How to Adopt a Shelter Cat That Is Right For You—And What Questions to Ask · Kinship Leave a comment

So, you’ve determined to undertake a cat. Good for you! There are such a lot of cats on the market in want of a house like yours. Now, you simply want to seek out the proper cat. That may really feel like a frightening process, however don’t fear. Veteran cat behaviorist and long-time shelter volunteer Stephen Quandt of Cat Habits Assist has nice recommendation for methods to discover your new addition.

First, you need to just be sure you are actually able to be a cat mum or dad. It’s a giant duty, and in the event you’ve by no means had a cat earlier than, you might not understand simply how a lot care and a spotlight they want. “You would possibly assume that getting a cat means you might be getting an animal that’s decrease upkeep than a canine, and in some ways in which’s true,” Quandt says. “However the concept cats are aloof or don’t want or need our consideration will not be actually true. They want us.”

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It’s additionally vital to ensure everybody in your own home needs and is able to look after a cat. You don’t need to end up in a scenario the place somebody resents the pet as a result of they didn’t need one. Don’t be fooled by all these movies on social media of males (it’s all the time males) who stated they didn’t desire a cat after which fell in love with stated cat ultimately. These modifications of coronary heart are the exception, not the rule. And also you’re placing loads of strain on a kitty in the event you’re asking them to win over somebody who doesn’t need them.

And in case you are pondering of getting a cat for somebody as a present, please don’t, even when the individual is your child and so they’ve been asking for one for months. Get them a cat, by all means, however allow them to select the one they need themselves. “I’ve watched lots of if not hundreds of individuals make adoption selections, and I can by no means predict why somebody says ‘I would like this cat and never that cat,’” says Quandt.

Listed here are the issues to remember (and the precise inquiries to ask) as you make your selection.

How you can choose the correct shelter cat for you

Ideally, you need to tour the ability and meet and spend time with any cat you could be desirous about earlier than you signal the adoption papers. You possibly can’t know a cat’s character or how they’ll reply to you primarily based on what they appear like or an image you see on-line. It ’s important that you just get the prospect to work together with them, and most amenities can give you a quiet room the place you are able to do simply that.

When wanting over your choices, although, be sure that to maintain a watch out for the cat who needs you. “There are such a lot of nice cats in shelters and generally folks go them by, as a result of they assume there’s something incorrect with them,” Quandt provides. “They’re outdated or have three legs — and I watch the cat watching them, craving for that contact, however the individual walks away, and I see the cat drop their head … I don’t know what they’re pondering, however I imagine they see their probability going away, and it breaks their hearts.” 

When you get some one-on-one time along with your potential cat, see how they work together with you. Do they lean in for rubs? Are they standoffish? Are they playful and rambunctious? Do they roll over and present you their stomach immediately? Crawl into your lap? Take treats out of your hand? Some folks don’t want a very affectionate cat, simply somebody to share their dwelling with and provides some consideration to. Others desire a cat they’ll snuggle with all evening lengthy. It’s good to know what you might be searching for and to share that data with the shelter to allow them to level you in the correct course.

8 inquiries to ask earlier than you commit

When you’ve zeroed in on a cat, don’t be afraid to ask the shelter something and every thing that’s in your thoughts. You’ll want to know what you’re entering into, and it’s the shelter’s aim to position the cat in the correct dwelling. They don’t need them to finish up again within the system, so they need to be keen to reply any questions you may need, reminiscent of:

Is that this cat spayed or neutered?

If not, they’ll typically carry out the surgical procedure earlier than you’re taking them cat dwelling, however you may and may ask, so for certain. 

If the cat is sick on the time of adoption, does the shelter have a medical coverage?

Some shelters will provide you with free medical look after any identified well being points — drugs, at the very least — for every week or two post-adoption, when you set up your cat with a brand new vet. This isn’t assured, although, so in case you are adopting a cat with identified medical points, ask.

What’s their medical historical past?

Have they got the cat’s medical data? Are they updated on their vaccinations? Have they been dewormed? Do they seem like wholesome? How are their tooth?

In the event that they want extractions or different surgical procedure, that prices some huge cash, and also you might be able to get the shelter or rescue to do these surgical procedures earlier than you’re taking them dwelling. That’s what I did with my two aged cats who have been three-weeks submit surgical procedure and totally healed by the point I introduced them dwelling. You additionally have to learn about any preexisting circumstances earlier than you signal them up for an insurance coverage coverage.

Do they like being picked up?

