Adopt a Cat from the Cat Shelter

When you decide to adopt a cat from an animal shelter, you have to consider several things. First one, and probably the most important, is that the little furry friend will probably be a long time companion. In fact, cats can easily reach 20 years. This means that owning a cat is a big commitment in time. Once you decided to adopt one, there are four important things you have to remember so you can be sure the kitty will have a healthy life, and that it matches the family’s members and their lifestyle.

ACTIVITY

First, when you visit a cat shelter, you have to observe all the felines there, how active they are and what type of personality they have. For example, if you see that a cat cramped in a corner and seems lethargic, it could be a sign of illness. The last thing you want is to bring home a sick animal. Besides racking up the vet’s bills, if you own other pets, the illness could spread to them.

So it is important to observe carefully the cat’s attitude. Some people want docile cats that like to spend a lot of time cuddled up in his or her lap, while others would like a playful cat that would play with toys or chase everything they could find. Therefore examining them is helpful to understand their type of personality. But the fact that almost all cats sleep during the biggest part of the day could be an inconvenient, so it is indicated to try to wake them, so you can see their behavior.

LOOK AT A CAT

The next step is to inspect the cat’s eyes. If they are bright and clear, it’s a good thing. Discharge or running eyes indicate illness. Next, you should look at the nose. It is advisable to be slightly moist and clear. Again, you should avoid a cat if there is any discharge. Again, the ears have to be clean. Extremely dirty ears could indicate contamination with ear mites. These ear mites are very hard to get rid off, and can easily infect other cats. In the end, the kitty’s fur should be free of fleas, shiny and clean. You don’t want fleas infesting your home.

LISTEN TO A CAT

After inspecting the nose, eyes and ears, the next thing to do is to listen to it. Listening, you can detect signs of illness for example if it sounds congested, sneezes or coughs. On the other hand, purring could indicate a sign of health. After all this, it is highly recommended to wash your hands with antiseptic.

PLAY WITH THE CAT

Finally, you should play with the cat, see how it gets along with other cats, with people and how active it is. These being said, we hope you chose the right kitty for you.