Well, you have decided to adopt a shelter feline friend – congratulations! You are now a part of the Select SECRET group of beautiful humans called “Cat Lovers & Friends“, along with millions of others, but whose counting. All us shelter felines are so glad to have you in our midst. You will forever be loved, adored, and amused. Seriously, you will be!

Okay, so back to your question. Should you adopt a shelter Kitten or a shelter Cat. Here are a few questions to help you decide.

Do you want hours of AMUSEMENT? Then Yes, adopt a kitten, because amused you will be! BUT, Catster suggests adopting two kittens because it will be the same amount of work, plus 2x the fun, and emotionally healthier for the kittens. They will also entertain each other preventing less possible destruction to your house (lol). Plus, it does seem that the introductions are easier when bringing a kitten (or 2!) into a household that already has a cat or dog.

But hold on now, before you go adopt Kit & Kat or Cheech & Chong or Sonny & Cher or (okay, I couldn’t resist!), answer these questions for me. Are you Patient? Are you quick on your feet? Are you home to supervise your new kittens? BECAUSE, kittens, which are hard to resist, and so dang adorable, don’t know the difference initially between chairs & scratching posts or electrical cords & play toys. They will need some training and supervision. Also, they often tend to “magically appear underfoot“. At the shelter, the humans are told to “shuffle” rather than walk when kittens are on the loose! But with some gentle supervision and kitten-proofing of your home, you will be all set!

On the other hand, are you LAZY? Ha ha, just kidding, but are you looking for a feline that is already trained to use the litter box, the couch as a bed not as a scratching post, and the drapes to keep the sun out not as a climbing tree? Then, an older cat is just your style! Plus, a cat tends to know how to entertain himself when left alone. But, make sure to leave him some fun cat toys.

Also, when adopting a shelter Cat, you can choose a personality. When you go to the shelter, sit with the cats for awhile. Observe and see which cat CHOOSES YOU! Now, at El Refugio Animal Shelter, it is pretty dang amazing, the shelter cats are not enclosed in cat condos or cages, but roaming about in the shelter’s very large rooms. Okay, well, mostly snoozing, depending on the time of day. Any who, you will be able to see which cats are lap cats, or are very independent, or playful, or very lazy. And, just ask the shelter volunteers about the cats. They will gladly give you valuable personality information on each of them. Also, before you bring home your new shelter Cat, read my 10 tips to prepare your home for awesomeness.

Regardless, if you adopt a Cat or a Kitten (or 2!), you will be saving a feline’s life. Because when you adopt a shelter cat, a vacancy is opened at the shelter to save another feline! Also, you will be giving a home to a well deserved feline. You will also be filling your home (and your heart) with amusement, entertainment, and lots of FURever love. No one should go through this life or any of their other 8 lives (oh, that is just us cats I hear) without the love of a feline.

From all us shelter felines and members of the Select SECRET group of beautiful humans called “Cat Lovers & Friends“, WE THANK YOU!! You are PURRFECTLY awesome!!

Cheers,

Norman

“‘We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet.

‘Even longer,’ Pooh answered.” — Winnie-the-Pooh

Don’t forget to spay & neuter your cats & dogs.  There can be too much of a good thing!  There’s only so much catnip to go around. 

Cats and wildlife live longer when cats stay indoors. 

FELNE FAVORITE OF THE DAY

Bach and Chopin at El Refugio in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica

“A kitten is in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden – Robert Sowthey”