Comments on: How to Adopt a Healthy Cat From a Shelter

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!

on 11/22/2005 Remember that kittens are just like toddlers in cat form. But let me add something very important. They're 4 legged explorers who will rampage through your house, make it their own, crawl on EVERYTHING, knock stuff down, scratch your beloved upholstery, and look at you innocently as though they did nothing wrong. Adult cats know how to walk over things, are generally more relaxed, are more accustomed to scratch on a scratching post and are independant and self-sufficient animals. Remember the adults when adopting and that an adult cat immediatly turns "kitten" when confronted with a fascinating toy or ball of string.

on 11/22/2005 Consider taking a cat with one eye, or three legs or no tail. If they're otherwise healthy, they will lead a normal life and give you much pleasure.

on 11/22/2005 Two years ago, our pound kitty was described as "about four", and later we found out that she was closer to fourteen. We lost her this year, but we were glad to care for her - just wish we had known when we got her!!

on 11/22/2005 Most people adopt kittens. Most healthy kittens get adopted. Please consider an adult cat. Try to visit each one, and find the one that comes from a good home, and belongs in a good home. Otherwise, there's a good chance she'll be destroyed.

on 11/22/2005 Try to find a pen where kittens are kept together. Know what kind of personality you want in a cat. Sit back and observe the kittens playing together, and try to identify the one with the traits you desire.

on 11/22/2005 The first kitten to extract itself from a sleep pile and investigate your rattling the cage is liable to be fearless and perhaps even aggressive. Be sure that's what you want before you adopt him.

on 11/22/2005 Kittens caged together will sleep in a pile. Bang on the side of the cage. If adopting a companion for another cat, don't pick the first kitten to investigate - he may try to dominate your other cats. Go for the alert one that watches from a distance.