Will your cat be happy and comfortable in her new home?
Choosing to adopt a cat, whether from a shelter, vet or individual, is the first step toward having a wonderful new companionship. There's a lot to consider before you choose your new feline friend, however, and you've got to be prepared. You might have picked out a name, but you have to take into consideration the costs and the necessary arrangements to make your new companion feel at home.
Preparing Your Home
First, look around you. Are you and your home cat-ready? You may not have a lot of adjustments to make, but you want to make sure your new buddy feels comfortable in his living space. If you plan to keep the cat indoors, put a litter box in an out-of-the way location, where the box will be easy to clean. Place food and water in an accessible spot. If the cat will go outdoors, install a cat-door to give him the freedom to come and go when he pleases (and save you the effort of being his doorman).
Are the other inhabitants of your home ready? Children need to be introduced to the idea of having a cat in a different way according to their age (see ASPCA's Kids and Pets Interaction Guide). Toddlers and young children are just as curious as cats and will often breach limits of contact---pulling tails, touching and picking up the animal. And they may not like the consequences. Introduce the concept of empathy to your young children. Perhaps most important: place any small toys, food and medications for the cat out of the kids' reach. Just as you would protect your children, protect your new cat. Put away anything unsafe that she could chew or scratch (toilet paper, houseplants, foods).
Kitty will need a few more things to feel comfortable. One of the most important is a routine in her first few weeks in the new home. You must provide a regular feeding schedule. This means feeding her at roughly the same time she was fed at her previous location and using the same food. If you later choose to switch her food brand, do so gradually by mixing the new with the old little by little over a few weeks.
It's also important that she's properly identified. You can purchase a safety collar and ID tag from your veterinarian or pet store. The safety collar has an elastic panel that will break open and allow kitty to escape if the collar catches on something. Both indoor and outdoor cats require identification, as an indoor cat might find a way out of the house. ID tags should include the owner's name and phone number as well as the vet's contact information. The best method of identification is having your vet implant a microchip in the cat, which is a quick procedure that does not require anesthesia and lasts for the cat's lifetime.
Last, understand that adopting a cat is a long-term commitment. Cats can live up to 20 years, so you must commit to providing a stable and healthy environment for your cat's entire life. Apart from the initial adoption expenses, be prepared for annual expenses of over $1,000, according to the ASPCA. That includes food, litter, vet care, insurance and accessories.
Visiting the Shelter
Now you're ready to pick out your feline friend. If you choose to adopt from a shelter, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, understand that cats who end up in shelters are there because they were unlucky enough to get lost or were abandoned by their owners---not because they are sick or mean. Cats from shelters are usually healthy and are required to undergo a check by a vet; adopted cats will have had routine vaccinations and have been spayed or neutered. Shelters will not allow sick or feral cats to be adopted, although some adoptable cats might have picked up treatable conditions such as ear mites.
That said, choose wisely. Go with your gut if you believe that a shelter has not taken proper care of their cats. Felines pick up on human emotions, and miserable looking or "cage crazy" animals are indications of bad care. Susan Daffron, an animal adoption expert, says that "some humane societies keep animals for literally years in small cages. If you see animals lunging against the cage and snarling, odds are good the shelter/rescue isn't doing any behavior testing at all."
You should be concerned if the cages or facilities are excessively dirty and should contact the Humane Society if you see animals living in very poor conditions.
At the shelter, the caretakers or technicians will likely ask you some questions about your home life to make sure you and the cat are compatible. Some questions might be whether you have kids or other pets, or what temperament you are looking for in a pet. This is a good time to ask questions of your own:
How did the cat arrive at the shelter? What information do you have about the cat's previous owner (if he had one)? How long has the cat been in the shelter? (If it's a long time, he could have some behavioral issues.) Has the shelter noticed any behavioral or medical problems, and has the cat had any medical treatment since his arrival? What is the activity level of the cat? Has the cat received all the necessary vaccines and de-worming treatments? What is the return policy of the shelter in case the cat does not work out at his new home or has a major medical problem? Most shelters do accepts returns, but each facility's policy is different. Find out all the details in advance.
Cat or Kitten? Male or Female?
A difficult choice: the sweet-hearted, mature cat purring on her side? Or the spirited yet clumsy kitten tripping over his siblings? There's no right or wrong answer, but know what you're getting into.
There is more transparency when adopting a cat (versus a kitten). You can usually see from the start what kind of temperament the cat has and if it matches yours. Most shelters will allow you and the cat to have a meet-and-greet in a separate room where the cat is out of the cage, which is a great way to get to know your friend.
No matter the personality, an adult feline will require more patience during the adjustment period. She might not take to your children or other pets right away, as she is set in her ways.
Kittens, on the other hand, are almost universally playful and spontaneous. They require a lot of supervision as they grow up, and even some gentle training---encouragement to use the litter box, for example, or discouragement from the curtains.
The main advantage of choosing a kitten over a cat is that she's easier to bond with, as her personality is forming. Both grown cats and kittens will need some time to adjust to their new surroundings and to ease into a budding friendship with their new owner.
You will also have the choice of adopting a male or female cat, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
First, female cats. Personalities can vary in females more than in males, and it may take a longer time to build up trust with their new owner. They can be very affectionate animals, however. Females cats also tend to be better mouse-hunters than males. If a female is not spayed, there might be some unwanted results, including very loud "yowling" while she is in heat and a litter of kittens much sooner than you might expect. Cats can have a litter before they are a year old.
Male cats generally have friendly dispositions and are great "lap cats." Their major disadvantage is that they "spray" or mark places with urine. This is less problematic if the male is neutered early. Male cats are usually larger than females.
Whether you choose a male or female, remember that personalities vary widely and that either can make a great companion.
Other Ways to Adopt
A shelter is not the only place to adopt a cat. There are hundreds of cat rescue organizations all over the country that care for felines until they find a home. Rescue groups can suggest cats that would be a good match for you based on information you provide. It's important you ask the same questions you would at a shelter about the cat's previous owner and medical care. Most rescues will provide the cat with basic vaccines and spaying/neutering. Check your local listings or ask your veterinarian about get in touch with local rescue groups.
You can also adopt a cat from an individual. One advantage to this form of adoption is that the owner can provide you with the cat's history, something a shelter can't do if the cat is a stray. An individual should have the cat's medical information and be able to describe the cat's temperament and any other information you want to know. The disadvantage is that an individual is not required to provide the necessary vaccines or spay/neuter the cat prior to adoption.
No matter what way you go about adopting, it's important to gather all the facts you need to make an informed decision.
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