Finding the right family to adopt my cats

July 22, 2005 1:23 PM

What are the right things to look for when screening potential adopters for your cats (or for pets in general)?

My dear 1-year-old cats Sophie and Chloe need a new home, due to significant changes in my schedule and health-related (my health) issues.

The organization that took them in as feral newborns has agreed to pre-screen potential adopters, but I want to make sure I'm well-prepared for screening as well. Any advice would be well-appreciated (and we're in the Boston area if any MeFites are looking for two kittens with lots of personality).

posted by VulcanMike to pets & animals (6 comments total)

Sorry to hear it.

One thing to do is ask for their vet's name and call him/her to ask about the potential adopters (this is commonly done by the better rescue groups). Another is to ask about their past pets, how long they lived and what happened to them (regardless of your own unfortunate situation, someone with a history of giving pets up is not someone you want to place your pets with). What their views on vet care are (you at least want someone who will take the cats in for a yearly exam and who can afford emergency care - ask what their plans are for this and if they have none, find someone else), what their level of knowledge about dietary needs is and what they plan to feed the cats, what their home is like (neat freaks and animals are often a bad mix) and if they are truly prepared for the inevitable mess pets bring (hair, barf, etc.). Do they plan to keep the cats indoors or outdoors (the vast majority of shelters and rescues will not place cats in homes where they will be allowed outdoors, for good reasons). Finally, observe how they interact with the cats: do they seem to actually LIKE cats, do the cats warm up to them in a reasonable amount of time, that sort of thing. Good luck, I know this must be very hard.
posted by biscotti at 2:42 PM on July 22, 2005

I've adopted three pets from the local humane society, and each time they've asked me to estimate how much I'll think I'll spend on food and vet bills every year. I'm guessing that it's so they can new pet owners who may think it's just a matter of picking up some Friskies at the grocery store each month that it can be significantly more than that.
posted by amarynth at 3:42 PM on July 22, 2005

Oops. So they can warn new pet owners...
posted by amarynth at 4:36 PM on July 22, 2005

Off the top of my head, the rescue group I am involved in asks about:

- home status. Prove that they own, or show that the rental agreement allows pets.

-past pets. If they have had any what happened to them? If they have ever surrendered an animal, why?

- current pets. Check if they will get on with the new pet.

- housemates. Does everyone know that they are adopting a pet? If not, they have to get permission.

- vet fees. How much would they be willing to spend per year?

I'm sure that the group you are working with will have a standard questionnaire: ask for a copy and see if it is missing anything that you want to know. It's also worth remembering that the group reserves the right to say no without explanation: if you just get a bad feeling about a potential adoptee, you have the same right.
posted by baggers at 4:45 PM on July 22, 2005

The adoption agencies I've gone through in the past require the landlord's name and phone number if renting, and will call the landlord to verify that they indeed allow pets.

One Humane Society I got a cat from also required a 48 hour 'cooling off' period in between picking out a cat, and giving the cat up for adoption. Gave them the time to screen landlords and references, and also made sure that it wasn't a rash decision on the part of the animal adopter.
posted by spinifex23 at 6:59 PM on July 22, 2005

Thanks for all of the advice, everyone. I'll definitely plan to ask those questions, or at least ensure that there are no gaps in the vetting done by the Cat Care Coalition.

I've also been reaching out to my social network and have a few good leads. I'd far prefer to give them to someone I know or who has been vouched for by someone I know.

Though I'm drifting towards self-linkage, here they are at Petfinder.
posted by VulcanMike at 8:42 PM on July 24, 2005