Trying To Place Rescued Kittens

I posted here a month or two ago about a feral momma cat and her kittens (thank you all for your help) - as an update, the momma cat has been spayed and then a week later released back into our back yard where she's living now. A regular food supply from us makes our yard that much more attractive to her . She's still just as feral, but at least we know she won't be having any more kittens.

Now, the three kittens are 3 months old, completely socialized (except one who's a bit shy) and are ready to be adopted out. We had them examined by a vet, tested for FIV/FeLv - all negative - got them all vaccinated and treated for parasites, as well as gave them rabies shots.

The problem that we have now is finding them homes. We've emailed our friends / acquaintances / friends of friends :-), posted flyers at work and vet's office, contacted local rescue groups and no-kill shelters, put up an ad on pet finder and in the local paper. The only response we got from the paper ad and most of it is... hmmm... strange? We're asking for a $30 adoption fee - mainly to make sure that whoever adopts the kittens will not use them for food in dog fights, etc. Our vet fees were close to $400, so we are not trying to make $$ here. Most of the calls we've gotten were from people who cannot pay the adoption fee, but would love to get a kitten. Is this normal? Should we lower it to maybe $20? We were offerring $100-200 to rescue groups to take in the kittens but they all say theyre full.

We'll be going overseas for 3 weeks in August and we need to find homes for these sweeties.

Thank you all! You are all the best and the main source of information for me in this whole ordeal!

My sister is over in Lebanon, maybe she could ask around there for you. I know it would be a bit of a drive for someone; if I was there, I would do it. I plan to be in TN in mid-August, but I think that you'll be overseas by then. As for my sis, she's the perfect owner, but she's just adopted two kittens last fall, and that makes four in her household(all her cats are inside cats, except for supervised outside trips for C.C., who was taken from the streets of Orange County, and even then, poor C.C. stays inside 98% of the time). I understand your frustration - I wish that more people would open up their hearts & homes to homeless/fostered pets... why is it that sometimes only the "unbalanced hoarders" are the only ones willing to help out???? If the kittens had been in an exciting news story, such as rescued from a burning building, I bet that you'd have more than enough adopters, and good ones, too!! Just PM me if you want me to talk to my sister - I'd need her permission to give out more info.

Originally Posted by Tortie

The only response we got from the paper ad and most of it is... hmmm... strange? We're asking for a $30 adoption fee - mainly to make sure that whoever adopts the kittens will not use them for food in dog fights, etc. Our vet fees were close to $400, so we are not trying to make $$ here. Most of the calls we've gotten were from people who cannot pay the adoption fee, but would love to get a kitten. Is this normal? Should we lower it to maybe $20?

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I wouldnt lower it! $30 is not very much at all. I have never seen an adoption fee(from anyone) lower than $60. To at least cover the cost of shots/spay/microchip/etc. However, if you have not done all of that. Then I would say, yes $30 is okay. You might also want to interview people just to have one on one interaction with them and see if you get a bad feeling about them. Or if you think they are lying about what their use/want for the kitten is.

Good Luck! I wish i could be of more help!

Thank you for your quick replies!

catsknowme - thank you for the info on your sister - I will try to put my 100% efforts on finding homes locally for now, but if all fails I might pm you later. I had a couple of more phone calls tonight - there should be at least 2-3 people coming tomorrow and we will interview them then. We had one person who wanted us ship the kittens to Utah - we said 'NO' (a prank maybe?). Then another caller said that his car broke down, but he wants a small kitten and if we could bring the kitten to his apartment for free... hmmmm... 'NO'! I'd be happy to give the kittens out for free if I knew the people and was convinced that they were looking for a pet and not a bait :-(

The kittens have not been fixed - the vet recommended waiting another month or two for that. If I lower the fee to $20 - would that deter an unscrupulous person?

Originally Posted by Tortie

The kittens have not been fixed - the vet recommended waiting another month or two for that. If I lower the fee to $20 - would that deter an unscrupulous person?

