I don’t know what I do to these cats to make them so unadoptable, but the woman who adopted Jordan just yesterday called before dinner and asked me to come and get her! Apparently Jordan yowled the entire night from underneath the couch…sigh. It was non-stop according to Joan and highly annoying.
Jordan is now sitting on my lap looking quite pleased with herself- the little brat. It would have been a great home, just as the other four would have been that she came back from. I guess she goes on the unadoptable list unless I can find someone with enough patience to put up with her anxiety attacks until she calms down and trusts others besides just Mike and I.
SMH! I never could understand how people are so clueless that animals need time to adjust to change, grieve the loss of their home and family, and to get to know new families and homes.
That was it? One night? Jordan is not unadoptable. Don’t put her on that list. Just explain to people that she will cause a ruckus the first night, maybe the first week. I always try to bring new fosters to my house on weekends, so I don’t need as much sleep the next day. There are plenty of people out there who will give the patience that Jordan needs. She just needs the right person – someone who doesn’t think that pets come ready-made.
I don’t understand people that want that “perfect” and ready to go pet. It doesn’t happen….all adjustments take time. sigh…..
I agree with what everyone else said. Jordan is not unadoptable, that woman is not a “cat person”. Cats do take time, to adjust to their new situation. Also, you may have been in a hurry to adopt out. Next time you’re in the interview process, explain that cats do need adjustment time, positive re-enforcements, positive calm interactions, treats, play time, pets, brushing, and to keep routines. Explain that it can take, several days to several weeks for an adjustment period. That’s your opportunity to teach perspective cat parents a few things that they may not know about cats. Obviously, if they don’t have the patience and committment it takes, then it’s not a good match. These cats have been through alot and it takes time to gain their trust of humans again. Use this experience as a learning lesson, don’t be hard on yourself. 🙂
When the woman told me that she understood it took time for cats to adjust, I was unaware that her timeframe fell within 24 hours of the cat being placed there! I was secretly elated thinking I had found the perfect home where the person would wait for Jordan to make up her mind whether or not to trust the occupants. But unfortunately this was not the case, nor were the last four homes that Jordan was placed in working out for her. If she had just left her alone and let her hide (she was eating and drinking) it would have worked out eventually. But people want that cup of soup, that instant pet. They don’t want to wait for the cat to make up their mind, they want that lap kitty, that purr rumbler.
Does Jordan have issues? Of course she does- she was almost fed to a boa when she was a kitten so how many issues would you like her to NOT have?
Oh well- and when I said unadoptable, I meant that she will be pulled off petfinders and only be advertised in special needs ads. She has to find the person with enough patience and understanding to let her figure things out- or as Mike said last night- “she needs another Mary Anne in her life!” Right now she is lying at my feet meowing softly. I am sure she is telling me all about her 24 hour sleep-over.
When I got to the house yesterday, I found out the woman had accidentally left the bathroom door open and Jordan was in the house but the woman couldn’t find her. I found her hiding behind the washing machine. Ordinarily, I would have just slid the machine out and went behind and grabbed her, but the machine was wedged in next to a big sink that couldn’t be moved. I had to finally lie on my side, slide under the big sink and grab Jordan. I don’t bend that way any more! I told Jordan when I got her that she could have hid under the couch, it would have been so much easier! *G*
She slept on my chest last night-so I guess it could have been worse for her.
Well I am glad Jordan is back with you. I know it’s tough when you want to right for the kitty and get her the best home possible.
I don’t think there is any “perfect instant” pet as far as cats go. Doing the interviews was always the hardest part for me because I would usually pick up on something amiss about the person. It caused me too much grief and stress because most of the time I’d end up denying the adoption. I still help my neighborhood (teaching the importance of spay/neuter) with cat trapping. I donate to my local non profit pet rescues u and I still TNR when the opportunity arises, but I don’t miss working the front line like you do having to deal with so many people to get kitties placed into good homes. I know it can take several different interviews til you get the right home placement.
I bet in good time, the right person will be the right one for Jordan. I wish I could adopt Jordan, but I’m managing a “bakers dozen”. I tend to take ones with disabilities, blindness, deafness, behavioral problems, special diet etc. the ones that are harder to adopt out.
Your one strong, patient and a persistent woman. Thank you for doing what you do in your neck of the woods. You are a gift to your community. 🙂
PS-please don’t think I was doubting your ability with your adoption process, just reminding you that some people (potential pet parents) lie or just aren’t aware of the time it can take for an adjustment period.
Do you have much company in your house? I’m just wondering because I notice a trend in 3 of my 4 cats. They’re so wonderful with me and my husband but when company comes over, they hide out in fear of strangers. We hardly ever get company so we think they trust us and no one else and are socialized to us and no one else. Two years ago while hiking in the woods with a group of friends, we came upon a 3 month old kitten a mile back on the trails that someone had dumped. It was starving and the temperatures were just above freezing that day. Everyone took turns warming it up in our coats wile hiking and whenever we put it down, it ran along side of us on the hike. When we got back, everyone was holding it and keeping it warm. I took him home and he grew into the most beautiful cat in the world, an extremely large Maine Coon cat! But now when we get company, he hides in fear of other people. I don’t understand how he became so unsocialized towards others, other than the fact that we’re the only humans he’s around 99% of the time. My only suggestion would be to try and have people come over often so Jordan is used to a broader social experience. Everyone is right, too, that the prospective adopters need to show a lot of patience and give Jordan time to adjust.
Your experience with the latest person who took Jordan sounds similar to mine with Cammie. I explained to the woman in this case all that Cammie needed – patience, patience and more patience. I had a vague fear that she wasn’t listening. And of course, she wasn’t. We managed to get Cammie back – a bit of incredibly good luck, nothing more – and were told that she was f—-d up, and hated everyone. Well, that cat hurries to my lap now whenever I sit down.
If people want an instant companion, they should buy fish, or a Pet Rock.