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Want a kitten?
07/18/2010 2:08 PM by John M
A reader writes in looking to find homes for some kittens. Leave a comment if you’re interested:
There is a family of cats- mom, dad and 4 kittens that need homes. The neighbors are working together to trap the mom and the kittens sometime this week but we would like to try to line homes up for them. They are eating solid food so their old enough to ween.
Might send pics & info to the good folks at the Richmond Daily Beast. http://www.rvadailybeast.com/
That is very good of you to try and find homes for those kittens. While I really admire anyone willing to help homeless animals I worry your post and other ads could attract the wrong people . . .
FYI:
Dos and don’ts for the pet adoption process:
* Don’t place an ad in the paper for a free dog or cat. Undesirable responses might come from fighting dog trainers, who train dogs to be killers by using live animals as targets.
* Do screen potential adopters very carefully. Find out if they’ve had pets before and why they want a new pet. Ask for identification, references and an address.
* Do check all references before allowing anyone to see the pet. The best reference is one from a veterinarian. It’s very easy for a person to list their friends, who may not be honest, as references.
* Do conduct a home visit if at all possible. Get a sense of where and how the animal will live. If there are other animals, take note of how they are treated.
* Don’t be shy about requesting a follow-up visit. Or three.
* Don’t hesitate to say “no” to someone who doesn’t feel right for any reason at all. If no is difficult to say, tell them that other interested people are coming later and that the final decision is still pending.
* Do draw up a brief contract. It is legally binding (although enforcing it may be a problem). Shelters, rescue groups, or breeder organizations can offer guidelines.
What to include in the contract
The adopter should agree to:
* Spay or neuter the animal if this has not already been done.
* Provide proper veterinary care – yearly exams, vaccinations, and visits for suspected health problems
* Make the pet a member of the family. That means a companion FOR LIFE.
Mary Anne,
Thank you for offering that advice. You are 100% correct. Additionally, I might add that if the person trying to adopt out these kittens doesn’t have the time or inclination to follow your advice above they should contact one of the animal rescue groups in Richmond to take the kittens. They will ensure that the process above is followed.
the SPCA won’t take the kittens- too full. Not sure of any other no kill shelters in the area. One neighbor will be fostering the kittens until we find them homes. We’re all animal lovers (obviously- why would we go through all this trouble if we weren’t?) so please don’t make assumptions that we don’t plan to do the right thing…
I could have told you the SPCA wouldn’t take them and “no-kill” doesn’t mean what you think it does. There is a HUGE network of rescue groups in Richmond that might be able to help you out. Here is just one specifically for cats:
http://www.catscradle-richmond.org/
No one assumed you weren’t going to do the “right” thing. I admire you and anyone willing to take in homeless animals and I said as much in my post.
However, your initial post about the kittens didn’t mention you’d be vetting potential adopters, spaying/neutering prior to adoption, etc. so as far as I knew you were willing to offer the kittens “free to a good home”, which is why I decided to respond like I did. BTW – Dr. Nan Jack at Church Hill Animal Hospital (644-8200) may spay/neuter the kittens for free through Operation Catnip-call and ask her!
Would you rather me keep quiet and trust you are handling this situation responsibly just because you are an animal lover and nice enough to take in stray kittens? Sorry but I’ve seen the consequences of giving too many animal lovers the benefit of the doubt. I’d rather take the chance of offending you than not clue you in on resources for finding proper homes for the kittens and what else you should do so they don’t end up back in the animal shelter later or in an even worse situation.
Mary Ann’s information is helpful for alot of people reading this blog, not just the people in the conversation. Remember, this is a public site and many people read it even though they may not comment.
…and out come the claws!
catlover, I don’t think anyone made assumptions that you don’t plan to do the right thing…I applaud what you’re doing but as Mary Anne mentioned, it’s best to offer advise rather than just assume you know the best course of action.
Could you please give a brief description of the kittens? Male/Female and coloring?
Thanks, Mrs. M Street. The kittens are approximately 6 weeks old. One is a beautiful creamy orange tabby, and the other three are striking greys, with black tiger striping. Don’t know the sexes yet, as we’ve just trapped them, and are in the process of socializing them. Hope that once they are tame, we will be able to post some pictures.