So it isn't just me then?!
I was lucky with my rescue dog, as I went to a small local centre and the owner knew me, so I had none of the you can't have a dog because... When I saw Bob I just knew, even though he was nuts in the kennel, I knew he was the one. The owner wasn't sure he would be suitable but agreed to let me have him on trial. That was nearly 4 years ago and although it hasn't always been plain sailing (a bit like having kids) he is a fantastic family pet!
Giving a home to a rescue animal is the best feeling ever, you just have to go into it with your eyes open.
That said there are certain breeds of cat and dog that I sometimes yern for!

I agree! My two cats (one cats protection, one i rescued from a farm) are the best... most of the time

although I would very much like a spotted silver bengal, if anyone's got one they need rescuing

Yes I've always had moggies when I was living with parents, mainly rescue cats, then when I bought my own place Rescue Centres wouldn't let me adopt a cat/kitten because I live in the City Centre!

So I've ended up with a fluffy little Ragdoll who is the most spoilt kitty ever! ha ha

I have heard this so many times. I know two dog owners who were the most suitable people you could wish for, who got turned away from resuce centres, one couple apparently because of their age (early 60s - 15 years later they still walk next door's dog for miles every day) and one lady because she lived in a flat (but it had a garden and she only wanted a very small dog). The centres scream out that not enough animals are being rehomed but they seem to turn down vast numbers of perfectly good homes!

Liz

My much loved Maine Coon died. I didn't think our family set up was suitable to get a kitten so I researched the websites for MC breeders - I went via affiliated GCCF Club sites and also to links within those breeders sites. If they weren't on the web I was not interested.

For kittens, most insisted that you told them your circumstances - family, pets, work hours etc. One or two felt that it was best for them to deliver the kitten to you.

I have no problem with that. I think that it is important to be vetted. And in fact a couple of breeders showed on their websites very special circumstances where they had fitted the temperment of the kitten to the needs of the buyer. One stands out where a wheelchaired owner wanted a kitten who would be confident and intelligent enough to cope with her circumstances and be loving and cuddling to enjoy being a lap cat.

I quoted because these very same breeders sometimes want to re-home adult cats who, for whatever reason, no longer are suitable to be breed from. If the breeder is true to the GCCF rules (probably TICA too etc) these cats are also loving and accustomed to being around a house and need love and attention and spoiling. However their character will be formed because they are older cats. A good breeder will know what sort of family these cats will suit.

There is a monetary cost - usually neutering, health check and transfer fees.

I can't comment as to the neutering/spaying of pedigree cats in rescue centres. I would have happily re-homed a cat, but due to their policy of having to be 150 yards from a bus route/school run I didn't bother paying them a visit.

I am going to be getting two kittens next Thursday not pedigrees and I will have them both neutered and spayed, which for me is a responsible course of action.

I does seem logical not to neuter or spay a pedigree cat until a suitable adopter is found, then the owner/adopter can decide whether or not to breed. However who would be responsible for assessing whether a pedigree cat would be suitable for a breeding programme so to speak, would this add additional financial strain on rescue centres.

Sue

Many years ago, I had an Aviary with about 30 budgies & kakiriki's ..
I had it for a few years but then had to sell the birds due to asthma from the bird dust
while I had the aviary, I wanted another rescue moggie..
some rude snotty boot asked if I bred my birds..
I said I wasnt a bird breeder as such, the birds had nest boxes so they didnt lay eggs on the floor or get egg bound.. the birds I produced were 'given to the pet shop'
she said, cause I was a 'breeder' I would never be allowed to have a rescue cat..
so I then went to the rspca... I told them I had no other pets and got a moggie..
we had him for 12 yrs
some rescue people are up their own arses and do not do their best for the animals if you ask me..

__________________

http://www.whaface.co.uk/

I rescued a cat a fair few years ago now - 3 weeks later she had kittens - the rescue centre didnt tell us if they knew she was expecting and we just thought she was a tuby girl - never felt a thing until a week before she gave birth - I found them all good homes myself as the rescue centre didnt want to know. I also rescued my staffy girl about 7 years ago now - they asked all the right questions even had us taking our dog at the time up to spend some time together to make sure they would get on - its a great idea - we did that for just over a week and then Jen came home with us and is still going strong and is the boss of 3 Bordeaux
My old cat was rescued through Cats Protection and I had no probs with them.
I think some rescue centres are very well run but have heard stories of a few bad ones - I totally agree that most people want a "breed" of cat so go to a breeder not the rescue - My last cat is a British Shorthair and was purchased from a breeder - no problems with them either.

I don't have pedigree pussy cats mine are all moggies. I have only dealt with the Cats Protection League and they have been brilliant. I originally adopted Minstrel and Revel, two ginger / white girls who are sisters from them. Got the home check and they were brilliant at giving us advice to help them settle in.

Smudge came to us one awful wet windy March night when some kids rang our door asking if she was our cat. She was an unwanted Xmas present I guess. We had contacted the CPL incase she was a missing puss and the CPL offered to have her spayed but we paid it ourselves.

Sotku our big fluffy male was brought home by Smudge, terrified of people at first but now trusts us and is my lap cat.

Finally Nala and her 3 week old kittens, she turned up on our doorstep 6 weeks ago. The CPL have paid for her vet care and given us food for her. We will keep Mum and the CPL will find good homes for the kittens.

However I think responsible breeders play an important role keeping the various breeds going so we need them to.