Kitten adoption issues!

Question

Hi, I'm from the UK (no idea if this will make a difference) am looking to adopt a couple of kittens. I've had cats all my life except for the last 2 years when I've lived in a city center flat. Now that I've moved out of the city I'm wanting to get some cats again! I was wanting 2 kittens, preferably related and would much rather get them from a cat rescue centre and help them out! However, I've looked at some of the websites and some rescue homes won't home kittens to people who are at work all day. My other half and I work in town and leave at about 8am, returning at about 6. One of the other reasons I've decided to get 2 kittens is so that they have a friend during the day time (and at night so they're not mega noisy whilst I'm sleeping like some of my previous cats!!) I'm intending to take at least a week off work when I get the kittens to settle them in but I'm very worried now that I might have to get kittens from elsewhere when I would much rather help a kitten in need!! Do you think I'm being irresponsible? The rescue homes say that the reason for this rule is that kittens can get ill very quickly and deteriorate within a few hours, perhaps I could get a neighbour to help out? I don't know what to do now!

Answer 1

Just don't get really little kittens. By about 12 weeks kittens are fully able to look after their own needs while you're at work.

The really young ones would need much better supervison or you will come home and find one wedged under the cooker or hanging in the blind cord! :) and they are the only ones who get sick really quickly. Iknow they're cute but you'll have healthy cats if you get older ones.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Kittens do need extra attention, so it would depend how old they are. If they are nearly full size obviously you can leave them for up to 2 days as long as they have enough food and water.

Answer 3

Cats are quite good at taking care of themselves, even kittens,  They do not need constant attention.  

As long as you are there to take care of them, as long as you can take them to the vet as needed, then there doesn't seem to be a problem.   You are obviously a previous cat owner and know how to take care of them.

BTW:  should you get two cats that are related, a brother and a sister, it still would be best to get them fixed because cats can and do interbreed with one another.

Answer 4

Some shelters can be overly cautious.

I work for the Cats Protection and we always ask what the potential owners employment status is but that does not affect re-homing (at our branch anyway).

Definatly look into your local RSPCA or Cats Protection as these are registered charities and you will probably have more luck if you explain your situation.

You could always adopt two older cats as a pair instead and then you would have less to worry about in the case of keeping them occupied. I would also check what requirements the shelter has, the one I work at will not home a cat as an 'indoor only' cat.

But don't give up homing a needy rescue cat, its a good thing you're doing so just 'shop about' for the right charity to rehome from.

Good luck!

Answer 5

No you're not irresponsible....just pick up a local newspaper and there should be some available in the classifieds.

Answer 6

Wow, that's weird.  I'm assuming that the UK has the same huge problem with cat overpopulation that the States does.

If you have confirmed that your staying with the cats full time for the first week isn't sufficient enough, then I would get two kittens from someone who has just had a litter by accident, who would be taking the kittens to a shelter anyway.

Then I would contact your MP to see about changing the laws.  Denying pets to someone who works is just mean.  Cats aren't like dogs, they don't need to be "let out" and they sleep so much during the day that they can certainly handle you being gone ten hours a day.  Think about all the lonely single working people who would LOVE to have an animal companion.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Someone is being overly cautious.  Go in state your case and get the kittens. I would make sure that they are a little bit older than tiny kittens. You would be surprised at how cats bond with each other so you might just consider two kitties that have been living together for awhile.  Don't give up on the shelter at this point. Talk to the person in charge and you might get another answer.  I foster kittens all the time and right now have 3 ,one brother and 2 sisters that would just love to be with you.