If the weather hadn't been so beautiful today, I'd say this was a "disappointing day". But somehow with Spring-like sunshine and warmth, I must've been feeling far too optimistic for my own good.
I had cleared my calendar for the day to engage in an important meeting for our rescue. Unfortunately, I was the only party that remembered the meeting, so was stood up. The other party gets paid to do what he does, so I was pretty upset and disappointed at this level of rudeness. Besides - HE called the meeting. UGH.
I've never made it a secret that I'm not a fan of taking in owner/surrender cats. But when a call came in this morning from a caregiver of a senior lady with 3 cats, I decided to really listen to what was going on. Apparently, the senior had fallen several times. There was a Mom cat and two 7 month old kittens - none are fixed, of course:
Me: Are they friendly?
Her: Of course! They're wonderful lap cats!
Me: Terrific! We do have some available foster space for friendly cats!
Her: Oh good! Can you come today?
Me: My calendar is free today. By the way, what do the cats look like?
Her: Why they're purebred Himalayans!
Me: Wow! (thinking to myself: "The rescue jackpot!") Himalayans?? They're tan and brown? (trying to keep it simple.)
Her: YES! They're called "Chocolate Point!"
Me: (Insert silent "whoo hoo" here)
I immediately called our vet to schedule 3 spay appointments and started dialing foster parents to arrange for their arrival. Yes, I'm a planner - and need to have a plan for cats before rescuing them.
I arrived promptly to the apartment. She opened the door and I didn't see 3 Himalayan cats, but saw 3 short-haired Tortoiseshell cats scatter under the sofa hissing and growling.
Me: Um....those kitties aren't Himalayan. They're called Tortoiseshell.
Her: Oh no....they're definitely Himalayan. The vet told me that they're purebred Himalayan. (She points) There's the Dad of the 7 month old kittens.
Me: He's a short haired orange cat. Not a Himalayan.
Her: I had him neutered.
Me: Good.
I would've been happy to take the cats from her. She needed the rescue's help - there was no doubt about that. But I couldn't touch the darn things. They were under the couch growling, hissing.
Me: They aren't very friendly.
Her: Sure they are. Maybe they don't like your perfume.
I feel like beating my head against the wall when I deal with stuff like this. But it's part of dealing with the public. I don't think people realize how much of my job is dealing with the public.
Just had a call from Petsmart. Looks like we've cleared the adoption centre again and by tomorrow at 1:30 all the cats will have been adopted - again!!
This day is looking up! :)
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7 comments:
Hiss to people who just don't get it! Even I am more friendly than that, and I'm not a fan of humans.
I hope those kitties are able to find a home with someone eventually. And I really hope she doesn't advertise them as purebreds...
It sounds like you deserve a nap! Maybe you can convince one of your kitties to share a sun puddle with you :)
- Bella the cat
thank heaven for adoptions... not that it makes dealing with nuts any easier, but it helps restore the day some.
ha i bet if you stop paying mr. rude guy and treating him as volunteer he'll show up!! Too bad about the cats sorry you had to waste your time. Perhaps get people to email pictures if they can or video...it was nice of you to go there for the senior though...you've got a big heart.
Seriously -- I wish that it was a felony to describe any cat by a breed without papers from the breeder. There are too many pretend "Bengals, Maine Coons, Russian Blues, Persians, Norwegian Forest Cats, Bombays, Abbysinians, Himalayans" and alleged crosses there-of posted on sites like Craigslist and Kijiji every day, and with different rescue groups. It makes me nuts. An ordinary tabby cat is not a Bengal or Occicat or Savannah cat for crying out loud ! And no one should be fooled into thinking this is so.
I wish that the entire concept of purebred animals being more valuable or prestigious could be erased from our society. I have a purebred cat, who is a rescue, and she is the product of a registered breeder who was not responsible or ethical. This cat has many physical, neurological and behavioral issues. While her appearance is exotic -- her demeanor is impossible. I have other cats who have had rough histories as street cats who are loving, friendly companions with perfect manners. Breed credentials do not make a better cat, in my experience. They might make a better LOOKING cat -- but that is it, in my opinion.
Poor not-Himalyans, and the misguided tall tale of the caregiver.
Cats being cats ... My female furball was a bold totally-unafraid- of-anything kitten, who now hides away upstairs for hours when someone visits, while the male, who was distrustful of people as a kitten, is the one to saunter into the room and casually check out the new people. Hopefully that woman can get the cats into cages before potential adopters arrive!
Beth I give ya massive credit if you kept your cool and even if you didn't. This woman was a know it all, know nothing! I hope she didn't or doesn't procreate, can you imagine her poor kids! So did you take the "purebred" cats?? You could have told her, "those aren't Himalayans, those are tigers!"
Well hopefully they are just under-socialized and are actually friendly given time. My most co-dependent cat is actually quite anti-social when we have company over..
look at me giving people the benefit of the doubt.. I'm kinda impressed with myself (cause in general I hate "people") maybe I'm just giving the benefit to the kitties.. yea, that sounds more reasonable :)
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