Adopting a cat - CPL concern...

Hectors_House

Has anyone else experienced this? At the moment there's apparently a long waiting list to rehome kittens so I can't imagine they were desperate to get rid, just seemed somewhat irresponsible?
What a beautiful boy he is!!!! I didn't get a home visit from the shelter I found my Sweepy at. By the time we got there they were close to shutting up shop for the weekend and there was just a young volunteer there to show us around.However, after seeing my cat instantly bond with me when I sat down in her cage maybe the girl thought I looked OK.The paperwork I filled in mentioned a home visit but it never happened.Maybe you ticked a lot of the good boxes already with already having a cat and a dog?If you feel you still want to follow up with the shelter you can always send them an email with photos showing how your boy is getting along. I know they like to hear from folk.</p>

anniestar

What a stunning boy. I used to help with my local CPL branch and can perhaps explain. Firstly (with the exception of the huge shelters that are run directly by the CP) the local branches are run entirely by volunteers a lot have work commitments and do what they can.
The branch I was associated with ALWAYS did home checks in the first instance(although if you had had a cat from then before you would not get re checked)
Each branch has its own policy. However both DH and I were helpers at an animal sanctuary that had loads of different animals(and paid staff members)who never did home checks for cats although they did for dogs and rabbits :mad:
Yet another(dog and cat rescue) does no home checks whatsoever which stunned me. The branch I was connected with had a policy(now changed thankfully) of not placing a cat with anyone over 65 which was just plain stupid although they had a team of fosterers some of whom were well into their eighties.
Regarding the crass road comments that MaximumImmpact had to suffer-that's disgusting. Our first CPL cat Kevin was knocked down and killed right outside our house(ironically I had spent the day doing a flea market to raise funds for the branch. I had nothing but love, care and support. I guess that simply loving animals doesn't always make people caring and considerate for the feelings of humans.
I do think that often the branches get a "feeling" about potential adopters and of course your lovely boy will be much better in a loving home environment as he recovers from his op.I think that the people concerned do the best they can within the time and commitments they have.
Anyway, he is beautiful and your dog(is that your avatar) is gorgeous. Cats and Labs are a fantastic combination(we used to take old lady labs) Enjoy.
Good luck to your fab family.
A xx

anniestar

RacyRed wrote: »

I'm speechless!

Irresponsible to have a cat near a road? Oh hang on, I know of a tiny place in the far north of Scotland that isn't connected to the road system yet, there are about 5 houses there, would they pass the CPL exacting standards? Ah no... No vet :rolleyes: .

Poor you MaximumImpact, I'd have felt like s**t too, anyone would.

You reminded me of an event years ago when I lived in a council block. There was a large, well shrubbed communal garden and some derelict sheds and things behind the building where a very small colony of cats lived, just 5 or 6 at most.

I won't call them feral as they were in and out of some of the ground floor flats all the time, they were friendly and cared for, de-flead (as far as possible) wormed regularly and taken to the vets when needed. They were mostly neutered with just one or two un-neutered cats kept to keep the line going - they were brilliant ratters and were highly valued by the community they lived in for this. They could all have gotten themselves adopted if they chose, but appeared to be happy living as they were. Boxes and blankets were always available for beds for them in the out-houses.

I ssuppose what I'm saying is that these were cats "owned" by a community but not by any one individual. We all lived like this for years, with the majority of people living in the flats giving a few pounds when needed to help care for the cats and providing top-up food when the rat population was low.

Enter the CPL, unannounced, late at night, armed with cages. They swooped in and all the cats were taken. Two of the wilder toms (who had already been neutered) were returned, we were told that the rest of the "feral" cats could be socialised and would be re-homed and that it was actually none of our business. Us plebs on a council estate obviously had no idea about cat care or community spirit. :mad:

Within a couple of years the 2 toms had wandered off and the rats had taken over. For years the residents talked about the much missed cats. Great move CPL.

