How to Adopt a Healthy Cat From a Shelter

Thousands of healthy, unwanted cats are euthanized at animal shelters each month. Thankfully, thousands more are adopted by caring people just like you. If you are planning to adopt a cat from a shelter, follow the steps below to choose a healthy one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat Beds
• Cat Carriers
• Cat Collars
• Cat Dishes
• Cat Foods
• Cat Litters
• Cat Shampoos
• Litter Boxes
• Identification Tags
• Veterinarian

1. Make an appointment with an adoption counselor. Calling ahead saves time, as shelters are busy places staffed mostly by volunteers.

2. Consult a veterinarian about the health issues of different breeds of cats. Some medical problems are more common in certain breeds.

3. Prepare a list of questions and bring it with you to the shelter.

4. Request a tour of the animal wards and exercise rooms. All areas should be clean, comfortable and odor-free - indicators of quality care.

5. Observe the cats available for adoption. Select an active one that shows no signs of respiratory disease, such as sneezing or watery eyes.

6. Ask if the cat has been examined by a veterinarian or animal technician.

7. Ask whether the cat has been tested for feline leukemia, vaccinated, treated for fleas and given worm medication.

8. Play with the cat and check that she has clean ears, healthy pink membranes in her mouth and no evidence of diarrhea under the tail.

9. Check the skin for flea debris or patches that are scaly, inflamed or lacking hair. These could indicate ringworm, which is treatable but contagious (to you and other pets).

10. Pay the adoption fee and consider making a donation. Most animal shelters are private, not-for-profit organizations, operating solely on donated funds.

11. Be prepared to leave the cat at the shelter an additional 24 hours. Most shelters require this waiting period to discourage impulsive adoptions.

12. Take the cat to a veterinarian soon after adoption. Follow the veterinarian's recommendations for completing the vaccination, worming and preventative health protocol.

Tips & Warnings

• Be conscious of the responsibility that accompanies pet adoption. You are making a 15- to 20-year commitment, and you cannot change your mind without creating emotional trauma for the cat.
• Have the cat spayed or neutered so that you will not contribute to pet overpopulation. Many shelters include this service with the adoption fee.
• Consider adopting two kittens; cats benefit from companionship.
• Cats are experts at disguising the signs of illness, and all diseases have an incubation period - so be aware that something unexpected may show up two to three days after adoption. This situation is generally not through any fault of the shelter staff, and most shelters have a return policy for sick animals.
• Avoid adopting a weak and malnourished cat unless you are prepared to spend some extra time, effort and money to nurse her back to health.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Ask a Cat Vet Online Now

[kenzieann]

on 10/20/2009 If you are looking for a new companion i have an amazing cat i need to find a home for. Sadly, i just dont have the time to give her the attention she deserves, although she does just fine being alone all day. She doesn't get along with dogs, not sure about other cats. She's in great health, no bad habbits and front claws already removed. Litterbox trained, and she's not too old and not too young. Beautiful markings, all white with gray patches all over. If interested contact me at [e-mail] for more info and pictures. Thank you!

[petsRgood2have]

on 1/27/2007 Be Aware of FIP-We adopted a 5 month old healthy looking & acting kitten from a shelter. We only had him 3 months and we had to put him to sleep this week because he became so ill with Feline Infectious Pertinitis. Our hearts are broken. We're so glad he came into our lives and brightened them up, but his time with us was just too short. He was only a baby. We didn't even knew FIP existed. It is a horrific painful fatal virus with no cure. FIP is very rare, but it is fatal and it takes kittens that have low immune systems. Keep adopting--just be aware.

on 11/22/2005 If you are away from home a lot and want to adopt an indoor apartment cat, consider an older one. My (about) 10-year-old adopted cat is perfectly happy being alone for 10-12 hours a day while I'm at work. And she can be left alone for a couple of days if I go out of town. But, younger cats that I've babysat tear up the house when I'm gone because they're bored. And it's not fair to a kitten to be left alone all day with no stimulation.

on 11/22/2005 Competition happens! Ask for as much of a history as you can get about the cat you're adopting. Many abused cats will be loving pets but because of their mistrust, they may compete with other cats and may be a difficult choice if you have existing pets or want to adopt more than one. Contrary to popular belief, some cats don't like other cats and are "only children." Be prepared to hear this if your cat has had a difficult kitten-hood.

on 11/22/2005 If the cat at the shelter is shy, don't necessarily turn it down as a prospect for adoption. Many "shy" cats are animals that have been through some abuse or trauma in their young lives and aren't so well adjusted to humans. Trust has to be earned if broken. I adopted an abused cat that hid under the sofa for a week without using the litter box. Bit by bit she emerged to find that she'd get petted and fed on schedule daily. I now have a loving companion who "talks" to me and thanks me constantly. I couldn't ask for a better cat!