A British animal rescue organisation, which I can’t name today, insists that cats adopted from them are allowed to roam outside entirely freely. On what I have heard first hand, it makes no difference if you live in London or if you live in a place where there are many other dangers for a cat.
And it also appears to make no difference if your cat is 4 months of age, still not fully socialised and not fully grown despite the fact there are unneutered toms, foxes and dogs in the area. Of course, there is always the possibility of being run over even if the road is 400 yards away.
I have discovered that where I live there have been a number of attacks by an unneutered tomcat on other cats including my late and loved Charlie. A neighbour has lost two cats. In the past, many years ago I have lost a cat on the road, which has altered my views. I think a cat caretaker has to experience that to fully understand the potential dangers to free-roaming cats in urban areas in England. This is not a criticism of people who allow their cat to roam because each owner makes their own decisions and those decisions should be respected.
The rescue organisation’s spokeswoman told me that if they’d known my plans for Gabriel, they wouldn’t have allowed me to adopt him. This was deeply upsetting to me. I was his foster carer when he first came to me at about 6 weeks of age. He was semi-feral. It took countless hours of play and interaction to socialise him. I achieved a lot and praise from the rescue organisation. In fact my cat is better socialised than his sister who is being cared from by the organisation’s senior employee. However, he is still not fully socialised and he may never be fully socialised in the way we would like cats to be (relaxed with anyone and other animals).
Because of the genuine dangers for a cat where I live, despite the wonderful and extensive grounds, I plan to keep my cat inside until he is a few months older and thereafter, leash train him (if possible) and simultaneously build a decent sized mobile-enclosure outside in the back garden until I can move to a house with a good sized enclosed garden (quarter acre). That is what I consider to be a thoughtful plan with cat welfare uppermost in my mind at my expense.
I have plans to move to the country in the summer where I can ensure my cat has a good-sized, safe outside space. If the area where I buy is obviously safe for a cat and if my cat behaves in a way which reassures me that he will be as safe as possible, I’ll let him wander outside but even then I will supervise to a certain extent.
All this is unacceptable to the rescue organisation. They simply insist on free-roaming outside cats. For me this is a ridiculous policy which lacks refinement. Whether a cat is allowed free access to the outside depends on where the cat lives. That is obvious but from the organisation’s spokeswoman’s perspective “accidents happen” and even if Gabriel were to be killed roaming outside within the first 6 months this is preferable, according to her, than doing what I plan to do. That cannot be correct and tens of millions of Americans would agree with me.
In addition, provided the adopter complies with the contract (and I have) the organisation have no right to lecture a cat caretaker/guardian on day to day cat care after the adoption has taken place.
They have the responsibility to make a decision on adoption at the time of the adoption. They can’t go back on that. There are no rights to do that under the contract.
So, having had a nasty experience at the hands of what I consider to be a strident, argumentative and even bullying spokesperson for the animal rescue organisation, I am deeply despondent. It has undermined the whole foster/adoption process and even my relationship with my cat.
I realise that many people will say I am being overly protective but each cat guardian must make their own decisions based on the circumstances that they face. Provided the decisions are well thought through and respect for the cat respect and the cat’s welfare are a priority, they should be accepted.
The photo, taken today by me, is of Gabriel.
Thanks Michele. I have a contract by I am not in breach of it, and as you say there is nothing they can do. Even though I want to do things my way for Gabriel’s sake and mine I will always make decisions within the terms of the contract. In fact, the contract is defective because the box where it states I have to neuter by a certain time has been left blank. Despite that and despite the fact Gabriel is 3.7 months of age I was bullied by the vet and the rescue manager to have him neutered now.
I worried that when he goes back for his second vaccination jab that they will gang up on me and try and abduct him.
Have you signed any adoption paperwork? Unless you are in breach of contract, surely there’s nothing they can do?
Thanks Michele for the support. It has quite upset me really because I will do my very best to let him enjoy the outside safely and he was a semi-feral kitten with the prospect of an early death awaiting him this winter but now has a loving, safe home full of stimulation as I am at home a great deal. They have forgotten that simple narrative. It is success story but they want to undermine it and rehome him. They’d take him back in a flash. Weird.
Although I do allow my adult cats the choice to go out, I would never let a kitten as young as Gabriel outside – especially unsupervised. I don’t begin introducing mine to the garden until they are at least 6 months. Although it could be later depending on the weather outside. Even then, they only go out under my supervision until they gain the confidence to want to explore on their own.
Please don’t allow this rescue to bully you into surrendering Gabriel. You’ve already adopted him, so they should not be attempting to dictate ownership terms at this late stage. What they should be doing is listening to your concerns about the safety of your neighbourhood and respecting your reasons for keeping him indoors.
Stand firm Michael. Gabriel is worth fighting for and we’re all right behind you on this 🙂
God knows that I don’t want to make a comment here, but…
Do you have a copy of your adoption contract that you can post here?
You are a solicitor, right? If the adoption contract doesn’t specify that Gabrielle should be free-roaming at any point in time, you should know enough to hang up the phone or not go to their office. Why have contact at all? You are the caretaker. The adoption is a done deal. It’s a big f-ck you to them unless you are looking for an excuse to back out of the adoption.
I am sure they assumed I’d let him out. I might let him out when he is older but she wants me to let him out after his second vaccination and she insists of neutering him even before 4 months – now essentially. I can see him getting lost, confused and frightened. The problem is if he was killed or permanently lost I couldn’t live with myself.
In retrospect I sometimes feel that I should not have adopted him because this dispute is spoiling the process. I have thought about handing Gabriel back. I know that sounds hard but it has crossed my mind. We are very close though.