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Why You Should Think About Adopting A Rescue Cat From An Animal Shelter
There are so many animals that are in
desperate need of a loving home so if you have decided to get a cat,
why not choose one from your local cat rescue home or animal shelter?
By adopting from a shelter instead of buying from a pet shop, you
help those animals that are most in need to find a home and help fund
the rescue work so that other cats can be saved. Many of these felines
have had difficult lives so far - they may have been abandoned, abused
or neglected by their owners. So, responsible rescue centres will take
special care to match owner and pet and find them a good home. They
will give you as much information as possible about their charges'
personalities and histories to help you choose wisely.
At the animal shelter,use your power of observation.
Take some time to just watch the cats and kittens without trying to
interact with them. Observe how active they are and what type of
attitude they have. A cat that stays huddled in a corner or appears
lethargic may be sick, which could mean expensive vets bills in the
future. Or the poor cat may nave been abused and so is terrified of
everyone and everything. If you have the time and patience, please
don't automatically dismiss an abused feline. They can repay your care
many times over.
Give the cat a thorough examination, starting with the eyes. Bright
and clear eyes with no discharge or weepiness are a good sign.
The nose should be clean and slightly moist.Again,there should be no discharge.
Ears should also be clean. Those that are extremely dirty are
potentially contaminated with ear mites which can be very difficult to
eliminate and can easily spread to other cats at home.
Finally, the cat’s fur should be clean, shiny, and free of fleas.
Fleas can be particularly bothersome to both the cat and to the owner.
Eliminating fleas once they infest the home can be very difficult.
Listen to the cat. A cat that coughs, sneezes, or sounds congested
can be quite ill and should be avoided. Also, listen for sounds of
contentment. A cat who is purring is probably happy and healthy.A meow
can indicate either trouble or contentment - a long, pleading meow
could show that the cat is ill. On the other hand, a playful meow could
mean the she is already developing a bond with its potential new owner!
Watch how the cat plays. Some pet owners are looking for playful
cats that will scamper about the house and chase and play with toys.
Others would prefer a more docile cat who will spend hours cuddled up
in the owner’s lap.
See how they play with each other first to get a feeling for their
disposition. This is particularly important for pet owners who already
have a pet cat at home. Then play with the kitties yourself.
Take out a string, ball of wool or car keys and dangle them in front
of each cat. The one that seems most alert and active is likely the
better choice. Of course, you could always take home more than one if
the decision is just too hard to make
It is so rewarding to adopt a cat from a cat rescue shelter and know
that you have saved its life and given it a comfortable home but do be
aware of potential problems. Any cat or kitten that comes from a
shelter will be stressed to some level. This stress has put them at a
higher risk of attracting a respiratory infection. They may also be
more prone to bite or scratch you before you have bonded. Most cat
rescue shelters offer a spayed or neutered cat, with full shots and
de-worming but You must also get your cat tested immediately for feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
finally,listen to the advice of the shelter workers and don't rush into any decisions.
Tags: Cat General Info Cat Rescue Why You Should Think About Adopting A Rescue Cat From An Animal Shelter abused feline cats at home |
