Apologies - I need to rant and this is the best place for it.
I'm part of a local neighbourhood social network (Nextdoor) and I can't get over how awfully cats are being treated lately.
It seems like every other day there's a post of "can't keep this cat any more, needs to go today, £50 cash only" or similar and it makes me feel murderous.
The other day someone was trying to get rid of a 10 month old kitten because "allergies and need to move" and it just stinks like bullshit, frankly.
There's a big TNR/rescue minded community in my area which is great, so responses to these type of ads are usually "please surrender to a rescue, have you tried X Y Z A B C rescue, here are the dangers of rehoming to a stranger on the internet, buying cats for bait in dog fighting is a thing, etc etc" and its always "no can't be bothered, needs gone today, first come first serve, cash only".
Or "I want kittens. Anyone have any to sell?"
Cue countless good people chipping in with recommendations of rescues, explaining that you don't have to pay for neutering/jabs/chip etc. "No I don't want rescue, cash only sellers please". HONESTLY FFS.
It makes me furious. I have 1 cat. All my life I've dreamt about having one and I'm finally in a position to have one. I got my girl from Battersea a year ago and she is my total joy.
Why on earth do people get animals and then just... not give a shit? I understand there is a cost of living crisis. I get that its tough for a lot of people. But I am sick to the back teeth of the flippancy of "needs gone today, don't want him anyone" and who knows what this happens to these lovely cats once some cretin buys them.
And don't even get me started on the number of "American Bully XL, 5 months old, needs gone for £700" I see.
Right. Thats its. Phew. Rant over. Thanks for listening.