Pussy cat, pussy cat... where to find you?
June 28, 2010 12:26 PM Subscribe
Is it better when adopting a new cat to get one from an animal shelter or from a local rescue group?
Last week, we lost our cat Jack to CRF at the too-young age of 11. Now, if I had my way, I'd mourn for a little longer before getting a new kitty, but we're afraid our remaining cat is too stressed by the sudden absence of his friend and needs companionship, stat. Since all three of the cats we've had found us, we're a little uncertain as to the best way to go about actively choosing a new kitty.
Bernard is about 2 - 2 1/2 years old and rather high-strung. We got him about 15 months ago after he was abandoned by a tenant in our apartment building when they moved out. He's currently on fluoxetine for anxiety that made him pee on beds, sweaters, blankets, etc. for the first few months we had him. He's pretty active and we worry that he'll get bored and depressed if he's alone for too much longer. We wonder what he does all day while we're at work now that he's the only cat in the house. He's also a little overweight (though we're starting to work on that more aggressively now that we're not spending so much time dealing with Jack's illness) and we don't want him to become a total lazy lump. He's very friendly with both people and other cats, so we don't worry too much about bringing a new kitty into the mix.
So, with all that in mind, we're wondering who would be best able to help us find a good match for Bernard, a shelter or a rescue group. We'd kind of like to adopt from a shelter because many/most/all of those kitties are on death row, but fear they are so overwhelmed and understaffed that they wouldn't be able to help us make a good match for Bernard's personality and needs. A rescue group seems like they'd be better suited for that, but the plight of their animals doesn't seem as dire as those in a shelter.
Any suggestions? Are we overthinking this?
Last week, we lost our cat Jack to CRF at the too-young age of 11. Now, if I had my way, I'd mourn for a little longer before getting a new kitty, but we're afraid our remaining cat is too stressed by the sudden absence of his friend and needs companionship, stat. Since all three of the cats we've had found us, we're a little uncertain as to the best way to go about actively choosing a new kitty.
Bernard is about 2 - 2 1/2 years old and rather high-strung. We got him about 15 months ago after he was abandoned by a tenant in our apartment building when they moved out. He's currently on fluoxetine for anxiety that made him pee on beds, sweaters, blankets, etc. for the first few months we had him. He's pretty active and we worry that he'll get bored and depressed if he's alone for too much longer. We wonder what he does all day while we're at work now that he's the only cat in the house. He's also a little overweight (though we're starting to work on that more aggressively now that we're not spending so much time dealing with Jack's illness) and we don't want him to become a total lazy lump. He's very friendly with both people and other cats, so we don't worry too much about bringing a new kitty into the mix.
So, with all that in mind, we're wondering who would be best able to help us find a good match for Bernard, a shelter or a rescue group. We'd kind of like to adopt from a shelter because many/most/all of those kitties are on death row, but fear they are so overwhelmed and understaffed that they wouldn't be able to help us make a good match for Bernard's personality and needs. A rescue group seems like they'd be better suited for that, but the plight of their animals doesn't seem as dire as those in a shelter.
Any suggestions? Are we overthinking this?
I am sorry about Jack.
And I think you're overthinking it. If you feel you'd prefer to go to a shelter, go to one and ask for help. If they can help, they will; if they can't, they'll suggest who can. Advice: don't go on a weekend, go on a weeknight or -- better yet -- a weekday, when there are fewer people adopting.
posted by jeather at 12:31 PM on June 28, 2010
And I think you're overthinking it. If you feel you'd prefer to go to a shelter, go to one and ask for help. If they can help, they will; if they can't, they'll suggest who can. Advice: don't go on a weekend, go on a weeknight or -- better yet -- a weekday, when there are fewer people adopting.
posted by jeather at 12:31 PM on June 28, 2010
I'm sorry about your loss.
We got our kitty from the Humane Society, and found not only that she was well taken care of, but they did a great job matching US with a cat who had a great personality.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:34 PM on June 28, 2010
We got our kitty from the Humane Society, and found not only that she was well taken care of, but they did a great job matching US with a cat who had a great personality.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:34 PM on June 28, 2010
Any kitty you adopt from a rescue group clears a space for one to come off death row.
posted by galadriel at 12:36 PM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by galadriel at 12:36 PM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
In my experience, rescue group people get to know their animals much better than shelter people do. So if you're concerned about the new cat's personality, you might want to go rescue group.
posted by copperykeen at 12:43 PM on June 28, 2010
posted by copperykeen at 12:43 PM on June 28, 2010
I would not restrict yourself to any one place - as long as the cats are healthy and well-socialized, you can find a winner anywhere. But it is a bit trickier to find a playmate for an existing cat.
