Adopting a Cat Requires Time and Patience
Adopting animals from a local Humane Society can be rewarding for both you and your family and the cat or kitten you bring home with you. However, you must be know what to expect when you adopt animals from a Humane Society.
First, you just don’t go to the Humane Society, choose a pet, and go home. When I adopted CeCe (female tabby cat) from the AZ Humane Society located on Dobbins Road, I was able to spend time with her and other cats and kittens. After I made my selection, I had to fill out paper work. This is pretty
standard.
Second, after you fill out the paperwork, the workers ask you to call your landlord to make sure you can adopt a pet and bring it home. After you make the phone call and receive the o.k., they will call to verify that you can have a pet. Remember, these are not-for-profit organizations. They will not refund your money so you want to make sure you choose the right cat/kitten and that you can bring the pet home.
Finally, you meet with an adoption counselor to go over the paperwork. They make sure you know what to expect and give you guidelines to introducing a new cat/kitten. You also sign an agreement to take care of the cat/kitten. If it doesn’t work out, you cannot give your new pet away to anyone. You have 14 days to decide whether or not to keep your new cat/kitten. However, cats are territorial so it may take longer than 14 days. Patience and time is what it will take before your new cat/kitten becomes best buddies with your current cat(s).
Before you decide to adopt a cat/kitten from your local Humane Society, call them and ask questions. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:
- What are the procedures for adopting a cat/kitten?
- What are the fees?
- Are cats/kittens spade or neutered?
- Can I bring my current cat(s) with me to meet a potential new buddy?
- When will I be able to bring my new cat/kitten home?
- What can I do to introduce my new cat/kitten to my current cat(s)?
- How much time will it take for my cat(s) and the new cat/kitten to become acquainted?
Adopting a cat/kitten from your local Humane Society will do two things. First, it will help the organization to keep rescuing and taking care of the animals that come to the local animal shelters. Second, you’ll be giving a cat/kitten a new loving home where he or she can be a happy and healthy cat. You’ll be best friends before you know it!
Rebecca
When have you adopted a cat from a local shelter?
