Adult cats are often passed over in favor of kittens at animal shelters, but there are distinct advantages to adopting an adult cat, including higher immunity and a lower tendency to scratch your furniture. You'll need to take certain factors, such as personality and health, into consideration before you to decide to adopt.
Advantages
Adult cats tend to be less destructive and mischievous than curious and energetic kittens, and have stronger immune systems, resulting in lower veterinary bills. Chances are they'll know use a litterbox already. Their personalities are also fixed by this time, so you'll know whether you're getting a hyper cat or a calm one.
Shelters and Rescue Groups
Some shelters hold adoption events at pet stores or parks. Most shelters and rescue groups charge an adoption fee, but this generally covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and follow-up healthcare. As of 2009, you can adopt adult cats of at least 3 years old for free at the ASPCA in New York City.
You'll need to fill out an adoption application form or be interviewed before you can adopt. In an effort to reduce the chances of cats being returned, shelters and rescue groups will often want to know whether or not you've owned a cat before and how you plan on caring for it.
Temperament
If you're looking for a certain temperament in an adult cat, shelter workers and rescue group volunteers should be able to match you up with the ideal cat. Let them know your cat personality preference.
Socialization
If you have kids or other pets, make sure you find out from the shelter or rescue group if the cat can handle being around kids or other animals. They usually assess this by putting the cat in a supervised room with a dog or another cat to see how it behaves. They might also have enough background information on the cat to be able to tell you if it came from a home with kids or other pets. It's also a good idea, and sometimes required, to bring your kids with you to interact with the cat before deciding to adopt.
Health and Behavioral Concerns
Ask the shelter or rescue group if the cat you're interested in adopting has any medical conditions, especially if you're looking to adopt an older cat. If the condition or illness is permanent, make sure that you're willing and able to attend to any special needs. Find out if the cat ywas subjected to abuse or neglect in the past. Cats with troubled backgrounds also require special care and consideration. You'll need to be prepared to deal with behavioral issues, such as aggression or anxiety.
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