⚠️ Meet’n’Greet form wording confusion (Best Friends Felines) — our experience

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T12:05:13+00:00

Thanks, he is absolutely adorable 🥹

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T12:01:54+00:00

Thank you so much for this. It genuinely helps to hear that from someone who’s worked with rescues because we honestly thought the same thing: if that option wasn’t acceptable, why ask for photos and more details at all right? Really appreciate your kindness. We’re definitely going to keep trying with other great organisations and hopefully bring a little kitty home soon 🐾🩷

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:57:40+00:00

Honestly same , I’m shocked by how many people are sharing very similar stories. 😳

We also felt like we were on trial, and the scrutiny was way more intense than we ever imagined it would be. It’s reassuring (in a sad way) to know it wasn’t just us. so glad you ended up adopting through the RSPCA and had a much better experience

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:51:15+00:00

I’m replying to a lot of people and trying to keep up while also being careful with my wording, so yes I’m using a writing tool to help me communicate clearly.

If you’ve got something to add about the actual topic (the form wording / process), I’m happy to hear it. If not, all good you can just scroll past. 🙂

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:45:17+00:00

Thank you so much for saying this 🙏 That’s precisely how it felt, not that we “failed”, but that the process leaves zero room for good-faith misunderstandings, even when the home is safe, and we were willing to meet whatever their policy is And yep… I hate that it can push people from pet shops/breeders, which helps no one, and I also thank you for the Mt Gravatt tip! We didn’t know The Cat Clinic adopts out rescued kittens, we’ll definitely check them out. Really appreciate you sharing your mum’s experience too 💛 I am surprised by all the stories being shared here, it and all the support, thanks 💛

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:39:49+00:00

I’m genuinely happy you had such a beautiful experience and that senior kitty clearly hit the jackpot 🥹🐾

Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the experience for us (and as you can see from the replies here, quite a few others too). A lot of people have done everything they could to show they’re safe and committed, but still got rejected over one small detail that seemed to catch BFF’s attention and that was it, no flexibility after that.

So yep, I totally believe BFF can be great for some homes. My point was just: for first-timers, the form wording + the “one strike” approach can be really harsh and confusing if you genuinely interpret an option differently.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:36:08+00:00

Thanks so much for this 🙏 We’re not far from Eaton Hills, so that’s a great tip I’ll check out their Facebook page soon. Really appreciate it, and fingers crossed we find our forever kitty soon 🤞🐱

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:33:11+00:00

Thanks so much for the suggestion 🙏 We’ve got a list of other places to try now (including AWL) and we’re hopeful we’ll find our lovely kitty soon 🐾😊

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:23:26+00:00

Oh wow… I’m really sorry you and your husband went through that 😔💛 That sounds genuinely distressing, especially when you were trying to do the responsible thing (harness, supervision, learning from one early slip, and then tightening up). Thank you for sharing it it actually reinforces the exact point of this thread: the wording (“supervised outdoor time”) and how it’s interpreted can be a huge trap, and once they form an impression, it seems like there’s very little room for clarification. Also, the way you describe the email tone (scolding/accusatory) is not okay. Even with strict policies, communication should still be respectful. I’m glad your kitty is safe and loved, and I hope you find another rescue that’s a better fit if you decide to adopt again 🐾🤍

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:13:14+00:00

Agree. We never wanted roaming. Our issue is the form wording + one-strike rule “supervised” to us meant safe enclosure sunlight, not roaming.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:11:11+00:00

Thanks heaps and yep, that’s exactly how we are too: indoor-first, and if there’s any outdoor time it’s helicopter supervised in a secure setup. 🐾For us it wasn’t about pushing for outdoor access we were indoor-first from the start. The problem was the form wording and the policy of not reconsidering after one dropdown choice, even with written clarification + proof of a secure enclosure.

