Would you like a free kitten? UK only!

aw!! how cute! yea i have 2 wallets of my kit and pup in my wallet! they are my children of course. another thing would even be, when the time comes to actually let the person have the kitten. take it to THEIR place? then you can see right away (apart from the person) the environment. i dont see where that would be such an issue..i watched this crazy thing where this woman lived in a trailer park with sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many cats and a few dogs. they found one cat that appeared to be in the bathroom and forgotten, emaciated to the bones. and one where this horse was sooooo mistreated. its water was such crap..moldy food..i guess its shows like that, that might freak a breeder/person giving away an animal, out, now that i think about that old lady in her trailer park yelling at the guys. one of the wild cats cut this guys leg so dam bad he was bleeding like crazy, it was gross. and all the while shes just sitting there. :S?? just watch like animal cops..you DEFINTELY dont want your baby goin there. ha

i dont get why people are thinking checking in on the cats are such a bad thing. so, its a little bit inconveinient? better to be inconveinanced then have the cats hurt .And its not the new owners selling them to OTHER new owners, its the new owners selling them to places that will do scietific research on them.

where do people get off on the scientific research thing. when you give the kitten to the people, say you would like to take it to their house, instead of them picking it up. ask for their jobs. just because you drop in doesnt mean later down the road something could happen. maybe they move away, disappear to their island research lab. i mean hell you cant control everything that happens to everysingle pet you give away. unless you keep it yourself or not have kitties/puppies/breeding. plain and simple. or put a dam home tracking device on them.

no need for swearing, i just dont get why you are so upset about people checking in. there should be no problem with that unles people have something to hide. your only helping the animals giving them a safer chance.

Originally Posted by elizwithcat

The owner can place as many requirement on prospective owners as he wants. Unfortuantely, in the end he/she might end up with 7 cats.
Surprise visits, home visits, references, contract, fees-it's all good ideas if he/she gets anyone to agree to this.
But since even purebred cat breeders don't do "surprise visits", I find it hard to believe there would be any takers for the mixed breed cats whose breeder says he will drop by "from time to time" to check on these cats.

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Whether the cats are mixed breed or purebred is completely beside the point. These are individual lives we're talking about and every one is as important as the next. I'm sorry, but the DSH kittens I have for adoption are no less worthy of excellent, thoroughly screened homes than the purebred kittens that someone else is trying to place.

Applications, reference checks, home visits, contracts, and fees are par for the course if you get a cat from a shelter or rescue, just because there is no other way to make sure a home is suitable. As much as anyone would want to be able to trust people based on their gut feelings, just about everyone who has found homes for more than a handful of animals could tell you a story of someone who looked great on paper or seemed great in person, but whose vet reference or home visit or reference check revealed something horrible. The process is not perfect, but for the most part it works.

It's true that some people will be put off by the idea of having to give references, etc, but in the end that's okay. It's much better to have the kittens for a while longer but know they have gone to wonderful homes in the end, rather than not doing a full screening and risking them going to homes where they may not be treated as they should be.

Originally Posted by chiclett_33

yeaaaa but you still cant control everything. even if you visit. doesnt mean everything will be ok. and again. i just think dont be a breeder if you question every single person to that extent, if you cant make a good judgment by talking wth them or developing friendships with them. heck i talked for like over an hour with one bengal breed about tons of stuff..i ended up going with another breeder but i enjoyed our chat. lol. i think i only saw one contract that asked about visiting. i could care less if they visited. whatever made them sleep at night. maybe its a california thing i've never been questioned or like asked be a breeder about research labs. nor have i seen anything lately about (kittens especially) being experimented on. and since when is the h. (oooo) word and d ( o dear) word consider swear? maybe if i added an n to the dam, thats the actual proper spelling. im not saying to go there *(hell) and im not saying d-m anyone. jesus. i type fast and i write what i think. no questions asked.

and i could care less about people checking in i have just never seen so many people freakin over research labs i havent ever had that as a discussion except for such animals as mice/rats/whatnot. im sure there are crazy labs out there. but..again. its a sad world. dont breed then if your afraid they might go to labs. thats what i would do.

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really now, its not about how you spell it, its common curtosy in this wonderful forum that they keep here, to be mature and not swear. And i completely agree with semiferal, its better for them to be around longer then it is for them to go to poor homes. Just because you havnt heard of people selling animals for reasearch doesnt mean it doesnt happen quite often. if you want info on That kind of stuff you can PM me and i can send you pleanty about what they really do in those places, and why you would want to do all you can to be sure that it doesnt happen to who you are adopting out.

In the UK, both Battersea Cats' Home and the Cats Protection League (both of whom I have got cats from in the past) insist on detailed interviews and the possibility of a home visit. CPL usually do the interview in the home. And they make at least one follow-up phone call. The CPL also made an extra visit to my mother once (she had taken on a sick cat), and were thankfully very impressed. No one thinks it strange. I like Hissy's idea of a gift-bearing visit - that takes all the tension out - 'I just thought I would bring my ex-baby a present and see how you are getting on, and if there are any questions you forgot to ask' cannot offend a true animal lover. Though I agree that it may be impossible for distance reasons. You can only do all you humanly can to ensure safety.

