Suggestions About Rescue Situation...Please

3 1/2 weeks ago, I contacted a rescue group about adopting a cat (listed on a
Petfinders site). The founder of the group is well known, locally. She was
profiled in the major newspaper here. Two of the people assisting her,
however, were incompetent idiots. I had dealt with them, first, before
discovering their limitations and inability to do anything related to the
rescue at hand.

The story on the website stated that the current owners were going to throw
this (declawed) cat into the street or dump her at a kill shelter. I wanted
her. I made a couple of calls to Representative #1 who never called me back,
despite promising to do so. I called her each time. She finally said she had
personal problems and handed me off to Rep. #2. The story about the cat's
situation changed 4 times. The listing on the site stated that the cat all meds
were up to date. Since Rep #2 changed the story 4 times, I wanted the vet (who
treated the cat) to verify her medical history. I even spoke to the husband
(of the wife) who owned the cat. The ownership story changed a couple of times,
too. I was told this 4-year-old cat (was she 4 or not?) had some extractions.
This was a bit unusual, too. Despite my (9) nine requests to get the vet's
verification, I was ignored. I eventually was told that the rescue group
couldn't verify the meds. Question #1 - If they didn't know if the meds were
current, then why did they post that they were? Anyone (owner) could say
anything..without regard for truth, right? The rescue group has the burden to
confirm the info before adopting the rescue animal out.

In all, I placed over 15 calls...the last call was to the founder of the group.
She confirmed the incompetence of the assistants, but put me off by telling me
to call her back tomorrow. She said she couldn't call me back..she had no
time...Good grief, they were the rescue group..I was the one who would adopt
the cat. They made it almost impossible for me.

Eight days ago, I also sent a full-page email documenting each phone call I
made, the promises the rescue reps made that were broken, the stories and
subsequent changes in those stories (by the group AND the owner's rep), the
requests I made about medical health which the rescue group ignored, etc.).
That email was ignored. I am sadly letting go of this possible adoption. I
really wanted to help this girl, but can't overcome the barriers. Question #2.
Should I report this situation to any monitoring organization so this doesn't
happen to someone else? Question #3. Is there such an organization? Thanks.

>Question #2.
>Should I report this situation to any monitoring organization so this doesn't
>happen to someone else?

It sounds to me like that non-profit organization is overworked, underfunded
and understaffed, a common thing in rescue work. People dump tons of animals on
us all the time, sick ones, ones with major problems, orphaned. I can
understand her situation but it's not excusable. She should only take on the
amount of work she can do or else things like this happen.

Question #3. Is there such an organization?

I don't think it's a violation of any law to be a poorly run organization. If
they haven't broken health or safety laws, they haven't legally done anything
wrong. I would just choose to find a cat at another rescue organization.

On another thought, why not give the girl a chance? Don't blame her for the
poorly run organization. Sounds like she really needs rescuing. Getting up to
date vaccines is cheap. It is possible for a younger animal to have dental
problems if they had a mouth accident. I had a dog like that. I adopt animals
no questions asked, don't know their real age, have no medical records, expect
them to have medical and psychological problems which we overcome together.