I have gone cat shopping 3 separate times in the past year for myself and friends - each of us were getting an animal for an existing adult cat. Personality was very important, so we had to go to several places. Staff was helpful, regardless of location - and we made our decisions after a lot of inspection and handling/playing with potential cats. I ended up with a kitten from Petsmart, my friends each got a young cat from the humane society and animal control.
All three locations had lovely cats, all in need of good homes. But because we were looking for specific personality types, we didn't want to restrict ourselves to any one place. I'd suggest you not limit yourself to any one adoption facility - you'll be saving a kitten's life regardless of where you adopt and it's important to find a good match for Bernard.
posted by Wossname at 12:49 PM on June 28, 2010
I have gone cat shopping 3 separate times in the past year for myself and friends - each of us were getting an animal for an existing adult cat. Personality was very important, so we had to go to several places. Staff was helpful, regardless of location - and we made our decisions after a lot of inspection and handling/playing with potential cats. I ended up with a kitten from Petsmart, my friends each got a young cat from the humane society and animal control.
All three locations had lovely cats, all in need of good homes. But because we were looking for specific personality types, we didn't want to restrict ourselves to any one place. I'd suggest you not limit yourself to any one adoption facility - you'll be saving a kitten's life regardless of where you adopt and it's important to find a good match for Bernard.
posted by Wossname at 12:49 PM on June 28, 2010
As far as saving animals, rescue societies often take animals from the humane society if they have the volunteers and the space, so adopting from a rescue group will probably mean a kitty saved from death row, therefore humane society vs rescue group is probably neutral in that respect.
Personally, I adopted two of my cats from a local rescue society (NASAP) and I did so in part because I wanted to financially support a no-kill, volunteer-led organization. Also, because the cats are kept in homes, you have a better idea of how they act in homes: many of the cats on NASAPs website specify whether or not they are good with other animals, good with young children, etc.
posted by Kurichina at 12:52 PM on June 28, 2010
Personally, I adopted two of my cats from a local rescue society (NASAP) and I did so in part because I wanted to financially support a no-kill, volunteer-led organization. Also, because the cats are kept in homes, you have a better idea of how they act in homes: many of the cats on NASAPs website specify whether or not they are good with other animals, good with young children, etc.
posted by Kurichina at 12:52 PM on June 28, 2010
Just want to chime in and say that my family had a great experience at animal control. Our local pound had lots of volunteers who clearly had spent time learning about the kitties on death row. We found a real charmer of a cat there, and the volunteers were able to tell us quite a bit about her personality. I've also had good experiences at rescues. Basically, the fact that you're willing to do the pound or a rescue is a win-win any way you look at it --- you'll either keep a cat off death row at the pound, or take one off the rescue's hands which leaves them able to get another from the pound.
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:59 PM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:59 PM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
I am sorry for your loss of Jack.
Sounds like Bernard would do better with an adult cat that matches his personality than a rambunctious kitten.
When "shopping" for a companion 2ed cat, the shelters were very helpful with the personalities of the different cats. We were looking for a laid back easy going adult cat. The volunteers were very knowledgeable and matched us up with the perfect cat.
Adult cats are hard to place because people feel like they need the animal as a baby to bond with them. The bonding process is just as strong when you take an adult cat into your household. My last three cats were acquired as adults and all were wonderful and loving.
posted by JujuB at 1:17 PM on June 28, 2010
Sounds like Bernard would do better with an adult cat that matches his personality than a rambunctious kitten.
When "shopping" for a companion 2ed cat, the shelters were very helpful with the personalities of the different cats. We were looking for a laid back easy going adult cat. The volunteers were very knowledgeable and matched us up with the perfect cat.
Adult cats are hard to place because people feel like they need the animal as a baby to bond with them. The bonding process is just as strong when you take an adult cat into your household. My last three cats were acquired as adults and all were wonderful and loving.
posted by JujuB at 1:17 PM on June 28, 2010
A rescue group is likely to handle details for you like spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, as well as basic health assessment and personality assessment (maybe shelters do this now, I don't know) You're less likely to end up with a kitten with an active or about-to-be active cold.
