My friend got rejected to adopt a cat!

white cat lover · Sep 1, 2009

As the person who decides if you get a kitty from the humane society here or not - I know a lot of people hate me. I've actually been physically attacked by someone who I declined to adopt. We check an application, and sometimes people get declined.

I am not going to jump on & say anything (make a judgement), because they may have had a valid reason to decline him. Every shelter, rescue, humane society, or impound facility is different - some places you walk in, point to the one you want, & you're out the door. He may have done something that may have trigger a 'no' response from the staff - there are certain things that will set of some kitties here - and if someone interested in adopting that cat does that specific thing - they will be declined (for that specific pet).

I agree with mrblanche that some people when they come in just give me bad vibes...although it is *very* important to ignore those vibes & process an application. Many times it's nothing....but I've had times where they were valid.

Processing applications, deciding who gets to adopt & who doesn't, is not an easy task.

marinewife05 · Sep 1, 2009

Maybe I was under educated about declawing. Growing up all of our indoor cats were always declawed and I thought this was the norm. Now that I know what declawing is I choose not to do so. We also have an uncropped Great Dane b/c ear cropping is also considered inhumane and the Vet board is on the fence about even doing it anymore b/c they have outlawed it in Europe.

However, I do believe the main reason the rescue I went to didn't adopt to me is b/c I have a Great Dane. The look on their faces when I went there said it all.

To the OP: I hope things work out for your friend. Not many people are willing to adopt an older cat. I have a Maine Coon that lives with my mom....he's too old to move. I'm afraid the shock would kill him.

I think my pic is too big to post.

allmycats · Sep 1, 2009

Originally Posted by white cat lover

As the person who decides if you get a kitty from the humane society here or not - I know a lot of people hate me. I've actually been physically attacked by someone who I declined to adopt. We check an application, and sometimes people get declined.

I am not going to jump on & say anything (make a judgement), because they may have had a valid reason to decline him. Every shelter, rescue, humane society, or impound facility is different - some places you walk in, point to the one you want, & you're out the door. He may have done something that may have trigger a 'no' response from the staff - there are certain things that will set of some kitties here - and if someone interested in adopting that cat does that specific thing - they will be declined (for that specific pet).

I agree with mrblanche that some people when they come in just give me bad vibes...although it is *very* important to ignore those vibes & process an application. Many times it's nothing....but I've had times where they were valid.

Processing applications, deciding who gets to adopt & who doesn't, is not an easy task.

And you know, to be fair, you're right that sometimes there is just "a vibe"...I guess I spoke too quickly not knowing the gentleman that wanted to adopt...but I was only going on the info provided. It is true, it is hard to say unless you're there. But the facts given point to a rescue that is TOO strict and unfair to potential adopters (and the animals!), but we can never know for sure.

I guess what potential adopters do need to realize is that those who work in rescue (and I've done my share in dogs--breed specific rescue anyway) only want the small (huge) task of making sure this animal who needs rehoming doesn't bounce back AGAIN. We want them to get their homes and stay there, happy. It should be nothing personal...just caring what happens to that animal next. But rescue folks MUST be reasonable and exercise a bit of commonsense. That's all.

degu_2009 · Sep 1, 2009

He wanted me to tell you guys that he think he might get Odessa tomorrow if he mentions a vets name, and he wanted me to point out how he will NOT be donating any money to them. He wants to take the cat and run! He read online how that shelter takes horrible care of their animals and even once gave away a dog with a broken leg to a family without telling them.

esme · Sep 1, 2009

Originally Posted by Degu_2009

He wanted me to tell you guys that he think he might get Odessa tomorrow if he mentions a vets name, and he wanted me to point out how he will NOT be donating any money to them. He wants to take the cat and run! He read online how that shelter takes horrible care of their animals and even once gave away a dog with a broken leg to a family without telling them.

eeek. i wonder now whether he did in fact give out some strange vibes to the shelter people

degu_2009 · Sep 1, 2009

Originally Posted by Esme

eeek. i wonder now whether he did in fact give out some strange vibes to the shelter people

Judging much? I just got done saying how that shelter has a terrible reputation and once gave a dog away with a broken leg to a family without telling them, and you go and say that? Anyone would want to rescue a cat in a terrible shelter like that.

