Now all you have to do is actually find your cat.
I'm going to give you a list of places you can look to find a cat up for adoption, and two places that you should NEVER EVER go to for cats.
1. petfinder.com
Petfinder.com is a website that a lot of shelters across the US use to introduce the animals they have up for adoption. This website is a good way to get a feel for the shelters that are available around your home address, and a good way to ensure that you have a specific cat in mind before actually going to the shelter in person (which helps, because most times you will come home empty handed).
 |
| petfinder.com |
2. adoptapet.com
Adoptapet.com is also basically has the same function as petfinder.com. It is a website that a lot of human societies and rescue groups across the US use to introduce the animals they have up for adoption.
3. local cat shelter, humane shelters, and rescue organization
Usually there is a local cat shelter or rescue group around just about everywhere. It's important for you to visit a local cat shelter because not every cat is listed online, and you just might find your new partner in life! It's also easier to get a feel for what each cat needs specifically (sometimes specific cats have medical issues) and which cat you really bond to, and if you are new to cats, talking to volunteers at the shelter might help you in your decision.
 |
| Jiji, brought home from a cat shelter |
4. Breed Rescue Groups
Breed rescue groups are great when you have a specific breed in mind. If you are looking for a purebred and want to adopt a pet from a shelter, then this is where you want to go.
5. Breeders
Breeders are for when you want a purebred show cat, or you think you absolutely want a stunning purebred kitty (and have the money to spend). Breeders are excellent people to adopt a kitty from because they guarantee the health of your kitty through generations back, you can ask to see the parents and the environment, and they're probably generally more healthier than cats that have been in shelters. The only con is that they are EXPENSIVE. If you're rich it's probably not a big deal, but for me (I'm broke) it's a BIG BIG BIG BIG factor.
8. Veterinarian
Large veterinarians sometimes have animals for adoption. All you have to do is search online which for vets that have animals for adoption, and you can go through pretty the same process that goes for an animal shelter. The good thing about adopting from a vet is that the conditions that the cats are kept in are probably better (because most shelters are short of funding).
 |
| MCPCA, a large veterinarian clinic in Boston, offers animal adoption services. |
9. "Free to a good home" - friends, neighbors, craigslist, oodle
Both my kittens were "free to a good home"(sometimes for a small cost to cover first vaccinations). The easiest target would be friends or neighbors that just had kittens or have cats that they are leaving behind because they are moving. If you don't have either, craigslist and oodle's pet listings would be your best bet. Don't be afraid to look for kittens on these sites (that's where I found my kitties) but BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!!! BEWARE!!!!!!!!! of SCAMMERS!!! I will probably have a detailed post on scammers later on, but the first signs for scammers is that the pictures are too high quality, and there are a lot of grammar mistakes. One trick you can use is to save the picture in their listing and google search the picture itself. If you feel even slightly! uncertain, just close the page and look for another kitty. There are plenty of kittens for adoption. Another comment on "free to a good home" kittens. These kittens might have been exposed to unknown health risks (eg. FIV), and it's always best to know whether or not the parents of the kittens have been vaccinated, and whether the owners want the kittens/cat to be spayed/neutered (some people ask for a deposit that will be returned when proof is shown of the kitten being spayed/neutered, since home-breeding is one of the greatest causes of the number of animals in shelters).
PLACES NEVER TO LOOK FOR YOUR CAT
1. Kitten Farms
Kitten Farms are businesses that breed animals just for the money. They don't care about the animals' health, breed, genetic issues, and most importantly, the welfare of the animals is not considered. The kittens from these businesses are risky to adopt health-wise, and buying animals will only encourage kitten farms.
2. Pet Stores
Most pet stores get their animals from kitten farms, and buying these animals will only encourage immoral business.
No comments:
Post a Comment