Looking for a kitten/kittens for my Dad, for Christmas - Leeds/West Yorkshire. Can anyone help?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

My mum died 4+ years ago, and my dad has been very, very lonely. He would love to have a cat but my SIL is allergic to them, so this has always stopped him getting one - and stopped me buying one for him.

However, as DB and SIL have adopted their next door neighbour's cat, without any apparent ill effects for my SIL, it seems as if this is no longer a barrier and I would like to go ahead and look for a kitten for him.

I'd really like to do it for him as a Christmas present, which would rule out going to the Cats Protection League, as they have to do an inspection of the house to make sure that it's suitable. (It is - large garden and cat flap, and my parents have always had cats, so he would know what he's in for).

Is there anyone in the area who knows where I might be able to find a kitten/kittens at around that time of year?

(It's also complicated by the fact that I don't live locally, but I'll worry about that when I've found someone who can help!)

fluffy bump!

Not sure where you are in SW Londonbut are there other cat sanctuaries/refuges where you could enquire about a kitten?

Btw, I think it's a lovely idea.

Sorry just read your post properly about your Dad being in Yorkshire. I'll go back to Wife Swap, I think

Thing is, I don't want to buy it here and then have to drive it up to Leeds, as I don't want to traumatise a small kitten! I want to find somewhere local and will then sort out getting it to my dad (my brother lives not far away so he may well get roped in)

You'er absolutley right, the journey would probably be too much for a tiny kitten. Short of googling cat rfescue places up in your Dad#s area I have no more suggestions. But I wish you well in your search.

Can you pay a visit to a local pet shop or somewhere that will have adverts, near your Dad? I don't know how often you see him. Ring some numbers, pay a visit or two, explain and then arrange to pick up Christmas Eve?

Definitely rope in DB. We bought a kitten from the first place we visited, 3rd number we rang. Not difficult. She is perfect

I suppose what I was hoping for was that a Yorkshire MNetter would be having kittens/know of someone who was!

I've got kittens that i'm fostering for a rescue!!

They require a donation of £40 and a homecheck. Kittens can be transported to you.

With the homecheck i'm pretty sure that if you want your dad out of the house and someone else can show them around it'll be ok?

Also try here you'll need to register though

Where are you, LS?

How would I manage a homecheck?!

More than happy to give the donation - I do want to do it 'properly', just don't want my dad to know as I would love it to be a Christmas surprise.

How much of what you would need to know could we do by online/e-mail communication?

Are you on FB cos the kittens are on there.

I'll double check with the rescue but i'm pretty sure they just need to check whether you have any other pets, the house is secure and answer some questions about the house (owned/rented etc) they WILL NOT adopt without a homecheck of some sort but i'm not sure if they'll do it without your dad there.

I'm in Wrexham, North Wales - If I'm too far then use that link and post that you want a kitten for xmas and they'll sort out a nearer one?

I'm on FB - in the Mumsnet group, first name Alison, surname something from a nursery rhyme (as in twinkle, twinkle,...!)

But my dad is in Leeds (North, towards Harrogate).

As far as the house is concerned, no other pets. Not sure what you mean about secure. It has a garden that is 1/3 acre that surrounds the house. There is a catflap. He has had cats before (two).

If there is a link for someone nearer who could help that would be great. Unfortunately my dad is a bit of a homebody so getting him out of the house for a homecheck would be hard, but I'm sure we could manage it if we had to!

Hang on just looking for you.

I think I found you - just sent request

Sounds like it's going to be difficult going through 'official' channels (although I am pursuing this option still)

Are there any Yorkshire MNetters out there with kittens that will be ready around Christmas?

Hey,

If your REALLY gonna go down this route make sure that you don't accept a kitten younger than 9 weeks as they should in NO way be seperated from their mum before then and make sure you see mum with the kittens.

No, there is no way I would do that. I/my dad have had enough cats (as well as cats that have had their own kittens) to know how important that is!

I'm glad you know. You'd be amazed how many people don't. lol

Good luck.

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You'll find that the pet shops use whats known as a backyard breeder which basically means that they'll keep (normally dogs but its not unheard of for them to use cats) the mother in a small cage with little or no space, just enough for the pups/kittens to move around but not big enough for mum to stand up in some extreme cases. Hence why it is always better to get from a private owner (rescue is much better but I can kinda understand the problems you're having) where you can see the mother and kittens together enjoying life and playing.

Alot of the babies that come from "pet supermarkets" are ill and have a shorter life span than regular animals due to the bad start in life they've had.

Good luck to you and I hope you find what you're looking for

Doesn't female cats breeding season finish around September? In which case you're unlikely to get a new kitten for Christmas. Would you go for a slightly older one?

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My dad desperately wants a cat/kitten. The only thing that has been stopping him for the last 4 years is the thought that my sister in law is allergic to them.

There is no reason why a home check would fail him. I appreciate, very much, that these checks are necessary, but honestly he would pass every one.

And I do know that the 'season' is probably over, so that it would about older kittens/cats - which would be fine.

Seriously, please believe/trust me - he wants a cat!!!

The difficulty is trying to organise it 200+ miles away.

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