Conference misery::feline_v1

    Requiring the  owner to be around all day seems rather unrealistic
    to me too, Phil.
    
    regarding the donation, however, that is standard practice at shelters
    in the US.  Its done for a number of reasons - 1. anyone who can't or
    won't pay a "small" donation to the shelter might not be able to afford
    the vet's bills, or is perhaps not dedicated enough to the cat's
    welfare.  2. There are those unsavory creeps who take cats/dogs and
    sell them for research.  My understanding is that they only get around
    $20-$30 per animal so requiring a donation of about that amount makes
    it unprofitable for them.  3. The costs of shots, FLV testing,
    Neutering etc is VERY high and the shelters really need the money.
    
    Hope that helps explain that issue anyway.  You've got to remember that
    these people don't know you, nor your dedication to your FFM's (Feline
    family members) and they need some way of sorting the good cat parents
    from the bad ones.  The donation is just one method of learning about
    this person.
      Nancy DC
    

    Sure Nancy, I can go for that but these people wanted to come out
    and see the house,meet the other cats.She didnt run a shelter either.
    She only had 4 kittend in her own house. The cats protection Leugue
    put me in touch with her and as I said I dont mind all the questions
    but having to play with them once an hour all day long? Thats the
    only reason she didnt want us to have them!!!
    
    Weve spent a lot on new litter, trays, toys,and have an appointment
    set-up with the vet to check them over you name it weve arranged
    it. And with all the space and safety we can give them they couldnt
    go to a better home.  You'd think I was trying to adopt a child
    by this womans attitude. I'd happily give 50 quid a kitten but I
    dont like being told how much I have to give. Thats not a charitble
    institution.Shes selling them.And as such should advertise them
    for sale. O.K. Shed lose her charity status but people have to abide
    by the rules. How do I know shes not putting the money in her own
    pocket? She gets alot of money from charity events let alone selling
    kittens.
    
    
    OOOOOOOHHHHHH I'M mad!!!!!
    
    Phil.

    Phil,
    
    The CPL don't sell (or give for that matter) you the kitten. You are
    just allowed to adopt it. Its still theirs. Wierd! I decided not to
    have anything to do with them cos I don't like their attitude either.
    A friend of mine was turned down by them - she lives miles from busy roads
    etc. They turned her down because they thought the 2 that she wanted
    to adopt would suffer from a lack of other feline company. I just think
    they want to keep all those kittens to themselves!
    
    I'll keep my eyes peeled for you, but you're right - there really
    aren't that many kittens to had in the UK!
    
    Lisa.
    

    
    	Phil
    
    	(trying to lighten up the mood a bit)
    
    	I know of three adorable kittens....unfortunately they're
    	feral and live at the Pelican Resort in St. Maarten.  =)
    
    	So sad that you can't find kitties to love and on that island
    	there are kitties with no one to love them!!
    
    	JJ

        >>>	I know of three adorable kittens....unfortunately they're
  >>>>>>  	feral and live at the Pelican Resort in St. Maarten.  =)>


        AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
    
    :-))

    I know how you feel - I was turned down by the RSPCA in Staines (or
    somewhere near by- Wraysbury?) because I lived in a flat!  Honest to
    God - I was soooooooo cross - (I already had one cat and wanted a 
    companion). I even owned the flat!  I am afraid I lost my cool - and
    told the old biddies what I thought of them and that they could whistle come
    donation time.   Needless to say I found an ideal kitten (6 months
    old) and she is still with me today as is the original one  - 11 years, 
    and more bonus point air miles than most people I known, later.
    
    Linda
    

    I've never heard of having to donate a fixed fee before. When we
    got Oliver we were invited to make a donation, but we were not obliged
    to do so. They did ask a number of questions, just to make sure
    that he would be well cared for, but we expected that anyway.
    We got him from Brittan's Farm in Wokingham and the only request
    they did make was that we let them know how he was getting after
    a few months - I believe this was more of a friendly interest rather
    than checking up on us.
    I think it is a shame that these charities have behaved in such
    a high-handed manner, but I suppose they do have to be careful that
    the cats don't end up in a lab somewhere.

