Introduction

You’ve decided to adopt a cat and take it home. You’re probably excited and ready to start the process of getting your new furry friend. But you might be wondering: how do I adopt a cat? What should I expect when I go to an animal shelter? What if there are other people waiting at the shelter who want the same cat as me? And what’s the best way to prepare my house for a new pet? We’re going to answer all those questions here!

Check out your options at a local animal shelter.

The first step in your search for a new pet should be to check out your options at a local animal shelter.

Many people think of shelter animals as dogs, but there are tons of adorable cats, bunnies, guinea pigs and even hamsters! These animals are often overlooked by the general public because they’re not as popular or well-known as dogs. However, shelters across the country have been making great strides to educate people about these animals and promote them through creative marketing campaigns like #AdoptDontShop.

So don’t just stop at cats; consider adopting a rabbit or guinea pig instead!

Know what you’re getting into.

If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, there’s something important you need to remember. A cat commits to you for the rest of its life. That means that once you have a cat, it’s going to be your responsibility to make sure it has everything it needs—food, water and shelter; medical care if needed; toys and other entertainment. It also means that you’ll need to spend time with your new friend!

You might also want to consider whether or not having a pet is right for your family at this point in time. For example:

• Are all members of the household willing and able (if necessary) to care for an animal?
• Do any children in the home have allergies or asthma? If so, they may not be able to live with pets of their own until those conditions are better controlled by medication/therapy/etc.) In such cases, perhaps adopting a second pet would work better than getting one now because cats tend not only get along well with dogs but also help teach them good manners due their independence as well as how much space they require versus how much attention they want given daily.”

Decide if adopting a cat is right for you.

Before you adopt a cat, consider the following questions:

• Do you have any allergies? If so, consider adopting an animal that doesn’t trigger your allergies. This is especially important if your children are allergic and will be interacting with the pets.
• Do you have the time to spend with a new pet? Cats can get lonely and will appreciate any time spent with them. They also need regular exercise and mental stimulation. If this isn’t something you’re able to provide for your kitty friend, adopting might not be right for you.
• Are there any other pets in your house or apartment building who may not get along with cats? It’s best to know this ahead of time so that if anything happens during adoption or afterward, it’s not surprising by both parties involved (and no one gets hurt!).
• Can afford vet bills? Caring for a cat means taking him/her in annually for check-ups and vaccinations as well as providing routine care such as vaccinations every three years after 6 months old until they reach 10 years old before switching over into senior care where yearly visits are required until death occurs; annual fecal exams are recommended starting at age 1 year old up until death occurs (which typically doesn’t happen until around 15 years old).

Be prepared to commit.

Be prepared to commit. Before you adopt, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. Cats are long-term commitments. They live 10+ years on average and require regular veterinary care, including checkups and vaccinations as well as dental cleanings and other treatments as needed. You’ll also need to provide food and water for your cat, clean litter boxes daily (or more if your kitty is older), scoop poop from the yard or porch at least once or twice a week (or more if your kitty is older), brush fur regularly (at least every few weeks in most cases), play with toys with or without treats occasionally (to keep them from getting bored), pick up any items that could become hazards for your cat like cords/strings/etc., etc., etc…

To give yourself an idea of how much all this adds up: The ASPCA estimates that the cost of owning a cat per year ranges between $1,000-$3,000 depending on where you live and whether they have additional health issues like fleas (which they probably will). That said…

Research the different breeds.

If you are looking to adopt a cat, research the different breeds. What is the best breed for you? Are you a single person who wants a quiet cat who will stay in one place all day? Or do you have kids and want an energetic, playful feline friend? The answer to this question will be different for everyone.

The adorable kitties at your local animal shelter can be found in all different shapes, sizes and personalities. Just like humans, each cat has their own unique characteristics based on their personality type and background (i.e., if they were raised by their mother or bottle-fed). You may learn that certain breeds are better suited for certain situations than others—but don’t let that hold back from adopting an amazing cat!

