There are so many great things about owning cats. They are loving, loyal, fun and great companions. They are also (usually) one of the easier pets to own. Finding the right cat for you does not have to be hard but does involve a bit of preparation. Here we will take you through the basics of how to adopt a cat.
Think About Your Needs
What are you looking for in a cat? There are lots of questions to think about and talk over with your family other than just what color you want. Here are a few of the main questions to ask:
–Do you want to adopt a kitten or an older cat? Both have advantages and disadvantages. Kittens are cute, little and adorable. They also have a ton of energy which can be a good or a bad thing depending on your lifestyle. Older cats usually come litter box trained and can be a chill companion. After we got married my husband and I went looking for two kittens. We got a 3 year old bonded pair that were an amazing pair.
–Would you be willing to adopt a senior cat or one with some health issues? Senior cats can be amazing companions. They are obviously older so they MAY have health issues sooner. But they might not. Sometimes they are in the shelter longer so they are even happier to live a great life in your house.
–Do you want one cat or maybe a bonded pair? If you already have pets or a busy house then a single cat may be the right answer. But, if you are bring home your first pet then maybe you want to bring home to. A bonded pair can keep each other company if you work a lot or add double the extra fun to your house.
Find a Shelter
ASPCA and petfinder are both great places to start your shelter search. Which shelters are the closest and which have available pets are probably the two biggest factors in picking a shelter. Two questions to ask are what is included in the adoption fee and where do the cats come from. Adoption fees may include spay/neuter, follow up care or microchipping. Some of the sources for shelter cats include transports, animal control and people giving up their pets.
Pick The Perfect Cat
If you can then go visit the cats! Or if they are in a foster home check them out on the web. See which one will be a good fit but do not forget that the cats will be a little shy at first. The shelter staff (or foster parents) may be able to give you some insight into their personality! Be sure to ask any questions you have but remember they may not have been at the shelter very long so they may not have a ton of information on the cats.

Prep For Your New Friend
First make sure you and your family are ready to adopt a cat. If you have kids let them know your cat or cats will be coming soon. Also, make sure you have a little more time the first few days to spend with your new cat. Buy some cat essentials including a box, litter and a few toys. Make sure to find out what food the shelter or foster has been giving them so that you can have some on hand.
Give Your Cat Time To Adjust
Your cat will need to decompress once she gets to your home. Make sure to give her places to hide and room and space to come out and visit when she is ready. Spraying some calming cat pheromones in the carrier or diffusing them in an area she will be in can also help ease the transition. In the end she may just need time to adjust to her sorroundings especially if you have other cats.
What’s Next?
Once they are settled in enjoy your new addition! I am sure your new pet will enjoy being in your home as much as you enjoy them being there.