He found out about this incident AFTER he was interviewed.

white cat lover · Sep 1, 2009

Originally Posted by Degu_2009

Judging much? I just got done saying how that shelter has a terrible reputation and once gave a dog away with a broken leg to a family without telling them, and you go and say that? Anyone would want to rescue a cat in a terrible shelter like that.

He found out about this incident AFTER he was interviewed.

Yes, but going into the interview knowing that he wasn't going to donate to them (or even having an inkling the group was not what he considered "up to par"), he may well have been giving off bad vibes - whether the group is "bad" or not.

Terrible or not is a purr-sonal opinion - I know there are many out there that hate our group & think us horrible.

sharky · Sep 1, 2009

There are several rescues who WILL NOT adopt to me ... Reasons vary from me off leash training of dogs to the fact that I have turned back in a dog .... On the other hand MANY have adopted to me without issue , some were tougher than adopting a human child but too me that meant they cared

GoldyCat · Sep 1, 2009

Originally Posted by white cat lover

Yes, but going into the interview knowing that he wasn't going to donate to them (or even having an inkling the group was not what he considered "up to par"), he may well have been giving off bad vibes - whether the group is "bad" or not.

Terrible or not is a purr-sonal opinion - I know there are many out there that hate our group & think us horrible.

I don't think he went to the initial interview with the idea that he would not be donating anything. It sounded to me like he decided not to donate to the shelter after he found out how they treat the animals.

clixpix · Sep 1, 2009

Originally Posted by Degu_2009

Judging much? I just got done saying how that shelter has a terrible reputation and once gave a dog away with a broken leg to a family without telling them, and you go and say that? Anyone would want to rescue a cat in a terrible shelter like that.

He found out about this incident AFTER he was interviewed.

We don't know this person, or this shelter. The only information we have is what you have provided. Frankly, that statement that the person doesn't want to give the shelter money, and wants to just grab the cat and run sends up a red flag. There may have been other reasons why your friend was turned down, there's no way for us to really know that.

Many people here work in shelters, and have been on the other side. They are going to have a different perspective about this than you do. Yes, people will go through the interview process, even if they don't have the best intentions. It happens all the time. So when red flags appear for whatever reason, shelters use an abundance of caution.

You don't live anywhere near this shelter, so any information you get about its reputation, or the story of the dog with the broken leg are really just heresay. Maybe it's true, but maybe it's not.

carolina · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by clixpix

We don't know this person, or this shelter. The only information we have is what you have provided. Frankly, that statement that the person doesn't want to give the shelter money, and wants to just grab the cat and run sends up a red flag. There may have been other reasons why your friend was turned down, there's no way for us to really know that.

Many people here work in shelters, and have been on the other side. They are going to have a different perspective about this than you do. Yes, people will go through the interview process, even if they don't have the best intentions. It happens all the time. So when red flags appear for whatever reason, shelters use an abundance of caution.

You don't live anywhere near this shelter, so any information you get about its reputation, or the story of the dog with the broken leg are really just heresay. Maybe it's true, but maybe it's not.

furthermore....... It is not because a shelter declines me a pet, that I am just going to break in and run with it! I understand he is your friend and all, but this is just wrong, period. Two wrongs don't make one right. Does he want to help? Tell him to do it the right way. Not donating money is not going to help anybody. About the broken leg: Who knows what the truth is? So many things could have happened on that story, and we will never know. Guess what? Depending on what light you shine, there is always something wrong with a shelter, a rescue organization, etc. A savior on one's eye could be an abuse on another's... it just takes a different perspective...
One thing I can almost guarantee you though: more animals are alive and well today because of this organization your friend wants to steal from tomorrow. They have saved many lives - don't forget that.
Please tell your friend to calm down, get a vet's name, and try to reason with them the fact that the kitty is 8 years old, and that his reasons to have a kitty are legitimate, etc.
What is his living situation? Who does he live with? How old is he? Can he afford a pet? Does he live with his parents? If so, are his parents in accordance with him adopting the kitty? You said he wanted THAT pet so badly - how come? How did he find it?
Remember that the shelter might not adopt to him if he doesn't have all of the above in check, as it would be highly possible for the kitty to be back...
Please, try to pull yourself from this situation and guide your friend on the right direction - what he is about to do is not going to be good to anybody, including himself.

