2007-02-15 04:21:01 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Look for a cat that best suits you. Dont just look at kittens, there are plenty nice older cats out there, and contrary to what someone has said, the old cats are just as good as the young cats.
Go there... keep your mind clear, go to each cage, look into the cages, see what one is VISUALLY pleasing to you. If you like the LOOKS of the cat, that is the start.
Ask for the cat to be removed and spend some time with it.
See if it is nice, attentive, catty, healthy, and responsive to the surroundings
Depending on what you want from the cat and the activity level you will know in about 10 minutes that the cat is good for you or not.
If not, start over again.
Dont go in one day and say I HAVE TO HAVE A CAT
keep it in your brain that you want the perfect cat, and make it a couple day endevour and really choose the perfect one. Dont settle cause your excited. Believe me they will have so many to choose from and if you want to think about it some shelters and rescues will hold the cat for some time for you to make the decision.
Also be aware cats act very diffrent in the shelter than they do in the homes.
The shelter is a busy place, noisy, scary,confined, and usually sterile and sanitary of things a house might have. A cat that acts one way in a shelter may act totally diffent in a house. ESPECIALLY kittens. The shelter will give you as accurate information as they possibly can, but they cant guess everything about the cat, cats are seceritive and finicky about enviroments. Go in with open mind and heart and the cat will pick you!!!!
2007-02-15 04:42:06 · answer #1 · answered by I luv Pets 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats which allow you to hold them on their backs and pet their bellies are very trusting, amiable cats. If a cat lets you do this without knowing you, he is probably a great tempered cat, will be friendly with your guests, kids, other pets, etc. If the cat won't let you turn them on their backs at all, they are probably more skiddish and will be less friendly to strangers. These cats are also great pets, but they might be less friendly to strangers, children, and other animals. These cats will be very loyal, however, and will only come to you once they get to know you. This might be good if your cat is an outdoor cat so that nobody will steal it. Thank you for adopting a cat from the SPCA. Whatever you do, make sure the shelter has checked the cat for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), FeLu (feline leukemia). The test is fairly cheap and takes about 10 minutes at the vet. If the cat you choose has not been tested for these at the shelter, get him checked before you take him home to the other cats or get too attached. Your cat should also be vacinnated for these things if he will be an outdoor cat. Most adopted (spca) shots are for the required rabies and upper respitory, not feline leukemia, fiv, etc. These shots are extra.
2007-02-19 11:48:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I adopted from the SPCA, and my experience is they already have an idea of the cat's personality. I live alone and adopted a kitten who was "rambunctious, not recommended for children!". They were right!
Other qualities might be "needs to be an only cat", "is a lap cat/very friendly" etc. All cats have something going for them! You need to decide if you want an only cat, adult or young, independent or people-oriented, clawed or declawed (if you want a declawed cat it's much better to adopt one that's already declawed, saves another from declawing). All their cats will be healthy and ready for adoption. Good luck!
2007-02-15 12:31:21 · answer #3 · answered by Gypsy Doctor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have adopted many cats from SPCA and also different shelters. I have always found that somehow your new found feline friend picks you. Look for a cat that responds to your coos or touch. They know what they want in a companion and will usually let you know it.
Good Luck with your new friend.
Desi
2007-02-15 13:41:02 · answer #4 · answered by desi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You want to make sure the cat is friendly and not afraid of people. A cat that runs and hides in the corner may not be the friendliest in the world. Also, ask a worker at the shelter if the cat is very talkative. All cats meow, but you may not want one that is constantly chattering. Another thing to look for is if it is very energetic. You may not want a cat that goes racing through your house and always wants attention. Good Luck!
2007-02-15 20:12:17 · answer #5 · answered by Kodak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for adopting!
It depends somewhat on the type of cat you want. If you want a cat to sleep with you at night and sit with you when you are home, look for a cat who is at the front of its cage begging for attention or, if a cageless shelter, comes up to people and rubs on their legs or sits in their laps as soon as they sit down. If you want a cat that is more independent, look for a cat who may be sitting at or near the front of its cage but isn't pushy about it and accepts petting readily when offered. If a cageless shelter, the cat may or may not approach you but should accept and enjoy petting when offered. Unless you want a bit of a project, you should avoid a cat who stays at the back of its cage, even when attention is offered, or who tries to get away when approached in a cageless area. These cats can be wonderful but they usually need some socialization and time to warm up once home. If you are willing to provide that, more power to you!
If you want an active cat, look for one who is running around and climbing in a cageless shelter or playing with a toy for a prolonged period in its cage. If caged, the active cat's cage will probably be a bit of a mess simply because he is in such a confined place - he is bound to tear paper or cause litter to fly when he jumps and bounces around.
The staff should be able to fill you in on the personalities of the cats. Healthwise, look for a cat who has clear eyes, no nasal discharge, who is not breathing through his mouth, and who is eating well. Sick cats tend to look it, so you'll probably know by instinct if the cat is basically healthy or not.
Good luck!
2007-02-15 12:44:32 · answer #6 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just dont pick a cat that looks like its about to die. an active cat is what you should be looking for. make sure not to pick one that is too old(you'll know when you see one)...just stuff like that. You can tell which ones are healthy compared to the ones you dont want
2007-02-15 12:30:57 · answer #7 · answered by ROBERT R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when the right one comes along u'll know just like guys or shoes! LOL
2007-02-15 12:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by princess alyssa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