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Suggestions About Rescue Situation...Please
3 1/2 weeks ago, I contacted a rescue group about adopting a cat (listed on a
Petfinders site). The founder of the group is well known, locally. She was profiled in the major newspaper here. Two of the people assisting her, however, were incompetent idiots. I had dealt with them, first, before discovering their limitations and inability to do anything related to the rescue at hand. The story on the website stated that the current owners were going to throw this (declawed) cat into the street or dump her at a kill shelter. I wanted her. I made a couple of calls to Representative #1 who never called me back, despite promising to do so. I called her each time. She finally said she had personal problems and handed me off to Rep. #2. The story about the cat's situation changed 4 times. The listing on the site stated that the cat all meds were up to date. Since Rep #2 changed the story 4 times, I wanted the vet (who treated the cat) to verify her medical history. I even spoke to the husband (of the wife) who owned the cat. The ownership story changed a couple of times, too. I was told this 4-year-old cat (was she 4 or not?) had some extractions. This was a bit unusual, too. Despite my (9) nine requests to get the vet's verification, I was ignored. I eventually was told that the rescue group couldn't verify the meds. Question #1 - If they didn't know if the meds were current, then why did they post that they were? Anyone (owner) could say anything..without regard for truth, right? The rescue group has the burden to confirm the info before adopting the rescue animal out. In all, I placed over 15 calls...the last call was to the founder of the group. She confirmed the incompetence of the assistants, but put me off by telling me to call her back tomorrow. She said she couldn't call me back..she had no time...Good grief, they were the rescue group..I was the one who would adopt the cat. They made it almost impossible for me. Eight days ago, I also sent a full-page email documenting each phone call I made, the promises the rescue reps made that were broken, the stories and subsequent changes in those stories (by the group AND the owner's rep), the requests I made about medical health which the rescue group ignored, etc.). That email was ignored. I am sadly letting go of this possible adoption. I really wanted to help this girl, but can't overcome the barriers. Question #2. Should I report this situation to any monitoring organization so this doesn't happen to someone else? Question #3. Is there such an organization? Thanks. |
#2
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"Luvskats00" wrote in message
... 3 1/2 weeks ago, I contacted a rescue group about adopting a cat (listed on a Petfinders site). The founder of the group is well known, locally. She was profiled in the major newspaper here. Two of the people assisting her, however, were incompetent idiots. I had dealt with them, first, before discovering their limitations and inability to do anything related to the rescue at hand. Unfortunately, this happens a lot in rescues and shelters. There is high turnover, and sometimes the "volunteers" are only there because they have to be, sometimes they are teenagers who are immature, etc. The story on the website stated that the current owners were going to throw this (declawed) cat into the street or dump her at a kill shelter. I wanted her. I made a couple of calls to Representative #1 who never called me back, despite promising to do so. I called her each time. She finally said she had personal problems and handed me off to Rep. #2. The story about the cat's situation changed 4 times. The listing on the site stated that the cat all meds were up to date. Since Rep #2 changed the story 4 times, I wanted the vet (who treated the cat) to verify her medical history. I even spoke to the husband (of the wife) who owned the cat. The ownership story changed a couple of times, too. I was told this 4-year-old cat (was she 4 or not?) had some extractions. This was a bit unusual, too. Despite my (9) nine requests to get the vet's verification, I was ignored. I eventually was told that the rescue group couldn't verify the meds. Question #1 - If they didn't know if the meds were current, then why did they post that they were? Anyone (owner) could say anything..without regard for truth, right? The rescue group has the burden to confirm the info before adopting the rescue animal out. If you saw a generic "this pet is up to date on shots" on PetFinder, that is a checkbox that is checked when entering the animal into the system. Sometimes the person entering assumes that all of their animals are UTD, when maybe they aren't. I assume that a lot when I'm entering, because I enter based on our group's main website. We do not let an animal out (to be adopted) until it has had all of its shots (or current shots if a puppy) and it must be spayed/neutered (age appropriate, so far we don't do early s/n). In all, I placed over 15 calls...the last call was to the founder of the group. She confirmed the incompetence of the assistants, but put me off by telling me to call her back