There are people who have complained regarding the adoption process from AWGs being very tough, so much so that they decide that purchasing is less of a hassle or they give up the idea of pet ownership completely.
Here are some of the reasons why responsible adopters have to screen adopters, and it is definitely with the best interests of the animal.
1. Adopting on a Whim
Unfortunately, this is very common, especially during the pandemic. With so much uncertainty, no one knew how long we would be stuck indoors. The number of pet owners increased exponentially, and so did the rate of abandonment post Covid, when the world went back to normal. Some adopters purchase or adopt because its a trend, or all their friends have pets, or walking a dog gave them something to do, until they get bored of it and can no longer care for the animal, or they work long hours and the animal is left unattended & alone most of the time.
2. Not realizing the actual Commitment
Rehomers always highlight "a 15-20 year commitment", however, some adopters do not take into account that the pet will see you through your life stages. When you get married to having children, your pet will be there. We have many cases of returned pets due to couples starting a family & not wanting the pet anymore, or neglecting the pet thereafter. Couples who live together before marriage may break up & then argue over who keeps the pet. These are sensitive scenarios that people do not plan for & ultimately the pet suffers.
3. Not realizing the actual Costs involved
Rehomers usually take an adoption fee of $100-$200 & trust me, it barely covers what we've spent. It is to ensure that the adopter is aware that a pet costs money, loads of money. From good food, to medical care, be prepared to spend hundreds & it may likely go into the thousands when they get older. A general dental scaling may set you back a thousand.
Vet fees are expensive in Singapore & there is no Medisave, PG or CHAS subisidies for the pet. If you are unable to budget for your pet or are facing financial difficulties yourself, a pet is only going to add to your burden. We do not want adopters saying they can't afford to care for the pet when it's sick or withholding medical care due to cost.
4. Not commiting to proper catproofing
Catproofing is a MUST when you have cats around. These days, you have various options from traditional meshing, to netting to Invisible grilles, but some adopters feel it's still ugly & want to adopt without full catproofing or unreliable alternatives. Truth is, we do not trust your word when you say "I won't open my windows" or "I won't let the cat onto the balcony". It only takes seconds for a bird to fly past, and your cat to fly too. There are at least 15 cases of fall from height each month due to taking this very fact for granted. The cat either dies, or suffers to various extents of broken limbs, paralysis or worse.
5. Adopting for the wrong reasons
Adopting as a gift is never a good reason, especially adopting for children. Unless the children are old enough to understand responsibilities, it always falls onto the parents or the helper to be the sole caregivers of the animal. Children get bored easily & as they grow up, they tend to neglect the pets & spend more time with the friends. Once of out kittenhood, the pets may be deemed no longer cute & cuddly, and they may not understand animal behaviour. Unless the children are mature, able to understand & have parents who teach them properly, we may hesitate if you want to adopt solely for your children. That said, I personally rehomed a pair of siblings to an adopter with 2 young kids & the family loves them so much.
6. Unsuitable household or adopter
Rehomers always ask to visit the home prior to placing the pets to ensure that the home is suitable, clean, properly catproofed & ready to commit to a pet. We face situations whereby not everyone in the family is on board with a pet, houses that are too messy or dirty to have a pet, family issues with negative energy & the pet gets confined to a room, or just a 6th sense that tells us - no, this is not it. Over the years, listening to my "gut feeling" has never failed me. Sometimes, the home just isn't meant to be & there is someone out there better for the pet.
At the end of the day, rehomers just want to ensure that the pet goes to the right Forever home, which is why we have all these rules, requirements, adoption contracts. It is also a red flag when a potential adopter claims that they have been rejected by several AWGs or rehomers, there must be a reason why.
As such, don't hate on us for doing what is best for the cat, though some rehomers do have an issue letting go of the pet - that's a story for another day!
Why Responsible Rehomers have to screen Adopters:
Downloadable Infographic below & on our Instagram page @thecatwhisperersg
Comments