I just returned from taking Tyson over to a potential adopters home. Understandably, he was scared being in a new place with strange sounds and smells. The lady held him and at first he struggled, but then he started to relax. Then, her two year old daughter came in- and well, as most of you know, two-year olds are not very quiet- so he started struggling. I ended up taking him from her and he snugged down into my arms and told me that he wanted to go home.
She wasn’t feeling him- that is what she said, so he is home again and in line for the next potential family.
Oh well, I tried. But I have reservations about adopting kittens out to families with small kids- that is usually a disaster waiting to happen. Especially with kids under six years of age.
I know a lot of pet groups won’t adopt to families with young kids. The deal is, at least in my state, hundreds of cats are put to death because no one will adopt them, etc etc. I have 3 year old twins, and we adopted a wonderful young black cat when they were 2. Yes, they adore her. Yes, they have been way too rough with her at times. Yes, the only time I’ve ever spanked them was due to “cat offenses.” But she loves, them, hangs around them all of the time despite the tail pullings, etc etc. She has never scratched or bit them (I wish that she would to teach them a lesson) And recently they have become very gentle with her.
I think its preferable for a cat to have a home, albeit a home with toddlers, than to be killed etc. or life on the street. There are just not homes for all of these cats and life in the city is not safe or good. Cats have been living in homes with toddlers since there were cats and toddlers, and hopefully will continue to . A smart cat (unfortunately not my cat) gets out of harms way until they grow up. But I agree, a kitten (also not a smart cat) probably isn’t a good bet for a toddler home. On the other hand, I think these restrictions on cat adoptions are short sighted and don’t recognize the big picture–these cats need homes and beggars can’t be choosers!!
Anyways, thanks for all of your help to catkind!
I gauge the home and the kids when I visit with the cats or cat. But in the past, I have been dismayed to have kittens returned to me a few days later with severe injuries done to them by kids under the age of four. In my application form I leave a clause that I will take the cats back within thirty days if they don’t work out. So, I am very careful where these kittens end up.
I was four when I got my first cat. He was a beautiful HUGE gold and white boy (not neutered because back then, it wasn’t an issue) I lugged that kitty around like a doll and most of my early photos show him in my arms. So I know that some toddlers can relate to cats properly.
She did not feel him, so he is home where he needs to be for now. He was traumitized by the visit and spent a good hour trying to suckle one of my other cats, something he hasn’t done since he was a bottle baby.
He is better now- and there is a home waiting for him somewhere and I will find that purrfect place- because he deserves it-