Donations

RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

Bit of a strange question, morally, this one.....

Following an appeal in our local paper, me and the missus have decided that we would like to take on two rescue cats.

We have been to see some cats and have settled on a brother and sister that are being homing currently in a cattery just 5 minutes from where we live.

We have contacted the RSPCA (it was their appeal) and we have had our home visit to esure that we aren't going to eat the animals or do weird things to them.

So far, so good, until yesterday when I spoke to the woman from the RSPCA and she mentioned that they expectt some form of donation towards their charity for the cats, which is fair enough.

However the RSPCA want £40 per cat for the privilidge of taking two cats off their hands......
Neutral

My question is this...
Can they actually demand £80 for two moggies? Surely a donation is a donation and they would just have to put up with whatever we deem suitable for their animals? We have since been offered other cats from different rescue sources for next to nothing.
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tribal_tiger · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Karma :

I'd check if the other cats come with all their jabs and that they've been "done". I think that this is what a lot of the donation is for. We got our cat for about £20 but then had to cough up on vet bills.
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RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

This is part of our problem, we know one of them has been done, but as they are rescue cats and have no history, nobody can tell us whether they are up to date with their jabs or anything.

It just seems a bit odd that they can specify an amount they want you to donate.....
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JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Most 'charrideeees' ask for a fixed minimum donation these days
It helps to cover their costs for the vets, food etc..

They will have checked the cats fully, for temperament, disease etc..
They will have had their jabs as they are with other cats in the facility, and they will (almost certain) be neutered
I think it is policy
The last thing they want is more unwanted kittens running about !!

I think £40 per cat sounds a lot, but in reality, if you were to get a free cat, (or even pay a tenner donation), you would then have to take it to a vet for the jabs etc... £20? plus per cat

If you really like the cats I would jump at the chance to own them. Poor things. I wish I could take another pet on at the minute
We can't walk in our house for animals !! Laughing

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tribal_tiger · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Karma :

Born2bVile · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Sometimes the 'suggested donation' is a way round certain laws. If the charity was seen to be selling cats rather than rehousing them it might negate their charity status.

Cheers,

Byrnie.
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froggeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Karma :

It's also to make sure you really want them. Some fvcking idiots buy a pet because their spoilt little brat wants one this week. Next week they can't be arsed changing the litter/feeding etc, and the next thing is they're booted out, or worse... If you like them, hand over the £80 and come away feeling alot better about yourself... Smile

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

It does seem something of a piss-take when you consider that you can get kittens for free and you are offering to take on adult cats.

It's probably to weed out anyone without the means to look after them properly.

Mind you, the RSPCA and I don't see eye to eye on many subjects.

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

We got given a cat off my mums friend for free, came with his own bed, brush, food bowls and a full service history and is allergy free (no nuts)

Looks like your getting ripped off. Neutral

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

The RSPCA have things to pay for, like vans, advertising, food etc. We used to get our cats from places like Cats Protection League, who also ask for a donation - but its your choice. I think my mum took down a whole load of tinned food...at least that way you know how your money is being spent - rather than on administration costs.
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froggeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I would have thought you average person that just 'wants a cat' would be getting a kitten rather than a 'rescued' animal from such a center that visits your home first.

Seems a bit iffy if they actually do want to re-home these animals.

Probably worth checking up what they have had done and what that would cost - and maybe looking at other ~~companies~~ charities that do such things.

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

froggeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Karma :

Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

I was under the impression that the RSPCA, Cats' Protection and other similar charities undertook 'home inspections' before allowing an animal to be taken in by anyone? Thus negating the need for the 'donation' to prevent them being taken into the wrong homes...
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froggeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Karma :

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

Yeah but £40 for 2 weeks entertainment.

As long as you dont live in a bungalow you can just do the old "smarties tubes on legs" and make it walk down the stairs.

Kids love that sort of thing, from a parental point of view its cheaper than toys they would break in about the same amount of time.

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

Froggeh, can I just say your a complete cunt.

And I hope you choke on a cat in your sleep.

Do you have a sense of humor?

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

get the £40 donation each put onto your short tax return (don't ask for a full one) and have it as a gift aid payment this trims a tint bit off your taxes.
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froggeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

My understanding (from acquiring 3 cats last year) is that the RSPCA is a fixed 'fee' for them letting you help them out and take care of the cats. That said they should be neutered by the RSPCA before coming to you and I think have at least one set of jabs (but I don't think that includes the feline aids one - memory going Rolling Eyes

).

Basically didn't take on cats from the RSPCA because they told us they'd do a home visit and tell us what cats we could have. IMO this was hardly fair on the kids, who we were getting them for anyhow. Besides which anything the RSPCA can't home they kill. Funny how that never makes in into their adverts isn't it Rolling Eyes

Didn't get from the Cats Protection League because they do the home visit and tell you if you're suitable and it depends on how far you're from a main road. However, they couldn't tell us what that distance was or what tey considered a main road. They also cocked up by saying we could have two and then said they'd already being reserved and we shouldn't have been told that. The kids were less than impressed, as was I. Oh, and their 'donation' was a fixed fee too.

Ended up getting a farm kitten (FYI not a good idea, flea ridden and taught to avoid humans) and another from a woman who works at a vet's and homes unwanted cats/kittens. She only asked for a donation and we happily gave her the same as we'd have paid the RSPCA as she was far nicer and welcoming to us and the children.

HTH Thumbs Up

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dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

froggeh · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Karma :

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RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

WE have had a breakthrough with the RSPCA!

After phoning a few people around here that rescue cats and rehome them, the general concenus of opinion was that the RSPCA were ripping us off.

£45 squids is indeed their 'fixed rate' for you to take a cat off their hands, and they did say that they would 'do us a deal Rolling Eyes

' letting us have them both for £65.

However, we dicovered that if you phone them up after the home visit and when they think they have finally got rid of the cats and tell them that you are unhappy with spending so much on 2 very nice, but effectivly second hand cats( Mr. Green

) and you would prefer to make your own donation to another charity, they suddenly find a way of agreeing a price with you 'for the good of the cats' Wink

Both the CPL and the RSPCA do a home visit, the RSPCA when you have found a cat you like and the CPL straight away, and then they tell you when there are cats available.
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