I can't get my kitten....

[sugarpops]

I have recently adopted a second kitten from a rescue. This is the second kitten I have adopted through them. I have also helped to rescue a cat through the same rescue. Everything seems above board and the lady is nice enough. Never assumed anything dodgy.

When I adopted my first kitten, I told her how I would think about getting another one. It just depended on financial things and if I could afford it.

A few weeks later (3 weeks ago now) she messaged me to say she has a little kitten who needed a home and has a very similar personality to my first kitten I adopted. She said they would be a perfect match and would I be interested. She sent me some photos and I agreed.

I then paid the adoption fee and a fee for neutering. She says if I pay for her neutering then she can get it done through her rescue (she is also a veterinary nurse) and it is cheaper.

She told me the kitten would be ready at the end of the week - 2 weeks ago. We were supposed to collect him 2 weeks ago today.

When I text her to arrange a time, she told me she was drunk at a party and would arrange text me the next day. She didn’t.

A couple more days passed by and I messaged her again. She didn’t reply for 2 days and told me her grandad had passed away. I replied with I was sorry to hear that, hope she was ok. She didn’t reply and I left it for a few days.

I text her again and to say I hope she was ok, and was there any update on when we could collect him. She told me she would drop him off this last week at some point. She hasn’t.

I have then text her again and I am being completely ignored.

I understand she may be having a tough time. But aibu to expect that I should still be able to collect the kitten? It would only take 5 minutes (she knows me well enough) and it would also be one less animal for her to look after.

I am getting concerned. Before she told me about her grandad, I was also trying to ask about the kitten I have got who is due her vaccinations and spay (which stupidly I have paid her for) and I’m getting absolutely no where with that either.

All in all she has about £250 of my money for 2 kittens, vaccinations and neutering and I am getting no where with any of it.

I thought I would text her again on Monday and ask one last time. If I get no response, I’ll have to take it further.

Who would I even speak to regarding this?

Or - am I just being completely unreasonable here? I have 3 dc at home who are asking when our new kitten is coming and I’m at a loss of what to tell them! My gut is he isn’t coming at all .

Well not good news about the kitten but good that you're getting somewhere with finding out what's going on. This other rescue sounds professional and helpful. Maybe when all this is sorted they will have a kitten needing a new home 😉 Definitely take it further tomorrow if no money is forthcoming by then. Any sympathy I would have had for this woman would have long gone by now.

Yes this rescue have said as soon as they have a suitable kitten, we are first on the list! Their fees are also much cheaper. They are coming to see us next week regardless.

Oh I have zero sympathy. In her text, she wrote about how exhausted she was from no sleep due to hand feeding some kittens. I ignored all that completely and just replied with my bank details and that she must give me a refund as a matter of urgency. There was still no apology from her either. It was just all about her. She knows my situation with my ex husband too and that my child is autistic. I don't expect sympathy but I do expect kindness. Horrible woman!

I do admit my judgment has been flawed - especially with everything going on in my personal life but I had no reason not to trust her. I just don't get it.

@sugarpops Sorry about your stressful Divorce - But we all suspected that this scam /con artist wouldn’t be giving you the kitten you paid for.

You said last week that you’d be very surprised if you had the poor cat at yours this weekend.

I bet she has an animal hoarder situation at her house-

Very glad you have a bona fide cat rescue on your side- You will get a lovely kitten at a young age whom you can socialise to your other cat more easily.

Conjunctivitis?!
Anyone can apply the treatment to a cat- it’s not hard.
She’s just fobbing you off.

There was a small dog rescue recently busted in USA - dogs kept in deplorable conditions , 55 dogs in one house, including 5 dead dogs.

The house looked ok from outside.

Conjunctivitis? !Anyone can apply the treatment to a cat- it’s not hard.She’s just fobbing you off.

Exactly. One of mine had conjunctivitis recently. Five days of drops and it was sorted. Didn't pass on to any of the others.

It's definitely a police matter if shes been getting money fraudulently by claiming shes a charity and she isnt, alsonif the kitten doesnt actually exsist.

