Friday, October 3, 2008

Adopt A Cat!

Adopt a Cat and save a life. Cat Adoption is offered through Cat Rescues and local Shelters.

Did you know that only 1 in 12 cats born ever find a permanent home? These are sad statistics. Only you can help save a life. Adopt a Cat today!

Garfield Gives The Thumbs Up For Cat Adoption

Bringing an adopted cat or kitten home with you can be a warming experience. Go to your local shelter or cat rescue and adopt your feline counterpart.

If you can't find one in the many locations available for you to adopt, then you are way too picky. Or let's say finicky. Hey, then you and your new cat should get along great!!!

Are You Ready For A Cat?

These are important questions, ones which you should ask yourself before adopting your new Kitten or Adult Cat.
  • What kind of home can I provide?

  • How will they fit into my lifestyle?

  • Can I find time to give to my cat during the day?

  • Can I provide my cat with proper shelter and safety?

  • Can I handle the expense of providing the best in pet nutrition?

  • Am I committed to providing stability through love and proper handling?

  • Am I prepared for the added financial task it will require for his or her health care?
If you can answer these questions with confidence that will benefit both of you, then by all means go for it, and get ready for enjoying the greatest experience that a life-long companion will bring into your life. And I do mean for life.

Make No Mistakes On This Choice

A visit to your local shelter or cat rescue will paint a sad picture of the amount of abandoned animals that are out there; 8 to 12 million per year. And now with the overcrowding of our shelters, many of these animals must be euthanized. So be sure on your choice because the little fuzz face you pick has had enough bad luck and doesn't need a repeat of the fate you would rescue them from.

As you stroll past the cages, you will see young and old, pure breed and mixed breed, all with fuzzy faces staring back at you with hopeful intensity, waiting patiently for their turn at a new home. After all, it is all they can do in their cage, is wait and wonder if this next person will want them.

The life of a cat can be from 10 to 20 years, so be sure you can commit this much time to your new pet. After all, your cat should never be disposable. Isn't that why they are at shelters in the first place? Their last owner apparently thought so.

Cats Do Strange Things

When making the decision to bring a cat home, you must decide if you can deal with house cat behavior. Their antics can be quite comical, and yet be unnerving. Depending on what they are doing at the time.

Are you prepared for cat hair to be everywhere?

You will find that cat hair will magnetize to your dark pants or suit at the most inopportune time...you know what I mean...just as you're about to leave for the office. Keep the sticky roll handy and plenty of refills.

They love to sleep on the chair backs of furniture, get into small spaces to curl up, lounge on counter-tops, bed pillows, bathtubs and sinks, not excluding climbing up under the car engine block seeking a warm spot. Practice caution here or you could wind up with fur in your fan-belt.

Are you ready for a bit of damage caused around the house as they learn to adjust to their new surroundings?

Typically if you keep a careful eye on your cat you can prevent many accidents. In the beginning confine your cat to a location with the litter box, showing them this is the place to go potty. They will get the idea. And if you are unsure of your new kitty while you are away, then this would be a good time to enclose them in large crate or take them with you in a cushy pet carrier. Don't leave them in it for long, since a cat coming from a facility for adoption had to be kept in a small space while they waited endlessly. One nice thing however, if your cat came from a breed rescue or foster home, usually before they are placed they are already taught how to use the litter box before they are placed. Cats are fastidious, so usually litter box training can go quite well in most instances.

Can you deal with a cat that might perhaps be of an aloof type?

They are independent beings and not all cats are cuddly. When you are blessed with a cat person you will feel so fortunate to have he or she curl up in your lap and be your constant shadow. However, some may only tolerate an occasional scratch, some may come up to you for a head butt then walk away with a swish of the tail, yet these furry creatures will bond with you when it suits them for lovin'. No matter how aloof, they will depend on you for food, shelter, and the occasional hug.

Can you handle their tendencies to dig at the furniture when the mood strikes them?

The answer is not in de-clawing your cat. This is cruel and leaves them defenseless. But to provide a scratching post and smear it with catnip to entice them to it. Or using a startling sound when you catch them digging in the wrong location, or the trusty spray bottle filled with vinegar and water.

Do you have a short temper?

If you do then we don't recommend getting a cat as they cannot be trained the way a dog can, and will definitely infuriate you at times. They make wonderful stuffed animal cats these days. Or perhaps a cyber kitty. They purr and meow and everything.

Getting Along Like Cats And Dogs

If you own a dog and want to now introduce a Kitty into the family circle, this can be done quite easily. Dogs and cats are not sworn enemies as some may perceive. In fact they can become the best of friends and be constant companions. Your cat may even prefer the family dog over you, especially if the house empty's out during the day and all they have is each other to hang with.

Cats will seek out a warm place to sleep and they love nothing better than to curl up next to their dog buddy, purring in contentment. This is a Kodak moment!

Starting with a kitten is usually the easiest way to allow for adjustment. Many adult cats, unless raised in a household with dogs may never adjust. Dogs, whether young or old are easily managed unlike a cat to control their tendency to go after this alien being. They may view each other as an oddity, yet all will go quite well. The cat rescue will have assessed your new kitty prospect to assist you with the knowledge if Mr. or Mrs. kitty can live with a dog or any other pets in the house. But always ask, otherwise you may have pandemonium and bloody warfare on your hands.

