Cross posted from CC - Help wanted to understand the reasoning?

[Christine (Blip)]

This does not answer the original question, but when we adopted Blip in 1999, I just asked the rescue to bring me the most needy cat.  My single stipulation was that, as we were then inexperienced, we should not be partnered with a spiteful cat.

Blip came, sight unseen, and the rest is history.

Now we know a lot more (although never enough) but I would only ever do exactly the same as I did then.

 

[Millys Mum]

Its too easy to blame the rescue for being fussy!

[Corporal Smokey]

Hmmmm, I may be totally wrong but I'm not sure if we know the full story. Maybe there was a reason the home-checker did't feel that the home was right but either couldn't put their finger on why or it was a complex reason. They may have used the holiday thing as an excuse.

I only do post-visits but I am told that a lot of what you see is based on your own experience of cats and gut instinct. Once, for example, we had a home visit on a seemingly perfect house. There was already a cat there and everything was spotless. Our home-checker had the feeling something didn't add up an, on closer inspection, she was right. It turned out the cat was only allowed to roam in the hall. It was a bungalow and this poor mite wasn't allowed on any of the furniture or anywhere it could potentially damage all of the precious furniture. Another case of someone wanting a pretty teddy-bear.

My point is that is took gut instinct for our homechecker to even ask the question. Why wouldn't you assume a cat's allowed free-reign?

I know I'm being devil's advocate but I feel that there might be more to this. Sorry if I'm wrong 

[blackcat]

My criterion for selection at a rescue is that the cat must not push me away. If she does, then clearly she does not want me.

I suspect that's a bit of human fancy - you know, first signs and all that.  Quite understandable!  But not true, I reckon, and I wonder how many lovely cats are not selected simply because they take time to come around?

Umm, no, for me it is simply that adoption is a two-way street, and if the cat finds meso repellent that they push meaway then I are not considering their feelings in the matter. Once home, they can be as curmudgeonly as they want, they have had a chance to choose their own slave ...

[Ralph's mum (angie)]

I suppose the cat suiting the person comes highest on the list but shouldn't people get a choice of which cat they would like? I don't believe how the cat acts in a rescue pen is how they will act once in a loving home, when they know they are safe and get to know the person.

How true Max was a purr monster when we met him in the rescue, now he is a grumpy face trick monster, but we have accepted thats his character and watch our feet/legs when opening doors and walking into rooms if he not within eye sight cause he's usually lurking about trying to 'cause mayhem, was actually going to contact centre to see if he should have a friend, but I think he might bully them, or does he keep that just for us 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

If I had taken bcs criteria I would not have Misa or Sasa and Misa is the biggest cuddly cat in the world but only for me and Sasa , well she just needed a nice safe place to come and be pampered on her terms ................and she still doesnt like me especially today!

Misa is not a lapcat and is scared if he feels trapped and will panic but let him do things when he wants and he is soooooooo lovely and purrs like a tractor 

The birmans I had never met before they arrived here but true to birman nature they just love people and want to be stroked and cuddled all the time..........to hell with someone else its just , me me me 

[Catjane]

My criterion for selection at a rescue is that the cat must not push me away. If she does, then clearly she does not want me.

I suspect that's a bit of human fancy - you know, first signs and all that.  Quite understandable!  But not true, I reckon, and I wonder how many lovely cats are not selected simply because they take time to come around?

Sabby really did NOT want to know at first, and Meesha resisted.  It took a few weeks for Meesh to trust me, and now we have a very close relationship    Sabby took months before he showed affection, but he is the best little greeter there is!  He just doesn't like humans generally, and even my best friend has only recently got a couple of cursory head butts off him.  Just think, if we all chose kitties that immediately show a fondness for us, furbabes like Sabby would be left behind, destined for years in a foster home

[blackcat]

You certainly do! when I collected Sofie, she was very low down on my list of preferred kitties. There was a lovely bruiser of a tom who had been subjected to unspeakable cruelty, and a gorgeous semi-long hair with cream underfur and brown tipped coat. Sofie was only picked up because she was tangling round my legs and I picked her up to apologise for ignoring her when she so obviously wanted some attention. Once picked up - well that was the end of me!!