The adoption process with a rescue group can be longer - a week for our group, possibly less, but with the application etc. it seems to take about that long.
posted by amtho at 1:47 PM on June 28, 2010
The adoption process with a rescue group can be longer - a week for our group, possibly less, but with the application etc. it seems to take about that long.
posted by amtho at 1:47 PM on June 28, 2010
Very sorry about your loss of Jack. It sounds as though you gave him a wonderful life.
You will be doing good no matter which choice you make, but I'd like to advocate for a shelter for a few reasons:
1. In general, you can adopt more quickly from a shelter, which is probably better for Bernard.
2. It's pretty desperate at most shelters. They are usually local government funded, meaning they are short on all resources, overloaded with animals, and hence more likely to euthanize quickly.
3. There is a huge selection at most shelters. You will find the right personality to match with Bernard.
4. It is less expensive, usually, to adopt from a shelter.
I have adopted from a rescue organization (once) in my career of adoptions, and still support that group with volunteering and some contributions, but I used it because I wanted a particular breed of dog. Be aware that many rescue animals, including the wonderful dog I adopted, have especially difficult histories. (Mine was starved and beaten and neglected.)
posted by bearwife at 2:33 PM on June 28, 2010
You will be doing good no matter which choice you make, but I'd like to advocate for a shelter for a few reasons:
1. In general, you can adopt more quickly from a shelter, which is probably better for Bernard.
2. It's pretty desperate at most shelters. They are usually local government funded, meaning they are short on all resources, overloaded with animals, and hence more likely to euthanize quickly.
3. There is a huge selection at most shelters. You will find the right personality to match with Bernard.
4. It is less expensive, usually, to adopt from a shelter.
I have adopted from a rescue organization (once) in my career of adoptions, and still support that group with volunteering and some contributions, but I used it because I wanted a particular breed of dog. Be aware that many rescue animals, including the wonderful dog I adopted, have especially difficult histories. (Mine was starved and beaten and neglected.)
posted by bearwife at 2:33 PM on June 28, 2010
I'm just noting in advance that this is one of my buttons, and I pressed it myself by reading your message.
There's a vanishingly small set of circumstances under which I would adopt from any rescue organization that's local to me. I've had one animal from a rescue group, and it wound up going back because of various problems. I tried to adopt twice from different groups and was declined for various reasons (last one? My existing cat eats dry food and detests wet food, so obviously I'd been feeding him wrong and wouldn't take care of $new_kitty). Every rescue group I've encountered has a 3-5 page "application" and insists on home visits, calling my landlord, and bringing reams of paperwork.
Contrast this with when I've adopted kitties from the city-run animal shelter: My most recent kitty came with a microchip, a free initial vet visit, and a grooming voucher(!), all for $55. It would have been $10 cheaper if I'd been a city resident. Each time I've adopted from a shelter, the volunteers have been insightful, patient, and knowledgeable about all of their animals. Plus, the adoption process consists of showing ID (to determine if I'm a resident and so have to follow that city's animal registration requirements) and paying the adoption fee.
Rescue groups seem more intent on collecting up a whole bunch of animals and caring for them for the rest of the animals' lives. This is a laudable goal, but it's not what they're advertising. I admit I'm sore at being told I'm not a good cat owner after having several cats who lived long and healthy lives both with me out on my own and with my family before I left home. Any group is entitled to be selective, and I'm allowed to not patronize them, so that's where I'm at.
tl;dr: I'd recommend a shelter. :)
posted by fireoyster at 3:39 PM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
There's a vanishingly small set of circumstances under which I would adopt from any rescue organization that's local to me. I've had one animal from a rescue group, and it wound up going back because of various problems. I tried to adopt twice from different groups and was declined for various reasons (last one? My existing cat eats dry food and detests wet food, so obviously I'd been feeding him wrong and wouldn't take care of $new_kitty). Every rescue group I've encountered has a 3-5 page "application" and insists on home visits, calling my landlord, and bringing reams of paperwork.
