Can I legally take my foster kitten back from his new family?

Question

I am a foster for a local animal shelter. I adopted out one of my kittens yesterday. I like to go to the houses where they kittens would be living and meet with the family. I was totally blind-sided yesterday and had no idea what to think or do. The home was messy but not trashy. I am 16 and my mom helps me with this. She wasn't feeling good about it but I met the other animals in the house and felt good about it since the lady and her kids were nice.

We have no finalized the adoption yet nor cashed the check. We both feel EXTREMELY regretful and like this was not a proper home for a kitten and we would like the kitten back. I've been sick to my stomach worrying and my moms been getting tearful just thinking about the kitten.

Can the shelter take the kitten for me or what? I feel like such an idiot but we both agree at this point we made a huge mistake. I raised this kitten and his 4 brothers since birth and I feel like this adoption went terribly wrong.

Answer 1

So are you saying the because the house was messy you want to take the kitten back?

Answer 2

The world needs more people like you in it.  I would work with the shelter and schedule a "visit" to check things out with an adoption manager.  Following your gut instincts is always the best bet.

Good luck.

Answer 3

You have given no reasons here at all why these people would not be good for the kitten and why this isn't a good home. A messy house has nothing to do with love or caring

Answer 4

You should work through the shelter to determine what can be done.  Many shelters have policies about who can adopt and if it is found that the family did not meet the adoption criteria, the shelter may be able to take the kitten back.

In most foster situations, the foster parent raises the kittens and then returns them to the shelter so the shelter is responsible for screening potential adopters and selecting the homes for the kittens and cats go to.  Since you are 16 and don't have a lot of experience at screening, and the shelter is ultimately responsible in the end, this would be a better way to go in the future.

Answer 5

Personally, I don't see why they would even HAVE the kitten, before the adoption is finalized.

Talk to the shelter, see what they say about it.

Answer 6

I can understand your concern, mostly because you are a very caring person and are attached to these kittens.  I suggest that you visit the home more than once, to see if you still get the same negative vibe.  If it is just the messy house, remember that cats don't care if the house is a mess as long as they are LOVED.  Does this family have enough money to care for this kitty properly?  If so, you may just have to let it go.  If you sense real neglect, then it is right and good for you to request that the kitten be returned to you based on criteria that the family did not meet....just make sure you are clear on just what criteria you are basing it on.

Answer 7

I don't think being a great housekeeper is one of the requirements for having a cat. If she has a few other pets, loves animals and her children are nice, stop worrying. The cat will not get injured, sounds like it will have very positive attention from a nice family. Don't judge them by a messy house, judge them on who they are and their love and ability to care for a pet.