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Original poster

CPL home check tomorrow

632 replies

MrsMoggy · 08/01/2016 18:52

Hi all,

This subject has probably been done lots of times so apologies in advance. Got a home check tomorrow for an indoor cat who we haven't actually met yet. What should I expect to be looked at and what questions may I be asked?

So far I have answers to where the cat would eat and use litter tray, where it could have privacy in first few weeks, what vets I may sign up to, feeding schedule, what I'm going to buy etc. can anybody think of anything else?

Thank you

OP posts:
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PolterGoose · 09/02/2016 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MiddleClassProblem · 10/02/2016 19:58

What ever feelings she had will be such a short time compared to the rest of her life in a loving home and that loving home will be chosen mainly down to the fact you are able to tell them a lot about this cat. Whilst her confidence has grown she's not attached to you, stuck at your side or seeking you out. You are doing what is right for both of you and outing her in a better position than she was the first time around Flowers

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 10/02/2016 22:11

She's been so good the past couple days. She's come out and sniffed round me, eaten in front of me, had some good strokes. Hard when she's like this to know she is leaving on Saturday, but I know it's only a temporary good patch and only with me, second husband or son enter and she's hiding again. She's been eating a lot and ive been treating her with cooked leftover meat before she's back to the rescue dry food. It's going to be hard to leave her, I hope one day I find out she's settled lovely in a new home

OP posts:
timtam23 · 10/02/2016 23:30

So it sounds like a very quiet household may be a great option for her and continue to bring her out of her shell ("very quiet" is not a realistic option for most family homes, not mine anyway!) I'm sure she will do just fine in the longer term and you have done a grand job of rehabilitating & fostering her.

MiddleClassProblem · 12/02/2016 15:36

Good luck tomorrow Flowers

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 12/02/2016 16:36

Thank you. She's going at about 11am before people come in to adopt other cats. I've seen the other cats they have available at the moment and none look suitable so I won't be having the exchange we were offered, it's a shame to lose our money but would be more of a shame to pick the wrong cat again. Will probably be on the lookout for a younger cat/kitten in the near future.

I've made a list this morning of everything we've learnt from the vet, eating habits, behaviour, likes and dislikes. Will give it to the rescue tomorrow, and will take her bed if they want it as she's quite attached to it.

She definitely has some kind of bond with me but she's just so scared of other people. My dad came in today who she'd never met and straight away she hissed and hid further into the bed.

Will be giving her a good fuss later after tea and bedtime are done. Think she knows something gojng on as I've been sorting all her bits and the cat carrier out. I will miss her for sure

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 12/02/2016 17:41

You've done so much for her MrsM and, thanks to you, she's got an excellent chance of finding the right home. She sounds as though she would suit someone like my Mum, who is at home all day and can devote the time to a nervous cat.

Regarding the exchange, would the rescue allow you to have a 'credit note' (sorry, I can't think of another way of putting it) so that you could adopt from them when they get the right cat?

Good luck tomorrow Flowers

FinestGrundyTurkey · 12/02/2016 17:50

You will miss her, of course you will Sad - handing her over will be very hard.

I agree with PinkSparkly, they should let you come back to try again when they have got a suitable cat (& in fact they should be keeping an eye out for one that's confident & used to children & letting you have first refusal)

Good luck tomorrow anyway. And you're allowed tears Flowers

timtam23 · 12/02/2016 18:39

It's OK to be sad about handing her back, you've formed a real bond with her - but you are thinking about her long term happiness, it sounds as if she would do well in a quiet household, I can imagine taking on a cat like her, pre-DH/DCs as I lived a very quiet life back then...
I hope it goes smoothly tomorrow and good luck with finding another cat. Keep us posted won't you?

Sparklingbrook · 12/02/2016 18:41

MrsM you have done really well to keep going this long. You are doing the right thing for her and for your family. She will be fine eventually in a quiet home with no children. She just isn't the right fit for you.

Flowers
RobotMenu · 12/02/2016 19:12

How are you now? Flowers

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 12/02/2016 20:09

Yes timtam I will be back if we get another cat at some point for yet more advice!

I'm feeling a bit down about it all at the moment, can't feasibly see what will work for us cat wise, best would be a kitten in terms of bonding with my son but then you've got all the initial costs of vacs and neutering etc which realistically we can't afford so feel a bit stuck at the moment, surrounded by cat stuff yet soon to be without a cat! My son keeps asking when we are getting a "happy cat" and my husband is just totally disengaged by this point.

I think we will have to stay cat free for a while while i try and find the enthusiasm/money to take another on. Hopefully fate will find us the perfect match. It seems so much more important now to ask questions, get background information, take time etc so all lessons learned. But then I feel I'm
Also putting myself off totally acceptable cats.

I will be keeping an eye on the website to see how Callie gets on and I will let you all know if she finds her next home! If it was just me living here id keep her in an instant x

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 12/02/2016 20:55

I can understand you feeling down, it's only natural. You've done so much for Callie (more than many people would have done) and it's sad for you all that it hasn't worked out.

