Why does everyone want kittens at this time of year?

[Desley (booktigger)]

It is a common thought, but certainly not true - when I picked Zia (a long term foster) up from the rescue, I Was told she was wary of people at first, but she wasn't with me - although she was when the neighbour popped in, and by the first month, she was settled enough to sit on your knee, sleep under the duvet, etc. She is 17, going on 18 (and yes, that is years). Molly was 13 when I picked her up, and she settled very quickly. Both cats sleep under the duvet for part of the night, and Zia has only been here 2 months. It really does depend more on the cat's temperament and personality rather than their age

[Millys Mum]

Its a common thought Dolcetta, as Ela says you could get a lovely kitten that decides a few months later to be a loner and prefers its own company.

[dolcetta46]

Another thing is that, many people seem to believe that the cats would have difficulties warming up to the new family and new home if they are "too grown", or they would never do so.  When we were looking for a kitty this summer, I wouldn't have minded at all adopting a grown cat, but Cris was against it because of this reason, he believed any cat older than 6 months or so would be too difficult to make him/herself a part of the family.

Well I was not experienced enough to contradict him at that point, but probably many of you here could have proved him wrong I am sure?  (well in the end we found a perfect boy in Oliver anyway, so that was all good, but in the future perhaps we may consider a play mate for him...)

[blackcat]

Kittens are gorgeous - there is no getting past it, but they are also high energy, high maintenance and prone to getting themselves into a pickle which will generally be an expensive one. Why anyone would choose to adopt a kitten under 16 weeks of age is beyond me - besides their poo smells about as rank as it can get!!

[Desley (booktigger)]

I am with Ela, I dont mind fostering kittens, but they do make me realise why I wouldnt ever own one!! My cats have never accepted any fosters under the age of 2, either. We have apparantly had a lot of kitten enquiries, but fortunately, 2 for one of our 8 year olds this week - just a shame they both came after we stopped homing!! We are hoping that the fact some of the kittens we got in the day after we stopped homing wont be 'too old' for people come Jan, as some will be 4 months, and for some reason, people dont see them as kittens after about 12 weeks!!

[Ela]

and I do think some people would be best with a slightly older cat for a first cat.

I would agree, when one adopts a kitten it can seem the sweetest thing on four legs but it is very often only as it becomes a little older that its true character comes out and then you may not have the cuddle cat you thought you had adopted but a 'they who must be obeyed' type.

[Ela]

Sorry guys, but for Me there is nothing like a kitten

You are not wrong, and that is exactly why I don't want one.

[Rosella moggy]

[AWWWWW Cramar - I sponser two ferals there. Saffie & Tabitha. I also board my babes there when we go on holiday 
[/quote]
Yup. On the only occasion so far we have neeeded to board, never thought of anywhere except Cramar. Great place Gail, esp for ferals

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Firstly, NO I dont agree with kittens being rehomed at Xmas.
However, I do see the appeal of wanting a kitten rather than an older cat....Nothing against an older cat but it is lovely to watch them grow and enjoy the naughty kitten months.

Sorry guys, but for Me there is nothing like a kitten

[Gail Bengal Slave]

I think we were looking for kittens when we went to Cramar Cat Rescue and came home with Aslan and Billy both aged about 2 1/2.  I think we later went looking for a kitten at RSPCA and came home with Freddie age 4 (still acts like a 6 month old). I'd love to have kittens one day but always fall in love with an older pud well before we get to any kittens. Billy and Freddie are of course still youngsters in any event

AWWWWW Cramar - I sponser two ferals there. Saffie & Tabitha. I also board my babes there when we go on holiday 

[Ela]

TBH Kittens don't do anything for me actually. I've dealt with countless Kittens and I ALWAYS prefer the adults.

Ditto, whenever I take in kittens it is a timely reminder why I don't want one.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

i want kittens all year round!!!! 

and have asked for one for christmas....  but then to be honest i ask my mum for kittens pretty much weekly!!! 

