Share:
Cats arrive every day at shelters for a variety of reasons. In some instances, their previous owners are no longer able to look after them or have passed away. Sometimes it is as a result of an accidental or unwanted litter. Very rarely is it due to a behavioural issue. Most often, cats will be brought to a shelter because of a housing issue or a house move.
Every cat deserves a good home, and even by saving just one cat from a life in a shelter, you have helped to make a difference. While those employed by and volunteer for shelters work tirelessly on behalf of the animals under their care, their considerable efforts can be no proper substitute for a home environment, especially for a cat whose inherent wellbeing is tied to having a secure and familiar territory to patrol and to call her own.
Having said all that, what considerations should you take before embarking on this journey?
If you haven’t read our page on ‘Choosing a Cat’, we would urge you to do so now. All the points covered there would equally apply here, and in some respects even more so. A shelter cat has already been abandoned once in her life. You wouldn’t want to add to both her and your misery by having to let her go a second time. So taking stock of your current circumstances and how it may evolve in the coming years, and what effect that might have on a furry addition to your family, would be time well spent.
Allergies to Cats:
Cats are often abandoned or left at shelters due to an allergic reaction amongst one of its family members. This reaction is not so much due to the cat’s fur but to proteins in their dander, saliva and urine. In fact, allergic reactions to cats is twice as common as it is to dogs, so ensure that all family members do not display such symptoms when handling a cat prior to adoption.
Image © Pormezz / courtesy of Shutterstock.com
When it comes to shelter cats, though, there are some additional points to bear in mind.
Those kittens that came from accidental or unwanted litters may not have been received by the shelter with their mothers or even their siblings. And even if they were, a stressed mother can have a negative effect on the behavioural development of their offspring. Shelter staff work tirelessly to offset any negative effects to young cats, be it by placing them with a foster queen or giving orphan kittens the opportunity to socialise with others of a similar age whilst under supervision.
Nevertheless, orphaned kittens may not have received the important familial and social lessons that they would have otherwise received under normal circumstances, meaning that some kittens may mature into slightly more aloof or timid cats that will require a softer touch and a measure of understanding.
Adult cats, too, will have found the sudden removal from a familiar territory to the bustling heart of a cat shelter, with all the associated sounds and smells of myriad cats, deeply unsettling.
Cats are extremely fussy, but a shelter cannot afford to accommodate each cat’s culinary taste, let alone each one’s toilet preference, and so more than likely each cat will have had to adapt not only to a different food but also to a different type of substrate lining their litter tray. For the fastidious feline, this can be a great source of stress.
The majority of staff working in cat shelters tend to be women, and yet it is important that cats, especially kittens, learn to generalise what it means to be petted and held to not only both sexes but also to all ages, especially if they are to be rehomed to a household whose members are young or are tilted toward a particular sex. This is why it is important that all family members meet the cat prior to adoption and the advice of staff when matching cats to carers should be heeded.
What this all really means is a shelter cat requires a lot of love, patience, and understanding. But she also needs boundaries and guidance. With these five things operating in tandem, you will provide the cat with what she ultimately craves: A secure space to call home.
While the above may be said to be true for any new arrival, for a shelter cat it is even more relevant. And what she will require from you is just that little bit more time and commitment.
There are many avenues to explore when seeking the perfect cat to complement your home. You could look in your local shelter, search online for breed-specific rescue groups, or even contact animal sanctuaries and charities abroad.
Whichever route you choose, please first check that the charity or shelter is both registered and licensed, and find out from where they source their cats. Knowing the latter can already give you some clue as to their cats’ possible histories.
Are their cats primarily pre-owned, collected from the streets, or a bit of both? How are they processed through the system? Are they vet-checked on arrival? Do they spend time in quarantine? Are they housed separately or in small groups or clusters? How frequently are they visited and engaged with by a shelter volunteer?
Does the charity or shelter ensure that all those that are under their care are fully vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped before being rehomed? If they are are reputable shelter, then they most certainly should! In order to recover these costs, shelters usually charge a upfront fee when relinquishing one of their charges to care. This amount may vary between shelters but is generally around £100.
Be wary of any shelter that does not ask you about your financial circumstances or your daily routine and activities, for a shelter that genuinely cares for its cats would want to ensure that those animals under its care are placed in homes that will provide both security and stability.
