Be a Responsible Cat Parent
Before you decide to adopt and rescue a cat or kitten, make sure you’re a responsible cat parent. You may want to adopt a kitten but may not have the time to spend with it. Kittens need lots of play time and attention. Maybe your job will not allow for much time to spend with the kitten. You may want to think about what it means to be a responsible cat parent.
Adopting and rescuing a kitten or cat is a huge responsibility. They are like having children. You’ll have food and medical costs, provide shelter, engage in play time, and provide lots of love and affection. Assess your life and ask yourself, “…How will this extra responsibility fit into my life?” This will help you decide whether or not you’re ready for the additional responsibility of owning a cat.
Questions to consider before you adopt and rescue
Think about these questions before you adopt and rescue a cat or kitten.
- Who will be the main caretaker?
- What is your personality?
- What is the right age of a cat for you?
- How much time do you have to spend with a kitten?
- What is your estimate of veterinarian costs?
- How much do you think it costs to provide for a cat/kitten?
- What is your living situation? Rent? Own? Roommate?
- When you travel, who will watch your cat or kitten?
- What breed of cat and personality are you looking for?
- What types of allergies do you have?
These questions will help you make the best decision for you. Being a responsible pet parent means you’ll put aside some of your interests to adopt and rescue a cat or kitten. When you adopt from a shelter there’s a good chance that the kitten or cat may develop an upper respiratory infection. You’ll be responsible for dispensing the medicine which can be tricky. Remember when you were a kid and your mom had to give you cough medicine or penicillin? The label may have stated bubble gum flavor but it really wasn’t! Try opening the mouth of cat or kitten to get the medicine in them, it’s not that easy.
Before you drive to the animal shelter to adopt and rescue a cat or kitten, make sure you’re ready for the added responsibility both financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s not fair to the cat if it doesn’t work out. Returning her to the shelter will be stressful for her and you. Avoid this situation by being ready for a pet. Do this and you’ll have a happy ending!
Rebecca
How educated are you about cats?
