Former foster Leda HAS BEEN returned UPDATE 3-1-09

[Lizzie]

I feel so very sorry for Leda, that home looked perfect for her and it seemed like an incredibly happy ending after all she had been through. We all thought the guy who adopted Leda sounded great and truly appreciated her. I don't understand the "return when no longer convenient" way of thinking that too many pet owners seem to have. I'm also sorry that I can't help you out Jen, and I know well the pain of living with a cat that hates and attacks other cats.

I've just had a foster returned to me. I partly blame the person who approved the adoption application. The adopter was a single woman who had just bought a new house and had never had a cat before, not any experience with cats. I think she fell for Sidney's looks because she's a very lovely snowshoe mix with fabulous fur and brilliant blue eyes. But she's also very shy from being a feral most of her life and she suffers from compulsive over-grooming when stressed; the adoption counselor knew that. After six months with me she'd become very affectionate and all her self-inflicted wounds had healed, so she looked and acted great at the adoption event. Apparently she spent the two months in her new home hiding under beds and running away from her adopter. The adopter blamed the shelter for adopting out a cat that had been feral. Within hours of coming back to my home she was jumping up on the sofa for cuddles while I counted 12 new self-inflicted wounds.

These returns make you worry even more about every adoption.

[jenluckenbach]

I actually did not update this thread yet because Leda won't be coming until tomorrow. (change of plans). So then we will see how she does here with the other cats.

"returns" are a REAL pet peeve with me. So many are for frivoulous reasons. And what do they (the owner) expect?!?! that there will automatically and magically be space in a foster home?? We don't sit around just waiting for you (the owner) to get tired of your new pet so she can come back.....we go out and help others. So now my house is full and she'll (as well as Locket and Velvet -also returns- did) put me over a comfortable limit.

Well, I'll update when I can.

[CultureJunky]

Oh that's such a shame that she has to be returned, poor Leda. I will pray the right forever home comes along for her eventually.

[JustineNYC]

UM excuse me!!

I moved from Brooklyn NY to Mooresville NC. Roughly 600 miles, 11 hour drive in a Toyota Sienna with 7 CATS and 2 LABS.

My 7 cried the entire 11 hours. We stayed in a hotel the first night, do you have any idea how hard it is to get cats BACK into a pet carrier after an 11 hour drive in one? And a few of my cats are FERAL.

The moving excuse is BS. Im 24 years old and did it with no help whatsever.

I NEVER wouldve left anyone behind.

[JustineNYC]

I actually did not update this thread yet because Leda won't be coming until tomorrow. (change of plans). So then we will see how she does here with the other cats.

"returns" are a REAL pet peeve with me. So many are for frivoulous reasons. And what do they (the owner) expect?!?! that there will automatically and magically be space in a foster home?? We don't sit around just waiting for you (the owner) to get tired of your new pet so she can come back.....we go out and help others. So now my house is full and she'll (as well as Locket and Velvet -also returns- did) put me over a comfortable limit.

Well, I'll update when I can.

I applaud you. When I was 13 I moved in with my grandfather and began feeding strays, very quickly I had about 30 of them, and I would take them in, most would be feral, theyd flip out, but Id give them food water and a cat litter and let them sit under the bed for however long it took.

I personally have never seen a feral cat not come around. Some are harder then others, but they all come around. If I was doing this at 13, its not brain surgery. My aunt, mother, cousin, and 3 best friends all have multiple cats I took in and "housebroke" for them. And I have 6 from the street, 7 total.

I know fostering is hard. I was lucky cause mine went to people I was close with. Im sure its hard when they go off with strangers and then this happens.

I dont understand how someone returned a cat that was staying under the bed? She obviously made no attempt to bond with it.