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Adopting a Shelter Cat? 6 Tips.

Posted Fri, Jul 20, 2007, 10:00 am PDT

Adopting a cat from your local shelter can be the start of a beautiful relationship. But there are a number of things to consider first, so you'll be prepared.

Have a family meeting. Before you go to the shelter, take time to figure out what type of cat would be best for your family situation. You personally may have the heart to rescue the most troubled kitty, but if you have children at home who are expecting a cat with no emotional baggage, take that into consideration. Make sure everyone in the family is in agreement about their expectations.
Prepare your home in advance. Set up a sanctuary room (This is basically a bedroom or some other room that can be used so the new kitty can get his bearings and not be overwhelmed with his unfamiliar new surroundings all at once.)
Keep an open mind. Shelters try their best to create comforting environments, but many cats are scared. They have lost the only homes they knew. Keep an open mind as you evaluate which cat might be right for you.
Be honest during the interview process. Most shelters thoroughly interview prospective new cat owners to make sure it'll be a good fit. This is important for both the cat and for you. Also, take time to find out as much history about the new kitty as possible.
Be patient. Even though you know you're providing this cat with a home filled with love, he'll need time to make the adjustment. Many shelters offer behavior help if you need guidance as your cat settles in.
Keep up with veterinary care. Take your new cat to the veterinarian regardless of how recently vaccinations were given at the shelter. A thorough examination is needed before you expose any pets at home to a new animal.

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37 Comments

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1. Krinkle1978 - 12:09PM on 07/20/07

I adopted both of my cats from a "no kill" shelter. I encourage anyone who is interested in a pet to consider adopting. The first cat I got was 4 months old and the second one was one year old. The shelter usually has the animals up-to-date on their shots and some even neuter the cats when they're old enough. The only drawback was the waiting period. After I applied to be an adoptive parent, I had to wait three days to be able to bring my new friend home. Adopting is not for someone that wants an "instant" pet.
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2. dlssjy - 1:18PM on 07/20/07

We adopted our "Savannah" from a shelter. She was given away by a family who were divorcing. We did not confine her when we got her home. She was a bit timid and hid behind a couch, but within two days, she became the "head of the household". She's an absolute love. Can't understand how she could have been disguarded.
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3. lisa r. - 3:28PM on 07/20/07

Please be sure to get your new pet spayed or neutered RIGHT AWAY if they are not already "fixed". Pet overpopulation is a tragic problem in our country and we all need to be responsible pet owners and not add to the numbers of animals sitting in animal shelters across the country. Thanks from an animal rescuer!!
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4. Shar - 3:43PM on 07/20/07

My Alex also came from a shelter. He had been turned in for adoption when his former owner passed away. I was lucky enough to be there at the right time to stake my claim on him. He was already "fixed" as he was about three years old at the time. I have now had him for just over two years. He is a true joy and loves to sit on my lap for his daily loving..........lol.
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5. donna p - 3:49PM on 07/20/07

My first kitty (Ebony) was a hit-and-run victim by a car in front of me. Took him to the vet and 3 days later was mine. (What could i do?) I had a dog then also, who died a short while ago, and Ebony was desolate. So - I went to the shelter and got Ebony and cat. Andi. She's a delight and has made Ebony whole again. Please please please - adopt your next pet. It's so vitally important. I can't imagine poor Andi homeless. She's a real cutie.
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6. tropicalbabe@sbcglobal.net - 8:13PM on 07/20/07

I also adopted "kitty kitty" from a nearby shelter at 2 months old and she had recently gotten "fixed" and she got an inffection.. I took her home just 2 days after she got "fixed". Maybe she was too young. She's in the care of a vet right now. Hopefully i get to bring her home within a week..
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7. Bill - 9:07PM on 07/20/07

I went to the shelter to find a kitten. When I got there I saw all the cute little kittens but also the older cats who were also just as cute but much more difficult to adopt out. I still wanted to have a kitten so I decided to get a kitten and a cat. They are best friends now and huge parts of my life.
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8. dena.0366 - 9:07AM on 07/21/07

I got my 1st cat from a no kill shelter, he was 4 months old. He exhibited signs of a cold when I first got him so I had him checked out. Even though the shelter said he was in good health, he had a respiratory infection which can be fatal in cats and he had a birth defect of the breast bone. But..he has grown into a beautiful, healthy & loving part of my family with no ill effects from either problem. ALWAYS have your pet checked out by another vet after adopting and PLEASE don't be put off by 'possible' problems. Fred is the abolute best pet I've ever had.
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9. learningcurve - 11:39AM on 07/21/07

