Cat Adoption Orgs

[ravan]

They depress me. Every one of them seems to want a veterinarian reference, with phone number so they can call and spy on you, and to know about your job, and every other pet you've ever had, plus whether you rent or own, every pet you've had, where the cat would sleep (answer: Wherever they want - they're a CAT!!) or some such nosy crap.

This kind of crap would be easy to fill out if I was twenty, a SAHM, and owned my house outright. But I'm 45, just moved, the cats' old vet only my roomie maybe knows (and he goes to a different one each time!), I live with roomies, not a spouse, and I'm a semi-roommate to my "landlord" (and I pay the mortgage)! I hate filling out personal stuff, I never *answer* my home phone, only my cell, and all of the stupid forms just make me twitch!!

Plus, if I find a cat that I like, and likes me and my roomies, and then some snotty white-bread middle class broad decides that my home/job/life isn't "suitable" without telling me why, it just upsets me. As in "makes me want to cry" upsets me.

All of the cats that we've applied for in the last two months from those broads at maincoonadoptions are *still* waiting for homes. I just checked. Two months, that I know of, plus who knows how long before that. But I'm not "a good family". What bullshit.

What do I want in a cat?:
* I prefer long hairs. I don't mind having pet fur on my clothes, really. Brushes and combs for cats are available.
* We want a younger cat - under 5, preferably. We have an 11 y.o. and a 13 y.o. cat.
* I want a calico, tortie, orange tabby or ... - colorful. Our current cats are pitch black and a mostly grey tabbie.
* I want a larger cat - even if it starts out as a smaller kitten, I want to be sure that our black cat won't be able to bully it, even after it can't scamper like a kitten.
* I would prefer a female. If not a kitten, one that has had kittens, but is now spayed. In cat culture, she would be the queen of our kitty pride.
* I want a cat that wants us from the start. The cat picks the people, IMO. I'm strange that way. If they're not interested in me, I probably won't make them happy.
* I want a cat that isn't neurotic from previous owner abuse. Our current two were rescue/runaway from a woman who tried to treat them like naughty dogs, small children or vegetarian rabbits. They don't warm up to women that easily now, so they're Fuzzy's primarily.

Also, I'm still looking for veterinarian recommendations in the downtown San Jose area. I think we could still find the one in Sunnyvale that we used last, but one closer to home would be better.

EDIT: I think I found a vet. Where we used to live, before Cupertino, there is an animal hospital: Burbank Pet Hospital. It has good reviews, it is in a neighborhood we visit regularly anyway (Safeway and United Grocers are there, plus some of our friends... ). Now all I need to do is get our two existing kitties in there for their annual checkup - Fuzzy is kinda lax about it.

Comments

[raindrops.livejournal.com]

Cats choose who they own. Everyone (should) know(s) this.

Kiyoshi chose us. He was the one who came up and said, "Take me home with you, dammit. And I want tuna."

"OK, where's my tuna?"

(He got his tuna, Gold Star, and Wellness dry food... he eats better than we do)

He sleeps with us for part of the night, then his schedule apparently says he has to sit on "his" box for an hour, observing the world and guarding the door.

If we had to go through what you are, it would not have happened. The best cat in the world would not have found a home.

Grrrrr

[weofodthignen]

There may not be a vet downtown, but I do think you need a vet on your side. Vets often run their own small rescue operations, or do the placement for individual rescuers; certainly having a vet lined up and willing to vouch for you would go a long way. I've been looking through the phone book here, but I'm not finding any vets in your particular neck of the woods. However, I suggest you call:
Evergreen Veterinary Clinic, 1611 E. Capitol Expressway, 238-0690
Animal Medical Center, 1820 Hillsdale Ave, 267-7387
Bloom Plaza Animal Hospital, 5647 Snell Ave, 927-2000
Akal Animal Hospital, 940 Berryessa Road, 453-2524
--and also search an online database. There are also a number of people with cats on your street; if I were you I'd take a couple of evening strolls while the weather is nice, strike up a conversation, and ask them what vet they go to. Don't forget the witchy house by the railroad; a tabby lives there. The lady who's trying to sell her house has a fluffy grey. The second apartment complex south of you has an aged black and white. And so on.