allmycats · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by carolinalima

furthermore....... It is not because a shelter declines me a pet, that I am just going to break in and run with it! I understand he is your friend and all, but this is just wrong, period. Two wrongs don't make one right. Does he want to help? Tell him to do it the right way. Not donating money is not going to help anybody. About the broken leg: Who knows what the truth is? So many things could have happened on that story, and we will never know. Guess what? Depending on what light you shine, there is always something wrong with a shelter, a rescue organization, etc. A savior on one's eye could be an abuse on another's... it just takes a different perspective...
One thing I can almost guarantee you though: more animals are alive and well today because of this organization your friend wants to steal from tomorrow. They have saved many lives - don't forget that.
Please tell your friend to calm down, get a vet's name, and try to reason with them the fact that the kitty is 8 years old, and that his reasons to have a kitty are legitimate, etc.
What is his living situation? Who does he live with? How old is he? Can he afford a pet? Does he live with his parents? If so, are his parents in accordance with him adopting the kitty? You said he wanted THAT pet so badly - how come? How did he find it?
Remember that the shelter might not adopt to him if he doesn't have all of the above in check, as it would be highly possible for the kitty to be back...
Please, try to pull yourself from this situation and guide your friend on the right direction - what he is about to do is not going to be good to anybody, including himself.

With all due respect..it didn't sound to me like this gentleman was going to literally "steal" the cat! Sounded like maybe donation is optional but not required. I've heard of this before. Or maybe he pays an adoption fee but plans not to donate any extra $$. I didn't get the feeling that the OP meant that the friend would steal the cat, yikes!

I also think it is possible he fell in love with this particular cat; nothing wrong with that.

I don't know all the facts either, but to me this is sort of a case of if you hear hoofbeats its probably horses, not unicorns. Let's not blow things out of proportion. I too could tell horror tales of some of the rescue/shelter orgs around here....and yet there are plenty of wonderful ones too just as the one I praised earlier in this thread.

It sounds like this guy was approved after all, so I think it is much more likely he is on the up and up than otherwise.

Good luck to the OP and her friend!

bookworm · Sep 2, 2009

Our town has no rescue's, just the municiple pound with an extremely high kill rate. All you need is the cash adoption fee, no referances checked. When I first moved here I heard a story that gives me nightmares 13 years later.

A couple adopted a kitten there, and when it didn't use the litterbox the man picked it up to toss it outside. It was frightened and clawed him. I won't retell what happened next, but it was bad enough to convince me the kitten would have died easier had they left it to die to the gas chamber.

I would much rather a shelter that is so strict that the cats are in foster care thier entire lives than think of another one going through that. I'm sure those who work in sheters have seen or heard horror stories I can't even imagine, and at best have seen animals brought back or worse just put out to fend for themselves. They have to trust their instincts, they are all that stand between the animals and those who just don't care or are truely evil.

otto · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by Degu_2009

I think it's crazy, do these shelters want their animals adopted or not? I doubt a person with bad intentions would go through the trouble of getting interviewed and go through the adoption process if they were not going to take care of the cat. .

Unfortunately it happens all too often.

The only parts of the story that bother me is that he wasn't allowed to handle the kitty, and that they didn't simply tell him he needed to come up with a vet and the references, first. And now that he knows what is required, they should be letting him reapply.

The shelter I adopt from requires a lengthy application process including number of vet and, if renting, landlord, plus three personal references. And they check ALL references including vet and landlord. There is a two or three week wait while they check the references.

some of the questions on the app (for cats) is, do you intend to let the cat go outside (bad) what will you do if the cat scratches your furniture. What will you do if the cat wants to sleep on the couch. what will you do if you have to go away.

Many adopted cats end up back at the shelter and dumped on the street. Shelters and rescues try to do as much as they can to see that doesn't happen. It's not personal, its for the sake of the cat.

otto · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by sarahp

I know potential adopters who are fine on paper I have warned the adoption staff about because they couldn't handle a cat properly, or said something about cats that I didn't like (I got annoyed with the scratching so I declawed it/I believe in dominating my cat and showing it who's boss/I don't agree with neutering cats, they should be allowed to mate as often as they want etc.).

He should try another shelter, and if they knock him back as well, then it may be him.