Maizie is the light of our lives. We adopted her from the county pound. My husband has grown to truly care for and love her. It really surprised me! We got her when she was about 8 weeks old. Now, she is 5 years old---long and lanky dark tabby. We love her so much.
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10. Apol - 5:16PM on 07/21/07

we were on the rock side of our family situation some ten years ago when my dad spied 4 2 months old kitties on the street... i didnt know what happened next but those 4 kitties become part of our lives...and now, its been ten years and though they passed away because of old age they still lived on because they left us descendants...and they are just absolute joy in our lives...it really makes you feel light hearted just to look at them being content... we love em
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11. Rosemary B - 7:39PM on 07/21/07

DO NOT POSTPONE THE TRIP TO THE VET. A friend of mine recently adopted an adult cat, and she said she'd get the cat to the vet when it suited her schedule. I was horrified. You don't allow your baby to go without shots and vacinations because you are too busy. Put her at the front of your to-do schedule, and get her/him vaccinated, spayed/neutered, ear-mite protected. Cats are vulnerable...don't let your baby succumb to any of the awful things that are out there, Protect your baby. Equip her to life a long and healthy life.
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12. Robert Q - 9:48AM on 07/22/07

I have a deaf kitty who likes to pee everywhere and on everything but the litter box. Any suggestions?
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13. KELLY M - 2:54AM on 07/23/07

I wanted a pet for my 11 yr. old daughter, but we were used to primarily dogs and I didn't want to train one from a 2nd floor apt. So I decided on a cat and went to the local shelter to find one. "Tigger" was about a year old and scared to death and I decided on him. Since day 1 he has done nothing wrong and within a week he turned into MY baby. His major purpose in life is to please and love. Of course, he does have a lot of dog traits (fetching, coming to a whistle, rolling over, etc - lol) My only complaint is that I wish parents had to go through the same screening to bear a child that our shelter makes us go through to see that babies are going to good homes!!!
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14. KELLY M - 2:54AM on 07/23/07

I wanted a pet for my 11 yr. old daughter, but we were used to primarily dogs and I didn't want to train one from a 2nd floor apt. So I decided on a cat and went to the local shelter to find one. "Tigger" was about a year old and scared to death and I decided on him. Since day 1 he has done nothing wrong and within a week he turned into MY baby. His major purpose in life is to please and love. Of course, he does have a lot of dog traits (fetching, coming to a whistle, rolling over, etc - lol) My only complaint is that I wish parents had to go through the same screening to bear a child that our shelter makes us go through to see that babies are going to good homes!!!
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15. Deborah G - 9:43AM on 07/23/07

Both of my boys were older kittens (just shy of a year) when I adopted them. Gilbert came from New Yorkers for Companion Amimals and Sullivan came from One By One Cat Rescue in Bethlehem, PA. Carissa is the only cat who was adopted as a baby. When I adopt cats, I always go for the older ones because they usually have a hard time finding homes. Kittens are easy to place because they're so cute.
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16. purplegrl156 - 10:18AM on 07/23/07

After my cat of 14 years passed on, my husband and I decided to adopt from a no-kill shelter where we found our little Pinky. She's 3 but petite and sweet! We had a tough time with her for the first few months (we believe she was abused) because she was timid and would pee everywhere when she got nervous. We took her to the vet and got her some medication which calmed her down tremendously. Now we can't imagine our lives without her and she has become a great little cat for us. We highly suggest adoption an older cat from a shelter - they need love too!
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17. lyda027 - 1:20PM on 07/23/07

robert, experiment with different litter types. it will be cheaper if you get coupons. newer litters like 'yesterday's news' have coupons on line. google cat litter coupons. find a place to donate the unused litter if it doesn't work - like shelters, community outreach orgs, post ads - someone can use it. i've gotten my cats from regular and no kill shelters. i like the no kill shelter here, because they have about 15 cats to a room and you can go in and interact. problem is choosing the one, or preferably, ones to take home. i usually pick 2 - 4 yr olds. kittens are adorable, but as i get older my cats get older.
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18. Alejandra P - 5:03PM on 07/23/07

Robert Q Take your cat to the vet. Peeing everywhere is usually a sign of a bladder problem. Also get an enzymatic cleaner and clean the areas where the cat has peed to help keep it from going there again.
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19. Precious - 8:24AM on 07/26/07

Except for 3 kitties (2 were bought at pet stores to save them from a bad fate, 1 was bred by a friend who had show kits), all of the kits I've had in my life have either been strays, no-longer-wanted-by-a-family or shelter cats. The latest addition was about a year and a half ago after I had to have my 20 yr old PTS 'cause all his physical problems finally caught up. I've never regretted any "adoption" ever! My lastest family member came from a no-kill (if animal doesn't have any bad disease) cats only shelter, and he's brought so much sunshine to my other kitty's, now a 19 yr old lady, and my life. She'd been grieving,as was I, after the loss of her 2 yrs older "brother," and knew I had to help her and me. New kit was featured in a weekly pet special section in a local newspaper, saw his picture, and knew he'd be perfect. He was feral born, but young enough when brought to the shelter that he's a real people kit and cuddler. He'd been adopted out once, but was returned when family found out child had cat allergy (that's another story). Wanted an adult kit (he was a little over 1) so he was perfect. Kits have been a part of my life since I was an infant-over 60+ years ago, and I can't imagine not having at least 1 kit in my life. Part of the reason I adopted from the special cats only shelter is that if need be the kit can go back there-when you are aging, and don't have family who can take a pet, you must think of that. And, yes, I don't care how great a shelter is, the first thing I've done with any new kit is a vet visit for a complete check-up including baseline blood work. Perhaps that's why I tend to have kits with longevity. If your kit presents behavior problems, first thing to do is to the vet's to rule out any physical cause. Second is to look at your environment-perhaps where a litter pan is located doesn't give enough privacy, is to hard to get to, etc. Same with food/water bowl locations.
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20. Jim P - 10:21AM on 07/27/07

