Adopting an Adult Cat
With an adult cat you'll have a very good idea of the cat's
temperament straightaway. A kitten may behave one way in its
youth change significantly (and not always for the better!) as
it grows up. An adult cat's personality will be more
consistent, and you'll be able to gauge any traits and quirks
through its interaction with the staff of the shelter.
Easy does it
Another reason to pick an adult cat over a kitten, frankly,
is it's less work. Kittens need lots of attention to keep them
stimulated and out of trouble. An adult cat is likely to be
much easier on an owner who doesn't have the time or energy to
entertain a kitten.
Adult cats found in shelters are seldom there because there
is something wrong with them or with their personality. Most of
the time, the owner's living conditions have changed or
allergies have arisen in the original home. Usually these are
friendly, socialised cats who would love to be part of a new
family.
Personality
The first thing to look for when adopting a cat is a
personality that is a good fit for you. The shelter staff will
be able to give you a good idea of the cat's temperament.
They'll be able to tell you if she is good with other animals
or better by herself. They'll also tell you if she's very
clingy or more laid back. If you're bringing a new cat home to
a house that already has cats and dogs in it, look for one that
has lived with other animals before. Regardless of her
background, any cat will be happier in a good home than in a
shelter.
Get to know each other
Be sure to spend some time alone with the cat or cats you
want to bring home. Ask the shelter staff if there is somewhere
quiet, away from the cattery, where you can be with the cat.
Being in the shelter may have been extremely stressful and
frightening for the cat so it may take a few minutes before she
calms down and allows her true personality to shine
through.
Most shelters will already have done a thorough health check
and the cat is likely to be up to date on all its vaccines and
already spayed. Still, give the cat a good once over from nose
to tail to try to spot any health concerns.
Check the small print
Some shelters require that you sign a contract when you're
ready to adopt. Be sure to read this thoroughly. It may
have requirements such as not giving away the cat as a gift. If
you're planning on giving the cat as a gift, arrange for the
prospective owner to visit the shelter and participate in the
adoption.
In general pick the cat (or cats) to which you feel the
strongest attraction. Good luck and congratulations on the new
addition to your family.