I can see your point about wanting the cat to like you before you offer to adopt her; otherwise I'd say ask the neighbors about unwanted cats, too. As it is, do keep an eye out in the neighborhood for a newly abandoned waif; the gods may well have one in mind for you. And that rules out your shipping in one of the poor things occasionally advertised on kittypix, but, you know . . . if you can harden your heart enough . . . there are probably people advertising "free to a good home" in the San Jose paper, or standing with kittens outside the local supermarket. Go in both directions--Japantown has a market, too. Saturday mornings . . .

There are usually cat adoptions at Petco every Saturday morning . . . and I think it's also Petco that has the VCA veterinary clinics within its stores. Those in-store adoption set-ups do allow you to speak to the adopters face to face and explain your situation. I used to place my rescued cats through such an arrangement, and I know they go as much by their judgment of the person as by the questionnaire.

There seem to be a lot of animal shelters in the South Bay--and even more in SF and Oakland. Chances are some of them are absolutely awful and desperate to unload their animals. With a vet lined up, if you are willing to drive out with a carrier, your sincerity might overcome formalities.

Now in terms of the questionnaire, I think you know it all, but just in case . . . Give your cellphone number, and don't tell them you don't answer it--just use the voicemail feature to screen the calls. Say all windows are screened or kept closed. Mention your past cats as well as the ages of the current ones. Get the current ones up to date on shots and be very serious about the importance of shots. Say the cat will sleep wherever she likes, but that you have several places in your room you hope she will sleep on. Say you're flexible on color and coat length, and on whether she's had a litter--you can always be choosy after they clear you to adopt. It should be a point in your favor that you actually prefer an adult cat. Be forthcoming about your source of income, or at least put your vague answer in such terms that they realize you're rolling in it and perfectly willing to feed Ms Princess in the manner to which she is accustomed. If the religion question comes up, be aware that it's because they're concerned about Santeria and other cat-sacrificing practices, especially in October, and reassure them. Fill out all blanks on the application, even if vaguely. Consider using your landlord as a reference, or even mentioning me. (But if they call, I won't understand the message. Give them my e-mail.) You probably have several pet-owning friends and co-workers who could vouch for you. Extra references might help a lot.

And what are you going to do if the gods give you two kittens, or even two adults? Be prepared. I think you should put a carrier in the car. I have a Sherpa if you want it.

. . . You could also ask Freyja. I'll back you up if you do, but are you then ready for the possibility that I will call your cell one of these days and tell you to get to some streetcorner ASAP?

M

[heethen-crone.livejournal.com]

What she said. Don't give up, there's a kittie out there waiting to own you.

[ravan.livejournal.com]

I actually have a small softsided carrier in the Jeep.

Regarding two, that would be OK.

Part of why I want a cat is that it feels like it's time.

[bosn.livejournal.com]

I have three cats. I would give you one of mine if my kids would let me. I'm not realy a cat person. And I have three cats. Now how in the world did that happen?

[ravan.livejournal.com]

The cats own you, not the other way around. That's part of why I want to be sure that the cat choses me, and wants to be with me.

I had a kitten once, and roomies who didn't like him, and the feeling was mutual. One day while I was at work one of the SoBs let him out, and I never saw him again. I was upset.

[treecat]

I was put off enough reading the forms that I think when I do get another cat it will be through the paper or kids standing outside a store or friends who have one or one that comes up and says 'I'm moving in now' I can't hack the shelter snobbiness either. They should ask my cats for the reference! Some of the best cats are the ones that just find you somehow.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

e-mail me at harriganfam at sbcglobal dot net.
Jennie has a friend who breeds Siberians. They are very sweet and FUZZY! Some come out only pet quality. So she occassionally has a kitten who needs a good home. She also knows several of the rescue groups and thus can say "This Person Needs a Cat and I approve". It makes a difference.
Anypath, it wouldn't hurt for you to meet up with her.

[fiona64.livejournal.com]

Also, I'm still looking for veterinarian recommendations in the downtown San Jose area. I think we could still find the one in Sunnyvale that we used last, but one closer to home would be better.

We use Parktown Veterinary, on Park Victoria in Milpitas. I don't know if that's close enough for you, but they are really awesome there.