Bring a furry feline into your household.
If you want a fluffy and small friend in your life, one option is to adopt a kitten. A lot of benefits are associated with owning a cat, including companionship and affection. Although the kitten adoption process is relatively simple, it's important to first consider all the responsibilities that come with having a cat.
Instructions
1. Understand that getting a kitten is a long-term commitment. Cats often reach 20 years or longer in age. As cuddly and cute as a kitten is, it requires many years of care. You must put in the time and money necessary to keep the cat healthy and thriving. These costs include cat food, litter and veterinary bills -- including shots, microchipping and medical care.
2. Look for available kittens. Options for finding available cats include animal shelters, pet rescues and breeders. Since you're looking for a kitten, a breeder may be your best option as some animal shelters and rescues tend to have older and abandoned strays. Yet other shelters frequently get kittens birthed by stray mothers, so call your local shelters to check if any are available. Browse through Internet listings on websites like Petfinder.com, Craigslist.org and Pets4You.com. Look through newspaper classified ads. Visit local shelters in person. Go to pet stores near you and look at the bulletin board. And ask family members, friends and coworkers.
3. Visit the kitten. If you hear or read about a kitten that interests you, visit it. Interact with the kitty before you officially adopt it. When you visit the shelter, breeder or foster owner, ask detailed questions. What is the history of the kitten? Is it female or male? Has it had all the appropriate vaccinations? Does it interact well with the other cats? How is its temperament? While getting your questions answered, examine the kitten closely to see if it looks clean and healthy -- from its fur to its eye area. Take your time and be choosy when it comes to picking out a kitten.
4. Answer questions. If you seem serious about adopting a kitten, a reputable breeder or shelter rep will ask you a lot of questions to make sure you are legitimate. These questions include everything from whether you plan to breed the animal to how often you are away from home. Be prepared to answer these queries as honestly as possible.
5. Indicate your interest. If you are comfortable with the circumstances and think you have found your kitten, tell the seller you wish to adopt it. Ask about any papers you may receive as part of the adoption. Also inquire about the payment procedure. How much does the animal cost, and what type of payment is accepted? If you do adopt the kitten, when it will be ready to bring home?
6. Prepare your home. Before bringing a kitten into your home, make sure everything is all set up. Purchase food for your kitten. To slowly adjust your pet to its new life, try to feed it the same food it ate before, at least in the beginning. Other things you need to prepare include a scratching post, toys, litter tray, and bowls for food and water. If you have other cats in your home, slowly introduce the new kitten as to not shock any of them. Keep the new addition in a separate room for a few days, if possible. They'll get used to each others' scents by sniffing under the door, and feel less threatened when they finally meet.
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