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 .

Was this with a credit card?

@oakleaffy I don't have a credit card. I got charge-back on my debit card.

This is where it could get complex.

Can you take 'Fluffy' to the vets for her spay yourself? Do you know the date/time of the appointment?

If you don't show up, then this woman will say ''Fluffy didn't show up for the op. therefore Sugar has lost the money''

Who takes upon front fees for spaying a cat?

No one reputable,It's done after the operation.

I doubt very much this woman will collect Fluffy from you at this rate anyway.

The chargeback process lets you ask your bank to refund a payment on your debit card when a purchase has gone wrong. You should contact the seller first, as you cannot start a chargeback claim unless you have done this. Then, if you can't resolve the issue, get in touch with your bank.

Thank you! that's good to know!
I didn't think that was possible.

This might help @sugarpops .

Unless of course it was cold hard cash she handed over...but unlikely, given as there were receipts.

This might be the way to get your money back, Sugar.

@oakleaffy @funbags3

Thank you! Yes it was a bank transfer from my debit card. I'll give the bank a call tomorrow and go from there. Thanks so much x

@sugarpops I've just read through this and it all sounds very stressful, I don't have advice but hope you get it soo sorted soon.

Ah I see someone has beaten me to it. I was just coming on to confirm that my son also got his money back when he paid via debit card. I can't remember what they asked - I think that he had contacted the person/company he had paid. I'm sure you have a good chance of getting your money back. (Unfortunately the same son recently paid a dodgy ebay seller via bank transfer, not with debit card, and he lost that £250.)

That's not a thing. It will be either a bank transfer from your bank account or a debit card payment. I suspect the charge back might only apply to the latter xx

Also I'm sorry about the kitten. I did post when you first posted about it. Wishing you every success in getting your money back from this thief which, let's face it, is what she is xx

@Poppyseed14 I mean transfer from my bank account sorry. I'm trying to think and type while in a very noisy soft play!

I'm sure you won't but do not hand your kitten over to her for spaying etc, I'd be concerned you'd never see it again. Try and find out which vet she is using and whose name is listed as organising the procedure because that person will be liable to pay the associated fees if a no show. Maybe give the practice she works at a call to see if kitten is scheduled and cancel if it is you. Any future veterinary procedures I would urge you to arrange yourself - if it was me I would probably avoid this practice if this is the conduct of its employees.

Argh.... Bank transfer.

I don't think those are protected.

I went into my bank to send money to an antique shop in France {Before Brexit} and they pulled me into the side room to say ''Are you sure you trust the vendor?.. Bank transfers are not protected- if he doesn't send you your item, you will have lost your money''

I took a risk, and sent it, and did indeed get my item, but wouldn't ever take a risk like that again.

Looks like Small Claims, @sugarpops

What a bummer.

@sugarpops I thought that's what you meant. You've got a lot going on. You have my sympathy xx

A family member lost over £1000 sending a payment to a woman via ''friends and family'' on Paypal.

This woman has a website that looks ''trustworthy'' in USA.

She was very very friendly and helpful to the family member.

She slipped in with ''Could you pay me by friends and family, it makes it easier for my accounts'' or some such garbage.

Once Family member had paid...nothing.

Repeated emails and bank could do nothing.

Scammers know how to trick the unwary.

Paypal goods and services only OR debit/credit card

I worked for a very well known animal rescue charity for 10 years. Please, please, please don’t attempt to “rescue” animals yourself. If an animal is being mistreated or being neglected the proper authorities need to be involved to hold the owner accountable, to prevent them accessing animals again and there is often other criminal activity going on or mental health issues the owner needs help with and proper rescue charities getting involved sets all this in motion.

Facebook is full of well meaning and not so well meaning individuals starting “rescues” in their home. I promise you the charity I’ve worked for have had to prosecute countless people who have 5 star reviews and thousands of followers for their “rescue” for animal neglect, for stealing peoples pets that they insist they are “rescuing”, for fraud and more. If they don’t have a registered charity number they are not a rescue. They are just a person with a kitten in their house.

She's booked in at the vets she works at. I am absolutely not going to hand fluffy over to her this week.

The question is what do I do in order to try get my money back also.

Fluffys appointment is this week though I can't see the kitten scammer coming to my house to collect her (as she says she has too)

Fluffy does come first here and like I say, I'm putting her first and I'll take a loss on this if I have too.

I'm wondering if I should sit quiet until the day of the appointment and then when she doesn't turn up, I'll have a better chance of claiming everything back. Obviously if I cancel the appointment or refuse to go then I could have lost it - she did send me a text of the appointment confirmation. Although that could also be a load of bollocks too of course....

What an absolute nightmare this is!

She is a total scammer.

Really hope you get your money back op

Couldn't agree more!
It's a massive scam a lot of the time.

And don't get me started on people on You Tube ''Rescues'' who are always ''Finding'' puppies tied up in plastic bags while walking down the road in overseas countries.

Money comes flooding in.

Animals look like they are being purposefully and recklessly put at risk for people to 'Find'

It’s gone on way too long, I’d tell her I’m reporting her to the police for fraud and theft of the kitten - if she’s given you an adoption certificate then she’s acknowledged in writing that it belongs to you.

I’d also report her to Facebook for fraudulent advertising on their platform.

I've had a refund from a bank transfer. I got scammed over a Gumtree advert a few years back. It was £500 too. I got back every penny.

It took a lot longer to investigate than a simple bank inquiry but it worked.

I have said it before but OP please do contact your bank. You're right that the police won't do anything about getting your money back. And a small claims application will cost you money.

Absolutely right. He was obviously dodgy. On the listing he invites people to phone him and make a bid and to secure the item with a deposit by bank transfer (not Paypal). When DS was going to view the item (which he didnt want when he saw it, hence not getting his deposit back) he was told that if he did buy it, he would have to pay via bank transfer as the card machine wasn't working that day. SO dodgy - but you can't tell by his feedback because people are not completing sales on Ebay, if at all. He maybe makes his money by just keeping people's deposits. OP did the right thing paying with her card.

It would cost me £30 to go to a small claims court. There was a pp who said she would also be responsible for the court costs if I win my case....which I don't see why I wouldn't.

But yes I will contact my bank in the morning too.

I'll happily do that and the small claims court. And contact the vets again. The good rescue are doing their side for me.

The only thing I'm reluctant to do is go to the police but only because im dealing with them already.

I definitely wouldn't take your other kitten for the appointment. This woman sounds beyond dodgy. When I adopted my rescue kittens they weren't neutered but I was given a voucher to get it done myself. They were keen for me to take them home asap, as obviously they can then give their time and resources to other animals. I hope the good rescue is able to get to the bottom of what's going on.

Same, they are going to ring me in the morning. I'm really thankful to them for helping me out with it.

The kitten scammer must think I'm absolutely stupid for going along with it all. I really want to give her a piece of my mind but I won't incase it goes to court. Being civil is the way to go. But I don't know how she can sleep at night.

I really don't think she will be expecting me to do anything about it.