A good charity or shelter will also want to ensure that every member of the household has an opportunity to meet with the cat prior to adoption, so if you are travelling a fair distance, be sure to make it a family day out. It would be best, however, if introductions were not made all at once but are staggered so as not to intimidate the cat. A cat can find the attentions of just one stranger unnerving, let alone four strangers along with their pet dog (just joking about the dog; if you have a dog, this should be one family excursion where Fido stays at home).
The beginning of a holiday period is a great time to adopt, for it means that all family members may be present, but just ensure that as a family you are not then intending to go on an excursion away from home. A suitable amount of time should be set aside to allow the cat to settle into her new home with at least one or two responsible family members present.
Rehoming a Cat from Abroad:
When on holiday in a foreign country, it is quite easy to fall for the street cat that strikes up a friendship in exchange for food and a cuddle.
But consider the ramifications of taking it home with you. Cats are beholden to their territory. You need to consider what space you have to offer a cat that is used to roaming. Even if he is not feral, he may find the transition to family life, especially were it to be spent indoors, stressful. The worst thing that could happen is that he ends up in a local shelter, still far from his native land, because it did not work out.
Consider the laws of your home country, along with any local ordinances. These may include outdoor cats being proscribed in case they should interfere with native fauna, in which case adopting a street or working cat would not be the wisest course of action.
Image © Irina Kozorog / courtesy of Shutterstock.com
Image © Goncharov Artem / courtesy of Shutterstock.com
No doubt your heart will guide you on this journey, and while that is perfectly understandable, it is equally important that any decision be taken with a little consideration from your head.
Knowing what type of cat would best suit your circumstances, even before you begin looking on websites or in shelters, would go a long way toward helping you find the cat of your dreams.
Once more we would strongly advise you to read the page on ‘Choosing a Cat’, which has a lot of relevant information on selecting the right cat for you, your home environment, and lifestyle.
Tips for Selecting a Shelter Cat:
Be honest with shelter staff about your circumstance and lifestyle, as it will help them to better advise you as to whether the cat you are interested in will be a good match for you. Do not base your decision solely on looks but consider the cat’s needs, personality, and any insecurities it may have. Do you have other pets? Are you looking for an indoor-only cat? With whom will it share its home, and of what age range?
Image © Dustie / courtesy of Shutterstock.com
When testing a shelter cat’s sociability, it is best to begin in the room in which she is housed before doing so again in a neutral environment. Cats are by their nature territorial, and by placing her in a new space you will invariably find that she will pay more attention to that space than to you, irregardless of her sociability.
Do not approach the cat, but instead sit down on the floor and allow the cat to come to you. Keep your hands down, palm up, and extended slightly away from your body so that the cat may approach to sniff you. Try making some soft, soliciting sounds, such as ‘csk, csk’, but avoid staring directly at the cat.
Note her eagerness or reticence to approach you, how she responds to your touch, and how long she takes to settle down if you ignore her. A cat that sits away from you with its tail twitching, or lies down but with front paws visible and not tucked in, is feeling anxious or uncertain about your presence and may be a harder cat to win over. However, a cat that saunters over to bump her head against you and climbs onto your lap is clearly sensing your positive vibe!
This is not to say that the aloof or timid cat should not be up for consideration, but then you need to recognise that this relationship may be a slow burn that will take a bit more time to evolve, and that plenty of handling and holding may simply not be on the cards with this cat.
If the cat seems sociable enough, you may wish to attempt to hold her. Initially do so while still seated so that you are not picking her up too high off the floor. Lift the cat by placing one hand under her chest while the other supports her weight by scooping up the rump. Do not smother the cat or position your face too close to her’s. If the cat seems uncomfortable or indicates that she wishes to escape, place her gently back down.
Cats – especially those that may have had a negative experience or limited social experience – don’t necessarily view all humans in the same light. Some may have a good rapport with men and yet be fearful of women, and vice versa. Some may find the unpredictability of young children to be disconcerting. As previously stated, it is important that all family members be introduced to the cat in the same safe environment, but that introductions are staggered and the cat be given the opportunity to approach each person of her own accord.
There is no foolproof method to test for sociability with other species, such as dogs. Even if the cat previously came from a household with dogs, her relationship to your dog will be different and will be informed by their initial introduction and your dog’s reactions. What one may ascertain is whether the cat is likely to be anti-social toward other species, and this can be done by talking with the shelter staff about the cat’s known history as well as by bringing in a rubbing of your dog’s scent, placing it on the floor in the neutral environment, and gauging the cat’s reaction to it. If she sniffs it warily but shows no immediate aversion to the smell, then it may be an open case, but were she to turn on her heels and put some distance to the scent, then chances are she will not be a fan of Fido.
