No adoption until at least 6 months of age?

Question

A little while ago, I asked an animal shelter if they had kittens and how old were they before they could be adopted. I was looking for a 6-8 weeks old kitten (yes, I know all the debate on it needing time with it's mommy but we wanted one young because 1) they're cuter and 2) we wanted to train him and get him used to us early)) anyways, they told us that they didn't let kittens go until 6 months of age? What I don't understand is why? There is a reason why people adopt kittens more than pets and that's the cuteness factor. Any 6 months of age, the kitten is pretty much cat size. Don't they know that will affect their adoption rate. Anyways, I'm a big proponent of adopting younger, 6 weeks and up. Although I know many disagree with me, I think you put them out younger, more get adopted instead of being put down, which is worst? And many people say the 6 weeks mark is young but fine. Anyways, I don't know what my question is but these are just some thoughts.

Sorry, with all my rambling I got sidetracked, anyways anyone know why that original shelter I contacted had a 6 month of age requirement? I know my 6 weeks is a pushing the young boundary limits but so is 6 months, no?

Answer 1

I think I can give you insight on the adoption age thing. I am a foster family for the Montreal SPCA. When they receive pregnant cats or kittens that are too young for adoption, they place them in foster families to let the little ones grow up a bit before they are offered for adoption. At my SPCA, I bring the kittens back (with a tear in my eye) when they weigh 4 pounds. They are approximately 4 months at that point.

The reason behind the weight/age restriction is that small kittens are very suceptible to disease as they have very little immune system. If I were to bring my kittens back at 8 weeks for example, many of them would catch whatever disease is going around (and trust me there are lots !) and would most likely have to be put to sleep cause the shelter does not have to manpower or money to treat all the sick kitties. By bringing them back at 4 months, they are a little bigger yes, but they have a stronger immune system. They have been eating solid food for a while, they are fully litter trained, they have been properly socialized by their mom and siblings. All this would not be true of a 6 week old kitten.

Look at it this way, someone goes to adopt a kitten who is 6 weeks old. The kitten does not know where to poop cause his mom didn't have time to properly train him. The little guy bites hands when he plays and chases your ankles when you walk cause he has not learned from his sibblings how hard to bite before it hurts. The frustrated family returns the "wild kitten" to the shelter cause they're tired of being mauled and cleaning up poop on the carpet. Happens more than you think.

My suggestion is this: call up your local SPCA / shelter and see if they are in need of foster homes for young kittens. You get the whole litter of kittens, sometimes with mom included. You actually can see which kitten you like best cause let me tell you, they don't all have the same temperament eventhough they are from the same family !! It's like a "test-drive" and you get them very young. If none are exactly what you like, you bring them all back at the right age/weight and ask for another bunch. You're getting what you want (young, cute kittens) and the shelter is getting a place for their kittens to grow up in a disease free environement with the best of care and NOT in a cage.

Just remember to bring kleenex when you bring back the kittens !

Good luck

Answer 2

I find it hard to believe a shelter told you 6 months. I know some shelters have age requirements for adopters, a kitten under a certain age can't be adopted by someone with small children.

Trust me 8 weeks is young enough to adopt a kitten. They are normally weaned at 6 weeks by mom, by that time they can eat dry food and have had the nutrients and antibodies from mom's milk to protect them until they get their first vaccines. What's to training a kitten? They will get used to you just fine at 8 weeks.

My state requires a kitten to be 8 weeks or 2 pounds before it can be adopted, I think that's early enough.

If you are really set on getting a younger kitten, check your local paper for kittens.

Answer 3

Most state laws require animals to be either 7 or 8 weeks of age, varying state to state.

A lot of rescues, mine included, have a minimum age for adoption. If nothing else, many shelters will make you wait until the kitten is 12 weeks of age, so they can have their first set of vaccinations. Regardless of what you'd prefer, 6 weeks is simply too young. Many kittens only begin to wean at 6 weeks. If you're looking for little, 8 would be reasonable, 12 would be smarter. As for 6 months, my only guess is to help eliminate impulse adoptions of the tiny, absolutely adorable babies. At 6 months, they look more like an adult (though don't act it), since people are much less likely to impulse buy an "adult".

Answer 4

I have never heard of any shelter having that policy.

From your comments I would not let you have a kitten (and I have been in control of this type of situation) The adoption supervisor would know that I was giving you a "thumbs down" as a good cat owner.

You don't know anything about cats and their bonding process, you are into "cute" in such a way that I would question in my mind if you have the maturity to provide a good home for any animal. You know all the debate about getting them too young from experienced cat people and you persist in your intention of doing it. That is a flag that you are a person who does not listen to others. You will not be open to distress signals from your cat when you are doing something wrong. You will probably not take the cat to a vet because you don't want his opinion either, etc, etc,

I am not slamming you as a person. I am not always accepted because I am opinionated and forceful in my statements. And you need to reconsider your position. You are not good cat owning material right now.

Answer 5

This is an old question I know but I can't find any kittens on Craigslist that are young at all I think it's ridiculous that people don't allow these cats a better chance of getting a new home but letting them go when they're younger 6 weeks is pushing it but eight weeks is still a lot less than 6 months or I see lot of them on Craigslist for 7 months

Answer 6

I would say 6 months is a little extreme ,but so is six weeks. Ideally a kitten should be 11 weeks with their mom before being adopted out. They are still young and cute, but they have been socialized, and taught hunting skills. They are easier to train then too.

Answer 7

Maybe it's some kind of state law. We've gotten a total of 5 of our cats in the past at the local shelter and they didn't have a minimum age thing. Technically a kitten is ready to go at 6 weeks or so.

When we got our first 2, Tazz was 6 weeks and Sable was 10 weeks. Maybe it's just a shelter rule too....you'd have to ask them exactly why.

Answer 8

When a kitten is old enough to eat on their own. They can technically leave their mother anytime from there onwards. 6 Months does sound like a long time to me also before giving it up.

I had gotten my cat when he was still young. His mother had an illness at the time, plus he had just started eating solid foods. I still fed him from a little bottle from time to time which was cute.

From my experience, I can say that getting him at that age was great. I had his complete attention and he looked at me as his new mother type figure. He would run to me when he felt threatned by a sound, would curl up in my lap to sleep where he felt secure and safe. And grew to be closer to me and my family then most cats r with their owners. At six months they r old enough to get fixed.neuterd not given away. Six months old just sounds like a hell of a long time to wait. Plus he is out of the cute kitten stage at that age.

Answer 9

well, if u want a kitten just cause its cute. UR NOT FIT TO OWN AN ANIMAL U WORM. heehee j,k j,k. ok think a kitten or puppy has to be at least 2 months old preferably 3 months. try the pet store u might get better luck. good luck. =D

Answer 10

Well it sounds as if they are making sure the cat is old enough to spay/neuter safely (it can be done MUCH earlier, but it isn't recommended and the rule of thumb for alteration is 6 mos) and also to make sure the cat goes through the entire series of vaccines since you can't MAKE someone adopting adhere to that and that's how the spread of common, incurable cat diseases like FELV, FIV, etc. continue to spread. It sounds like a really good safety precaution in the attempt to minimize the spread of preventable disease through vaccination and minimize overpopulation.