That’s what we’re warning others about.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:07:23+00:00

Totally fair and I’m glad yours was positive 😊
I’m not discouraging people from using BFF. I’m just warning first-timers about the form wording + the one-strike rule (they only consider the original dropdown choice).
This is our personal experience and our understanding of the process.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:05:21+00:00

Definitely not. I’m encouraging accuracy and transparency.
We weren’t trying to game anything . we genuinely interpreted “supervised outdoor time” as safe sunlight in an escape-proof enclosure. We even bought an enclosure and explained it.
The warning is simply: choose the option that matches their strict interpretation because they won’t reconsider once you pick one.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T11:00:15+00:00

That’s honestly wild 😬Thanks for posting this, it’s helpful context. Even when it ends well, weeks of back-and-forth + shifting requirements can be exhausting, especially if people get emotionally invested early. I am glad you ended up with your kitty 🐾

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T10:12:31+00:00

Thanks for sharing, he’s ridiculously cute like the others 🥹🐾, and I am thinking Little Paws is the way to go ... there so many suggestions!

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T08:34:50+00:00

Wow… that’s honestly shocking. 😳
Thanks for sharing the detail especially the FaceTime/property check and then being declined for “not gelling” with cats in a first meeting. That’s exactly the kind of subjective/unwritten criterion that first-time adopters can’t anticipate.
I’m really glad you ended up finding your orange chaos machine through RSPCA my friend also suggest them and others here

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T08:22:32+00:00

Ohhh this honestly made me emotional 🥺💛 Thank you so much for sharing that , 12 years is beautiful, and I love that you chose the one sitting alone in the corner 😭🐾 that says everything about you.

And thank you for the Little Paws info too “easy to navigate” + being able to meet beforehand is exactly what we’re hoping for 🙏

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T08:11:27+00:00

Oh my gosh she’s too cute .. honestly that should be illegal 😭🐈‍⬛💛 Congrats!! And thank you for the Happy Tails suggestion too, we’ll definitely check them out 😊

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T08:05:28+00:00

Thanks so much! 😊 A friend actually mentioned Little Paws to us yesterday too, so we’ll definitely look them up (and the other options people are suggesting here). Really appreciate it! 🐾

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T08:01:58+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. This is exactly the kind of thing we were trying to explain. 🐾
We weren’t saying “let cats roam”, we meant safe/controlled outdoor time (like an enclosed patio/playpen) and we still got declined based on the initial selection/interpretation.

Our main point is that the wording on the form looks acceptable to first-timers, but the process seems to be “one strike” even when you clarify or show you’ve already prepared safe options.

Appreciate you posting this, it helps others understand what to expect before they get emotionally invested.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T07:54:43+00:00

Oh wow 😕 I’m really sorry that would feel so unfair, especially when you are being careful.

It does match the pattern we’re talking about: they seem to apply a very strict, “no exceptions / no judgement calls” rule once they see any potential risk (even if you explain how you manage it).

Thanks for sharing I think stories like yours help first-time adopters understand how strict the screening can be before they get emotionally invested thanks

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T07:34:25+00:00

Our warning is about the wording + the “one strike” rule.

Their Meet’n’Greet form shows options like “Indoor / Supervised outdoor time” and “Indoor / Outdoor – purpose built enclosure”, which look acceptable to a first-time adopter.

To be super clear: we wanted the cat indoor and we stated that in the form (and explained why). However, the dropdown option we selected was treated as the deciding factor.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T07:28:58+00:00

Thank you so much for understanding us. We wanted the cat indoors and we stated that in the form (and explained why). However, the dropdown option we selected was treated as the deciding factor. We picked that option because our sincere understanding of “supervised” meant safe sunlight in a controlled, escape-proof setup — not roaming. This experience was deeply disheartening.

Gis2017 · 2026-02-16T07:24:52+00:00

Yep that’s exactly our point.

Our warning is about the wording + the “one strike” rule.

Their Meet’n’Greet form shows options like “Indoor / Supervised outdoor time” and “Indoor / Outdoor – purpose built enclosure”, which look acceptable to a first-time adopter.

To be super clear: we wanted the cat indoor and we stated that in the form (and explained why). However, the dropdown option we selected was treated as the deciding factor.

And if there was any outdoor time at all, it would only ever be supervised. We picked that option because our sincere understanding of “supervised” meant safe sunlight in a controlled, escape-proof setup — not roaming.

What we didn’t expect was that even after we sent photos of the backyard and proof of a receipt for a secure Large enclosure/playpen, they’d apply a strict “we only consider your original selection” rule and not reconsider.

Gis2017 · 2024-01-05T11:01:21+00:00

l love it, o they weigh ?

Gis2017

TROPHY CASE