Evaluating shelter cats?

chellen2

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I was originally thinking about getting a purebred cat. I've never owned a purebred cat. However, there are so many cats in need of homes, I decided against it. I was looking at cats from rescues and I also visited a shelter. The local shelter is not no-kill. I know that "no kill" does not truly mean, no kill. However, I feel so bad for those animals-the cats and the dogs. The animals look so sad. It's heart wrenching.
The other issue is that, because these animals only spend a VERY short time outside their regular cages, it is difficult to get any kind of accurate idea of what their behavior will be like when they are in a new home. Evaluating animals in a foster home is easier, though I realize that a cat will behave differently in someone else's home than in mine but I think it's still a much better approximation.
Is there a way to tell what a cat in a shelter might be like?
 

ArtNJ

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Unless we are talking about an adult cat as to which they might have intel from a prior owner -- then not really no. You'll ask and you'll play with the cat, what else is there? Its all worth . . . something. Just not reliable, as you already know.

IMHO if you have dogs that might not be great with cats, senior cats or similar situations, maybe you adopt from somewhere else that fosters or the like so you can try and get a good fit. And don't feel bad or ashamed about it either, imho, your still taking care of a cat that needs taking care of. But if your home is easy enough, you may as well Forest Gump it. Acknowledge that adopting a cat is like opening a box of chocolates, and never knowing what your going to get.
 

Mamanyt1953

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Yep, and what you see may not be what you get. Cats in shelters are often depressed and frightened. When they get into a home, and have time to adjust, they can blossom into the cats that they are meant to be. Now, me, I ended up taking a cat sight-unseen, because the Humane Society I was working with to find a cat called me and asked me if I were willing to do a "foster with intent to adopt" with a cat who was withdrawn and starting to shut down. Since one of my main requests was a cat who needed me as much as I needed a cat, I said a resounding "YES!" and the rest is history. And the new love of my life is currently reading this over my shoulder as I type.
 

Kris107

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Are there qualities you're looking for? I agree, that it can be near-impossible to tell about seeing a cat in a cage. It can often be a roll of the dice. Fostering can give you a better idea if you don't want to make the leap of faith.
 
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chellen2

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Even with the cats in the "interaction" room, it's difficult because they just want to run around. I can understand that, after being in cages all day, everyday. The other issue is that I just feel so sorry for all of them, that I just want to save one of them from being euthanized, just because the cat has been there too long.
I have other cats. My favorite cat passed away a couple of months ago. I had her the longest and she was very social, very smart, a little bit sassy, but very attached to me. She was "my" cat. She followed me around and slept in my bed. My other cats are varying degrees of feral. One only stays upstairs in one room all day. I guess I'm looking for another cat that will be a companion and not just another cat in the house.
 

Kris107

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Perhaps you can see if any of the cats are clingy to you when you have it in the interaction room. Will it follow you around? Will it rub on you? Does it seek your attention? If that's what you're looking for, I'd wait until you see some signs. In the meantime, you can be the cats' hype person and tell all potential adopters the great qualities of each cat! 🙂
 

ArtNJ

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Given that you have unbonded cats and aren't looking for another, I strongly recommend a kitten of 16 weeks or less for the best chance.
 
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chellen2

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I've never raised a "normal" kitten. My experiences have been with feral/semi feral. However, the female who passed was an adult when I got her. She was coming to my house and wanted to be my cat, for some reason.
 

rubysmama

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I've adopted 2 adult cats from shelters.

The first, my sweet Ruby, head bumped me and purred like crazy when I opened the door to her kennel. However, when I picked her up she squirmed and went back in the kennel. Once home, she was basically the same cat. Loved to snuggle, and sleep on my lap. Absolutely hated being held or restrained in any way.

My second, Pretty who I just adopted in August, wasn't quite as eager to meet me, but did let me pet her. She also didn't seem to want to be picked up. Once home, she has become a velcro cat, and follows me from room to room, and loves sleeping on my lap. She still isn't fond of being held, but not quite to the extreme that Ruby was.

So from my experience the cats personality at the shelter turned out to be about the same once I brought them home. Depending on how long the cat was at the shelter, the shelter staff might have an idea of the cat's personality. Pretty's description said she'd she'd do best in a home where her parents had a lot of time to spend with her, and now that I have my little velcro cat, I see what they meant.
 

ArtNJ

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Yes, adults can often become just as affectionate as a home-raised kitten. I've only had one adult rescue, but she eventually became very bonded and trusting.

But to the extent you want the best odds, you want a young kitten. An adult that had a family could also work, but if you don't want to risk another aloof cat, I certainly wouldn't recommend trying to rehab a feral. There is just no guaranty you get a particularly bonded cat out of that.
 
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