“There are so many reasons to adopt a
homeless cat or kitten, but this month is
particularly great for it,” Gail Buchwald, senior
vice president of the ASPCA Adoption Center ,
tells Mashable. “People who are looking to get
the ‘pick of the litter’ will tell you if you look
for a kitten in February, you’re not going to do
nearly as well [as you will in June].”
That's because June is the peak of feline
breeding season, meaning shelters and rescues
are largely overwhelmed with cats and kittens
seeking homes. While this is great news for
cat lovers looking for the perfect pet, it also
means many cats will be left at shelters once
the June cat craze dies down.
According to the ASPCA, 3.4 million cats enter
shelters nationwide every year. Of those 3.4
million shelter cats, only about 35% are
adopted; a little more than 40% are
euthanized.
This surplus of cats needing care, attention
and love is enough to make you want to sign
on the dotted line without a second thought.
But before you hastily run to your local
shelter, there are a few things to consider
first.
Take these eight tips into account for the best
adoption results, whether you choose to cuddle
with a cat or another furry friend in need.
1. Having a pet is a big commitment.
From getting them acclimated to your home to
figuring out care schedules, new pets will take
a lot of time and consideration. Make sure
you’ve really thought through the amount of
dedication needed for a successful adoption.
If you're focused on that big promotion at
work, maybe wait until you're less stressed
and have more control over your schedule
before going to the animal shelter.
2. You need to do your research.
June is adopt a shelter cat month! Talk
to us about adding a feline friend to
your family today! #AdoptACatMonth
When it comes to getting a new pet, visiting
your local shelter is only the beginning.
Once you find an adoptable animal that
catches your eye, you need to do some
research. Not only do you want to find out all
there is to know about your prospective pet,
but you also need to find local vets and
animal hospitals, seek out animal play groups,
and read up on apartment policies regarding
pet ownership.
All of this will guarantee you — and your living
environment — are ready for the newest
addition to your family.
3. Adoption may be a cheaper option, but
you’ll still drop some dollars.
Adoption is initially cheaper than a breeder,
but you're still looking at pet bills that require
a chunk of your monthly budget for your pet's
entire life.
“What is going to be about the same [between
adopted and breeder animals] is the ongoing
caretaking costs,” Buchwald says. “[Your pet is
a] living being that is going to require all of
the things that go into keeping a pet healthy
and thriving.”
This means you should budget not only
adoption costs but also regular living costs.
Think about things such as vet trips, food, cat
litter, toys, medications and vaccinations,
speciality care items, daycare, and grooming.
If financial stability isn't in the cards at the
moment, hold off on bringing home a pet until
your bank account balance improves.
4. Your new pet means a new, long-term
commitment.
Cats can live up to 15-20 years and, depending
on the breed, a dog can live an average of
10-15 years. Buchwald recommends making
sure everyone involved in the care of your pet
is on board for the long haul.
In doing this, it's essential to predict any life
changes over the next several years. That
includes thinking through foreseeable living
situations that could prevent your adopted pet
from following the family.
5. Love at first sight isn’t enough.
Don't just consider which pet is the cutest.
While love at first sight is an appealing notion
to any potential pet owner, there's something
even more pressing to take in to account:
personality.
“It’s really important to focus on the character
traits that are going to make this match work,”
Buchwald says. “We’re talking about the
difference between a dog that wants to go
running every day versus a dog that would be
happy with three short walks a day as long as
he gets to sit on your lap while you watch TV.”
Figuring out what you want out of your pet
will help you make the smartest adoption
choices possible, so be honest with yourself.
Looking deeper than first impressions and age
will help, too.
“It’s really about not judging a book by it’s
cover,” Buchwald says. “Not picking a pet on
the basis of its appearance alone and
understand what [personality] factors are
going to make the match successful over the
long term."
6. Even adopted pets need training.
Please consider a senior cat during
Adopt a Shelter Cat Month!
Even if you're adopting the oldest pet in the
place, you might still be in for a bit of training
to help his transition. Whether it's teaching
your new pet which areas are off-limits or
where the litter box is, there's going to be a lot
of necessary lessons. Be ready to start
training on day one.
"Particularly when adopting a rescue, you need
to think about all of the potential behavioral
challenges that could come with that
particular pet," Rachael Ziering, rescue
coordinator at In Our Hands Rescue, says.
Ziering recommends socializing your rescue
with kids and other animals for their
behavioral health and development, along with
dedicated training that enforces positive
behavior.
7. You'll need to fine-tune your house before
any paws touch the floor.
You may have the cleanest house on the
block, but it could still be dangerous for your
pet. Be sure to tame loose wires, locate any
small items that could be easily swallowed and
get rid of toxic houseplants.
You should also purchase items such as toys,
food, water dishes, collars, leashes and beds
in advance. Making the environment
comfortable and fully stocked with necessities
will help the transition even easier for both
you and your pet.
8. Your flexibility is not just suggested; it's
required.
From @twocatstwoeyes: "Frankie & Jovie
may only have one eye each, but they are
just as lovable (and crazy!) as normal
cats." #catsofinstagram
A photo posted by Cats of Instagram (@c...
Putting the dog bed in the corner of the room
may keep your living room’s aesthetic intact,
but it may not work for your rescue animal.
Adjusting in slightly inconvenient ways is
essential to adoption success.
Be prepared to address issues that come up
with your adopted pet, including behavioral
and health needs that may not be readily
apparent before you adopt. While some
situations may be less than ideal, adopting a
pet means taking on those unexpected
challenges.
"With rescue pets, expect the unexpected,"
Ziering says. "You never really know what
you’re going to get.”
