You need to find the right adopters for all socialized feral, stray or house cats that are in need of a new home. Matching the right cat with the adopter will ensure that the cat will have a forever home.
Many people fall in love with kittens but forget that they need a lot of attention and also training. A woman contacted me about a kitten that I had up for adoption and I agreed to meet with her and chat. I asked her a few questions and found out that she worked nights and slept during the day. She also preferred peace and quiet and did not have a lot of time to spend with the kitten. She told me she wanted the kitten to curl up in a ball and sleep at the foot of her bed.
Based on the information that the woman provided me I knew she was not suited for a kitten and so I matched her up with an adult Maine Coon cat that was very affectionate, had perfect manners and enjoyed sleeping on the bed during the day. They were well suited and the cat found a forever home. So it is important to chat with all of the adopters by asking them questions.
- Have you ever declawed a cat? …
- Have you ever had to rehome or surrender a cat before? …
- Would this cat be indoor, outdoor, or indoor/outdoor?
- How many people currently live in your household? ( …
- How many pets do you currently own? …
- What are you looking for in a cat?
Cat Adoption & Rescue: Tips for Adopting a Cat from a Shelter
11. What kind of cat do you want? One that is laid back and likes to cuddle or one that likes to play and entertain you?
12. How much time will you spend with your cat?
Will you treat your cat like a member of the family?
A pet is more than just an animal that lives in your house – it should be a member of the family! If you plan to adopt a cat, you should make sure that you have the time and the resources to give him the love and care that he deserves. Don’t just do the minimum to meet your cat’s needs – provide him with the best care you possibly can.
Does the person agree to spay, neuter, and vaccinate?
The only way to stop the overpopulation of unwanted pets is to have them fixed. It’s important to educate people on this and make sure they aren’t going to add to the problem. Most rescues require the pet to be spayed before adopting (OARS does!). If they won’t spay, chances are it will cause more homeless cats later.
As for vaccinations, some people argue that indoor cats and other pets don’t need to be vaccinated regularly, but at least check for initial vaccines if adopting to a family who already has pets.
What happens if you go away from home?
When you adopt a cat, it is your responsibility to make sure that he gets the care he needs – even when you can’t give it to him yourself. If you live a busy life that includes a lot of travel, think about what you’ll do with your cat when you leave home. In most cases, cats can be left alone with adequate food and water supplies for a few days, but if you plan to be gone for any extended period of time you might want to think about leaving your cat with a friend or hiring a pet sitter.
Does the person provide landlord information?
Another red flag Cheryl suggested is to watch out for any potential adopter who is not willing to give you their landlord’s information. Perhaps they are not paying rent on time or they are not allowed to have pets or they have too many pets. There could be many reasons why someone might want to withhold this, but none of them are good ones when it comes to adopting a cat. Adopters should be completely upfront about anything that has to do with how the cat will live.
Do you have the financial resources to care for a cat?
Owning a pet can be expensive, though cats are often less costly than dogs. Before you decide to adopt a cat, make sure that you can cover his adoption fee as well as the cost to purchase necessary supplies like a carrier, food and water bowls, flea and tick protection, toys, grooming supplies, and more. You’ll also need to budget for annual or semi-annual vet visits plus the cost of vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery, if that hasn’t already been done.
