SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Cat Care
Cat Care Tips
Tips
When Adopting a Cat from an Animal Shelter
When choosing a cat to adopt from an animal shelter, there
are several things that must be considered. Perhaps the
most important thing to remember is that adopting a cat
means the furry friend will most likely be around for
a long while. In fact, a cat can easily live up to 20
years. Therefore, owning a cat isn’t just a small commitment
in time. Once the decision is made to adopt a cat, there
are four main things to look for to ensure the pet will
be healthy and a good match for the family and its lifestyle.
Activity
When visiting a cat shelter to choose a new feline friend,
the first thing to do is to simply observe all of the cats
and kittens. While observing them, just to get an idea of how
active they are and what type of attitude they have. If the
cat is hunched in a corner or appears lethargic, it might not
be too healthy. The last thing a new pet owner needs is to
adopt a sick cat that will rack up the vet’s bills. Similarly,
a pet owner looking to add a new cat along with the pets he
or she already has doesn’t want to bring home a sick cat that
will spread illness to the other cats.
Observing the cat while it is in its cage is helpful in determining
the attitude of the cat. Some pet owners are looking for playful
cats that will scamper about the house and chase and play with
toys. On the other hand, some pet owners would like a cat that
is a little more docile and that will spend hours cuddled up
in the owner’s lap. Watching the cats in their cages will help
determine which type of personality they have. Of course, a
cat that is sleeping doesn’t provide much information about
its personality, because all cats sleep the majority of their
day away. For sleeping cats, it will be necessary to rouse
them to get an idea of their unique personalities.
Look at the Cat
After the selection of potential adoptees has been narrowed
down, the remaining cats should be looked at more closely.
To do this, the attendant should be asked to release the cats
fro the cage, one at a time.
A good place to begin the physical examination is to look
at the cat’s eyes. It is a good sign if the eyes are bright
and clear. There also should be no discharge or running eyes,
as both are signs of illness.
After inspecting the eyes, the nose should be looked at next.
It should be clean and slightly moist. Again, there should
be no discharge. The ears should also be clean. Ears that are
extremely dirty are potentially contaminated with ear mites.
Ear mites can be very difficult to get rid of and can easily
spread to other cats at home.
Finally, the cat’s fur should be clean, shiny, and free of
fleas. Fleas can be particularly bothersome to both the cat
and to the owner. Furthermore, getting rid of fleas once they
infest the home can be very difficult.
Listen to the Cat
Of those cats remaining, the next step is to listen to the
cat. First, listen for signs of illness. A cat that coughs,
sneezes, or sounds congested can be quite ill and should be
avoided. Also, listen for sounds of contentment. A cat who
is purring is likely happy and healthy. If the cat is meowing,
the sound of the meow can often indicate trouble or contentment.
A long, pleading meow could indicate the cat is ill. On the
other hand, a playful meow could mean the cat is already developing
a bond with its potential new owner!
After handling each cat, it is important to wash up with an
antiseptic. That way, any illnesses one cat might have will
not be spread to the other cats.
Play with the Cat
After finding a couple healthy cats that appear to have the
appropriate personality, it’s time to play! Get the last couple
of cats out of their cages and set them on the floor. See how
they interact with one another to get a feeling for the cat’s
disposition. Seeing how the cat gets along with other cats
is especially important for pet owners who already have a pet
cat at home.
Also, take out a string or car keys and dangle them in front
of the cat. The one that seems most alert and active is likely
the better choice. Of course, both cats can be adopted if the
decision is just too hard to make!
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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