You don’t choose the cat; the cat chooses you!

Choosing a cat doesn’t always happen the way we expect. I didn’t exactly choose my newest purry friend. I already had two cats and a dog, but the cat in question was persistent; she told me in her own kitty way that my home was her home now, and I had better get used to that idea!

The day she showed up, I did my due diligence- I posted her on my local lost and found pets site and called animal control. I found her home, and her owner came to get her. The next night, I was startled to see her little furry face staring at me through the window! I called her humans and returned her multiple times. Each time she returned to me, she seemed to say, “absolutely not!” It took some time, but she finally trained me to be her human servant.

Your purrfect companion

So how about you? Are you ready for a cat to choose you? If you don’t just happen upon your new purry pal, you will have to present yourself to some cats and let them know you are available for adoption! Look up your local animal shelter and schedule a visit! Some animal shelters may allow you to walk in anytime, but others may require that you schedule an appointment.

Before you go to the shelter, you should decide if you would like to share your life with an adult cat or a kitten. Kittens are adorable and fun, but they will be a little bit more demanding. Kittens will want to practice their “catting” skills- they need to learn to hunt, which means they will chase, stalk, bite, chew, scratch, and RUN! It is actually better to adopt two so they can entertain each other! Adult cats can be a bit easier- they are usually calmer since they are past that ‘attack everything!!!!’ stage. Older cats are also more settled into their personalities, so you will have a better idea of your new friend’s personality. Older kitties also tend to know how to use a litter box! Senior kitties are a great option, too!

Meeting the cats

When you visit the shelter, please spend some time with all of the cat. You may like the appearance of a particular cat, but that purrfect orange floof may be aloof! That’s ideal if you prefer an independent kitty, but less than ideal if you want to be the center of the kitty’s world! Another point to consider is whether you want a cat that will play with your existing pet or if you’d rather have only one cat. Consider the cat’s feelings, too, because a cat that loves to play with other cats may feel lonely without a playmate! An unhappy kitty is also a destructive one!

Let the cats come up to you and watch how they interact with each other and with you. Don’t forget about the shy kitty! The one that is hiding in the corner may be your purrfect companion! Sometimes, a kitty will blossom as soon as it knows its safe. My advice is to get a well-loved treat, like Churu, and meet everyone! They will all want a taste, so you will be everyone’s best friend! After treat time, they will all be refreshed! This is a great time to just sit and observe.

An Important Decision!

Choosing the right pet is important. Not every cat is suitable for every home. On the same note, not every person is suitable for every cat; this is perfectly normal. Just keep the best interest in mind for you and the kitty, and you will find your purrfect companion.

If you are interested in reading about the pros and cons of outdoor life vs indoor life for your cat, read this post: https://toebeansandtales.com/indoor-vs-outdoor-which-is-best-for-your-cat/