These steps can equally be achieved for rehoming a cat from abroad by asking the shelter to compile a short video on a smart phone that shows a member of staff following the same procedure.
When approaching a shelter, it is good practice to ask what general treatments are provided to the animals under their care, with regard to booster injections, flea and worming treatments, and any other preventative medication borne out of the area that they operate.
A cat arriving at a reputable shelter will ordinarily be both vet-checked and neutered. The veterinary check-up, however, tends to be a cursory examination as to the overall health of the cat, and it is very easy for any underlying issue to be missed. It should also be borne in mind that shelters don’t always have the necessary tools on-site to provide proper clinical assessments.
It is important, therefore, that you familiarize yourself with some of the hereditary issues that pertain to the breed of cat that you are considering, so you can be better placed to observe for yourself any signs that might suggest a congenital condition.
When interacting with the cat, observe both her gait and posture. Is there any sign of limping or dropping either of its shoulders as she walks? Are her hip movements fluid or stiff?
Without maintaining a direct stare, check for any discharge or staining around her eyes. Note her breath-rate, and especially any signs of shortness of breath. This is particular important in the case of brachycephalic cats.
After you have spent some time with the cat and she has become comfortable in your presence, gently stroke her body from the neck, along her flanks and down each of the legs, noting any issues with the skin or sign of lumps.
If you do discover something or have any concerns, raise them with the shelter’s attending veterinarian or request their feedback if they are not on-site.
Even if an underlying condition is detected, this is not to say you should abandon all hope of rehoming the cat. Every cat deserves a home, and most hereditary issues and chronic conditions can be managed. It is simply for you to know, so you can make an informed decision both for yourself and the animal.
Having found the cat of your dreams, now you want to get your new furry family member home! But first there is the bureaucracy. You will need to fill in forms, detailing:
A house-check is also sometimes required, during which a representative from the shelter will visit your home to ensure that the details you’ve provided are accurate and suitable for the cat that you wish to rehome.
Costs for rehoming a cat vary from shelter to shelter, but as previously noted there are costs involved. These fees cover the veterinary costs incurred for neutering and vaccinations, as well as microchipping and any behavioural assessments done during the cat’s stay.
There are additional charges for rehoming a cat from abroad. In addition to covering the costs of vaccinations, neutering and microchipping, there will be fees to cover for the pet passport, as well as for transportation, be it by land or air, with the latter including the cost of a flight partner for the cat.
Once everything has been agreed and payment received, your being able to pick up the cat or have it delivered to your door can usually occur within the space of a week but sometimes may be even same-day. Hence preparations for her arrival need to happen quite quickly.
Be sure to have bought all those one-off items that every cat needs:
And then there are the consumables, such as food, toys, and litter.
Initially you will want your cat to consume the same type of food and toilet on the same substrate as she was used to in the shelter, from which she gradually transition to something else over the following weeks.
Plan your cat’s arrival to coincide with a time when at least one family member – preferably the primary caretaker – will be at home to ease her into her new surroundings.
The important thing for any cat is that she be given the space to explore her new home and to build bonds with her new family in her own time and on her own terms. That means providing her with both a sense of calm and security. Brief all family members – especially children – of the importance of taking care when entering and leaving the home, so that your new addition doesn’t make a beeline for the great outdoors.
In fact, it would be best to begin by limiting your new arrival’s access to only one room and gradually opening up to other areas of the house as she grows more confident and secure in her new environment. Block off any potential escape routes, such as half-open windows and fireplaces, but provide suitable spots for your cat to hide away in, such as an upturned cardboard box with an opening cut out.
Remember, if it is a shelter cat from abroad, she may have travelled some distance to get to you. That in itself can be a bewildering experience for any cat, and so an adjustment phase is to be expected.
Book a visit with your local veterinarian, and be sure to get written on your cat’s clinical notes whether there are any underlying issues that are discovered or whether she has received the all-clear. Insurers may indeed cover for any pre-existing conditions, so long as it can be proven that you were unaware of them at the time of receiving the animal. If, however, any conditions are uncovered, this is the best time to know about it, as you would be in the best position to speak with your vet about how to best manage your cat’s care moving forward.
Register your cat’s microchip to your home address, and either sign up for some pet insurance or begin placing some monthly instalments into a kitty for your kitty. With that done, you can categorically say you now have a new furry member in your family!
Share:
FIND OUT MORE:
Now you can promote yourself with and through us.
Find out more >
