Shelter won't give me the poorly cat

[AtSea1979]

I reserved and paid for a rescue cat. Bought all the things it needs and got very excited at the long awaited addition to the family.
On the day I was supposed to pick him up the shelter contacted me to say he had bad diarrhoea and they think it's best I leave it until the following day. The next day I contacted them and they eventually replied saying they'd prefer I wait another 24 hours. The next day (yesterday) I contacted them and they eventually replied saying they wanted to take him to the vet today. I contacted them today and they eventually replied at 10pm saying the vet recommends he stays with them so they can monitor and take him back if he's no better. They suggested I call them on Saturday.
I'm a bit miffed that I can't just bring him home and give him to 1-1 attention and care that he needs and he's stuck in the cattery.

No.

But surely taking to your home while he is ill will just stress him out more. He's better where he is familiar until he is well again.

I hope he feels better soon and you can take him home and spoil him.

I think you should abide by their decision. They must think that a change of home isn't right now because the cat is ill.

I'm sorry to say, but this happened to me. Unfortunately the cat (well rescue kitten) died. I'm very glad they didn't let me take the rescue kitten home as I would have been even more upset if she had died under my care.

We did rescue her two siblings instead though, who were also kept for monitoring but were fine.

Hope the cat will be ok. Please don't blame the rescue centre, they are Doug the right thing.

superman maybe your right. I just feel sorry for him stuck in that cage all week and want to bring him home.

It's not about you and if you think it is you shouldn't be adopting a cat. The move will be stressful, the cat needs to be well.

The are doing the best thing for you and the cat. Its frustrating, but wait until he is better, then take him home. It sounds like he is on the mend.

The shelter is right to keep the cat until it is in good health. There will be experienced people on hand to help if the situation deteriorates and the cat will receive the best care under the eye of the vet.

PPs are right in that a change of environment is likely to stress him out rather than help the situation. I appreciate it's hard but it's best to wait it out.

Good point. I'm off work this week to settle him in so it feels like even longer waiting.

They are being responsible.
Taking a cat who is poorly is not going to help them to settle. And a cat with a runny bum is no fun.
They need to ensure the welfare of the cat.
There's potential of new owners to complain if rescue cat needs a fortune spending on them at the vets.
And if it's a long term health issue or at the worst the cat dies - then new owners may want money back.

The shelter sounds really caring and responsible OP. It must be hard to be waiting like this but it's for a really good reason. I hope he's better very soon.

They are doing the right thing, if they have him their vet can treat him. It is the responsible thing to do-a reputable shelter won't want to send you home with a poorly cat (any ongoing issues excluded obviously)
Diarrhoea is fairly common with shelter cats due to stress.

Yeah sure Northern let's just leave them all stuck in shelters permanently because I can't wait to bring him home and look after him.
I can understand their point of view they've probably bonded with him too and want to ensure he's ok. They don't know me so don't know if he'll be well looked after and I certainly don't want to stress him out anymore. I just worry he's ill because he's stressed in the cage.

They sound like a very responsible rescue.