Adopting a Feline From a Rescue Organization

Cat rescue organizations work in the same way that dog rescue organizations do. They find homes for kittens and adult cats  that can no longer remain with their families because of illness, divorce, relocation or other reasons. These organizations also adopt purebred kittens from animal shelters, rescue kittens from kitten mills and take in orphans.  

If you like a certain breed of kitten a rescue organization can be a wonderful place to find a pedigree pet at a reasonable cost. Some rescue organizations specialize in looking after certain types of breeds and others generalize by saving all the cats that they can’t. Some rescue organization consists only of a couple of do-gooders and others are made up of big finicky committees of breed lovers who are dedicated to finding a home for a specific kind of cat.  

A rescue organization is that it can often find you exactly the breed you want.   Yet another perk is that rescue organizations are exemplary when it comes to following up on the health and well being of the adopted pet.     By the way if you have to give up a pet and it is of a certain breed, a rescue group devoted to that breed is likely to take better care of your pet than a shelter. Rescue groups also shine when it comes to providing new kitty parents with information about the breed they are trying to rescue.  

Sadly, not all pet rescue organizations are completely ethical. Make sure that when you are dealing with any pet rescue organization, whether to adopt, donate, or give up your pet, that it is legitimate. For the sake of your animal, please take the time to investigate the organization fully. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their mission statement and  references from individuals who have adopted or given up their pets for adoption at the facility.

Ask for a reference from a veterinarian and be sure to follow through and contact the vet.    There are people who represent themselves as “rescue”, when actually, they’re just in the market for free pedigreed kittens to breed or sell. Too many well-meaning individuals give up their pets to these so-called rescue organizations only to find out that they have really given up their valuable pedigreed cat to a cruel, greedy broker.

If you’re surrendering your pet to a rescue organization, ask about their adoption policy. Ask to see their adoption application and contract. You should report them immediately to the police if they have no application, no adoption contract or won’t allow you to visit the inside of their kennel.  

You should also be suspicious if they charge too much to adopt. What do they have to make a profit for if they are a charitable organization? The good pet rescue organizations charge a lower, rather than a higher adoption fee. If the adoption fee is more than $100 it is likely that that the organization is selling the cats for profit rather than trying to place them in new homes.

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Cats and Children – Dos and Donts

DON’T let your children kiss your cat on the mouth. Cats don’t have any antibacterial qualities to their saliva like a dog. They could catch a virus or a cold.  

DON’T let your child handle a kitten that is less than three weeks old.   This can traumatize the mother. Also your kid may have germs that can make the little kitty sick.   Toddlers should definitely not be handling cats.  

DON’T let your child play in the litter box. Many confused little kids think it is a sandbox.  

DON’T   let your cats feed cats scraps of food from the table. This creates demanding and physically overweight pet that will never let you eat dinner in peace again.   Yet another problem is that your child might be feeding your cat something that is toxic such as chocolate.  

DON’T let your child introduce your cat to another kid unless you or an adult is present. Cats can be unpredictable and many introduce themselves to children with a savage swipe of the claw.   Often they go for the face too. If you don’t want a lawsuit or medical bill from an angry parent don’t do this.  

DO teach your child to groom the cat. This teaches the cat the child is the boss and strengthens their bond.  DO let your child give your cat a treat.   The cat will be nicer to any being that gives it catnip.  

DO encourage your children to feed the cat and empty the kitty litter box AS LONG AS THEY ARE OVER AGE TEN. Any younger and they may forget or play with the kitten feces or be tempted to eat the kitten food. Keep an eye on the situation no matter how old your kids are as you do not want a cat that is starving to death or a kitty litter that I reeking.   Remember that just because you are teaching your child to be responsible does not mean he or she is going to be and your cat should not be the one that suffers while your child tries to navigate a learning curve.  

DO discourage children from pulling a cat’s tail. This can lead to a spinal cord injury that can result in kidney failure.  

DO encourage children to leave sleeping cats alone. Cats need a lot of sleep to be emotionally healthy.  

DO encourage your child to only speak to the cat in a soft, gentle voice.   Punish your child if he or she makes a habit of punishing the cat.  

DO not hesitate to take your child to a child psychologist if he or she it abusing, bullying or torturing the animal in any way. This kind of behavior is often a precursor to serious mental, psychological and social disorders that need to be treated early.  

DO not hesitate to find the cat a good home if the relationship between your child and the cat is not working out. The cat will easily adapt to a friendly environment and your child will learn that wrong actions lead to alienation.

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