Top Things to Know About Adopting a Cat

If you love animals, adopting a cat can be a wonderful experience.  Bringing a cat into your home is a very serious step, and you should not do it on an impulse.   There are a few top things you need to know about adopting a cat before you head to the shelter to pick up your new pet.

• Shelters allow people to interact with their cats, so they can choose the one they get along with the best.  Don’t assume that all cats in shelters have an abusive past and will never be happy or playful.  In fact, most cats are put into shelters because their owners can no longer keep them due to personal reasons such as having a baby or moving. 


• Some shelters might ask you for an interview.  Many people don’t take cat adoption seriously, and return the animals back to the shelter if the adjustment doesn’t go as smoothly as they wanted it to.  For this reason, many shelters have an approval process.  If you truly want to adopt a cat and are ready to take care of the animal properly, you will have no problem getting approved for adoption. 


• Outdoor cats can become indoor cats.  Many people assume that cats rescued from the wild will never become indoor cats.  In fact, outdoor cats can actually be quite comfortable indoors as well.  With time and basic training, they might even come to love the indoors much more than they ever loved the outdoors.


• Cats require a lot of time and attention, especially if you adopt a kitten.  Kittens always want to play games and socialize.  You need a lot of energy to keep up with them, so you must be ready to take on the challenge of keeping a young cat occupied for hours every day.


• Cats are expensive.  You’ll have to pay for food, supplies and visits to the veterinarian.  If you are on a budget, adopting a cat might not be a financially viable decision.  Be sure that you have enough extra income to take care of your cat on a regular basis and in case of emergencies.