Anyone with young kids had trouble adopting a cat/kitten from a rescue centre ??

[nutcracker]

After looking several times on their website, we went today to a cat rescue centre to look and see what they had available. We were looking to adopt one or 2 cats/kittens.

After driving 15 miles to get there we were turned away after being told that they don't rehome to any home with children under 5 as it is too noisy and scary for them.

I pointed out to them that this info was not on their website and they said that it was the policy of most rescues, including the cats protection league. However i know someone who has just adopted a cat with from the cats protection league and she has an 8mth old.

I have now emailed them to suggest that they change there website to include that info, but now haven't a clue where to go to get a cat.

We don't really want a very young kitten and were looking more at the 8-18mth age range.

[Tommy]

They wouldn't give us a kitten as we live on a "busy road". We eventually got ours from an advert in local paper - just someone selling them. 4 years on and the cat has never gone out side the front door and onto the road as she prefers the back garden. I got the impression that the CPL were a bit "precious".....
I would ask a friendly vet or just ask around - people are often trying to house kittens.

[nightowl]

it makes you wonder really doesnt it why some of these "cat foster parents" have no spaces. i think some of these animal charities are far too strict about where the animals are rehomed. i understand they have to be careful and they are looking out for the animals but sometimes it seems they are actually denying the cats a loving home with their "rules & regulations".

[SueW]

We got our kittens from the RSPCA when DD was just 5yo but we'd already been approved a couple of years before and hadn't gone through with it as we'd been offered a country move before any kittens came up.

Kittens and DD were great. Now we've got two cats who are almost 3yo and an 8yo DD the cats have grown up with. Out of preference they'll hang out on her bed or go to her for fuss whereas I'm only good for food and the occasional bit of fuss and DH is only tolerated for his ability to open doors to let them in and out

[kizzie]

nutcracker - have you had any luck finding a cat yet?
Kizziex

[fee77]

Sorry but in defence of CP, the people are all volunteers. Most local branches depend on people havinf a pen in their garden - my branch has 3 pens to cover the whole of Havering, and if any cats we have in have problems, obviously the pens can be tied up for a long time.
As far as i know there is no policy about not homing cats in homes with children, but obviously they prefer to give you a cat that they know is ok around kids - for the child and the cats sake.
Branches differ incredibly, so if one can't help, contact another one, provided they are not too far away.
hth

[nutcracker]

We had a homecheck with the cats protection league and they passed us and said we can have a cat over 1 year old, give or take a few weeks.

Only prob, is that at th mo they don't have anything suitable. I have gone on the waiting list and am the only one on it waiting for an adult cat so if one comes in they will let me know.

If nothing appears in the next month or so then they said i can check some shelters further afield.

[kizzie]

Hi - we've been passed too but on waiting list. Ds asks everyday after school if our cat is coming to live with us today ....
Hope you get one sson!
Kizziex

[fee77]

Thats great news for both of you!! ANd the cats you will eventually have - may you all have a wonderful life together

[iota]

I had 2 kittens when ds1 was 6 months old - got them from a friend - and never had a problem. Had ds2 a couple of years later and both boys get on fine with our cat (sadly down to one cat now).

I really don't understand this attitude of not mixing small children and kittens.

[MissChief]

ditto - cats & young kids seem to have hearty, wary respect for each other IMO. We've had no problems other than minor ones such as cats mewing for food/attention at same time as kids but soon learn place in pecking order.

[TwinSetAndPearls]

We fostered a cat, who was one a few months ago dd was three.

They would not let us have a kitten and they said they normally stick to the 5 years policy they have quoted, especialy if they get the feeling that the cat will become a play thing.

We already had a dog and I ahd had cats in the past and we both come across as animal lovers. we also took dd to meet the couple running the sanctuary so they knew she was quite good with animals.

THe cat actually can't stand my dd and scarpers when dd comes into a room but other than then she has settled really well. But some cats if they have already had a hard life can be hard work with young children and very quickly strat hissing, scratching and biting.

[TwinSetAndPearls]

They were also pleased that we live on a quiet road, with a good sized garden and that I am aty home most days.

I do agree with the comments about dogs vs cats, i do think our dd at three is to young to be with a dog, Our dog is a Springer and luckily has a calm fun loving temperament as dd torments him and being so big he can't get away. However that cat just scarpers.

Our cat also rules the dog as well even though he must be about seven times her size. She waltzes in front of him at meal times and helps herself to his food .. just to let him know she can!