Reynard was a complete accident - I was actually there waiting for a friend's dog to be washed. He rolled over and stuck out a paw as if to say 'oh good, you got here eventually then' and off we went with an extra cat - who would have thought...

[Desley (booktigger)]

Tricky one really CC, as it should be a match on both sides, most people 'choose' the cat they like (for whatever reason) and then it is really down to whether that cat is best for that person, but in rescues where you have to make an appointment first, it is easier, as you have already spoken to someone about what you want, and they can tell you what they have in that will suit - or, if you have a website, they have already read about all the cats - and your point about rescues not always knowing is why I think foster homes are so important. You do get people coming for one particular cat and going home with something different though, but normally their choice!!

[blackcat]

My criterion for selection at a rescue is that the cat must not push me away. If she does, then clearly she does not want me. So if the cat is willing to allow me to stroke it, whether briefly or luxuriously, then it is one I want to take home. I am happy to take advice from the staff because they know the cats well and also know their backgrounds which, in many cases, we can only guess at. So a bit of give and take, and open communication, is the best recipe I feel.

[Catjane]

I suppose the cat suiting the person comes highest on the list but shouldn't people get a choice of which cat they would like? I dont believe how the cat acts in a rescue pen is how they will act once in a loving home, when they know they are safe and get to know the person.

Absolutely!  In fact, when I decided to adopt a cat (yes, one!!) my philosophy was that I'd have no idea about its character therefore go for one that doesn't look likely to be adopted (to give all the best chance, if you see what I mean) and be fully prepared to adapt to the personality of the cat, its likes and dislikes.  I had no preconceived notion about getting one that was 'this' 'that' and the 'other', as rescues are not the best places to bring out the personality of a cat. 

As it so happens, I ended up with three, all with different personalities, but we do just fine

[ccmacey]

I suppose the cat suiting the person comes highest on the list but shouldn't people get a choice of which cat they would like? I dont believe how the cat acts in a rescue pen is how they will act once in a loving home, when they know they are safe and get to know the person.

[Millys Mum]

How could you not take it personally? Its a judgement made on your personal curcumstances!

Yes it is a judgement but you go to the rescue to be matched with a suitable cat not for you to say this cat is right for me. Its so common for people who cant have the particular cat they think they are perfect for to get antsy.
 

[berties mum]

I think it's difficult to say whether the rescue has made the right decision without knowing how often the lady goes away, and where she goes.  If they go camping every weekend, for example, clearly that's not a great existence for a cat.

[ccmacey]

How could you not take it personally? Its a judgement made on your personal curcumstances!

Although everyone wants the cat to have a good life I do think some rescues are way too strict and this is why lots of animals are still in there.

As we know no one is 100% perfect and this is what some rescues look for. 

[Sabrina (Auferstehen)]

I'm hoping it works out for them in the end.

As long as everyone understands that if the cat doesn't enjoy traveling other arrangments must be made.

We take our cats over the inlaws every time we go and when mom died they took the cats for a week. I've got pictures of all the cats laying on my father in law so I know they had fun.

Could also be that they know the sheer amount of food they'll get when they are there as well.

One Leeds rescue wouldn't let me adopt when I lived on a busy street, which was fair enough but they didn't think to mention fiv+ or disabled cats. I've had another where I got the age, sex, name and booster information only with no homecheck etc.

Coworker has adopted all his cats from a rescue in York and had a home check every time, all his cats are indoors and they were fine with that....

Every rescue works a bit differently and that's fine, I'm not particularly fond of one rule to rule them all etc.

[Millys Mum]

I just can't see why they couldn't suggest that, if the cat doesn't do well travelling, to make other holiday arrangements.

The OP didnt suggest this which probably led the homechecker to think they wouldnt if the cat reacted badly.

and then again ones that wouldn't let me adopt because they have a no indoors for non-fiv policy, which I of course, didn't take personally ...

