Input needed...UPDATE 11/29/07 Post #16

[moosmom]

A really nice couple came over to look at Lily and her babies. They were going to take just one kitten and Lily, but when they saw how well they got along, they said they didn't want to break up the family and want to take all three.

I am a pretty good judge of character and although I think it's great that they can all stick together, I have a couple of concerns.

When I talked to the husband on the phone, he said his daughter was 5 going on 6. They live out in Stafford and have a big house with alot of land. They know all about coyotes and foxes and stuff and said they will all be strictly indoors. The wife seemed like she didn't have a clue, didn't know how to handle the babies and the husband did all the talking.

He said that Sabita's Rescue would provide spay/neuter vouchers for all three cats. The husband asked me how important it was for them to be fixed, as they will not be going outside. I told them it is IMPERATIVE that they be spayed. Mama as soon as the babies are weaned, like in 2 weeks.

My concerns are, I asked them if they had a picture of their daughter, they said no, not on them. What parent doesn't carry a picture of their kid?? Then I asked them how old their daughter was (I said I forgot) and they said she was 4 going to be 5 soon.

The husband said, "Since we'll be taking the whole clan, there's no reason to wait till their weaned, right??" I didn't see a problem but I still want to talk to Diane. I don't know if I trust them to get the kittens fixed (they're way too young right now), I'm sorry, but that's just a gut feeling I have. Especially after he asked me how imperative it is. Like he wants to save a little money perhaps??

We talked about cats, I showed them mine (they were very impressed with MooShoo, but who isn't??). Told him I was never really fond of cats until I got my first one. He said he was never really fond of cats either till now. I wonder if he was telling me what I wanted to hear.

I let the mama and babies out of the bathroom to run around (my cats were closed in my room). The kittens were so cute playing together. It was like they were relieved to have some space to run, and Mama a spot to hide in away from the kids.

Maybe I'm being a little picky, but I just want what is good for these babies. They've had a hard start in life. I want to make it good for them.

Any advice from you rescue guys???

[sasvermont]

I would trust your feelings. Sounds a little fishy to me. How about doing a home check? I did that with Ti, the Bengal kitty I rehomed. I felt awful about rejecting one girl who could not afford to vet him. You need to make sure.......even if it means rejecting the prospective purents!

Be tough.

[Karen]

Um, my siblings have been known not to have pictures of their own children with them, before they hit school age ... and the school took pictures. At least he knew his kid's birthday is soon, even if he mixed up the age ...

If they are going to be inside-only, that sounds good, the story doesn't raise many red flags for me at all.

[Queen of Poop]

I'd say go with your gut and tell them NO. Sounds really fishy to me.

[Laura's Babies]

ALWAYS follow your gut feeling!

[Freedom]

ALWAYS follow your gut feeling!
There is a reason rescues set up the multiple review of applicants.

On another note, maybe its time to rotate who is locked in and who has free run? Sounds like babies and momma really enjoyed it; and just think of all the fun you will have watching!

[lvpets2002]

ALWAYS follow your gut feeling!
:) I for sure aggree with Laura..

[Medusa]

Always trust your intuition. The one and only time I didn't trust my intuition when rescuing almost turned bad. A young couple came to look at the last batch of kittens that I had to find homes for before I moved into this house. I was desperate to place them, there were 27; it was December and bloody cold and the thought of bringing them w/me to the next house was exhausting but I was prepared to do it. Whispers was a beautiful female Siamese and when it came time to hand her over to the couple, she turned into a Tasmanian devil and shrieked, ran away and hid in my garage and I couldn't get her to come out. The young man then said "I didn't really want her anyhow. I'm only taking her becaues you said her brother has found a home." If I had given Whispers over to them and she had acted that way when they got home, she probably would've been tossed out. So from then on, I made up my mind that no matter what, my intuition rules. I think you already know what you want to do but needed verification. The majority of us so far feel that you should trust your instincts. Not all parents carry pix of their kids but they sure as hell shouldn't be confused about their age.

Oh, btw, Whispers brother is my Coco Puff. He was and is extraordinarily beautiful and everyone wanted him. I had NO intention of taking any more cats but my intuition told me not to place him. Shortly after I moved into this house, I found out why. He had a seizure and it took him hours to snap out of it and had he done that w/that young couple or possibly anyone else, God/dess only knows what could've happened to him. I'm not saying that I'm the only one who would care for a sick kitty. We all on PT certainly know better. But some people, especially young people w/little or no experience caring for animals, panic and the animal gets kicked to the curb.

[phesina]

Ooooooghhh.. he sounds like someone who wants to take them and then sell them to people who will use them in experiments!

Or not much better, no matter what, with all the red flags he threw out there.

No... NO.... NOOOO!!!!!

[Grace]

I agree with the others - go with your instincts. And I also like the part about the home visit - but if you do that, don't go alone.

[jennielynn1970]

RED FLAGS are going up all over here!!

I'd definitely stick to what your gut instinct is telling you. And a parent that doesn't have pics of their kid?? Even Sears or Walmart does them cheap for goodness sake, or they have ones they've taken themselves... plus getting the age wrong, that's just bad. Where was the child anyway?? You'd want to see how they interacted with the momma and kittens.