Sorry i didnt know the thread got moved hehe, some brilliant ideas here i must say, it looks like we have made a mistake, as were getting attatched to the kittens, and we have named them! There so cute, and now so human friendly, there only 4 weeks and they sleep with us lol, its going to be hard to give them away.

We have 1 female, shes going to be spayed now, we couldnt do it as she was pregnant for 9 weeks etc, we will put ads up in the local shops etc with our number on.

We need to know, the mother is very protective of the kittens (probably completely normal), is she going to hate us or change when there gone?

Thanks

Sarah

as long as you wait until they are atleast 12-14 weeks and spay her soon after she will welcome the break.

Originally Posted by elizwithcat

Of course. I have two purebred persians and I assure I wouldn't be happy if the breeders declared they would surprise visit me.
The responcible breeder would draw up a contract. I know some even ask for vet references, but again, you want to place your mixed breed cats, and more requirement you put on prospective owners, the harder it would be to place these cats.
A small fee would at least show people are willing to care for the cat.

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Yeah as a registered cat breeder I think you would be laughed off if you started suprise visiting your clients. I wouldn't expect it as a Pedgiree buyer and definitly don't condone it as a Registered breeder.

Originally Posted by ilovejoelyo

how do you know people wont agree to it? as far as i know it happens fairly often. Sometimes its only taken as a warning and no one actually goes to visit. but if its put into a contract that they will then the person who adopted knows better then to sell them. and the fact of pure bred or not has nothing to do with it. its how determined the original owner is to make sure the cats adopted out are safe.

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LOL if it's put into contracts that there are going to be suprise visits they will no longer be a suprise!

Originally Posted by ilovejoelyo

no need for swearing, i just dont get why you are so upset about people checking in. there should be no problem with that unles people have something to hide. your only helping the animals giving them a safer chance.

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Who's swearing?

Originally Posted by GameOver

Sorry i didnt know the thread got moved hehe, some brilliant ideas here i must say, it looks like we have made a mistake, as were getting attatched to the kittens, and we have named them! There so cute, and now so human friendly, there only 4 weeks and they sleep with us lol, its going to be hard to give them away.

We have 1 female, shes going to be spayed now, we couldnt do it as she was pregnant for 9 weeks etc, we will put ads up in the local shops etc with our number on.

We need to know, the mother is very protective of the kittens (probably completely normal), is she going to hate us or change when there gone?

Thanks

Sarah

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She should be fine. Cats, unlike human, don't care for their grown children, and don't keep in contact.

Originally Posted by semiferal

Whether the cats are mixed breed or purebred is completely beside the point. These are individual lives we're talking about and every one is as important as the next. I'm sorry, but the DSH kittens I have for adoption are no less worthy of excellent, thoroughly screened homes than the purebred kittens that someone else is trying to place.

Applications, reference checks, home visits, contracts, and fees are par for the course if you get a cat from a shelter or rescue, just because there is no other way to make sure a home is suitable. As much as anyone would want to be able to trust people based on their gut feelings, just about everyone who has found homes for more than a handful of animals could tell you a story of someone who looked great on paper or seemed great in person, but whose vet reference or home visit or reference check revealed something horrible. The process is not perfect, but for the most part it works.

It's true that some people will be put off by the idea of having to give references, etc, but in the end that's okay. It's much better to have the kittens for a while longer but know they have gone to wonderful homes in the end, rather than not doing a full screening and risking them going to homes where they may not be treated as they should be.

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With all these requirements, sorry, you could end up raising these kittens yourself. Most registered breeders don't do all the things suggested, probably because they figured out they would end up with hundred of cats and no customers if they do a home study on their clients. Obviously, those are all good ideas if you want the kitten placed into a good home. All of this however assumes there will be a lot of potential clients to choose from. Is it realistic to expect that?

Originally Posted by elizwithcat

With all these requirements, sorry, you could end up raising these kittens yourself. Most registered breeders don't do all the things suggested, probably because they figured out they would end up with hundred of cats and no customers if they do a home study on their clients. Obviously, those are all good ideas if you want the kitten placed into a good home. All of this however assumes there will be a lot of potential clients to choose from. Is it realistic to expect that?

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It is very realistic to expect this, as evidenced by the number of groups that have these requirements and still place a lot of animals.

I don't think anyone does a home study. A home visit is a very different thing. No one cares whether your place is perfectly tidy or how expensive your home is, and no one is going to look in your closets or under the bed. But I do want to make sure your screens are secure, the place is reasonably cat-proofed, the place isn't filthy, the kids aren't out of control, there is no evidence of drug use or excessive alcohol use, etc. Just the bare basic things. The whole thing takes 15 minutes tops.

