I didn't need to be lectured!

Darn! I gues that I'll have to tell Pudge that she's supposed to be unhappy when she stops purring and licking my chin.

On a serious note, that woman was just rude. I had to rehome a cat once who was far better off being an only cat. He was wonderful with people, but an absolute demon with other cats. It wasn't good for any other cat's well-being for him to be around them, and he is very happy in his new people-only home.

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

Seeing how I have only one cat, I find it to be incredibly rude. I am allergic to cats, therefore I only have one. Should I be denied the pleasure of ownership because of that? There are also members who have aggressive cats that will not tolerate living with another cat.

Give me her email address

I'm just kidding

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Were you thinking of Jamie, Karen? He's got a vets' appointment tomorrow morning (annual shots), so no other cats have appointments scheduled at the same time.
Eileen, I rather doubt that the woman has a great deal of experience with cats, because there definitely are cats who prefer to be "only children", or to be paired with dogs, ferrets, or rabbits, rather than other cats. Jamie had to be separated from other cats at the tender age of 10 weeks, and our other cat, who was very sociable, never managed to get him to come around. Our shelter is now trying to help out a family that adopted two litter mates (sisters) 5 years ago. The cats got along fine until they reached the age of two, and then decided they couldn't stand each other. The family has had professional help (behaviorists), has tried Feliway, etc., and are now at the point where one cat is outside 12 hours a day, while the other is inside, and vice-versa. Both are still at home, but we're looking for a family (with children) that is willing to take either one of them, and forget about having another cat in the family.
I get so sick of certain prejudices: Cats are happiest with other cats, with outdoor access at all times, should not be let outside under any circumstances, etc..

We tried to adopt this beautiful kitten from a foster/no kill shelter before we adopted Anya but were turned down because we only wanted to adopt one kitten. They told us that they ONLY adopted out kittens in pairs. We really only wanted ONE cat, not to mention we have a small apartment, and live in a VERY expensive city. Vet bills are terrible here.

Anyway, we accepted what she said and went to a city shelter in South LA and found Anya, so I guess it all worked out.

I don't see a problem with only one kitty in a home. ours gets tons of love this way, and I'm pretty sure she sleeps all day when we're at work anyway.

I think her using the word "naive" would have made me angry, but I guess let bygones be bygones and think about all the cats you're helping rather than evil coordinator lady.

I agree that was rude.

I am a firm believer in a multi-cat household...but there are exceptions. My sister only had one cat because she's a college student and can't afford a second right now. She's going to get him a friend eventually, but he's a wonderful cat and very well cared for. I don't see how it would damage him...I could just see him being lonely.

Originally Posted by emily_325

We tried to adopt this beautiful kitten from a foster/no kill shelter before we adopted Anya but were turned down because we only wanted to adopt one kitten. They told us that they ONLY adopted out kittens in pairs. We really only wanted ONE cat, not to mention we have a small apartment, and live in a VERY expensive city. Vet bills are terrible here.

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Yep, i was in the exact same situation, i went ballistic, my poor ex bf had to get a paper and literally called every advertisement and teufel happened the be the last one on the list!
I was so happy!

Originally Posted by jcat

Were you thinking of Jamie, Karen? He's got a vets' appointment tomorrow morning (annual shots), so no other cats have appointments scheduled at the same time.

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Yes, I was actually!

But you often see ads on Petfinder for cats that should be in a single cat household.

I had my Rainbow Bridge boy Snoopy as an only cat for years. He was happy and content that way. He didn't need, nor did he want another cat in the house. When Snoopy was about 12 years old, I got Shane. Snoopy couldn't stand him. In fact it took Snoopy a full year before he warmed back up to me. He held such a grudge. He got to the point where he tolerated Shane, but that's all. He never warmed up to Shane. Snoopy always liked people, not other cats. Snoop also accepted dogs, but he never liked other cats. I got Shane for me, because I was starting to worry that Snoopy might not be with me much longer, due to his age, and I didn't want to be alone. I could have waited 8 years, because Snoopy lived to be 20 years old, and his last 8 years of life probably would have been a lot happier had I not bought Shane.

I think it's totally wrong to demand that people adopt 2 cats or none. That really stops a lot of cats finding good and loving homes. Besides, who knows, maybe that person who adopted 1 cat, may turn around some day, and decide to get another one.