There's no reason you have to allow them to adopt. Just tell them that someone else had applied before them, and you felt the placement would be better. He can't demand that you give him the cats. If he would do that, right there would be the biggest red flag.

[kimlovescats]

I have a bad feeling as well, Donna!!! If someone even questions the importance of spaying, then most certainly, they won't get it done. This sounds like someone wanting barn cats to be mousers! They will probably be indoors while they are cute, little and fun for the little girl .. then out they'll go to live on the property!!! Trust your hunches, Donna!

Kim

[krazyaboutkatz]

Donna, I also agree with most of the others. Just go with your gut feeling. I'm sure there will be many more people interested in these 3 beauties.:) You also have to be careful around this time of year because some people will give animals to others as Christmas gifts and later they're unwanted.:(

[smokey the elder]

This doesn't pass the smell test. I refuse adoptions out of hand to people who seem reluctant to spay/neuter. that is the one firm deal breaker.

[moosmom]

It's been eating at my gut since yesterday. The last time I should've trusted my gut instincts, I had a horrible outcome and swore from that day on I'd never ignore my instincts again.

I put another call into Diane. The perfect scenario IS for them all to go together. But I feel that Mama needs a home of her own away from the kids. The kids can go together. That's MHO.

I'm going to insist the paperwork read they MUST be fixed and copies of the spay cert. MUST be mailed to Sabita's Rescue.

Right now my kids are in my bedroom. I let Mama and babies out into the livingroom. What a hoot to watch them!! It's more entertaining than tv!

Mama is sleeping in the shower stall, glad to have a break from the kids. I think she's tired. After watching these two, I can't blame her!!

[moosmom]

The mama and babies are staying here!!! I spoke with Diane just now and I told her all the things I had issues with. When I told her about the questioning of the spaying, she said, "That's it!!" I told her I was going with my gut instincts that have never let me down. She said absolutely. She told me that's why she sends people to the foster home, because talking on the phone to them just doesn't tell you everything about a person.

I offered to call the guy since Diane is busy with her mom being in the hospital. I told him that Diane had promised couple who had previously adopted from us about the kittens and they showed interest in them. She gives preference to previous adopters. He was not happy. I told him that we've decided to separate mama and babies in order to wean them. I told him that we wouldn't let Mama go till after she was spayed, tested and had all her medical care, and that it's perfect timining in time for Christmas, as he requested. He said no, he wanted the kittens. He said that he was mislead, that Diane should've told him another family was interested. I explained that Diane's Mom is in the hospital and she hasn't had time to call anyone, and I was helping her with the phone calls. I gave him other rescue organizations that have kittens with phone numbers and he said, "No, that's okay, we'll keep looking." He sent Diane a nasty email saying he was mislead and it was not a good way to introduce adoption. She told him plain and simple, that we had an issue with his comment about spaying, and worried that he wouldn't have it done ($$$).

She said, "Donna, I've been pissing people off left and right today. But at least tonight we can both sleep knowing we made the right decision.

So Lily and the girls will be staying with me until, well, you know. ;) :D

[Medusa]

LOL, this comes as no surprise. If he really wants kittens, he'll find some. There are oodles of them out there. I just wish they weren't going to him. Good job, Donna. And sleep well. :)

[jennielynn1970]

Glad to hear you made that decision! Especially when he sent a nasty note about being mislead. I make sure to tell people when they are visiting a potential cat that it's exactly that, POTENTIAL, and that vet checks will be done, and all the other stuff it says on the paperwork. No one is guaranteed that they will be adopting from us just because they applied.

At the end of the day, it's what's best for the animals that are relying on us for their health and wellbeing. You did right by your fosters!

[momtomany]

Please trust your gut feeling....don't let these folks have any of your babies. I see red flags all over the place and I am in a job that I have to trust my instincts and my instincts say NO!!

[moosmom]

The bottom line is he wanted WHAT he wanted and WHEN he wanted it. Well, mama and kids are still here and staying here until the perfect home comes along.

I let them out in the living room yesterday to run off their energy. I waited till I no longer saw or heard them. I went to look in the bathroom and, after over an hour of running around and chasing each other, they were back with mama exhausted, bellied up to the bar. They're a riot to watch. I only wish I had a video cam to catch the hillarity.

[sasvermont]

Donna, I am too lazy to go back and read all the threads. How old are these rascals? I think they may need to give up the bar some time soon! There is a point (usually heat, I believe) that happens when the Mama says no more! You don't have any intact males in the house....well, cats....you know where I am going with this? Mama may come in to heat soon, again, ugh! Sorry to bring up such a subject.

You are doing such a great job with these guys. I hope the appreciate it. Is the Mama behaving herself, litter box wise?

[moosmom]

Sallyanne,

They're all doing great. I need to separate Mama and babies soon so we can get mama spayed. Her appointment is scheduled for Dec. 12th.

Mama is approximately 1-1 1/2 years old. I absolutely HATE to take the babies away, it seems so cruel. But I know I have to for her milk to dry up.

[Genny]

It is weird that he forgot his daughter's age, but not having a picture of her isn't that big of a deal to me; my mom doesn't carry pics. of us around with her all the time. A lot of people probably don't have one on them ALL the time of their kids.

I don't know what to tell you, since I'm so protective over my animals I would probably be a little uneasy about letting that family have the cats. I think the home-check sounded like a good idea though.