@sugarpops You initially had no reason to distrust this scammer.
But going forwards, I think you will stand a good chance of getting your money back via Small Claims.
The new Cat rescue {Cat's Protection ?} are on the case regarding concerns over potential cat issues, and you will get a lovely kitten from them when a suitable one comes in.

Here is a link to the American hoarder story.

Alarmingly, the hoarder is demanding that many of the dogs are returned to her.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/house-of-horrors-report-details-biohazard-inside-chandler-animal-and-elder-abuse-suspects-home

I’ve only just read most of the thread.

What an awful situation OP. I’m fuming for you and equally worried about the supposed kitten in her ‘care’!

Really hope you get to the bottom of this.

The conjunctivitis story is absolutely BS. Even the good rescue has confirmed that. She's clearly been thinking of what story she can come up with next.

I'm glad the good recuse are going to take over this for me. Then I can just deal with getting my money back.

I love animals - as I've said, I spent a long time trying to rescue a cat with this woman. But ultimately there's only so much I can deal with at the moment. I've done my best.

I've also been so patient as I knew after a week it was dodgy but at least the more I've waited, the more evidence I have to take it to a small claims if I don't get my money back. I'm glad I've now got the conjunctivitis story! I already know how easy it is to treat after having many cats myself.

I have just sent her another text saying I need my money back.

I have thought about ringing the police but I didn't know if they would class it as a civil matter. I could just call 101 and ask but I'm already dealing with the police at the moment anyway so I'd rather just avoid.

I would send her a text saying the money needed to be in your bank account by 9am tomorrow or you will be phoning the police.

I would be seriously concerned about the welfare of the animals at this rescue!

This woman is clearly not being honest with you.

Any decent rescue would be more than happy for you to have taken the kitten home weeks ago.

IF the kitten really was poorly, and in need of expensive veterinary treatments, she'd be sending you photo updates of him, and keeping you in the loop as to how he was doing.

I'm sorry that you had your heart set on this kitten- I hope wherever he is that he's OK.
I'm glad the good cat rescue is giving you a home visit - that's a sign of a responsible rescue.

I bet they aren't asking for up front money, either.

DEFINITELY keep requesting your money back from this woman.

Why not contact your local paper?
If it's anything like ours, so short of reporting staff, an easy story with pics of cute fluffy kittens, possibly forlorn children distressed by not getting their long awaited kitten will fill half a page or so.
Will prevent others getting hooked in by her.

Sadly, I doubt if the police would do anything.
Best not to make a threat that can't be followed through.

As Sugarpops willingly gave this woman money up front, it's likely a Civil matter.

But definitely I'd be concerned about animal hoarding/conditions of animal welfare.

I'll add that into my next move - thank you. I'd be really interested to know who else she is doing this too. Apparently she had 5 other kittens to drop off at their new homes yesterday.

I've told her that if I don't have my money back by tomorrow evening then I will be taking further action. Which I will - I didn't specify what I would do but I'll literally do everything that I've said I will.

I managed to get 3500 back and as little as £30 doing a charge-back on my card.

Yes, stories like this would probably also be picked up by the Daily Mail, too!
However, OP may well not want her name and her child's face in the local rag.

Do you mean through contacting your bank yourself requesting the money back?

@sugarpops All it took was a telephone call to my bank. They asked for the details etc. Some banks pay back within a few hours some take a month or so.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/section75-protect-your-purchases/

It sounds like you've got a plan, but it definitely is a criminal matter. It's fraud, obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception. So you could still report her to the police after you sort the money.

Is this credit card only?
I only have a debit card {through choice} but don't think charge backs are possible there.
Hopefully @sugarpops you paid via credit card .

I'm assuming that veterinary nurses are registered? Tell her you're reporting her to her registration body.

@oakleaffy no not credit card unfortunately!

£300 for a kitten! Thsts outrageous.

That's for 2 kittens

I have adopted one off her that still needs its vaccinations and neutering.

And the other kitten that I haven't got.

Apparently my kitten (let's just call her fluffy) is booked in for her first vaccination and spay this week. I very much doubt that will go ahead - I won't let it anyway. I don't trust her with fluffy at all.