Contrast this with when I've adopted kitties from the city-run animal shelter: My most recent kitty came with a microchip, a free initial vet visit, and a grooming voucher(!), all for $55. It would have been $10 cheaper if I'd been a city resident. Each time I've adopted from a shelter, the volunteers have been insightful, patient, and knowledgeable about all of their animals. Plus, the adoption process consists of showing ID (to determine if I'm a resident and so have to follow that city's animal registration requirements) and paying the adoption fee.
Rescue groups seem more intent on collecting up a whole bunch of animals and caring for them for the rest of the animals' lives. This is a laudable goal, but it's not what they're advertising. I admit I'm sore at being told I'm not a good cat owner after having several cats who lived long and healthy lives both with me out on my own and with my family before I left home. Any group is entitled to be selective, and I'm allowed to not patronize them, so that's where I'm at.
tl;dr: I'd recommend a shelter. :)
posted by fireoyster at 3:39 PM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
We've had successful adoptions from both the animal shelter and a rescue group. Both experiences were positive and the two cats were wonderful matches for our family. We did notice differences with the procedures and you might want to be aware of them.
With the animal shelter, we went and checked out all the cats available at a shelter near our home. We read the descriptions of the cats and decided to see how one or two of the cats responded to us in the visit room. We had decided on a particular cat, but he wasn't adoptable until he was neutered and my husband wasn't 100% sure on him. As we were leaving, my husband realized that a cat we'd passed on earlier because she was part of a pair was now solo. Her partner has been adopted while we were in the visit room. He wanted to take a look at her and she literally climbed into his arms, curled up and started purring. We filled out the adoption application, paid the fee and took her home that night. She lived with us for the next 13 years. She came from the shelter spayed and in wonderful health.
With the rescue group, we inquired about a particular cat. The application for the cat was 4 pages long and required a home visit. Based upon the application, the rescue group decided the cat was not right for us and asked us to consider another cat. She had the personality we were looking for but was not the breed we were looking to adopt. We had to schedule the home visit. Then we had to schedule a visit with the cat. After that, we had to get approval for the adoption to proceed and then schedule her pick up. The rescue group made a great suggestion in her and she's been with us now for over a year. However, she came to us infected with fleas, ear mites and tape worms. The home caring for her had multiple cats and dogs. As soon as we had her checked by the vet (the day we picked her up), we called the foster family and advised that they needed to get all the animals in their care examined. They were shocked. With as bad as her ears were, I honestly don't know how they didn't realize they had a problem. I would hope that was just this one home and not the norm with rescue groups.
In all, I found the shelter faster and easier to work with. I also found the cat to be in better overall health. I found the rescue group knew more about the cat's personality and made a great suggestion for a match.
I wish you luck with either path you take.
posted by onhazier at 5:51 PM on June 28, 2010
With the animal shelter, we went and checked out all the cats available at a shelter near our home. We read the descriptions of the cats and decided to see how one or two of the cats responded to us in the visit room. We had decided on a particular cat, but he wasn't adoptable until he was neutered and my husband wasn't 100% sure on him. As we were leaving, my husband realized that a cat we'd passed on earlier because she was part of a pair was now solo. Her partner has been adopted while we were in the visit room. He wanted to take a look at her and she literally climbed into his arms, curled up and started purring. We filled out the adoption application, paid the fee and took her home that night. She lived with us for the next 13 years. She came from the shelter spayed and in wonderful health.
With the rescue group, we inquired about a particular cat. The application for the cat was 4 pages long and required a home visit. Based upon the application, the rescue group decided the cat was not right for us and asked us to consider another cat. She had the personality we were looking for but was not the breed we were looking to adopt. We had to schedule the home visit. Then we had to schedule a visit with the cat. After that, we had to get approval for the adoption to proceed and then schedule her pick up. The rescue group made a great suggestion in her and she's been with us now for over a year. However, she came to us infected with fleas, ear mites and tape worms. The home caring for her had multiple cats and dogs. As soon as we had her checked by the vet (the day we picked her up), we called the foster family and advised that they needed to get all the animals in their care examined. They were shocked. With as bad as her ears were, I honestly don't know how they didn't realize they had a problem. I would hope that was just this one home and not the norm with rescue groups.
In all, I found the shelter faster and easier to work with. I also found the cat to be in better overall health. I found the rescue group knew more about the cat's personality and made a great suggestion for a match.
I wish you luck with either path you take.
posted by onhazier at 5:51 PM on June 28, 2010
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posted by SpecialK at 12:30 PM on June 28, 2010