Know what questions to ask the shelter staff.

Before you adopt a cat, you should know what questions to ask the shelter staff. You want to find out as much information as possible about your new pet before deciding to bring him home. Here are some things that are important for you to know:

• The cat’s personality: Is he friendly? Does he like other animals or children? Does he get along with other cats? These are all factors that will determine how well the two of you get along in your home.
• The cat’s history: How long has the shelter had him for adoption? What were his previous owners like (if there were any)? Did they have any habits or behavior issues with him (such as biting) that could affect how well your relationship works out in the future.
• The cat’s health: Has this been tested for feline leukemia and FIV (the AIDS virus). Is it up-to-date on vaccinations and microchipped (which only happens after adoption). Has it been spayed/neutered yet if not then will they do it at no additional cost right away when adopting so if anything happens down the road it won’t cost more money than necessary because now would be an ideal time since they’re already here anyway while taking care of other things like paperwork needed when adopting new pets into homes so probably wouldn’t be too busy but just an FYI since I don’t know exactly what goes on behind closed doors so maybe better safe than sorry idea about asking about this one too!

Meet the cat before you make a final decision.

Before you commit to a cat, it’s always a good idea to meet the animal in person. The shelter or rescue organization should be able to arrange for you to see the cat. If not, consider whether you can visit the place where they work and meet them there; this is also an option if your local shelter doesn’t allow visitors at their facility.

If you are unable to meet with the cat first, ask if they have any photos of him/her on file that could give you an idea of what he/she looks like and how they act around people (e.g., running away or hiding). Most shelters keep medical records on all pets that come through their doors, so ask about those as well; this information will help determine whether this kitty is right for your household.

Adopt older kittens and cats, too! They need homes, too.

You may have heard that kittens are the best to adopt, but older cats and kittens need homes too. Many people think of them as difficult to train and abandoned by their owners, but this is not always the case. You can adopt an older cat or kitten from a shelter or rescue group and save one life!

Get your home prepared for your new adoptee!

• Get your home prepared for your new adoptee!
• Make sure you have a place for the cat to hide, sleep, and use the litter box. If you don’t want them on your furniture, try a cardboard box or even an old laundry basket.
• Buy some food and water bowls and make sure they’re clean before bringing home your new pet. You can also buy toys that will entertain them while they get used to their new surroundings!

Make sure your family members are all on board with the adoption.

Before you bring your new cat home, it’s important to make sure everyone in the family is on board with the adoption and that everyone agrees on everything from the name of your new pet to its food preferences. Make sure that everyone has a say in selecting a name and food type so that no one feels left out or neglected. Once you’ve reached consensus on these issues, your cat adoption will be off to a great start!

Do your best to make the cat feel at home as soon as you bring it home.

• Put the cat in a quiet place. It is important to do this as soon as you bring your new cat home, so it can get used to its new surroundings.
• Ensure that the cat’s food and water are kept in the same place as always, so that it does not feel lost during this time of transition.
• Do not give too much attention to your new pet until he or she feels more comfortable with their surroundings. This will also help prevent any accidents from happening while they learn about their new home!
• Never let the cat out of your sight when there are children or other pets around; cats can accidentally hurt these smaller creatures if they aren’t paying attention (for example, a child could grab onto a tail without realizing how sharp it is)

There is no better feeling than adopting a pet and giving it a second chance at life!

There is no better feeling than adopting a pet and giving it a second chance at life!

Adopting a cat is the perfect way to give back, save a life, and help an animal in need. The benefits that come with adopting are endless: You’re saving an animal from being euthanized; you’re giving your family another member; and you’re also helping out the shelter or rescue organization that’s helping to place these animals.

Conclusion

When you adopt a cat, you’re giving it a second chance at life – and that’s what makes it so important. It may take some time for your new pet to adjust, but with patience and care, your new family member will be healthy and happy in no time. The best part about adopting from a shelter or rescue group is that you get to choose the cat who will fit into your life perfectly!