I'm having to do something I loathe doing. I took kitten (R) to visit potential adopter (D) on Saturday night. The adopter filled out a two-page form, and based on that (plus missing information), I've had to make the hard decision not to have D adopt R. I was so hoping this would be a good fit, and in some ways it is. But I have such misgivings in a couple of crucial areas that I feel I have to call D, and follow up with an email that reiterates my decision. (D has not paid any adoption fee yet.)
I absolutely hate to do this. Please read what I've written down; I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my call to her on topic and tactful, unless I follow it fairly closely. I think she's going to be terribly disappointed, and I don't blame her. I wish this could be otherwise.
Let me know if you think what I've written will help gently convey my decision, and some of the reasons for it. (I didn't list all reasons, just the most important ones.)
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Hi, D, this is A.
…
I was calling to let you know that I was concerned after I left your apartment. I was concerned about your cat, who is now living outdoors in spite of being declawed, and doesn’t have a shelter to sleep in every night (or day) when the weather gets cold. She hasn’t grown out a winter coat, and she certainly seems friendly enough. I don’t really understand why she isn’t kept only indoors, which is where a declawed cat belongs. They’re just too vulnerable without those front claws. Declawed cats can’t climb a tree to get away, they can’t do anything but run away. If that doesn’t work, all they can do is turn around and bite or kick with their back legs to defend themselves. I understand you let her in sometimes, but it was pretty cold out the night that I visited.
I’d like to recommend that you take the extra effort and time to help make sure your outdoor kitty becomes an indoor kitty. She needs the warmth and security of being indoors. If for some reason you decide you can’t do that, it would be responsible to contact a no-kill shelter in the area to see if they can take her, to find an indoor home for her. She really shouldn’t be living outdoors. If you need help finding a no-kill shelter, there’s a good list of such shelters in Kansas and Missouri, at:
http://www.saveourstrays.com/no-kill.htm
I was also concerned when I saw you had a dog, but he now lives with your dad. I’m sure your dad takes good care of him, so I’m glad he has a good home. I don’t understand you giving him to your dad, though. I thought pets were supposed to stay with their owners for the rest of their lives.
Even if you gave me the landlord information at this point, and the landlord said it was okay, I’m afraid I feel I need to find a different home for R. I’m very sorry about this, especially since R came and visited you. But I have no reassurance, at this point, that R wouldn’t also somehow end up living like your outdoor kitty, or be given away to an aunt or parent if you decide to go to college.
If you still want to adopt a kitten, Wayside Waifs has cats and kittens for adoption all the time. In November, people can adopt a cat or kitten for half the normal fee. If you have your heart set on getting a kitten, I’d definitely recommend talking with them, and filling out an adoption application.
I’m very, very sorry, D. I hope you’ll understand, and forgive me someday.
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What do you think? Any improvements I could suggest?
