Should
you adopt?
Personal inventory
Before
you adopt you need to take personal inventory to make sure that adopting a
new cat, is the right thing for you to do. There are many factors you should
consider before the adoption takes place.
Commitment
A cat can live up to 15 to 20 years. Are you willing to make this kind
of commitment? If not, do not adopt a cat.
Lifestyle
Are you home enough to care
for and spend time with your new pet? Does your business take you out of town?
Do you spend more time at your boyfriend/girlfriend's house then you do your
own? If this cat isn't for you, who is it for and how would they answer these
questions? Any adopted animal deserves quality time and attention. Make sure
you have some quality time to give before you make this commitment.
Money
Having an animal, if cared for properly, costs money. At the very least, they
require: food, litter, box, scratching post and annual vaccinations. You must
budget for vet visits. Shots and examinations are a must for keeping your
cat healthy. Preventive and consistent care is less expensive in the long
run. Most animals, at some point in their lives, will get sick and need to
be cared for by a vet and this costs money. How much, of course, depends on
your vet and on the health of your cat. Unexpected visits to the vet must
be factored in to the overall cost of the pet. If you cannot factor in annual
vet visits and unexpected vet visits, then the adoption of a new pet is not
a good idea.
Landlord
If you are renting, you must get permission from your land lord to house your
new pet. It isn't worth hiding the adoption from him or her, because they
will eventually find out. Facing eviction or the loss of your pet are not
good alternatives. Don't make your new pet pay for your poor planning.
Space
Do you have a place big enough for a cat to live in? A one bedroom apartment
is plenty big, but a studio apartment is not. Neither is it appropriate to
make a cat live in one room (i.e.: your bedroom) permanently. Adequate living
space must be given to the pet. If you don't have this space to give right
now, wait to adopt until you do.
Allergies
Do you or anyone in your family have allergies to cats? If so, do not
adopt a cat "just to see" if it will work out. It's not fair to
all involved, including the cat.
There is some preparation
needed before you adopt your new pet.
Shopping List
Dry / Canned food
Litter
Litter box with cover
Litter Scooper
Food dish
Water dish
Scratching post
Hair comb
Cat furniture*
Toys*
Catnip*
*These items are optional but your cat will love you for making these available.
Remove / hide
hazardous objects:
Electrical cords
Drapery and blind cords
Bags with handles
Plastic bags
String
Rubber bands
Poisons
Openings in baseboards
See these potential
dangers and always watch out for them:
Open windows (install cat-proof screen)
Recliner Chairs
Dryer
Washer
Dishwasher
Stove tops
Safe-room preparation
You may feel comfortable in your new home but your new cat will be very
nervous. He will undoubtedly feel a great deal of stress. Do not walk through
the door and place your cat in a big room full of people and expect her feel
at home. She won't! Be kind and place her in the "safe-room" that
you have prepared ahead of time.
What is a safe-room?
The safe-room can be bedroom, a warm but seldom-used bathroom, or even a lit
closet. It is to be a small area of the house where the cat can sit, relax
and get use to the new smells and surroundings.
Safe-room furnishings
Food and water, litter box, bed, scratching post, toys.
Adoption Planning
There are a few other things to think about and decide before you start
your adoption journey.
What kind of cat
The age question
Most people want a cute little kitten so they find homes easier then adult
cats do. There are definitely pros to adopting an adult cat.
Adult
They require less care and are more independent,
are litter trained, need fewer shots and have
probably already been fixed. But most importantly,
you know what you are getting because their
looks and personalities are well defined. They can bond with you
just as easily as a kitten can. You can also be happy knowing
you are saving an adult cat's life.
If you are a senior citizen, please consider
an adult cat over a kitten who may end up having
to find a new home down the road due to failing
health or your own demise.
If you have children that are younger then 5,
definitely consider an adult cat. Little children
and kittens do not mix well.
Kitten
Kittens are lots of fun but remember they take
a lot of time and work. They need boosters and
shots, alteration, and may not be
litter trained. If you do not have patience,
an adult cat is a better choice for you.
