How to Adopt a Shelter Cat

Last Updated: October 8, 2022

A shelter cat is different than a cat from a breeder. Adopting a shelter cat is also saving a life. If you would like to adopt a shelter cat, some helpful advice is located below.

Steps

1
Go to shelters near you and look at the cats. Look at a few cats rather than just one, and get a feel of which cat you're leaning to.
2
Find a cat. After you have looked at 3 or more cats, decide which cat to get.
3
Look at your cat. Before getting your cat, check for any sickness. Check the eyes, to be sure that their eyes are healthy, they should be nice and bright, and the ears the should not smell or have a black substance inside of them. Check the nose for any signs of wheezing, and then check the cat's fur for fleas or ticks. Any harmful bug should not be in their fur.
4
Go through the adoption process. You will need to fill out paperwork and may need to provide information about your living situation. You will have to pay a small fee (usually under 50 dollars) and take your cat home.
5
Take it easy during the first week. For about a week, keep your cat in a room that's safe for him or her. A shelter cat can be harder to take care of; since it may have been abused in its old home. Make sure to be kind to your new friend. Take your cat to the vet the first week to make sure he or she is healthy and does not have any disease from the shelter.
6
Introduce the cat to other pets carefully. If you have other pets like a dog, get him or her in a cage, and also get your cat in a cage and shut the doors. Put your cat and your other pet facing each other in their cages for a little while so they can get used to one another. Do one pet at a time if you have multiple pets.
7
Enjoy your cat, Don't just love your cat for a week and then get tired of him or her. When you adopt a new pet, they should be your friend for life!

Community Q&A

Question

What if your cat is scared of the your home and wants to escape?

Community Answer

The cat'll get used to it. It's all new to the cat, and takes approx 2 - 3 months to acclimate. Get the cat a bed with a roof so it can hide from the world, and don't touch the cat when it's in the bed so it has a safe space to hide/escape to. Get the cat some toys to play with so that it feels like your home is its home, too.
Question

How do I look for a shelter on the internet?

Community Answer

Let Google or Bing (or whatever you use) know your location, then search "animal shelters near me."
Question

What if I adopt a cat at the shelter that seems very nice and friendly, and then I bring it home and it hates me?

Community Answer

Give your cat some time. It's probably scared of being in a new place and just needs some time to get comfortable. If you've had your cat for some time and it's still being aggressive or antisocial, try to identify what may be causing it to feel stressed. Is its food, water, and litter box easily accessible? Does it get enough activity and stimulation through the day? See if you can identify patterns in your cat's behavior, figure out why its acting out, and solve the problem.

Warnings

If your cat does not take kindly to any of your pets, keep him or her away from them as much as you can, to prevent any of your pets fighting and getting injured.

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If the cat gains any kind of disease, or starts acting weirdly, take it to the vet as soon as possible.

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