 

For years I put a Somali on my christmas list   

[hannah (weeny)]

i want kittens all year round!!!! 

and have asked for one for christmas....  but then to be honest i ask my mum for kittens pretty much weekly!!! 

sorry - dont mean to make light of the situation.  i feel i can say that cos i know people wont be rehoming kits at the moment.  it is beyond belief that people dont think these things through and in a few months....     

[Rosella moggy]

I think we were looking for kittens when we went to Cramar Cat Rescue and came home with Aslan and Billy both aged about 2 1/2.  I think we later went looking for a kitten at RSPCA and came home with Freddie age 4 (still acts like a 6 month old). I'd love to have kittens one day but always fall in love with an older pud well before we get to any kittens. Billy and Freddie are of course still youngsters in any event

[Desley (booktigger)]

We mainly get calls for kittens - I had one person last week wanting a young cat, but not a kitten, so I suggested a one year old, she was really keen - then when her and her daughter went to look at him, they picked a kitten - and totally opposite colour!! I personally wouldnt' ever adopt a kitten, cute to look at, but a lot of work, and I do think some people would be best with a slightly older cat for a first cat. I shall stick with my oldies, but it is sad that so many are overlooked - although Rosie's owner rang asking for a pair of kittens, and ended up with a single 13yo!!

[unseeliechylde]

I would never bring an animal into a new home at christmas - young, old or indifferent - it can be a hectic, confusing, noisy, and scary time of year for an animal just getting used to a new environment. It's hard enough for an animal of any age to adapt to a new situation - and I am all for socialising them, and exposing them to new things, but they need a week to settle down and find their feet. Christmas is just so full-on!
It's unfair on the animal - people take them in for christmas, then decide they are "acting up" or are too "skittish" - So would I be, if a busy family christmas was my first experience of a new home!
As for kittens - they're wonderful, I adore them, but I wouldn't have one unless I was able to be home a lot more. I've only had one cat from a kitten, and it was great, but I was in school then, and it was the summer holidays, so I could be in most of the time to look after him till he was old enough to get his jabs and be allowed out. My current two are both rescues, got at around 5 months old, which I think is a lovely age - old enough to look after themselves more, but still very kittenish. I wanted younger cats because I wanted them to grow up with us, but I also wanted to have them old enough that I could leave them on their own while I was at work without worrying, and of course I wanted to have rescue kitties that might not be seen as young enough for people looking for tiny kittens.
I'd love to rescue an oldie someday, but all the older cats were looking for homes with outside access, which I can't provide. Our two don't know any different, so I don't feel I'm depriving them. One day, though...

[Mark]

Well I did a homecheck this afternoon on the lady that fell in love with TJ (he is about 6 or 7) - she has a nice big house and huge garden - no kids or pets (she is a widow). She had gone to look at another cat but saw TJ first and fell in love as he went over and nuzzled her. Sharon was shocked as TJ had been hissy & spitty this morning but knew how to behave with his new mum 

She was happy to give a donation as well 

[Corporal Smokey]

Well this'll cheer you all up. Had a call from a lady who wants to home a deaf, renal oldie. He's 17ish, not much to look at (well I think he is  ) and can't jump on anything higher than about a foot. He is, however amazing. He's lovely, purry and very squeaky! I am particularly fond of him as I syringe-fed him for a few days when he came in. I will be so happy if he finds his new home! 

[LesleyW]

It's the same here, everyone phoning for a kitten!! and then they tell me it must be only nine weeks or so old on Christmas Day , will not consider anything older

I have told them to ring me after Christmas, when the novelty has worn off for all those who did get a kitten at Christmas, which will probably find their way to me (and then they still probably won't get one from me, anyone who is that particular I don't normally "warm" to.

[Den]

Because some people think they make a good Christmas presant 

Sadly that is very true

I do wish people would consider older cats, although 1 is hardly old!  That's still a kitten.  I can't really say anything though as I've had all 3 of mine from kittens and I do love lively kittens!  I can understand why people want to get them young and watch them grow and develop.  If only everybody kept them forever and didnt' abandon them for spurious reasons it wouldn't be so bad.

