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Shelter hurt my feelings2007-11-25 12:25:45

I have 4 happy, healthy, well-behaved cats. My vet references are exemplary, and I have successful adoption records at other shelters. This one would not let me have a kitten because I allow my cats to come in and go out as they please. In fact they were rather rude to me. I can't believe they would rather keep a kitten locked up in a cage than let it go to good loving home simply because the kitten would have the freedom to be cat there. I did adopt somewhere else but It's just killing me because I know I'm a great kitty mommy. Should I write them a letter or what should I do? I don't want to seem like a deranged lunatic but it did hurt my feelings. Also, I live in the country and have never had problems with my other kitties going outside.

Answers:

Every shelter of every kind has their own standards. It's their shelter and they have their own way of doing things. They want things done their way. Period.

I'm sure that in your own home you have certain standards about how you keep house, how you want your cats treated, what they are fed. and as it is your house, you expect anyone visiting that house to respect your wishes. I have no doubt that you are an absolutely fabulous caregiver to your cats and that they adore you because even though thay have every opportunity to leave, they always return to their home because you have made it their home. That's terrific.

But at the same time, a lot of people who adopt cats do not have your high standards. They do not understand what it is to keep a good house, to take good care of an animal and simply don't have a clue. One of the standards that shelters rely on are basics that may not include your way of doing things but tend to protect their cats in entering a potentially dangerous situation at someone else's home. It's not personal, it's just a protective device keeping their cats out of homes where the people might think it's perfectly normal for their cat to get locked out of the house all night or all day.