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I really, really dont think you should lower it. Raising it would deter people who just want it for bait. People know they can get kittens (sadley) for free a lot of places. And if they want it for bait/etc. they will get one for free rather than paying you $30-$60 bucks for it. If you raise the price, people who are serious about getting a kitten for a forever pet would be more likely to contact you. (You dont have to charge them the price you advertise) But if you do lower it, you really need to do sit down interviews with the people who want them. I would hate to think, as I am sure you do, that these kittens get taken to anything but a loving home.
Just my opinion! I hope you find good homes for them!

Originally Posted by mferr84

I really, really dont think you should lower it. Raising it would deter people who just want it for bait. People know they can get kittens (sadley) for free a lot of places. And if they want it for bait/etc. they will get one for free rather than paying you $30-$60 bucks for it. If you raise the price, people who are serious about getting a kitten for a forever pet would be more likely to contact you. (You dont have to charge them the price you advertise) But if you do lower it, you really need to do sit down interviews with the people who want them. I would hate to think, as I am sure you do, that these kittens get taken to anything but a loving home.
Just my opinion! I hope you find good homes for them!

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Oh, what a dilemma. I think if you explain to people that you have already done the initial vet care, they will realize why you are charging. I don't see where changing from $30 to $20 is going to help. Just keep it at the current price, then if someone wants two babies you can give them a break.

Is it possible to list them on Petfinders? Lots of people check there for kittens.

I would never lower it -and not because of the money! $30 is really low to begin with. I mean, you value these kitties. You also want others who do! Plus, if an adopted cannot pay a measly $30, how in the world will they afford vet fees, food, toys, litter....

You might ask local Rescue groups to add your listing as a favour (I've only been involved with Siamese Rescue and there are listings there that are complimentary.) Try other places -ask if you can leave posters advertising the litties, with cute pictures of course. Like vet offices, pet supply places, groomers, any business involved with pets. Petfinder, as someone mentioned, is also a good place to advertise on. Pets.ca is Canadian but read by people from all over - post their pictures and info there as well (There is a Forum like this one with a category for adoptions).

Good luck!

Originally Posted by CyberKitten

Plus, if an adopted cannot pay a measly $30, how in the world will they afford vet fees, food, toys, litter.

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Good point!

Thanks for all your inputs!!! You all are the best!!!

I've got great news - two of the kittens (Joey and Louie) have just found their new home! A couple with their 10-year old son came over and my husband and I talked with them. They had cats before, they knew how to handle the kittens (including their 10-year old :-) and they thought that getting two brothers would help the kitties adjust to their new home. They said that they definitely wanted to have them neutered (yeah - good sign) and that the mom works from home and she wanted a company during the day when her son goes back to school. We did not ask for a fee - after interviewing this family we felt like the kittens were going to a good home where both the adults and the child were prepared to take care of them, and at least one adult had a job :-). I got their home address, phone number and the husband's business card, so I'll check in with them in a week or so. Now we have Zoey left - she is very shy and is petrified of strangers, but is relatively comfortable around me and my husband. She'll be a challenge to place... Any suggestions?

I'm thinking of looking for a foster home for her if we can't place her permanently...

I cried when they left... Joey is so sweet - he would climb on my lap and lay their, or try to sniff my nose and touch my hair and Louie had the loudest purr you've ever heard! He would outpurr any of my grown cats!!... I'm gonna miss them!

Originally Posted by Tortie

I cried when they left... Joey is so sweet - he would climb on my lap and lay their, or try to sniff my nose and touch my hair and Louie had the loudest purr you've ever heard! He would outpurr any of my grown cats!!... I'm gonna miss them!

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aww i am glad they went to a good home though! give us an update after you get an update from them!!

Oh, I am soooo glad that Joey & Louie were so blessed to find a happy home, and together! I will keep prayers out for little Zoey - she would be an ideal cat for a more mature person, perhaps some poor lady who's just been divorced, or recently retired, and needs some full-time company. This is such happy news!!

Thank you guys and gals!