Exactly, it always happens when people dont get what they want especially when they think they fit the critera perfectly.

The OP still hasnt elaborated on the finer details on how often they go away, holidaying every couple of months isnt giving a stable home life.

[J (Indoorcatsuk)]

I'm in Leeds and think I know which rescue this is, and have to say I completely agree with their decision.
I think the poster is being over-sensitive to be honest.
If it is the rescue I think it might be then I know all they care about is the cats welfare and not ' making friends ' iyswim.
Fair dos, I'm glad they have that policy.
There are other rescues in Leeds that are less ' strict ' ( and then again ones that wouldn't let me adopt because they have a no indoors for non-fiv policy, which I of course, didn't take personally ... )

I know none of my cats ( indeed none I have ever had ) would be happy travelling around, but I know others are from posts here, and good luck to them. I remember reading a story recently about a woman who lived on a barge with her cat and it would go off in the morning wherever it was moored and come back later  .

[Desley (booktigger)]

i have to say Rosie's new owners told me they took their previous cat on holiday with them as she loved it, and I allowed Rosie to go to them, as if she doesn't like travelling, they will sort an alternative out for her. I dont agree with blanket policies, I think it shoudl depend on each cat.

[Willow]

I guess I'd better not admit I took my two youngsters (Juniper & Willow) on a six month sailing holiday this year.............

Cindy, my oldie, doesn't like the boat so she stayed at my mums (and got spoiled rotten as usual).

I agree with the others though, it does depend on the individual cat.  Although I would have loved to adopt an older cat/cats, knowing that we would want to take them places was the main reason for getting kittens this time around. 

It has worked out very well and both Juniper and Willow seem happy wherever they are so long as they are with us. 



 

 

[Catjane]

Can you imagine many cats of people on Purrs being happy travelling around, if its done from kittenhood then ok but dont see its fair to test an adult cat with an unknown background. What if it really hates it 

If the person agrees that if the cat doesn't like travelling then they will leave it in a cattery/get someone to check on it at home I can't see what the problem is. Surely it might be equally unfair to test an adult cat with an unknown background by leaving them in a cattery all on their own whilst their owner goes on holiday?

Absolutely.  My friend's cat comes to live with me when he goes away ... works just fine!  As with most other things, it's dependent on the cat and other factors, and should never be a blanket rule.  Some cats love to travel, others hate it.  Some are ok in a cattery, others get nervous or depressed.  Some cats are better with the people they know, rather than having strangers come in.  I just can't see why they couldn't suggest that, if the cat doesn't do well travelling, to make other holiday arrangements.

[bren]

I used to take my cats away in our caravan most weekends and all holidays and never lost them, as did many of my friends. I think given these owners had two cats which lived long lives and were obviously never lost on holiday should count for something and I feel the decision seems very harsh. 

[Team Svartalfheims]

Can you imagine many cats of people on Purrs being happy travelling around, if its done from kittenhood then ok but dont see its fair to test an adult cat with an unknown background. What if it really hates it 

If the person agrees that if the cat doesn't like travelling then they will leave it in a cattery/get someone to check on it at home I can't see what the problem is. Surely it might be equally unfair to test an adult cat with an unknown background by leaving them in a cattery all on their own whilst their owner goes on holiday?

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Right Ok, I understand what you are saying

[Millys Mum]

The reasons Ela gives are enough for me, the main one is the risk of losing the cat in an alien environment.
The original poster doesnt say how often they go away, do they stay in a hotel or family members home etc etc.

Cant see people can judge the rescue without more info. They are afterall there for the best interests of the cat and not rehoming it just for the sake of it.

Can you imagine many cats of people on Purrs being happy travelling around, if its done from kittenhood then ok but dont see its fair to test an adult cat with an unknown background. What if it really hates it 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I cant, maybe you can explain 

[Millys Mum]

Can completely understand where the rescue is comming from! 

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Can anyone involved with rescue and rehoming offer some advice to Catherine?

http://www.catchat.org/discus/messages/17/65222.html?1197484515