Not to beat the dead horse any further, but I just can't control myself. That lady is so...narrow. We have two kitties, who came as a matched set, but frankly, I think Nathan would be just as happy to be by himself. And my MIL has an only cat who I am CERTAIN would actually EAT any other kitty that was brought into the house.

One cat....
My beloved Bartholomew & I had 16 wonderful years together.
He had a glorious life.
Mew

Any lecturing is not appropriate. Your not a 5 year old that ran in front of a car. Your an adult that is smart and KNOWS about the well being of cats.

I know how annoying it is to get lectures..but try not to worry about it. She just felt like picking on you.

I love you guys! (and not just because you agree with me.)
I started out with one cat too (Katie).

I do need to just move past this and concentrate on finding the rest of our kitties good homes. You've given me a lot of great ideas to support my position the next time we run into a situation like this. Thank you so much!

That is rather rude! I agree with a previous poster! You did the best you could! I honestly think the shelter coordinator needs to reevaluate her adoption policies! There is nothing wrong with a single cat household- some cat's are "one cat only" type kittes...and others need companions. I personally prefer to adopt out kitties together, but i'm realistic and know that that option isn't always possible. I applaud you for helping out and taking such good care of those kitties! I do not however applaud the director of that organization. I really think she should consider a pre-adoption application as well. But that's just my opinion. I've seen really positive results when those are done prior to the approvial or disapproval of an application. Reguardless of what she thinks- you certainly did not deserve a lecture! She owes you an appology. I would find a kind way to let her know that as well- she needs to value her volunteers and if she doesn't want certain things done certain ways, then she needs to be more approachable and more detailed. Maybe she could hold a volunteer meeting and draft up new ideas and policies she'd like to have at her shelter. That way everyone is on the same page and she doesn't "attack" her volunteers again. Good luck dear! You definitely have my support

Two are $$ er but they are easier to care for ... Kandie was a one kitty kityy for her first two years ... then five years later she went back too one kitty status and was happy for the next ten till I thought she needed a buddy and Zoey cam./..lol... I recommend not haveing a 15 yr age difference but Kandie has learned to play nice... I am currently looking into getting a third kitty to keep Zoey company ...The lady should be sat down and explained manners!

I have to agree! That was rude! How many cats out there wouldn't have loving homes if people were 'forced' to adopt more than one!

Ya know what? Just email her this link and that oughtta teach her to snap off to you. Nasty woman! I bet she doesn't do it again! LOL! (and it'll keep you from getting in trouble with your own words! LOL!)

Just reading in here now and had to put my .02 in. LOL


I have 4 cats and we have one that would be MUCH happier in a home by herself WITH her slaves working away from home all day. LOL She mainly likes to be left alone, doesn't like the other cats or our dogs. when SHE wants it she will come to us for some loving either to one of the kids for about 2 min. or to me or my husband. She goes nuts loving my husband every morning before he goes to work then she is fine to be ALONE the rest of the day. And i am home with 2-3 kids (depending on if it is school vaca) every single day.

The other cats even though I am home. ONE loves to snuggle but she likes to be downstairs where the kids aren't allowed (funny since she is such a love bug) so when we are down here (nap time for the kids or bedtime and watching tv) she lays with us so mainly "alone" sleeping all day long. The other 2 play together and come up for visits with us.

so in other words it all depends on the personality of the cat. and I got ALL of my cats as kittens anywhere from 9-14 weeks old.

Just had to share this. Our coordinator called last night to let me know that the three littermates of the little gray guy that got adopted as a single kitten (and resulted in the lecture) all went to a wonderful home together last night. A triple adoption!

So, I think things worked out the way they were meant to. Goes to show that everybody's circumstances are different and we do need to respect that. The main thing is that four rescued kittens are now in loving homes.

That's wonderful Eileen!! Is it just me though, or don't you wish all 4 could have gone to the same loving home............. I'm such a sentimental geek.........

Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

That's wonderful Eileen!! Is it just me though, or don't you wish all 4 could have gone to the same loving home.............

I'm such a sentimental geek.........

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It's not just you, Susie. I wish they could have all gone to a home together too, but am happy with how things worked out. And, based on my conversation with the woman who adopted the little gray guy, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a buddy before too long!

How exciting! i bet a triple adoption doesn't happen to often! God works in mysterious ways!