Who governs cat rescue centres?

[CreamSoda]

My friends 80 year old neighbour went to a shelter and was given 2 cats. They were then taken back for an alleged skin complaint which lead to one being put down, they are refusing to return the other. The cats had a skin complaint from the cattery, it was to be treated by the catteries vet. The old lady bonded with the cats and is heartbroken the other will not be returned. It sounds like something is amiss, other than the RSPCA who can this shelter be reported to?

[EDDIE51]

No one, these places are a law unto them selves.
Actually surprised that they let an 80 year old have a cat in the first place.
They used to be so choosy about getting a 'perfect placement' that a senior citizen had little choice of getting a pet.
I know that Wood Green animal shelter never actually ' give' a pet to a new owner , the pets are always a 'Wood Green animal 'and can be taken back anytime without notice. They never actually transfer ownership, you just look after the animal on their behalf
The RSPCA only deal with cuelty to animals not to owners ! Sorry but this does not consitute cruelty to animals . Let her get a cat from someone who has too many kittens , often adverts in the shop notice boards.

[CreamSoda]

Thanks Eddie, I meant the RSPCA for the infected cats, and their dodgy way of dealing with the situation.

[cathfromsaron]

i don't know, but i would contact the cattery and get more answers! x

[rsvp]

although the advice from Eddie51 is, I'm sure, very well meant, I would not advise an 80 year old to get a kitten.
It is usual for responsible animal welfare centres only to release animals with ongoing conditions to people who have been made aware of all the implications associated with that particular condition. It ceretainly seems very strange for the skin condition to have been so severe as to warrant the animal being put to sleep.
I would take the remaining cat to an indepenent vet for a health report and to read the small print on the adoption forms very carefully.

[CreamSoda]

They were not kittens, no paperwork was given either. I'm contacting the local council to see if they can help

[kita1]

I would not report anyone to the RSPCA - they would probably end up prosecuting the old lady.

Remember this case (a lady got a cat from the RSPCA, it turned out to have a skin complaint and when she got in touch with them for advice about it they took her to court for not taking it to a vet!!!).

http://www.dailymail....al-cruelty-Devon.html

[rsvp]

the 'transaction' seems to have been a very casual thing - no responsible animal welfare place would re-home without paperwork - did your friend pay for the cats? If she did and if there were no conditions attached to the sale I find it very strange that the cats have been confiscated. Is the place a registered charity? I'm sure your friend is very distressed so it's good you are helping her out.

[boxtops]

Trading standards might be a good place to start..... places like the Cats Protection League are very fussy about where they place cats, and they don't give them to you for nothing. This place sounds unregistered to me.