I know the is one for the future, but many rescue kittens are vaccinated and neutered, depending on age. I had a look at the web page for the rescue Harry came from (big mistake, I want a kitten!) and they've got several 19 week old kittens that are vaccinated and neutered. They also keep their cats and kittens in foster homes so you get a good history of the cat - I don't know if there's anywhere like that near you?

FinestGrundyTurkey · 12/02/2016 23:02

A 6-12 month old (or even a bit younger) kitten will be already neutered & vacced, but still very lively & fun for DS, & adaptable to a new home.

There will be a cat for you. Promise Smile

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 13/02/2016 11:29

Just left her there. She was upset but her pen looked lovely. The woman said she will let me know if any confident sociable cats come in but i think I would rather make a fresh start and look elsewhere. The founder of the rescue was there too and I think she was a bit pissed off with me and kept saying she just needed more time. I'm feeling bit wobbly just now as wasn't given opportunity to say goodbye before the cage was locked and feel I was looked down on and made out to be a shit person

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 13/02/2016 11:38

I think that rescue has proved themselves to be not great in a lot of respects MrsM. You are the only one that should be pissed off at being given a poorly totally unsuitable cat and being left to get on with it at your own expense, and trying your hardest for 3 weeks.
You really aren't the shit person in all this.

Brew
Original poster
MrsMoggy · 13/02/2016 21:16

I'm still upset that I didn't even get to give her a pat goodbye. She Must feel I've abandoned her. I suppose I have no right to feel sad when I gave her up. Just keep thinking of her hoping she's ok and settled down a bit.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 13/02/2016 21:21

She will be ok. It's hard not to imagine them thinking like humans but they don't. She will be getting used to all the new sights and smells where she is for a while.

You have every right to feel sad, you didn't give her up lightly. You agonised over your decision, but you knew ultimately that for the sake of your family and for her sake rehoming was the only option. Please don't beat yourself up about it. I think in time you will start to accept that you did the right thing. x

MiddleClassProblem · 13/02/2016 23:49

You do have every right to feel sad. The founder sounds surprisingly judgemental. You did so much and they did so little. If they thought you should have given it more time they should have told you so when you arranged to take her back and given you some behavioural advice/support even if it was saying keep doing what you are doing. She will find a forever home as she is a good natured cat. I'm sorry you didn't get to say goodbye. I hope they let you know when she has been rehomed x

NameChange30 · 14/02/2016 00:19

Hi OP,
It sounds like you did everything you could for the cat. Please don't feel guilty. I think it was entirely the organisation's fault for not checking her properly (not taking her to vet for health check or getting full info from previous owner) and not making sure she would be a good match for you and vice versa. I also think the fact that they refused to pay all the vets bills and won't refund your adoption fee is awful.

Are they a member of ADCH by any chance? I doubt it but thought it might be worth asking the question!

I wonder if you could make a complaint and ask for a refund, then if they refuse maybe see if you could complain to ADCH or the Charity Commission. You might decide it's not worth the hassle but equally it might be worth a try.

If you can get your adoptin fees refunded (which they should do given the amount of care you gave her and paid for yourself) then definitely use another rehoming charity next time.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 15/02/2016 14:28

I've been looking around at other cats but I'm leaving it for a while now as just getting annoyed. Half the rescues in the area won't even consider us because of having to be an indoor cat, and all the cats for "private sale" haven't had any jabs or been neutered so too much expense to get them sorted.

There was a kitten up for rescue from callies rescue today. It has already gone to a new home 5 hours after being first advertised. I saw it there on Saturday but nobody told me it would be up for adoption so I'm even more annoyed.

OP posts:
ophiotaurus · 15/02/2016 16:22

That rescue don't seem like they are organised at all. I'm convinced you will find the right cat op Flowers

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/02/2016 16:50

Would you consider a long term foster of a cat with FIV MrsM? Many rescues will only rehome FIV+ cats to indoor homes and, while I know that you obviously don't want any additional expense, I have seen rescues that will cover the vet fees.

Cats with FIV can live long and happy lives indoors and I would definitely adopt one if my circumstances were different (in fact I was in love with Eric on the Battersea website!).

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 15/02/2016 17:27

There's an FIV kitten at local rspca who has wanted a home for few months but they don't cover the fees which is why I think he hasn't gone yet. I'm in the cheshire area and nearly all the rescues are small and underfunded so can't provide that sort of scheme, unfortunately as a lot of the county is countryside too, they expect you to have the capacity to let cats out etc. I think if I were in a city I would have better luck finding an indoor cat

OP posts:
timtam23 · 15/02/2016 20:18

Sorry to hear that you are coming up against brick walls MrsM. One potential drawback with a young kitten is that you can't always be sure whether they would happily settle as an indoor-only cat. My current cat has been with me since the age of 7 weeks (abandoned stray found in the street) and there is absolutely no way that this cat would have been indoor-only, he was desperate to get outside from very early on. Maybe a young cat around a year old or so, still young and playful but old enough for you to be able to judge their character re: happy to be indoors?
If it is really a younger kitten that you would prefer, I'm sure most rescues will be overflowing with them once "kitten season" begins. Another thought, would you be able to travel as far as the Stockport/East Cheshire RSPCA, as the Stockport area is more urban and they may have more cats suitable for indoor living?

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