I am in total agreement with you. That is awful. Particularly when htere are so many cats that actually NEED help. (By the way I REALLY miss your stunning photos)

Milford_Cubicle

We couldn't decide on a name and have been referring to him as "Cat 2" all day :rotfl:

Anyway, after a choice between Badger and Roffle (ROFL, we already have a L'mao (LMAO) ), we tossed a coin and Roffle won

It's been a fun day with Cat 1 hissing at Cat 2 but it all being a front really (I can tell she secretly likes him) and Cat 2 hissing at dog and smacking her across the nose at every opportunity! Cat 2 has well and truly settled in, you'd honestly think he'd been here forever! He took up residence on my bed earlier and didn't move for much of the day. He's the most affectionate, loving, friendly cat I've met after L'mao, and I thought that she was exceptionally friendly and loving!

L'mao is sulking a bit today, but she's getting her usual attention and isn't making a point of hiding away, she is spending time in various rooms with each of us. I suspect she's just being a girl! She refused breakfast, perhaps she's slimming for him

He's peeing and pooing for England, so at least I know he's recovering well from his neuter. And, they're using the same tray which is great news. I bought a nice new bed for L'mao today, and Roffle instantly took up residence in it...

I'm away for a few days tomorrow, will be interesting to see how they're all getting on when I return

coolio_2

Cats being neutered would be fine going somewhere same day, Its a v minor op for boys. CPL have something like 4 month long waiting lists at some centres which may explain the quick get rid.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I've never been vetted like that by anyone - I just get offered animals by rescue places and people looking to rehome. Perhaps it's because my body language is good with animals (being the youngest child of a vast neglected brood left to drag myself up with the animals, I guess I'm pretty good with them).

Drew the line when the DDs' head teacher offered me one of the school's more challenging children! After I laughed (cos the boy wasn't that bad really), he said 'no, I'm serious - have you considered fostering?'

Think I'd better stick with animals though...

Kimberley

To be honest even when rescues do homechecks you cannot guarantee that animal will be looked after once the door is shut behind you.

izzydogsam

MaximumImpact wrote: »

I had a really bad experience with CPL. I called them a few years ago to enquire near to my house. His sister was distressed and pining and the vet had given me their number advising that they would be best placed to help.

I spoke to a very rude woman at my local CPL and when I explained my predicament, she said, and I'll never forget this...'We would never rehome a cat to someone like you, it's irresponsible to have a cat near a road. Why would we give a cat or kitten to someone who has had one killed on a road so that it could happen again' I was very upset and put the phone down feeling like a piece of s**t and that I was a cruel owner. The road is about a quarter of a mile from my home and I live rurally.

I eventually found a local farmer who had some kittens and he happily gave me a little kitten who I still have 6 years later. He was astounded at the CPLs attitude.

To this day I have never recommended them to anyone and never would.

In defence of CPL (we have a friend who runs a local branch) they don't all have same attitude. I have heard that a lot of CPL people believe cats should only be homed where they are 'safe' i.e. kept indoors or in a secure garden (how you manage that for a cat I'll never know!). Our friend meanwhile, says she would rather a cat live a more normal life, allowed to roam free, and risk the traffic, than be kept indoors. So she is more flexible in her rehoming policy than other CPL people I've heard about. I was surprised, as I'd have thought they'd have a standard rehoming procedure/standards, but I suppose it's difficult when so much work is carried out by volunteers in so many different areas of the country.

I have to say that another friend has a Lab and two cats and they get on famously - so another vote for Labs and cats together! :T

MaximumImpact

In defence of CPL (we have a friend who runs a local branch) they don't all have same attitude. I have heard that a lot of CPL people believe cats should only be homed where they are 'safe' i.e. kept indoors or in a secure garden (how you manage that for a cat I'll never know!).

Good for your friend, I'm pleased there's at least one who lives in the real world. I find most of the CPL people I have dealt with over the years condescending and arrogant. I now strongly advise people against them as I don't want anyone to be treated with contempt like I was, I tell them how I was spoken to and recommend that they go to http://www.catchat.org/ for local rescue centres in their area who are more accomodating and understand what reality is when it comes to having a cat.

(To anyone out there who can help though Feral Cats offer Mouse Control services, in exchange for food and shelter…Could you offer Feral Cats a rural or farm home?)