Purrfect Pet: How to Choose a Rescue Cat
Dr Lisa Chimes, a veterinarian from 'Bondi Vet' and 'Dr Lisa to the Rescue', shares advice on selecting a shelter cat
Dr Lisa Chimes
14 June 2018
Houzz Australia contributor. I am a veterinarian and host of 'Dr Lisa to the Rescue' on the Nine TV network. I live in Sydney with my husband Brad, our two children Hudson and Darcie and two cavalier cross poodles, Nelson and Lucas.
Houzz Australia contributor. I am a veterinarian and host of 'Dr Lisa to the Rescue'... More
Animal shelters across the country are filled with stray, mistreated and abandoned cats who are all in desperate need of a loving family. Cats are often considered ‘low-maintenance’ pets, but don’t be fooled! All pets need a lot of care and attention, and before adopting a cat you need to make sure you are going to be in it for the long haul.
The last thing we want as vets is for cats to end up back in the shelters. Because of this, it is crucial to carefully consider the financial and lifestyle factors involved before adding a new furry member to your family.
The last thing we want as vets is for cats to end up back in the shelters. Because of this, it is crucial to carefully consider the financial and lifestyle factors involved before adding a new furry member to your family.
Lifestyle factors
- Cats can live 15-20 years or more, so be prepared for the feeding, medication and veterinary costs over this time. I strongly suggest you acquire a pet health insurance policy to reduce any unexpected medical expenses.
- If you live in a rental property, are cats allowed?
- Will the cat be left alone for extended periods? Long periods of isolation are not ideal and can lead to behavioural problems for your cat.
What are your foreseeable plans in terms of work, travel, children and other pets? Can you fit a cat into your lifestyle? Keep in mind that your existing pets may not tolerate a new cat being introduced into the household, so it is imperative to speak to your vet or animal behaviourist about whether your pet will cope with the addition.
- Is your home cat-ready? You will need space for multiple litter trays, feeding areas, elevated rest areas, scratching posts and interactive toys. You can even think about installing an outdoor cat enclosure if your home accommodates this.
A kitten or adult cat?
Kittens, while completely adorable, are a lot of work. They crave attention and need to be played with and entertained. Kittens are messy and mischievous, so make sure your home is kitten-proofed and be prepared for lots of cleaning. Kittens will also need some help with toilet training, which is usually a much easier task compared to training a puppy.
Adult cats are usually calmer and more independent, but can have pre-existing behavioural and medical issues, so it’s important that you discuss these factors with the shelter and are fully aware of any extra commitments. Although adopting a cat with health problems can be challenging, it is also very rewarding to give these cats a second chance at a wonderful life.
Furry Faces: How to Take Better Photos of Your Pet
Kittens, while completely adorable, are a lot of work. They crave attention and need to be played with and entertained. Kittens are messy and mischievous, so make sure your home is kitten-proofed and be prepared for lots of cleaning. Kittens will also need some help with toilet training, which is usually a much easier task compared to training a puppy.
Adult cats are usually calmer and more independent, but can have pre-existing behavioural and medical issues, so it’s important that you discuss these factors with the shelter and are fully aware of any extra commitments. Although adopting a cat with health problems can be challenging, it is also very rewarding to give these cats a second chance at a wonderful life.
Furry Faces: How to Take Better Photos of Your Pet
Do you have children?
Kittens that grow up with children usually become cats that are very tolerant of a child’s behaviour. However, very young children are often a little rough for small kittens, so extra supervision is needed.
While adult cats are more resilient, not all of them are comfortable around children, so make sure you carefully select a cat with the right temperament that will cope in a home with kids. It’s a good idea to take your children to the shelter to interact with the cats – the staff there will be able to help you find a cat that is suitable.
At home, make sure your cat has plenty of hiding places and kid-free zones to escape to if they need some peace and quiet.
Kittens that grow up with children usually become cats that are very tolerant of a child’s behaviour. However, very young children are often a little rough for small kittens, so extra supervision is needed.
While adult cats are more resilient, not all of them are comfortable around children, so make sure you carefully select a cat with the right temperament that will cope in a home with kids. It’s a good idea to take your children to the shelter to interact with the cats – the staff there will be able to help you find a cat that is suitable.
At home, make sure your cat has plenty of hiding places and kid-free zones to escape to if they need some peace and quiet.
Do you have other pets?
Not all cats get along with other cats, and it can be a very long process to introduce a new cat to an existing family cat, with no guarantee of success. It is a similar situation with dogs too. If you have a pet at home that will tolerate a new cat, make sure you choose a cat that will be tolerant too.
