Blisstree » Cat Adoption Story

Adopting a Cat from an Individual

Peggy Rowland — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:32:59 +0000

Have I mentioned that I grew up on a farm? “Out in the sticks,” as some would say.

There weren’t any no-kill cat rescues around. There was a shelter.

But most of the people around me went to a person’s house to adopt a cat or dog. Sadly, not many of our outside cats were ever spayed. Needless to say, we had plenty to give away. And when they left the farm, they weren’t spayed then either.

Back in 2003, when I went searching for my first indoor cat as an adult, I called some ads placed by people giving away or selling their cats for various reasons. That was a mistake in my case.

I talked to a few people on the phone, and decided quickly that I didn’t want some lady’s cat that was urinating on the curtains. I’ll give her credit for telling me that though.

My attempts to adopt a cat from a person ended after I went to a woman’s house to meet her cats. I learned a lot from that experience.

One, it’s awkward. This woman had five cats, but the more personable ones were already claimed by friends. She wanted me to take one of the two that were hiding under the bed. But that wasn’t the biggest problem.

Two, it smelled like cat urine everywhere. Yikes, lady. In other words, going to someone’s house is unpredictable, and can even be dangerous.

Three, how do you tell someone face-to-face that you don’t want their beloved pet? (I told her I needed to think about it, and got out of there. I did call later to decline and she acted shocked that I would do so.) I eventually adopted Choco from a no-kill cat rescue in my area. It was a great experience.

I don’t want to totally turn you against adopting from an individual. After all, many people are giving away their pets for financial reasons right now.

However, it’s important to think about what you (and the cats) will gain if you adopt from a no-kill rescue instead of an individual:

• Cats leaving no-kill shelters are always spayed or neutered. This means there will be no accidents down the road. There’s nothing to put off. The deal’s done. Also, the cats have usually been tested and given vaccines.

• You’re supporting a safe haven for felines. These rescues are sometimes the last resort for cats about to be put to sleep in a shelter. No-kill rescues give them a second chance. And, if you do need to surrender your pet, you can rest easy knowing it will not be put to sleep.

• You can give the cat back. If you adopt from an individual, you’re probably stuck. However, many rescues ask that you return the cat if it doesn’t work out, even years later!

• You’re making room for another rescue. Some people choose to adopt from shelters to save a life. That’s admirable, but it’s important to remember that no-kill rescues have to turn away additional cats when there’s no room.

• In many cases, your adoption fee is tax-deductible. Ask about it.

What’s your first choice when it comes to cat adoptions?

(Cat with ball image via flickr. Cat in cage image via flickr.)

Post from: Blisstree

Adopting a Cat from an Individual

Dubya’s Adoption Story

Peggy Rowland — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:00:54 +0000

This cat adoption story was sent to The Kitty Blog by Ed T, an obvious cat lover if you read his other stories.

A parishioner at our church was a veterinarian who owned and operated a full-service pet hospital nearby. Sandy and I brought Basia in for her first checkup, and mentioned that we were interested in adopting a second cat.

They handled cat adoptions and had several available. We all agreed that another kitten would make the best companion for tiny Basia, so while Basia received her exam our vet brought us into a separate room to evaluate the three available kittens.

“You have to realize that they might be shy here. This isn’t a very natural environment for them.” As our vet said, two of them, long-haired and pug-nosed Persians, climbed inside my jacket and couldn’t be coaxed out.

The third was an orange and white short-haired male who trotted around the room playing with the toys, taking little notice of us.

He had been born at the hospital on August 30, 2000 to a formerly stray mother. She and his siblings had since been adopted; he was the last of his family.

“I don’t know,” I said to Sandy. “He doesn’t seem too impressed with us.”

“Well, I think Basia would get a kick out of him! Just look at him go!”

I was still skeptical but didn’t say anything. We agreed to adopt him.

“OK!” said our vet. “Basia needs another week before her suture removal, so I’ll arrange to have the little guy neutered and ready to come home with you next week.”

Tuesday, November 7, 2000. We voted, picked up Basia and went to the vet. Basia and the little guy met and seemed content with each other, as they explored the room and played with the toys together.

“Well, look at that. They love each other!” I was impressed.

It was only a short ride home so the two of them shared a carrier, with no problems. Then everything changed when we got home and opened the carrier in our front room. He jumped out and starting investigating everything; tables, corners, crevices, couch. Basia, however, was pouncing on him, biting and smacking. When I pulled them apart, Basia let out an angry hiss at him. Annoyed, I gave Basia an imitation hiss, but she looked up at me and hissed back!

It was a night of drama: watching TV and waiting for the results of a hotly contested Presidential election, watching and guarding a new kitten as he explored his new home, and monitoring Basia’s behavior, home with us only two weeks and already resentful of losing her status as an ‘only child’.

We had no idea what to name him. I had planned to name another female “Sade”, after another of my favorite singers, but that wasn’t appropriate for a male. We still called him Sade at first while we discussed possible names. By midnight, the networks projected Bush as the winner in Florida, and thus the new President.

“That’s it!” Sandy exclaimed. “Let’s name him ‘Dubya’!”

Basia’s hostility didn’t last the night. She and Dubya settled into a routine of typical kitten wrestling matches, an exercise regimen that often ended with the two of them cuddled up and napping together.

On Dubya’s third night with us, I woke up at 3 AM with him perched on my chest, purring, big eyes and huge ears. I began petting him, and he stretched out one paw to stroke my moustache. Oh yeah, he’s my guy!

If you’d like to share your cat adoption story, send it to peggy.rowland (at) b5media.com.

(Image by Ed T)

Post from: Blisstree

Dubya’s Adoption Story

Chloe’s Adoption Story

Peggy Rowland — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:45 +0000

This cat adoption story was sent by readers Paul K. and David B. (The person speaking in the story is Paul.) They found The Kitty Blog through Cat Sitter in the City and took me up on the invite to share their cat adoption story. Keep reading to find out more about this adorable and exceptionally outgoing kitty.

In June of 2006 I decided to adopt a cat. I wanted to “rescue” an older cat. Although kittens are so darn cute, I wanted to give a great home to an older cat.

I searched around for a local place and found a cat hotel that had some abandoned cats that were available for adoption.

As I was sitting in the sunny play room checking out the few cats that were looking for homes, Chloe (a five year old sweetheart) seemed to pick me. As I was petting some other cats to check out their temperament, Chloe jumped up on my back and sat there like a princess. How could I resist that? She was the one!

She came home with us (Dave and I), and after 15 minutes of shyness, she started to explore her new home (a large two bedroom apartment).

It took about a year of trying out different foods to find a couple of hypo-allergenic canned foods that she could easily digest.

She has a fascination with eating string and rubber bands. We quickly learned to always keep an eye out for chewy elastic items left out in the open. Loose threads must be trimmed from clothing and furniture.

There were a couple of nervous trips to the vet in that first year. Thankfully it was nothing serious…. everything…. ummm… passed.

Chloe is incredibly social. When guests come over, she greets everyone at the door. She likes to be the centre of attention. Friends are always amazed by Chloe and her outgoing personality.

Usually once a day she will look me in the eye and decide to spend 20 seconds licking a small patch in the centre of my forehead. Perhaps she is grooming me in return since I try to brush her at least a few times a week.

The warmth and love that a pet can bring into a home is incredible. I am saddened to think that someone felt they had to abandon such an affectionate creature. But I am glad that I found little Chloe the purring machine, and was able to give her a good home.

(Images sent by readers David and Paul.)

If you’d like to share your cat adoption story, send it to peggy.rowland (at) b5media.com.

Post from: Blisstree

Chloe’s Adoption Story