Every spring, thousands of kittens are born and sadly, millions of them end up in shelters looking for a home. By this time of year, shelters have many adoptable kittens and young cats and must work hard to place them all in good homes. The bad news is that It is estimated that every minute, four cats are euthanized in the shelters in the United States because they do not have homes. If you are thinking of adopting a cat, here’s a short check list to set you up for success:
- Considering adopting cats in pairs, especially siblings
- Contact your veterinarian in advance and make an appointment for a visit in the first few days after adoption
- Budget for both the short-term and long-term costs of pet ownership
- Cat-proof your home
- Have a plan to introduce the newcomer to any existing pets – your veterinarian or shelter worker can help with advice
What if you can’t adopt a cat? You can help reduce the number of homeless cats and improve their lives in other ways:
- Make sure any pets you already have are spayed or neutered
- If your cat is having a behaviour problem, consult your veterinarian promptly. Behaviour problems are one of the leading reasons previously owned cats end up in shelters.
- Help your local shelter with a donation – it doesn’t have to be financial in nature as many shelters also appreciate donation of supplies (but check with them first).