tomorrow. She said she couldn't call me back..she had no time...Good grief, they were the rescue group..I was the one who would adopt the cat. They made it almost impossible for me. Usually the "head" of a rescue is very busy, overwhelmed, and it can be hard for them to speak with everyone. However, if she is that busy she should be the one to call you back, because she may be "busy" when you call again. If she said it nicely, I wouldn't take it personally, but I would question the stability of the rescue organization. Eight days ago, I also sent a full-page email documenting each phone call I made, the promises the rescue reps made that were broken, the stories and subsequent changes in those stories (by the group AND the owner's rep), the requests I made about medical health which the rescue group ignored, etc.). That email was ignored. I am sadly letting go of this possible adoption. I really wanted to help this girl, but can't overcome the barriers. Question #2. Should I report this situation to any monitoring organization so this doesn't happen to someone else? Question #3. Is there such an organization? Thanks. There probably are no monitoring organizations, although, depending on the state you live in, sometimes the state department of Agriculture is the controlling body for shelters and rescues (like in Georgia). I doubt they could do anything about not getting a response from the group, but if the care of the cat is in question, they may be able to do something. Also, PetFinder seems to take complaints very seriously. If the cat was stated on the site to be UTD and the story keeps changing, complain to them. I do PetFinder for our group, and the PetFinder staff is great. They are typically quick to respond when I have a problem with the site, and they like to make sure that groups are truthful and that they keep their pet list up to date and active. I wouldn't completely give up on this cat. It still needs a home. Believe it or not, we have a hard time placing declawed cats, because they usually have been dumped because of behavior problems (biting, not using the litter box, etc) which can be corrected with the right home. They also can't be let outside and a lot of people want a cat that they don't have to worry if the cat were to slip out, or if they want a cat that can go in and out. Good Luck! -- ~ Lori and Jack, Sasha, Rufus, Joey, and Bug {Clean the doghouse to reply} ~ http://www.smithandwest.net/ ~ PETS, Inc - http://www.petsinc.org/ ~ http://petsinc.petfinder.org/ |
#3
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Question #2.
Should I report this situation to any monitoring organization so this doesn't happen to someone else? It sounds to me like that non-profit organization is overworked, underfunded and understaffed, a common thing in rescue work. People dump tons of animals on us all the time, sick ones, ones with major problems, orphaned. I can understand her situation but it's not excusable. She should only take on the amount of work she can do or else things like this happen. Question #3. Is there such an organization? I don't think it's a violation of any law to be a poorly run organization. If they haven't broken health or safety laws, they haven't legally done anything wrong. I would just choose to find a cat at another rescue organization. On another thought, why not give the girl a chance? Don't blame her for the poorly run organization. Sounds like she really needs rescuing. Getting up to date vaccines is cheap. It is possible for a younger animal to have dental problems if they had a mouth accident. I had a dog like that. I adopt animals no questions asked, don't know their real age, have no medical records, expect them to have medical and psychological problems which we overcome together. |
#4
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If the cat was stated on
the site to be UTD and the story keeps changing, complain to them. I do PetFinder for our group, and the PetFinder staff is great. They are typically quick to respond when I have a problem with the site....Believe it or not, we have a hard time placing declawed cats, because they usually have been dumped because of behavior problems..... As a (former) feline rescue volunteer, I had always the utmost respect for the founder of the now-incompetent rescue group. I don't feel it's out-of-line to get a vet who was treating the cat for all her life to sign off on her health. I don't feel ready to adopt a cat with problems. There are hundreds of special need cats - Because I'm undergoing surgeries and have limited funds, I can't take a cat that is not healthy at the moment. (Of course, the future health and well-being of the cat is my sole responsibility). Anyway. why is the organization avoiding asking the current owner to connect me (the future guardian) to the vet? Sounds like it's done so on purpose! Btw, I've been a vet assistant for 4 1/2 years, also. I've never seen a declawed cat with behavior problems. I've also taken 3 post grad courses in feline/animal behavior and do not believe declawing causes this. |
#5
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why not give the girl a chance? ....Sounds like she really needs rescuing.
