Adopting a Cat: 3 Things to Consider

November 9, 2014

by Natalie Secretan

It might seem that adopting a cat is the easiest thing in the world because they’re so laidback and easy-going. There’s never a shortage of cats up for adoption at shelters and rescues, but you have to wonder why and how did they get there?

Adopting a cat can be tricky, so here are a few pointers to head you in the right direction.

What you need to know about adopting a cat

1. Background Check – it’s not always easy putting the pieces together to find out where the cat you want to adopt came from, but you can find out if the cat was surrendered by its owners or abandoned and living on the street. A cat that has been living feral for a while could be more of a handful than one that was surrendered. Maybe you’re okay with that, but it’s easier to do a background check on a cat that was been surrendered by its owners and know what you’re getting yourself into.
2. Long hair or short hair – Longhaired cats are gorgeous but require daily grooming and this may be too high maintenance for some. According to petfinder.com, there are 43 different breeds of cats. From the American Shorthair to the Turkish Van, take a look and see if there’s one you just can’t live without.
3. Prepare your home for the new arrival – there are many things to consider before you bring a new cat home, but the most important thing is being prepared by running a safety check and making sure you have enough food and supplies. The ASPCA has a Top Ten List that you can check to see if there’s anything you’ve forgotten.

We hope you find your perfect match when it comes to adopting a new cat. Rescuing a cat is a big commitment but it’s also a loving and charitable thing to do and your new addition will love you furever for it!

Photo credit: Beverley Goodwin