One of my DS has quite significant anxiety. He is 9, but emotionally quite young & has been through a lot with various medical and emotional things going on.
I’d agreed with DS to get him a kitten, and we discussed that kitten would be a nice focus for him if he’s feeling anxious, and he was so very excited and proud at the prospect of caring for said kitten. I felt this may also in some way help regulate some of his anxiety and he loves to care for our neighbours and friends cats.
So we selected a kitten from a supplier, and DS set his heart on the one chosen, including naming him and choosing all the items said kitten would require. DS counting down the days until we can collect him - and I’d booked next Friday off work to be able to do this (also coinciding with an inset day.)
This morning we hear from kitten supplier that sadly kitten has passed away (evidently wasn’t viable and there were no signs or obvious cause, just one of those things, sadly.) I honestly daren’t tell my son - it’s been such a huge focus for him, and he’s been so looking forward to bringing kitten home.
Would the collective MN community have any leads as to a close-ish replacement? This may be a real long shot. But I simply can’t break this to my son until I have a back up plan.
Ideally replacement kitten would be in or around greater London / home counties / SE area.
Image of original kitten enclosed. I do appreciate the kitten is not replaceable but I’m really keen to at least have another close-ish option so I don’t simply come to my son with bad news.