Feline Boundaries: A Vet States the Case for Keeping Cats Indoors
Not all cats get along with other cats, and it can be a very long process to introduce a new cat to an existing family cat, with no guarantee of success. It is a similar situation with dogs too. If you have a pet at home that will tolerate a new cat, make sure you choose a cat that will be tolerant too.
Feline Boundaries: A Vet States the Case for Keeping Cats Indoors
What’s the cat’s personality like?
Just like people, cats come with many different personality traits. Some are adventurous, highly curious and full of confidence, while others can be shy, lazy and even anxious. Spend time with the cats at the shelter and choose one that ticks the right boxes for you.
Just like people, cats come with many different personality traits. Some are adventurous, highly curious and full of confidence, while others can be shy, lazy and even anxious. Spend time with the cats at the shelter and choose one that ticks the right boxes for you.
How much grooming?
Cats with long fur require far more grooming than those with a shorter coat. Keep in mind that cats shed their fur – the more fur they have, the more you’ll find in your home. Some cats are close to hairless, and may be more suitable for people with allergies.
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Cats with long fur require far more grooming than those with a shorter coat. Keep in mind that cats shed their fur – the more fur they have, the more you’ll find in your home. Some cats are close to hairless, and may be more suitable for people with allergies.
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Should you adopt more than one cat?
Having more than one cat at home can help to reduce boredom and increase physical activity, which are important for your cat’s overall health and wellbeing. Kittens do very well in pairs – they will be great companions and will keep each other entertained, which is something to consider if they are going to be left alone for long periods. Sometimes you can adopt two bonded adult cats, which is a great option if you are not keen on kittens.
Having more than one cat at home can help to reduce boredom and increase physical activity, which are important for your cat’s overall health and wellbeing. Kittens do very well in pairs – they will be great companions and will keep each other entertained, which is something to consider if they are going to be left alone for long periods. Sometimes you can adopt two bonded adult cats, which is a great option if you are not keen on kittens.
Don’t rush your decision
The best advice I can offer as a vet is to never make an impulsive decision when adopting a cat. If you take your time and choose your cat carefully, you will find your perfect companion. Your vet, animal behaviourist or experienced shelter staff will be able to guide you in the right direction.
The best advice I can offer as a vet is to never make an impulsive decision when adopting a cat. If you take your time and choose your cat carefully, you will find your perfect companion. Your vet, animal behaviourist or experienced shelter staff will be able to guide you in the right direction.
Tell us
Do you have a rescue cat? Tell us about your feline companion in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like or share this story or save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Read more pet stories
Do you have a rescue cat? Tell us about your feline companion in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like or share this story or save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Read more pet stories
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And while at clear the shelter day - donate - a $50 or a $100 isn't that much to me but it will keep an animal in food/meds for quite some time - could literally be the difference between life and death.
"Dude - what did you do with the remote?" Jagg. They had already lopped off the top of the left ear as he was "earmarked" to be a farm cat - he would not have survived. He is a cuddly sweet heart but not that bright. We'll let him out this November so he will come back in quick. We'll let Mao Mao ("Kitty Kitty" in Chinese) out with him to keep an eye on him - he is a wise old soul and puts up with the rambunctious Jagg for a while - then escapes to the outdoors.
@dreamdoctor, feral are often ear-tipped or earmarked when they are neutered so that they can be easily recognized. They don't need to be re-trapped in a TNR (trap, neuter, return/release) program. Jackson Galaxy has the tipped cats in about half of the drawing in Total Cat Mojo.
I am so glad that Jagg has found a good home with you.
Btw, I don't know if female feral are also tipped. My Daisy wasn't tipped, but she probably wasn't feral either.
carolkelley - Jagg was part of a I-can't-believe-how-cool-it-is-program. A women's' correctional facility - Mitchelville (sp?) - has inmates that are scheduled for release in-the-not-too-distant-future acclimate the cats to human contact. He must have been feral or close to it - he clawed up the volunteer at the ARL in Des Moines when we went to see cats for adoption. And I still knew he was the right one. He stayed in the bathroom after the door had been opened for two weeks. I would pet him a couple times every day for about fifteen minutes - I'm the only one he lets near him. He loves to be loved but is easily spooked - must have had a hard young life.
Her helped me come up with a saying that describes many types of living beings, "Why do I like to pet some cats? Because they like to be petted."
"Animal" - a title used to dehumanize/legitimize a feeling being. They love, they play, they feel loss and sadness.