Some cats will solely let the one that feeds them choose them up. Some cats received’t let anybody choose them up. And a few cats love being touched by everybody. You might be able to determine a few of this out whenever you work together with them within the shelter, however in the event you’re undecided, ask. 

Are they utilizing the litter field nicely?

Most rescues might be very upfront about any litter field points, however don’t be afraid to inquire about this, too. Some folks can deal with cats who go outdoors their litter field, however the overwhelming majority of individuals can’t. Take into account that there are methods to coach a kitty to make use of their litter field, nevertheless it takes time and effort.

Do they like youngsters or different animals?

Once more, the shelter ought to make all of this data available from the start, but when they don’t and you’ve got youngsters or different pets, it’s essential that you just allow them to know. Some cats are advantageous with a busy and bustling home. Others are usually not. And in the event you assume you may change them, you might be most likely incorrect. 

Are they a part of a duo?

Generally cats come as bonded pairs or meet and join as soon as they get to the shelter. However you might not know this until you ask. If a cat has a buddy or is bonded with a littermate, one of the best factor to do is maintain them collectively. Doing so eases the transition for each cats and can most likely make them simpler to look after when you get them dwelling. 

Data you hope you by no means have to make use of: What’s the return coverage?

Nobody adopts a cat pondering they’ll return them, however it’s higher to return a cat to the shelter than to neglect or resent them. “If it’s actually not the correct cat for you, you need to convey the cat again,” Quandt says. “When folks return a cat, for no matter cause, they’re normally experiencing a mixture of disgrace, guilt, and loss.”

He additionally urges anybody who’s needed to return a cat to do not forget that generally that’s “a part of the matchmaking course of” and that when shelter volunteers be taught extra about why a cat didn’t work out for somebody, they’ll discover a higher dwelling for them subsequent time.

How you can get probably the most out of your journey to the shelter  

OK, so what inquiries to have prepped earlier than you go to the shelter, however when you present up (and the mindset you’ve got whenever you arrive) additionally issues. Quandt suggests exhibiting up early within the day, when the cats (and shelter employees) are contemporary and able to work together. If you happen to present up on the finish of the day, cats could be sick of being dealt with by strangers, and you might not get an correct understanding of their personalities.

Lastly, and maybe most significantly, maintain an open thoughts. It’s completely pure to go in pondering you desire a sure sort of cat, however being too inflexible about what you’re searching for will severely restrict your choices. And your preferences could also be primarily based on assumptions — like the concept male cats are friendlier than feminine cats — relatively than info. That is one thing Quandt typically hears; he insists this isn’t true. Even in the event you had an expertise that appears to justify a sure prejudice, the reality is that each cat is totally different and the extra keen you might be to offer them an opportunity, the extra possible you might be to seek out your good match.

Do you have to undertake a kitten?

It‘s positively a superb possibility, particularly if you wish to bond with them at an early age. However in the event you’ve by no means raised a kitten earlier than, belief me once I say that doing so is much more work than you would possibly anticipate.

Kittens are stuffed with power, and so they want somebody keen to play with them usually and tolerate their shenanigans. They’re brokers of chaos; not a day goes by when most of them don’t get up and select violence. It’s enjoyable for the correct individual, however you’ll want to know for certain that you’re that individual. If you happen to assume your kitten will keep sleepy and docile without end, you’ll nearly definitely be upset. 

In order for you a chill cat, Quandt suggests searching for one that’s at the very least 4 years outdated. “Many cats undergo a character change round two to 4 years outdated,” says the professional, who has had many consumers attain out to him after their cats started behaving in another way round this stage of life. “If you happen to get a cat earlier than this age, you’ll want to perceive that they’re nonetheless growing and their character could change.”

The professionals of adopting an older cat

Don’t sleep on senior cats, both. The very best, snuggliest, most loving and blissed-out cats I’ve ever had have all been older ones. Certain, senior cats could require a number of extra journeys to the vet and irrespective of how nicely you take care of them, you’ll more than likely should say goodbye to them before you’ll a kitten. However they’re nice for individuals who need to keep away from the chaos of the youthful years.

I adopted my final pair of cats after they have been 14 years outdated. They have been surrendered by a girl who obtained them as kittens however might not look after them. They have been the loveliest cats I’ve ever identified and I’m grateful to have been in a position to look after them after they have been at their most weak. 

Finally, in the event you present up on the shelter sincerely hoping for the cat who is correct for you (or your child or buddy who’s in tow), you’ll be simply advantageous. In truth, you’ll be higher than advantageous, since you’ll have a brand new member of the family. And certain, they’ll knock your water glass over once in a while, however all these cozy biscuits they’ll put together for you’ll make up for it.