Shelter Cats Are Special Cats!

By Wendy Christensen

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Thinking of adopting a cat or kitten? Do yourself–and all cats–a favor by considering a shelter graduate. The ASPCA has designated June as Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, but you don't have to wait until then. While pedigreed cats are the "hothouse flowers" of the feline world, most of the cats you'll meet in shelters are nature's less glamorous, but equally fascinating, wildflowers.

Cats of all kinds, fancy to homely, populate shelters. Most shelter cats are "random bred" cats, blessed with sturdy constitutions, hybrid vigor and all the feline grace, predatory skill and inherent magnificence with which nature has endowed them, unchanged and intact.

Pick a date to visit your local shelter or humane organization. Ailurophilic French writer Colette maintained, "There are no ordinary cats," and the cats you'll find in shelters are anything but ordinary. Available in a rainbow of colors and patterns, shelter cats–from tiny kittens to exuberant adolescents to stately old gentlemen–offer a blend of delightful unpredictability, hybrid vigor, a uniquely feline brand of affectionate gratitude and the profound satisfaction of saving a precious life. Shelter grads seem to have a matchless talent for making their owners and families feel particularly blessed.

Responsible shelters take great pains to insure that the cats and kittens they place go to permanent, appropriate homes. Don't be surprised if shelter workers quiz you closely or have you fill out a form, detailing your home situation, family composition, life-style, other pets and other issues that may seem rather personal. They'll be especially interested in cats you've had before and what happened to them. They're not being nosy; they're simply trying to make sure the cats and kittens they place have the best possible chance for a long happy life, and that you and your family will be happy and satisfied, too.

Shelters do all they can to insure that all adopted cats are as healthy and well suited to their new lives as possible. The shelter cat you adopt is likely to have been given all necessary vaccinations and any treatments needed for fleas, ear mites, worms and other parasites. Your new cat may even have already been spayed or neutered–yes, even tiny kittens. Juvenile or "early-age" spaying or neutering is practiced in some shelters and is an economical way to stop the uncontrolled burgeoning of the population of unwanted cats.

Are most or all the members of your household away from home at work or school during the daytime? Consider adopting a pair of cats or kittens. Cats are inquisitive, intelligent, friendly and curious creatures, and they're quite susceptible to loneliness and boredom that can bring on unfortunate behavior problems. A pair of kittens will amuse and groom each other, play and snooze comfortably together and share an irreplaceable intraspecies communication and friendship that will contribute immeasurably to their emotional stability and happiness. Caring for two kittens will be more expensive over the course of their lives, but the emotional, social and behavioral benefits of bonding, friendship and companionship, for them and you, are worth it.

It's a special joy to watch a kitten bloom from tiny fluff-ball to mature cat. But it's also a big responsibility. A kitten alone, especially if he's your only pet, may be homesick awhile for his mom and littermates. That's one reason a pair (or three!) works best. With two or more, your job of socialization will be easier, as the kittens will help each other reinforce the lessons they learn from you. Plus, they'll each have an understanding friend and playmate nearby to help them work off all that excess kittenish energy that might otherwise be directed into destructive behavior.

Having kittens in the house is a lot like having rambunctious toddlers, complete with needle-sharp claws and teeth, infant clumsiness and a zest for adventure that can exhaust the sturdiest owner. For kittens, everything is a toy, a jungle gym or edible or all of the above. Curtains and pants-legs are for climbing, electrical cords for chewing; feet and ankles are perfect for hunting and biting practice. Not ready for quite that much excitement?

Instead, imagine a mellow, mature feline joining your family circle. You already know how large he is. You know his grooming requirements, food and litter preferences, temperament and unique personality traits. You might even know some of his earlier history. Shelter workers usually know which cats prefer quiet, peaceful environments, which enjoy a lot of activity, which do well with kids or dogs and which can't abide other cats. With so many unknowns taken care of, you can concentrate on settling in with your new friend and getting to know him at his own pace.

It's a rare joy to be chosen for friendship by a wise, older cat that's decided you're worthy of his attentions. Your mature adoptee will take his time getting to know you and your family. He'll calmly explore his new home, sniffing out the stories in scents, sounds and textures. He'll select his favorite hideaways, sleeping spots, laps. Mature cats have precious years left and more than enough love to fill them. Ask about adopting a pair of adult cats that are already friends. Sometimes, two cats from the same household find themselves in a shelter together. Don't break up a beautiful friendship–take them both!

Ideally, your new kitten or cat will enjoy an exclusively indoor life-style. With some creativity and accommodation, you can insure that your precious cat will live a longer, safer, healthier and happier life. By understanding your cat or kitten's needs for space, exercise, scratching and interactive play, and by providing for these needs within your home, you'll be setting the stage for a lifelong, close, mutually-fulfilling interspecies friendship. You'll be able to observe your companion's activities and development up close, while preventing a long list of potential heartbreaks such as disease, accident and disappearance that are the sad fate of so many free-roaming cats.

For more tips on selecting, living with and caring for your feline friends, see my new book, "The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat Care."

Copyright 2002, Wendy Christensen for "Creature Comforts"

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