In an opposite scenario, you bring a new dog or puppy into your home. Two things will happen, either your cat will assess the situation and inspect from a safe distance. He or she will approach in stealth mode and conduct sneaky investigations of the new oddity with an avenue for retreat always at hand. This will eventually lead to them becoming great friends and each others playmate and he or she will typically seek out their new buddy for comfort. There are certain cat breeds that are noted for being extremely good-natured and will be tolerant of most anything.

Or, worse case scenario, it will be an all out attack on the poor unsuspecting intruder into your cats' territory. Adult cats can be vicious when it comes to protecting their piece of the kingdom and there will be no stopping them except to remove the offending beast. A cat can go into such a frenzy, anyone near them may fall victim to his or her attack as well. Don't be surprised once calm is restored, your cat can hold a grudge for some time and should be given a wide berth, or they may return to their cuddly self with a just hint of undying suspicion. Nevertheless it can bring about extreme stress to a cat.

Indoors Or Outdoors

Do you plan to make your cat an indoor cat or outdoor cat?

The outdoor cat, especially if they adopted you from out of nowhere, is most happy when they can prowl and scamper after the mouse he or she has found to torture. Their explorations will take them through vast territories. They will sit outside windows taunting the neighbors' dog through the glass. It is a good day! You will find them perched on roofs surveying their kingdom or performing their balancing act atop a fence. Other times you will find them relishing sentry duty at the garden gate waiting for the unsuspecting feet to stroll by. They will be on the prowl eternally until it is time to come home for warmth and chow. He or she will greet you with their Cheshire grin, showing a hint of a feather rooted firmly between their teeth. Even these cats enjoy a moment of solace inside by the fire once in awhile. However, if a cat has lived outside most of its' life, confining them to the house can stir panic in them. Do not try to curb this cats' instinct, it will only create neurotic behavior and angst in your cat.

The indoor cat is actually most happy when confined behind the window pane enjoying his version of reality TV, yet safe and secure in his or her private realm while they eternally tease and hiss at the family dog from the safety of the highest perch. They will preen themselves for long hours, plucking loose their hairballs. Some cats literally will not venture outside if it means getting their feet wet. If they do go outside, it is typically no farther than a few short steps from the front door or they will remain with either you or the family dog for security, only to return with great haste as soon as one of you goes inside. So this fur person may enjoy the high maintenance of life more so than getting stuck in a bramble patch. There will be days you may think your cat has somehow escaped the confines of the house, only to be found later inside a cabinet, under the bed or in a closet curled up in a shoebox. Their mystique is endless.

No matter where you decide your cat or kitten will live through its' desires, just make sure, during the adjustment period of the cat coming to live with you, that he or she not be allowed outside at all, initially, not unless you want to find them run over on the road, or never to be seen again. Cats are extreme creatures of habit, so once free to run if they are still unfamiliar with their new home, (particularly in the case of your family making a move to a new house), their first instinct will be to try to return to whence they came.

Exception: Again the cat who adopts you obviously managed on their own for this long. So pretty much this particular feline will be calling the shots as to what he or she prefers.

During the adjustment period you might find yourself stressing out from the cat's innate character to try to escape. Be vigilant and just make sure all doors and windows are kept closed at all times. Be wary of the tip-toeing of kitty paws right behind you, 'cause they will be clever when you least expect it. Cats are opportunists and they will take every advantage to meet their desire to be free.

Your Soul Purpose For Adopting Your Fur Person
  • Is it for the children's entertainment?

  • Is it for yourself so you won't be lonely?

  • Is it so your other pet has a companion?

  • Is it because your spouse or children just moved out?

  • Is it for the benefit of the kitten or cat you have found?
If you answered "yes" to the first four questions, then your reasons for adopting a new cat might be a selfish one. Cats can be a bit neurotic at times so no need to exacerbate things.

If you answered "yes" to the last question with a hint of the other four as motivators, then this is an excellent reason to peruse your shelters and inquire at cat rescues.

Wherever you decide to go to adopt, just remember, you will be scrutinized and asked personal information, and you will be made to commit to promises of spaying or neutering your cat. You will be required to show your ability to care for the cat and where you might take them for Veterinary services. Your home environment will be a huge criteria for them to research, and you may not even qualify to take the new cat or kitten home.

Especially at cat rescues. These folks are truly dedicated to returning these cats into homes which will never put them through the nightmare from whence they came. These places are no-kill shelters and in many cases assist the local humane shelters to keep them from becoming overcrowded, forcing them to euthanize so many animals.

So don't be a big Scaredy Cat and sit and do nothing. Decide today if your are ready to adopt a cat or kitten, or at the very least contribute funds to your favorite shelter. Donations in the form of food, cash, and/or time by fostering a cat or kitten, are all pleasantly well received.

Don't Contribute Please!

By all means, please don't add to the many already unwanted cats out there. Be a responsible pet owner and spay and neuter your puss. Don't abandon your animal on the street. Despite overcrowding at shelters, it is far more humane to give your kitty the probability at a second chance in life, rather than trying to fend for themselves on the street. Perhaps ending up pregnant, adding more fertility to the animal kingdom, or to either tangle with a dog, another cat, or a car. In any case your cat will be the loser....... every-time.

Contact your Local Animal Shelter or Cat Rescue sooner, rather than later.



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