I think it's fine for people wanting a Kitten. I have one .. although he wasn't intended or planned (lol I keep telling him to grow up faster  ), but why is it always Christmas that they decide to have a kitten. What's wrong with the rest of the year 

At the shelter I volunteer (soon to be fully employed) at there have been numerous calls for Kittens, they want nothing but a kitten. Even though there are a lot of other AMAZING adult cats. Same as with puppies, people were fighting to get the last litter that was in. The amount of people who ask for puppies is insane .. they must be mad, puppies are horrible  (they may be cute, but soooooo not fun).

TBH Kittens don't do anything for me actually. I've dealt with countless Kittens and I ALWAYS prefer the adults. Memph is the exception to the rule .. there's just something about him he's the ONLY one I've fallen in love with 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Because some people think they make a good Christmas presant 

Sadly that is very true

I do wish people would consider older cats, although 1 is hardly old!  That's still a kitten.  I can't really say anything though as I've had all 3 of mine from kittens and I do love lively kittens!  I can understand why people want to get them young and watch them grow and develop.  If only everybody kept them forever and didnt' abandon them for spurious reasons it wouldn't be so bad.

[Gail Bengal Slave]

Because some people think they make a good Christmas presant  People need to start realising that animals are living creatures and  not just some toy that can be thrown out when not wanted anymore.

 

The sooner the better. I would rather die than throw my cats outs. I wish all humans loved their cats a fraction of what I love mine, if they did there would be any abused or homeless babes.

[ccmacey]

Because some people think they make a good Christmas presant  People need to start realising that animals are living creatures and  not just some toy that can be thrown out when not wanted anymore.

[Mark]

I just heard about the lady falling in love with TJ Sharon - so one glimmer of hope  

[Corporal Smokey]

Yeah, I couldn't believe what I was typing on the rescue thread about my friend wanting a kitten. It really went against my own principles. I begged her to take an older cat but she was determined to get a kitten for her kids to grow with. No amount of pursuading was going to work but I know the kittens she chose will be going to a fabulous forever-home so I can be thankful for that.

I guess we'll just have to sit and wait for the floodgates to open around the second week in Jan when people get bored of their free-ads-aquired kitties. My friend even dared to mention free-ads to me and I told her I'd disown her if she didn't rehome!

[Gail Bengal Slave]

I would LOVE a kitten for Christmas. Zubin my big male Bengal kitty wouldn't.

With me a kitten would be for life - Yes my whole life and I would slip even further down the chain, 

I hope NO rescues re-home over the christmas period, love to all homeless kitties xxxxxxx

[Dawn F]

I agree Den, I can't ever imagine getting another kitten!  they are way to much like hard work and bite very hard!

[dolcetta46]

Yes it is really a sad situation, even sadder that so few people ever realise the reality.  They would see those tiny litte cuddly cute cute kittens and suddenly decide that they want that for their kids on impulse, without thinking of any consequences, without thinking of the fact that they can be quite unruly in the house, and they need to poo every day and someone has to see to it, every day.
I agree, if they really desire a cat, especially if they are not very experienced, a cat who has already grown out of the little kitten stage has much more chance, they tend to be calmer and less hyper and in many ways are capable of looking after themselves, that makes things much easier for the new family.

I for one personally, was always attracted to big, hefty round Garfield type cats even more than to tiny kittens...

[Den]

It's exactly the same with puppies too. On one site I go to many, many, many people have been asking over the past month for puppies for Christmas. It actually makes me feel really sick.
I personally prefer older animals, lol baby's of any species are much harder work.

Then of course after Christmas rescues just fill up with unwanted "presents" 

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

I dispair about the number of calls i am getting that want kittens and despite all i say they want be convinced that taking on an older cat can be equally as rewarding this time of year..

People are so mind set i find that the poor oldies loose out.. Just because...

Although we do have kitens in we are not rehoming over Christmas and to special homes as they had cat flu when they came into our care.. But we do have several young cats, less then a year old really and no one wants them.. I dispair...

BTW we are being careful about the "gift" scenerio.. But homes lined up for them after Christmas would be great...