    Phil -
      I'm not sure whether this woman has a "control fetish" or is just
    real insecure about placing the kittens and is being over-protective
    but in either case, you are right, she was out of hand.
    
    As far as fixed fee's go that seems to be standard practice with the
    shelters I've talked to at the cat shows.  I know Kitty Angels charges
    $50 per cat and some of the other ones charge $25-$40.  When I 
    adopted Bumpy & Mao from the MSPCA, some 10.5 years ago the fee was
    $5 for a spayed cat (Bumpy) and $35 for an unspayed one (Mao).  The
    deal was that I could either have Mao spayed free at Angel Memorial
    Hosp (which I did) or have her done elsewhere and get a $30 refund
    when I brought in the spay certificate.  
      The point is, the fees were fixed.  Now I also brought my poor
    Kathryn there for disposal and they asked for a donation without
    making any specification as to amount.  I remember I gave them $5.
    I didn't have much money at the time.
      
      I suspect that the cat overpopulation problem is so bad over here
    that even tho the shelters screen and DO turn people down, they are
    more anxious to place the cats.   I know its a real pain for you, Phil,
    but isn't it nice to know there's a place where its hard to find
    unwanted kittens.  
      Nancy DC
    

    Pity you didn't need a kitten 2 months ago when little Charlotte
    wandered into my husband's office and set up base there!  Eventally we
    took her to the CPL and I was quite pleased with them - but then I was
    on the giving end - not the receiving.  I gave a  10 pound donation,
    though it certainly was not mentioned (though probably because I was
    GIVING the kitten, not adopting it).
    
    At the time I was very concerned about her welfare as she had obviously
    been through a lot.  My guess is that they believe that since most of
    the kittens/cats they recieve have come from traumatic/unknown
    backgrounds, they want to ensure as much as possible that the animals
    will never be short of love again.  I think if you see it in that light
    it doesn't seem too unreasonable.  I was delighted when I was told
    that, 2 days later, they had found a home with a young couple (no other
    cats incidentally) and their 3 year old daughter.  I was also comforted
    by the knowledge that they didn't live near a main road and that
    Charlotte wouldn't be left on her own all day (this is very definately
    hypocrytical of me since both me and hubby work and Sophie and Henri
    are on their own for most of the day - but they do have each other).
    
    So I can understand your frustration, but on the other hand, you can't
    blame them for making these rules if they know that they can place the
    kittens/cats in what they think are the best environments for them.  If
    they can't find homes and they *still* stick to these rules, then I
    think it's going a bit far.

    The Nashua Humane Society asked $35 each for my two, $20 refundable
    when they were neutered or returned prior to neutering time.  ($15
    non-refundable for any reason.)  When I got them neutered, I got $20
    back.  I called several times for the other $20 and never got it.
    
    I know they need money and I'd be happy to donate but I place a high
    value on honesty and competence, one of which is lacking so I will
    not make them any contributions... but I digress.
    
    Their rules state that they can inspect your home and take the animals
    back if the place is not proper.  I have heard of their refusing to
    allow someone to have an animal for several reasons including "No, your
    last cat was killed in the road."  Which I didn't think was fair,
    either.
    
    Ed, Calvin, Hobbes, Ginger, Spook, and one to be named later...

    >I have heard of their refusing to allow someone to have an animal 
    >for several reasons including "No, your last cat was killed in the 
    >road."  Which I didn't think was fair, either.
    
    I would agree with you if the person was going to keep the new cat
    indoors.  However, if the person intended to make the new cat
    indoor/outdoor then I think the humane society is fully justified
    in its position.  If one cat was killed in the area then others
    could be as well.  
    
    Nancy DC