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!!