Having a cat as a pet can be a mutually beneficial relationship for both the family and the cat. Pets are known to lower stress levels in their “people” and of course, every cat should have a good home, but there are many who do not. Here are some steps to consider when thinking about adoption.
Why Consider Adopting from an Animal Shelter?
There are many places to adopt a cat – a pet store, an advertisement online or in the paper, or a friend of a friend. However, adopting from a shelter may be the best choice. Here are some of the reasons why:
- The cats need a good home and are usually in a cage for most of the day
- Most cats are up to date on their shots and in good health
- Even kittens are litter box trained
- Most shelters will spay/neuter the cat before he or she is adopted, or will do it for free if the cat is adopted before the procedure is performed as part of the small adoption fee
- Many cats are there because their previous owners were allergic, had to move, couldn’t afford them, etc. NOT because they did not get along with people
Many animal lovers may have a perception of shelters as sad places because the animals that do not get adopted will get put to sleep. This is less and less common these days and most animal shelters are “no kill”.
Choosing a Kitten or Adult Cat
Many people want to adopt a kitten because they are cute and playful. While this is true and kittens are a lot of fun, they grow up quickly. Within six to nine months, kittens are fully grown. They will continue to be playful for a few years but the true kitten stage is outgrown fast. Adult cats have come into their own and the personality and temperament is established. One thing that prospective owners do not know when they adopt a kitten is what the cat’s personality will end up being when the kitten grows up into an adult cat. For this reason, many opt for an adult cat that they get along with right away.
Finding the Right Cat
When visiting an animal shelter, the staff will help take any cat out of his or her cage and will put them in a small room with their prospective owners. The people can play with the cat and see if they get along well. This is especially important when bringing a cat into a home with children.
Taking the New Family Member Home
Once the owners have found the right cat, he or she can usually come home that very day. If the person owns a house, they will need documentation to prove that they are in a stable living situation. If the person rents, they must present proof that they are allowed to have a cat in the apartment. Sometimes this actually involves a call to the landlord to confirm. There is usually a meeting between a shelter employee and the prospective owner and at the end a small fee is usually paid (less than $100) to help with any spay/neutering, shots and to help keep the shelter running.
Additionally, the new cat owner will want to have a carrier in hand (purchased at any pet store) to make sure the cat gets to and from the car and into the house safely. The owner will also want to already have food and water dishes, a litter box with litter set up and some toys.
Upon arrival at the cat’s new home, he or she will want to explore the surroundings. For the first few days, it is best to keep it confined to one or two rooms as it adjusts. It is also advisable to put the new cat into the litter box upon arrival just to make sure he or she knows where it is. Another thing to check on are the screens in windows if the cat is to be indoors only. Many times a cat in a new home will want to sit in the window and ends up falling out if the screens are not secured. This is not a situation that anyone wants to be involved in.
Following these considerations can make adopting a cat easy. Once the decision is made and some plans are made, the only thing left is to go out and find the cat that is right for the prospective owners.
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