My cat came from the county animal shelter and she's been the best. I couldn't have gotten a better kitty.
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21. Evangeline - 8:03PM on 07/27/07

One of mine was a gift from my ex, one I found abandoned at a rest stop and the third wandered onto my back porch and never left. You never know where you will find love.
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22. kittykare_08822 - 7:44AM on 07/28/07

Robert....re: cat peeing. Many suggestions offered, some work for some situations, but if he is "marking" rather than just peeing that is a significant problem that may never stop.
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23. Sindi - 10:05AM on 08/01/07

I got my cat Nickolas "Wildcat" Fletcher from the SPCA when he was 4 monts old. He is now 16 years old, He is solid white and I could not imagne my life with out him. He has been the best friend one could ever want. For Robert Q - 9:48AM on 07/22/07 - You cat is peeing every where but the litter box for attention or has a medical problem. You should take her to the vet ASAP
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24. Ashlinz - 5:50PM on 08/01/07

I adopted my "casper" from an animal shelter in San Antonio. He was about 5months old and actually not the "cutest" kittiy there. But a good rule of thumb is to go for personality and attitude not always looks. Even though he was scruffy looking he tunred out to be one of the most beautiful and loving cats I've ever had. I also have another cat with a chest bone deformity called Pectus Excavatum. I was told that many kittens with this condition dont usually live past 6wks (severe cases) and the rest usually have a diaphramatic hernia of some sort. Mine is the most active little snot I've had in a LONG time. She so full of energy and I just know she was meant to come to me. She was the runt in a litter a friend of mine was giving away. No one wanted her because she was so little and "ugly". Her mom was a siamese and dad was a brindle colored cat, well she's colored exactly like her dad where the rest look like mom. She gorgeous and loving now. I wouldnt have it any other way!
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25. Rio - 9:54PM on 08/01/07

We always get liquid and we hold his head--then put the eyedropper into the side of his mouth---then, whenever he opens his mouth to complain- squirt bit more in. Right now he is on 3 liquid meds AND we have the wonderful task of taking his temp. Wish there was a thermometer for his ear. A trick I learned from one of my clients, I am a pet sitter, use the liquid from a can of tuna. She freezes it in cubes. One of her kitties has a heart condition. I had to grind up the pills, melt the ice cube, throw in the powdered meds and he licked the bowl clean.
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26. Michelle - 1:16AM on 08/02/07

I have three rescued kitties. Thunder is four years old. She was tied to a swingset by her tail and had food and garbage thrown at her when she was just a little kitten. Digit is the middle "child". He is an orange monster, the biggest of the three. He also has extra toes. Six on his front paws, five on the back. Oliver is the newest addition to the family. He's just about a year old, jet black with green eyes and he's a bit fat. Gotta love cats!!
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27. Closet Librarian - 3:37AM on 08/02/07

It's heartening to see so many people adopting pets! I also have two adopted cats. Xujan (soo-jun) was just about the ugliest kitten I had ever seen. I think I adopted him because I was afraid noone else would! Wampie (Cattywampus - so called by the shelter employees) was a "kitty terrorist", to big to put in with the smaller kittens because he played to rough, and to small to go in with the adult cats because - well - he played too rough (older cats would get grouchy and beat him up)! At any rate. . . I love them dearly and cannot imagine life without them.
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28. pelliter.d@sbcglobal.net - 1:33PM on 08/06/07

I am looking for a lap cat, I,m 67 years old we have a little dog,but she stays with my wife all the time,so I need a friend to.
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29. W K - 12:48PM on 10/12/07

we adopted a year old cat 7 years ago. Our cookiepuss is a true delight and joy!!!
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30. ohiogirl - 5:19AM on 11/09/07

I got Buddy from our local animal shelter..He was almost 5 yrs when I got him and had been at the shelter longer than any other cat...he was so frightened at first he hid .. now he is my best buddy (hence the name) dont forget those "older pets" they have alot of life left in them..and most are already fixed and, in Buddys case declawed!! Plus he was already "litter trained" Whatever age u chose...give these shelter animals a chance!!
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