I agree, some people will come in with an attitude that is almost palpable. Shelter and rescue people I am sure learn to read these kinds of signs.

The friend's angry reaction may have just been blowing off steam and hopefully he's calmed down by now. If he's still harboring a grudge, he is, IMO, a poor choice for a forever home. I sure wouldn't adopt out a cat to someone who displayed a poor control on their temper.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

While we discourage declawing, it wouldn't be a reason for rejecting them. Why? Because our declawed cats that come into the shelter are almost always adopted fairly quickly.

.

this makes no sense to me. The cats are likely in the shelter because they had trouble after being declawed. They are adopted quickly because some people still think cats should be deprived of their claws.

Why would the shelter condone any MORE cats getting declawed? Those are the ones who are likely going to end up back at the shelter, either returned (she's not the same as she was when we adopted her) or after being dumped on the street or thrown out a moving car window

carolina · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by Degu_2009

He wanted me to tell you guys that he think he might get Odessa tomorrow if he mentions a vets name, and he wanted me to point out how he will NOT be donating any money to them. He wants to take the cat and run!

Originally Posted by Allmycats

With all due respect..it didn't sound to me like this gentleman was going to literally "steal" the cat!

Really? With what he says above, it is pretty clear to me...

white cat lover · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by otto

this makes no sense to me. The cats are likely in the shelter because they had trouble after being declawed. They are adopted quickly because some people still think cats should be deprived of their claws.

Why would the shelter condone any MORE cats getting declawed? Those are the ones who are likely going to end up back at the shelter, either returned (she's not the same as she was when we adopted her) or after being dumped on the street or thrown out a moving car window

You may not understand it - neither of us like it - but our euthansia rate here would spike from 10% to 80-90% if we did not adopt to those who would declaw. I won't explain it all - but as a society we cannot change that quickly - we talk to adopters about declawing - but do not refuse an adoption because of it.

marinewife05 · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by white cat lover

You may not understand it - neither of us like it - but our euthansia rate here would spike from 10% to 80-90% if we did not adopt to those who would declaw. I won't explain it all - but as a society we cannot change that quickly - we talk to adopters about declawing - but do not refuse an adoption because of it.

This was my thought on the matter. Even after I told the rescue I would not declaw they still refused. So to them it's better that the kitten I wanted sit in a cage in an un-air conditioned room filled with other animals. Most of whom were sick and not kept quarantined from the healthy ones. I guess to them it's a better life for their animals to die in those cages (with little human interaction) than to come home with a good family, who just misunderstood declawing and is now better educated on the matter.

otto · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by white cat lover

You may not understand it - neither of us like it - but our euthansia rate here would spike from 10% to 80-90% if we did not adopt to those who would declaw. I won't explain it all - but as a society we cannot change that quickly - we talk to adopters about declawing - but do not refuse an adoption because of it.

Are you saying that 70 % of the people who adopt cats from your shelter intend to declaw? Before even trying to train the cat, they just think cat=declaw? Adult cats? Cats who weigh over 6 pounds?

I would prefer euthanasia myself.

I hope you at least try to educate against it.

(sorry for the hijack to the OP. Won't engage further in a declaw discussion in this thread, but felt the need to respond to this)

mrblanche · Sep 2, 2009

Originally Posted by otto

this makes no sense to me. The cats are likely in the shelter because they had trouble after being declawed. They are adopted quickly because some people still think cats should be deprived of their claws.

Why would the shelter condone any MORE cats getting declawed? Those are the ones who are likely going to end up back at the shelter, either returned (she's not the same as she was when we adopted her) or after being dumped on the street or thrown out a moving car window

We actively discourage declawing. We have a poster up in the cat adoption room tellling all about it. But we're not going to turn someone down for it. We have a hard enough time getting cats adopted as it is.

And every declawed cat we've had (except for one gorgeous stray) has been brought in by the owners due to their own health, a move, or some such thing. We had 3 brought in together (remember Jasper?), of whom 2 have been adopted now. Their owner has breast cancer, has to live with her mother, and her mother has always been violently allergic to cats.

We've had older declawed cats die of the URI everyone gets, but they don't get put to sleep, because we always have people looking for a declawed cat due to their own circumstances.

I foresee the day when declawing will be illegal, but it won't be soon.

My friend got rejected to adopt a cat!

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