If you do adopt a kitten, remember that they
should stay with their mom until 8 to 10 weeks
of age. Never support a private rescuer or breeder
that is willing to place a kitten at a younger age.
If you already have a senior cat, do not get
a single kitten. Either adopt another adult
cat or two kittens. A single kitten has too much energy
for a senior cat who may be bothered with the new addition.
Two kittens will keep each other busy and will most likely
leave your senior alone.
The gender question
The truth is there is little difference between "altered" males
and females as their personalities do not depend upon their sex. Both genders
can be equally affectionate, playful, calm and loving. Unaltered animals can
become difficult, as males will spray foul smelling urine and females can
spray as well and "yowl" while in heat. Altered animals make much
better pet and have easier going personalities.
The breed question
Deciding what breed of cat you want to adopt will help you decide where to
start your search.
Purebred
Purebred cats are uncommon and are only a very
small percentage of cats available for adoption.
Many people like to go the purebred route because
the parentage can be proven and they are known
for specific looks and personalities. There are many
reputable breeders from which to chose but do your homework
first to make sure you have found one of them.
Mixed-breed
Mixed-breed cats make up 97-99% of all cats
in existence. Many people prefer to adopt mixed-breeds
to save a life as they are the ones being put-down
daily by the hundreds in shelters throughout the
country.
How many?
Cats get lonely and bored if left alone. If you are away from home all day,
consider adopting two cats instead of one.
Where to adopt
County Shelters
County and some city shelters give cats just a few days before pulling the
plug. If you want to save a cat's life, then an animal shelter is a good place
to go.
Pro-life Shelters
Pro-life shelters are growing in number. Here, animals have extra time to
find a home but even these shelters may euthanize when they run out of room.
Adopting from a pro-life shelter enables them to stay pro-life.
Private Parties
Many people will advertise kittens in the paper. If you adopt from these people
make sure that the kitten is healthy, is at least 8 weeks of age, and that
plans are in the works to get the mother fixed. Go somewhere else if you find
that the mother cat is being used to turn out litter after litter for money.
Some people need to adopt out there cat due to different family situations.
This is a good way to adopt an adult cat because the family can fill you in
on the cat's personality and history.
Free to good home
No animal should be adopted out for free. Placing a cost on an animal protects
it from being harmed by someone who will sell the "free" animal
to research to make a profit. These cats do need a home, but take the opportunity
to educate the owner so they will never adopt out a cat for free again.
Rescue Organizations
Friendly Feline Rescue falls under this category. There are many organizations
who rescue and find homes for cats and kittens. Remember to support quality
rather then quantity rescue groups. Reputable rescue groups will screen the
applicant well so expect to fill out an application. Some organizations invite
you into their homes while others show their cats at stores such as PetsMart.
PetsMart and a few other stores like them open their doors to rescue organizations
and do not sell dogs or cats on their own.
Breed Rescue Groups
These groups concentrate on a particular kind of breed. This is a good place
to go if you are both looking for a certain breed of cat and also looking
to help a cat in need.
Responsible Breeders
Responsible and reputable breeders do not advertise in the paper or sell their
cats in pet stores. You may end up with an unhealthy, un-socialized cat if
you go the pet store route. You can find responsible breeders at cat shows
or on the Internet. Get references and do not purchase a kitten from them
without first checking up on these references. Look for evidence that they
care about their kittens and are trying to make quality home placements. Expect
them to interview you and have you fill out an application. You will pay $300-$400
for a purebred kitten.
Where
NOT to adopt
Pet stores
Do not adopt from a pet store. The employees are often told to tell the customers
that the animals were obtained from local breeders when they are not. A responsible
breeder would never allow a pet store to adopt out their animals because the
customers are not screened for the safety of the animal. The animals sold
at pet stores are often obtained from kitten and puppy mills where animals
are poorly treated and irresponsibly bred for profit. Do not support the inhumane
treatment of animals at these mills by purchasing from a pet store. It is
suggested that you don't even patronize such stores at all. Take your pet
supply needs to stores that sell only supplies. The only exception to the
pet store rule is to adopt from pet stores that allow adoptions from local
rescue groups who are on the premises taking applications for the best placement
of the animals. PetsMart and Petco are good examples of these types of pet
stores.
