. When we tried to get them back into the carrier one bit my husband and wouldn't let go. They were both hissing and howling. I don't know what to do for the best. The kids have come home and are all crying as they can't touch them. We'd had a rescue kitten but he'd been looked after in someone's house so was much more socialised and would be picked up and stroked (as were the two previous cats I had as kittens) and our rescue cat was the same. When we got our current cat you were allowed in with the cats so could see their temperament, whether they would be picked up etc but with COVID you can't do that and have to go on what the rescue say. When we were leaving the lady at the shelter did say if you can't handle them you can bring them back which is making me think they weren't handled a lot there and aren't actually really ready to go to a home.

Do you think it's fairer if we take them back so they can go to a home that's quieter and may be better for them? I don't know what to do for the best. I've also got to introduce them to our other cat at some point but am really fearing how this will go.

I haven't read the whole thread

Maybe you should have.

The kids have come home and are all crying as they can't touch them.

Really, really ? Yes take them back as you arent the right fity for the kitties

How’s it going now OP? I hope the dear little ones are settling a bit more now. Good for you for giving these frightened babies the time and space they need.
Ignore the people who can’t be bothered to read the thread and just want to come on and have a pop at you.

Read the thread people, this poor lady has remained pleasant and polite, as person after person piles on after not reading the thread so so so ignorant.

For the recent posters who have come on and can't be bothered to read the thread - you're about two weeks late in having a go at me!

For those that gave words of encouragement and advise - thank you!

We'e getting there slowly. The girl is getting there a bit quicker, she's still nervous but not as jumpy but we are managing to stroke her and she's purring. The boy is still very nervous but is coming out when we feed him. My eldest is working with them a lot and then one of the other kids at a time goes into the room with her as well. They are handing feeding them chicken so just getting them used to us and the fact that hands are not their enemies! Then they just sit in the room watching tv quietly and let them come out in their own time.

I've also been in contact with a couple of other people who have adopted kittens from the same place who have said their kittens were very nervous as well and it has taken a good fews weeks for them to settle in. We'll get there!

When I got a kitten (from a loving home not a rescue) I sat on the floor while she hid for several hours before she worked up the courage to approach me. (She always was a shy cat.) These things take time.

That said the biting does worry me. Cats have personalities just like everybody and if they are biting you now I suspect they will always be biters. My friend has a rescue cat that she still can’t touch without the cat trying to bite.

As you have kids I suggest you take them back to the rescue while they are still young enough to be easily adopted by someone else. That said if it was me I would check if the rescue had a no destruction policy first.

Well done OP I wouldn't have blamed you at all if you'd taken the back so its great you've made a go of it and are winning .

I'm really pleased for you that they're making progress.

Good going OP. I am glad it is working out for you

Good luck OP, they are beautiful kittens and by the sounds of things your children are being brilliant with them