As we head into summer, warmer weather brings on the heat; and with heat comes… unwanted litters of kittens. Tragically, many healthy cats and kittens are euthanased in Australia because homes cannot be found for them.  If you’re thinking of adding a furry friend to the family, consider kitty adoption.

Waldorf, Nectarine and Socks are three beautiful cats from the Cat Protection Society (CPS) NSW who are looking for their purrfect match. We share 10 things to think about before kitty adoption.

Whether you want just one cat or you already have a dog or you want to add another cat to your household, it’s important that you make an informed decision. After all, it is a 14 – 20-year commitment and every member of your household should be involved in the decision making.

Kitty adoption 10 things to consider

  1. Kitty adoption

    Waldorf

    Why do you want a cat? It is important to understand why you want a cat. If you’re the kind of person who really needs to have a close relationship with your cat and to be able to handle it and have it interact with you, then you’ll be disappointed if you take on a nervous cat that hides every time you come into the room.

  2. What’s your lifestyle and personality? Just as we each have our own personality, so do cats. It’s important to find a cat whose personality fits with yours.  A good animal shelter/rescue group will help you to find your purrfect match. Are you looking for a cat that is – active, calm, independent, playful, confident, outgoing, mellow/sedate, good with cats, good with dogs or good with kids?
  3. Do you have $17,000 to look after a cat (based on the average lifespan of 14 years)? According to CPS NSW, responsible cat ownership costs around $1,200 – $1,500 a year not including emergency vet bills.
  4. Can you afford the vet bills for unexpected illness and injury? Emergency vet bills can be upwards of $2,000. Think about pet insurance or set aside the funds to ensure your cat does not miss out on the best veterinary treatment available.
  5. Kitty adoption

    Nectarine

    Can you provide a safe and stimulating indoor environment? You will need to provide a stimulating indoor environment to allow your cat to express its natural behaviours of scratching, playing and hunting. Much will depend on the personality of the individual cat.

  6. Should you add another cat to your household? Cat society is a delicate balance of solitude and sociability. You need to think about how another cat will impact on a multi-cat household. Sharing litters can cause stress. When you confine several cats to a small space, some may feel that others have invaded their territory.
  7. Should you take on two cats at the same time? Consider adopting two kittens from the same litter or two cats together that are known to get along. Your cats will never be lonely and always have a playmate.
  8. Do you have allergies? According to CPS NSW, if you have a lot of allergies, or if you don’t know whether you are allergic to cats, you should think carefully before adopting a cat. It might be helpful for you to foster a cat first, or pet-sit for some friends, to try to find out whether you are allergic. Check out the fact sheet on allergies at CPS NSW.
  9. Are you prepared for the arrival of your new purring friend? You’ll need – a litter box, cat litter, food and water bowls, food, scratching posts, safe and stimulating toys, a comfy bed, and a brush for grooming.
  10. Do you have the patience to settle in your new cat? It takes time to settle in your cat to their new surroundings. All lasting relationships take time to form, and the more you invest in the early days (when you bring your cat home), the happier your future together.  More on how to introduce your cat to other animals and people in our Paw Perfect Introductions podcast with renowned animal behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti.

More on kitty adoption here.

Kitty adoption at Cat Protection Society

All cats and kittens available for adoption from CPS have been: health-checked by a vet, desexed and microchipped, have had at least their initial vaccination (this depends on their age and how long they’ve been here),  flea- and worm-treated, and house-trained. There is an adoption fee of $150 per cat or kitten, or $250 for two (because cats usually love a feline friend). You will receive a complimentary bag of Hill’s Science Diet (adult or kitten) plus a comprehensive information pack.  Call CPS on (02) 9557 4818 if you are interested in either Waldorf, Nectarine or Socks.

Kitty adoption sources

Cat Protection Society NSW
International Cat Care
RSPCA