Backyard Breeders
Do not adopt from a "Backyard Breeder". These types of individuals
are easy to spot. They allow the animals to produce litter after litter of
substandard kittens without thought to the genetic line. These animals are
bred strictly for profit and the animals are often kept in substandard conditions.
Back
to Top
Bringing your new cat home
Tips
for a successful adoption day
You've adopted a new cat, now what? There are at least three things you MUST
do to make sure your adoption day goes smoothly.
Pet carrier
Don't try to transport your new cat home without a pet carrier. Chances are
your cat will be very nervous and may try to make a run for it. Your cat should
never be transported without a carrier even if you think he doesn't
need one. You would hate to be wrong and the cat will be the one that pays
for your mistake. Cardboard carriers are fine to use to bring your cat home
but it needs to be replaced with a ventilated plastic one secure with latches
and a screened front that the cat can look through.
Remember the safe-room
Take her to her safe-room room but do not take her out of the pet carrier.
Let her come out when she feels ready. She may choose to socialize with you
immediately or she may want to hide or stay to herself for now. Talk with
her in a very soft voice and let her deal with her new surroundings on her
own terms. Sooner or later she will start interacting with you. When she seems
ready to venture out of her safe-room (which could take up to a few days or
more) open the door and let her explore her new house on her own terms. If
you have another animal, however, follow the pet introduction steps listed
below.
Pet introduction: Never the first day!
There are three steps
to introducing your new cat to the resident cat or dog.
1) under the door contact
2) exchange scents
3) introduction with new cat in carrier
As mentioned earlier, keep the new cat in her saferoom. The resident cat will know immediately that the new cat has arrived and will be stuck to the door of this saferoom. Chances are the resident cat will be the one to have a problem with this new addition. Cats are very territorial by nature and someone will have just intruded. Be patient and understand this reaction is perfectly normal and is to be expected.
Under the door
contact
To allow the new cat a chance to settle in comfortable, wedge a towel under
the door for a few days, then take it away and allow the two to meet each
other under the door. You may notice aggressive behavior from the resident
cat or simple curiosity. Let this go on at least one day. Do not open the
door at this point. Remember, patience is the key here.
Exchange scents
Remove the new cat from the safe-room in the pet carrier that she is already
used to. Allow the resident cat full, supervised run of the safe-room. He
is getting used to your new cat's scent. Likewise, place something like the
resident cat's blanket in the carrier with the new cat so she too can get
use to the resident cat's scent.
Introduction with
new cat in pet carrier
When your resident cat seems ready (acting curious but not aggressive), allow
the two to meet face to face by placing the new cat in the carrier. Watch
for the response from both of them. Allow this for a half hour or so and if
both sides seem ready, open the carrier. You must continue to monitor the
two together. If aggressive behavior is exhibited by either cat, they are
not ready to co-mingle.
It may take a short time or it may take a long time for them to work things out. They may become best of friends quickly or it may take longer for the process to work itself out. They may end up just tolerating each other but at least they will be able to coexist. Just remember that the two cats are relying on you to correctly read the situation. Do not push this process faster then they can handle.
A word of
warning: If you choose not to introduce the two cats correctly, as
suggested above, you may very well end up with a scared cat that gets chased
by the resident cat. Once a cat is aggressively chased by another cat, it
may be hard to break the cycle and the new cat will always be viewed by the
resident cat as the weaker of the two. Give your new cat a chance to be on
equal grounds by following the above procedure. It's the responsible, kind
thing to do.
Back to Top
Friendly Feline Rescue Copyright ©2004-2005 All Rights Reserved
Website maintained by Mary Schmidt and hosted courtesy Petfinder.org