The number of "potential clients" isn't of concern to me. I just want good, permanent homes and nothing else. And since I make everyone sign a contract promising to give the cat back to me if they can't/won't/don't want to keep the cat anymore, it makes it even more important that I do a very thorough screening. I'd rather have someone with me for another year at the beginning than have them returned to me five years down the line -or worse, abandoned or dumped at the shelter.

When I adopted Lucas from the shelter they never did a home visit, but called me a month later to make sure things were still ok. The shelter here only does home visits for dogs. And though it's true many places has a bunch of requirements and they're still able to adopt, it is also true that these places have to euthanize many of their animals for not having enough people willing to adopt.

Originally Posted by CCSR79

When I adopted Lucas from the shelter they never did a home visit, but called me a month later to make sure things were still ok. The shelter here only does home visits for dogs. And though it's true many places has a bunch of requirements and they're still able to adopt, it is also true that these places have to euthanize many of their animals for not having enough people willing to adopt.

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The shelters that have a lot of requirements are obviously also prepared to keep the animals in for a long time if there aren't any people good enough to adopt these animals.
When I bought my persian cats, i was asked to fill out a questionare.
I also signed a contract, but seriously, I don't see how the breeder would have been able to inforce anything in that contract if I broke it. The contract didn't say they would take back the animals if I decided to get rid of the animals either.
I believe it was mostly done to protect the breeder as it said that the breeder wouldn't be responcible for any vet costs I might spend on the cat. I also had to take the cat to a vet withing 72 hours or the contract would be invalid.

wellington... (for your 2 questions)

Its doest matter that it is in a contract that you are going to do a surprise visit. It doesnt defeat the purpose... giving an exact time, exact day would defeat the purpose. And your not trying to be like a cop and just in and bust someone. You giving a fair warning that you still want to make sure the cats are being treated well.

And who swore... if you read back, it was chiclett_33 but thats beside the point.

In my opinin, not checking in on the cats is very irresponsible. You are the breeder and you have every right to make sure those cats are kept safe. and i love hissy's idea about bringing gifts to lessen the sting.

I have done home visits for cat rescues in Quebec - several different resces actually - they were emailed by people from NB or NS and as rescues with beautiful cats in Quebec (some 8-11 hrs away by car), they needed someone on the ground here before they would agree to adopt to any of these people - and the people had to go to Quebec by plane or auto if possible - to get the cat. No shipping in airlines! (tho I myself did bring one cat back with me to a good home, as has my sister who teaches law at a Montreal university)

I myself travelled 2-6 hours to visit these homes and used the questions the rescues have (and my own skills as a clinician) in assessing the people. Did everyone want a cat? How would they care for a kitty? Could they afford the costs of cat ownership? Did they understand the breed (in the case of Siamese, Sphynx and Bengal) - all the relevant questions. I also called all their references and with my own network in the medical community and with vets I know, checked the references. Anyone can say someone is great - how do we know that?? I talked to poeple in the community - esp small communities. I do many educational seminars for pediatricians in outlying areas so know so many people that way - and through clinics.

Then I did followups - I called the people and even home visits. It was part of the contract and anyine who truly loves a cat will not say no. One family doc I know was given as a reference and when I called her with my mission, she asked to adopt a cat too, lol

So I see no reason NOT to do home visits. You do not need to be obtrusive or invasive. Be polite and call ahead. I think if one takes a cat into a rescue or allows one's female to get pregnant, we owe it to the kittens and cats to make sure they have a goodf life! A good "owner" will understand that!

Just saw your question about mama - no, she may miss them for a bit but give her lots of extra attention and play with her. You may find that by the time her babies are 12 weekws, mama will be happy to be not needed quite so much any longer. In my own case, when I adopted YY, her mom (a Blue Point Siamese of impecible pedigree and prizewinner throughout the world) gave her most beautiful (I am a tad baised, lol) baby a lick on the head and rushed off. That was it, as if to say - she's all yours now, look out!!!

Actually, it is a bit of both. She will be relieved to not have the babies underfoot and love the attention but she will miss them but cats do not think like us - she is prob a good mom and giving them lots of attention and teaching them what they need to know. Just give her lots of extra care and love!!

Originally Posted by ilovejoelyo

wellington... (for your 2 questions)

Its doest matter that it is in a contract that you are going to do a surprise visit. It doesnt defeat the purpose... giving an exact time, exact day would defeat the purpose. And your not trying to be like a cop and just in and bust someone. You giving a fair warning that you still want to make sure the cats are being treated well.

And who swore... if you read back, it was chiclett_33 but thats beside the point.

In my opinin, not checking in on the cats is very irresponsible. You are the breeder and you have every right to make sure those cats are kept safe. and i love hissy's idea about bringing gifts to lessen the sting.

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I think the idea of gifts is nice, but if us breeders went around doing that for every kitten it would soon get very expensive.

Ohwell I think we should get back on topic

Gameover: She wont get mad with you after they have gone. Make sure you keep them until they are ten weeks old.