First of all, I wanted to say that what you are doing as an agency to help cats get adopted is admirable. But I want to express my frustration with one of your foster parents. The first experience was when I left her a voicemail and sent her an email regarding a kitten, she didn't respond at all. Seems like, there was selective customer service. When I called, the general phone number, I was told that the kitten was already adopted. It would be nice for anyone to respond to people who are inquiring. It is the right thing to do, when it comes to customer service. I understand that they only volunteer to do that, but why post on the website their contact information if you need more information, if they won't return the inquiry.
I submitted an application, through the advise of one volunteer so that if I find another kitten, it would be good to go. There was a problem with your website because, some of the answers that posted to the questions where incorrect. One foster mom, said that it does happen. There was a question on the application, that if the cat had an accident on the furniture, if I would get rid of the cat, I didn't even answer that question as "yes" but the system posted my answer to the question, as "yes". I used to live with 2 cats and a dog. The dog passed away last April and the cats were not mine, it was my boyfriend's and he ended up taking them with him when he moved to his own home. They weren't mine to begin with. We also lived in Elk Grove, and had a big covered patio at the back, so the cats would occasionally go out there. Now that I live in Sacramento, if I were to have my own cat, I would be keeping it indoor because I believe they are safer, especially in the area that I live in. When I put in my application, I answered the question that they were indoor/outdoor, because that was his cats. Not mine. That was his decision.
My second encounter with this particular lady was Thanksgiving evening. The kitten that I was interested was just posted, so I figured that I better put in my inquiry first. I wasn't expecting her to answer since it was Thanksgiving. I figured I would just leave a voicemail and hopefully she would return the call this time. But she did answer. So I asked if the kitten I was interested in is available and right off the bat, she said no. She said that I should look into Front Street shelter as a Realtor was paying the adoption fee and that there was a cute Siamese cat. She said she even has the picture. I requested that if she could email it when she has time. She started to asked me my email address and suddenly she couldn't hear me, I kept on saying hello several times, and then the line went dead. So I texted her my email address. I would totally understand it if she didn't since she already referred me to the website of Front Street Shelter. I thought that was the end of our conversation. But she ended up sending the picture. I texted her to thank her for the picture and told her that it's okay, since I already found the website. And I left it at that. But she still started to text me, so i thought she was still engaged. She asked me if I have an Approved application. It was dark where I was, and I thought she asked me if I submitted an application, so I proceeded to tell her that I submitted, and my second reference returned their call and left a message but did not return his call. And that I was waiting for my status, as I haven't heard from them, nor has my reference gotten a call back. So I said I will just call tomorrow since I want to know what happened. She still texted me that she pulled my information and that the information didn't match the application. So I answered her question. She suddenly said, "Your reference said you have 2 indoor/outdoor cats and a dog. This is Thanksgiving, I'm sorry but you are to my problem. I told you to check the shelters for a cat. Good Night." So I apologized and told her that I was merely answering her question, and I said good night.
I was taken aback by her demeanor. I didn't want to engage with her given that it was Thanksgiving, and I totally understand if she didn't respond right away if she was busy. But the fact that she was still texting me, made me believe that it was okay to converse with her. For someone who would go to the trouble of pulling my information at night, it did not make sense that she would say, "you are not my problem". This is not the kind of respond you would expect from someone connected to a reputable agency that deals with the public, especially if her contact information is posted for the public to see. It was very disappointing given the time of the year when you are supposed to count your blessing, be thankful. I would have considered going to breeders but your company advertise that you need the public's support by seeking people to adopt pets and help your cause.
I hope this is not how she deals with other people. I was very polite with her on the phone. Thank you. read more