Mark, what do you mean by "a direct rehome"? Bit puzzled. By the way I can't count: I've rehomed six. Five kittens: Smudge, Newbie (now Daisy), the twins, Alfie and one of the adults - Winnie. I trapped 8 of them altogether. I never was very good with numbers!
When I had contact with the RSPCA early in the rescue process (someone had complained about the number of cats in the house) the inspector offered to take them, rather than help with rehoming. I'm slightly concerned that would be the case now. I don't entirely trust the RSPCA, even though my experience with them was okay. All the cats who have been tested from this colony (Alfie, the twins and Winnie), have tested negative for FIV and Felv.
If I thought for one moment that Samantha and Polly would accept them, I'd keep Fred and Victoria myself.
I put girlfriend/sister because I'm not sure whether they are brother and sister or were the parents of some of the kittens. Smudge looked so much like Fred and Newbie so much like Victoria. Also, they have always sat together like husband and wife! I sometimes think I should have called them Victoria and Albert!
They are about nine months old. It's hard to be exact as I'm not sure of their ages when trapped.
The absence from Purrs was just due to a disastrous relationship. I don't know if you remember the guy with a flat full of 7 unneutered cats? I managed to obtain a neutering voucher from CP by saying they were a feral colony, but love nor money wouldn't drag the guy to a vet! If I had had the keys to his flat and drove I would have taken them anyway and faced the hassle later. I think he got fed up with my nagging as the relationship came to an abrupt end. I've been in touch with his former girlfriend and hope that she'll take some responsibility for the cats' welfare. I considered calling the RSPCA to have a word with him but he'd know it was me who made the call, and I think they would take them away. He wasn't exactly looking after them very well.
You can take a horse to water......