Getting up to date vaccines is cheap. It is possible for a younger animal to have dental problems if they had a mouth accident. I don't blame the poor kitty for the incompetence of the 2 volunteers...They shouldn't volunteer. The founder of the group is overworked....However, there are thousands of cats out there. I chose this one, yet, there are 50 of equal need, same location...different rescue group...more med info provided, etc. No...the obstacles (minor, at that) shouldn't have me turn away. I will make another attempt. I will disagree with your statement that it's cheap to provide the meds. No, it's not. To test and provide vaccinations can be more than $100. That's not cheap. |
#6
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I will disagree with your statement that it's cheap to provide
the meds. No, it's not. To test and provide vaccinations can be more than $100. That's not cheap. I thought you were just talking vaccines i.e. meds. There are vaccine clinics here who do it for $7 or you can buy vaccines yourself from http://www.drsfostersmith.com/ They also sell some FLV, FIV test kits and other things at reduced prices. |
#7
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"Luvskats00" wrote in message
... If the cat was stated on the site to be UTD and the story keeps changing, complain to them. I do PetFinder for our group, and the PetFinder staff is great. They are typically quick to respond when I have a problem with the site....Believe it or not, we have a hard time placing declawed cats, because they usually have been dumped because of behavior problems..... As a (former) feline rescue volunteer, I had always the utmost respect for the founder of the now-incompetent rescue group. I don't feel it's out-of-line to get a vet who was treating the cat for all her life to sign off on her health. No, it's not out of line to ask for her health verification. But, the vet may not be able to do that without the owner's consent. It sounds like the owner may be at fault here, possibly asking the vet not to talk to anyone. Although if the cat is healthy, I would think the vet wouldn't have a problem saying so! It does sound like someone is hiding something. I don't feel ready to adopt a cat with problems. There are hundreds of special need cats - Because I'm undergoing surgeries and have limited funds, I can't take a cat that is not healthy at the moment. (Of course, the future health and well-being of the cat is my sole responsibility). Maybe right now is not the time to get a cat if you will be undergoing surgery, unless there is someone else there to help care for them. I can't imagine caring for all my dogs if I were seriously ill and without my spouse. LOL - Of course with 4 large dogs (plus a couple of fosters) that's a little different than a cat! And yes, with limited funds, I would think a possibly unhealthy kitty would be a risk for you. Anyway. why is the organization avoiding asking the current owner to connect me (the future guardian) to the vet? Sounds like it's done so on purpose! It does sound a little fishy, but as Mary said, they are probably overworked too. Also, sometimes to get a cat into rescue safely, or any animal, we have to "play the game" and sometimes that means keeping the owner anonymous or being nice to them when we really want to strangle them! Btw, I've been a vet assistant for 4 1/2 years, also. I've never seen a declawed cat with behavior problems. I've also taken 3 post grad courses in feline/animal behavior and do not believe declawing causes this. Everyone has their views. My view and our rescue's view is to never declaw because it totally removes the cat's natural defenses and therefore they do not feel safe. Declawed cats don't stand a chance if they slip outside and encounter the neighborhood dog. I have only one cat and I keep her nails trimmed as I do my dogs. We have had numerous declawed cats come in, and the large majority of them have either stopped using their litter box, are biting in defense (not play biting), or both. They also typically can't be around other animals. The large majority of our non-declawed cats do not do this. In fact I can't think of any we have right now that do this (the biting and the litter box). We can usually change the type of litter used to solve the litter box issue with these cats. It's softer and easier for them to use. It seems a lot of vets don't see the behavior problems because owners don't usually relate the two or think to talk to their vet about it (also, just from our experience). -- ~ Lori and Jack, Sasha, Rufus, Joey, and Bug {Clean the doghouse to reply} ~ http://www.smithandwest.net/ ~ PETS, Inc - http://www.petsinc.org/ ~ http://petsinc.petfinder.org/ |
#8
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I thought you were just talking vaccines i.e. meds. There are vaccine
clinics here who do it for $7 or you can buy vaccines yourself I have a cat who is the love of my life and would never bring in a new cat until the new cat was checked by our family veterinarian. His prices are average for this area. No sense in going to 4-5 vets for separate tests, meds, etc. I have paperwork for every vet visit (for each cat for the past 16 years.) So..the new cat would cost a bit more than another prospective adoptee because this rescue group dropped the ball. |
#9
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#10
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I'm sure the lady whose cat stopped using the litterbox after it was
declawed would disagree with you. She came to our group for advice. It now is confined to her enclosed pool area that can be washed down as needed. BTW, it was an adult when declawed. -- Joe http://www.jwpitt.com/cats.htm Cat Rescue http://www.animalrescuefoundation.com God created the cat so man could have the pleasure of petting the tiger "Luvskats00" wrote in message ... If the cat was stated on the site to be UTD and the story keeps changing, complain to them. I do PetFinder for our group, and the PetFinder staff is great. They are typically quick to respond when I have a problem with the site....Believe it or not, we have a hard time placing declawed cats, because they usually have been dumped because of behavior problems..... As a (former) feline rescue volunteer, I had always the utmost respect for the founder of the now-incompetent rescue group. I don't feel it's out-of-line to get a vet who was treating the cat for all her life to sign off on her health. I don't feel ready to adopt a cat with problems. There are hundreds of special need cats - Because I'm undergoing surgeries and have limited funds, I can't take a cat that is not healthy at the moment. (Of course, the future health and well-being of the cat is my sole responsibility). Anyway. why is the organization avoiding asking the current owner to connect me (the future guardian) to the vet? Sounds like it's done so on purpose! Btw, I've been a vet assistant for 4 1/2 years, also. I've never seen a declawed cat with behavior problems. I've also taken 3 post grad courses in feline/animal behavior and do not believe declawing causes this. |
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