This is no fairy tale, dear readers. This actually happened.
Looking for two kittens
Two of our grandchildren expressed interest in owning two kittens, one for each. Easy. Let’s look in the community newspaper. Hopefully someone wants to give them away. Or maybe drive along a country road looking for the familiar sign: kittens looking for a good home.
Looking for two kittens
Two of our grandchildren expressed interest in owning two kittens, one for each. Easy. Let’s look in the community newspaper. Hopefully someone wants to give them away. Or maybe drive along a country road looking for the familiar sign: kittens looking for a good home.
Welcome to the new world of pet adoption
Not so fast. Our son and daughter (-in-law) discovered this once simple quest has morphed into a complicated affair.
Wanting to help a couple of poor helpless bundles of fur, they decided the best route was to go online and apply to a cat rescue agency. Surely this would be an effective and healthy approach.
Not.
To their surprise, they had to fill out a 5-page application form PLUS provide 3-character references.
Not so fast. Our son and daughter (-in-law) discovered this once simple quest has morphed into a complicated affair.
Wanting to help a couple of poor helpless bundles of fur, they decided the best route was to go online and apply to a cat rescue agency. Surely this would be an effective and healthy approach.
Not.
To their surprise, they had to fill out a 5-page application form PLUS provide 3-character references.
Telephone interview
Next, our son was interviewed on the phone for half an hour. Ground rules for adopting the kittens were spelled out, including signing a document stating the kittens would not be allowed ‘outside’.
Some of the questions appeared disturbingly personal. Like “do you own your own house?” “Do you both work full-time?”
“I wasn’t applying for a mortgage!” he complained.
Reference check
The agency called all three references. Some of the questions put to these folks bordered on unbelievable: would our son and family have the financial resources to deal with a $10,000 veterinarian bill?
Next, our son was interviewed on the phone for half an hour. Ground rules for adopting the kittens were spelled out, including signing a document stating the kittens would not be allowed ‘outside’.
Some of the questions appeared disturbingly personal. Like “do you own your own house?” “Do you both work full-time?”
“I wasn’t applying for a mortgage!” he complained.
Reference check
The agency called all three references. Some of the questions put to these folks bordered on unbelievable: would our son and family have the financial resources to deal with a $10,000 veterinarian bill?
Approval process and meeting with kittens
Finally, after their application was approved – this took 10 days -- our son and family asked to personally meet the kittens. A reasonable request.
The agency insisted on a virtual meet and greet first!
At last, following the virtual session, the family was permitted to ‘enjoy’ an in-person meeting.
The visit was not a success.
12 cats roamed inside the agency home. Our son, who had spent considerable upfront time and money to ensure no-one in the family was allergic to cat fur, was forced to leave the home. Sneezing, coughing, breathing difficulties had beset him. He waited in the car.
Finally, after their application was approved – this took 10 days -- our son and family asked to personally meet the kittens. A reasonable request.
The agency insisted on a virtual meet and greet first!
At last, following the virtual session, the family was permitted to ‘enjoy’ an in-person meeting.
The visit was not a success.
12 cats roamed inside the agency home. Our son, who had spent considerable upfront time and money to ensure no-one in the family was allergic to cat fur, was forced to leave the home. Sneezing, coughing, breathing difficulties had beset him. He waited in the car.
Another reasonable request
Still, he was willing to continue with the adoption on the basis of one final request. He asked the agency if it was possible to bring home two of the favoured kittens on a trial basis. To see how they fit in with his family and whether there really were any allergies.
His request was denied.
Final straw
If an adoption took place, cost would be $300 per kitten, along with the signing of a specific contract, presumably denying the furry bundles access to fresh air.
Cat-astrophe?
Anyone know of a farm cat with available kittens?
Still, he was willing to continue with the adoption on the basis of one final request. He asked the agency if it was possible to bring home two of the favoured kittens on a trial basis. To see how they fit in with his family and whether there really were any allergies.
His request was denied.
Final straw
If an adoption took place, cost would be $300 per kitten, along with the signing of a specific contract, presumably denying the furry bundles access to fresh air.
Cat-astrophe?
Anyone know of a farm cat with available kittens?
RSS Feed