moosmom
04-04-2005, 01:12 PM
I got a call from a woman today who was referred by our local feed store. She wants to adopt a kitten for her 7 year old daughter!! She has a dog, a female Lab. I told her the kittens are in the middle of being weaned from Mamasita (that's what I call Mattie Grace) and would be ready in about 2 weeks (that'll make them 8 weeks old).
I talked to her for a bit and asked her questions about whether she (she wants a female) will be indoors or outdoors. She said indoors. (right answer!!! ;) ) I asked her about declawing. She said she wasn't sure. She said her brother made the kitten a scratching post. I told her to imagine chopping all her fingers off at the first knuckle (I know it was a bit harsh, but I needed her to see exactly what is involved). I explained how declawing can cause litterbox problems, and the cat can also resort to biting, and she can develop arthritis in her front paws. I explained how it's very easy to train a kitten not to scratch the furniture and shouldn't take long. I also told her I wanted her to sign a paper saying if it didn't work out, I would take the kitten back, and she would not take it to a shelter. I told her the adoption fee was $60, and that I needed the name of her veterinarian and one other person as a reference, that I WILL be calling them. After all that, she and her daughter are coming over to pick out a kitten on Wednesday afternoon.
Do ya think I was too harsh??? I don't mean to sound like a 6itch, but these ARE my babies and I need reassurance that they'll have wonderful, furrever homes.
I talked to her for a bit and asked her questions about whether she (she wants a female) will be indoors or outdoors. She said indoors. (right answer!!! ;) ) I asked her about declawing. She said she wasn't sure. She said her brother made the kitten a scratching post. I told her to imagine chopping all her fingers off at the first knuckle (I know it was a bit harsh, but I needed her to see exactly what is involved). I explained how declawing can cause litterbox problems, and the cat can also resort to biting, and she can develop arthritis in her front paws. I explained how it's very easy to train a kitten not to scratch the furniture and shouldn't take long. I also told her I wanted her to sign a paper saying if it didn't work out, I would take the kitten back, and she would not take it to a shelter. I told her the adoption fee was $60, and that I needed the name of her veterinarian and one other person as a reference, that I WILL be calling them. After all that, she and her daughter are coming over to pick out a kitten on Wednesday afternoon.
Do ya think I was too harsh??? I don't mean to sound like a 6itch, but these ARE my babies and I need reassurance that they'll have wonderful, furrever homes.