Where to adopt from?

dankidus

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
11
Purraise
0
Location
Bossier City, LA
Hello fellow feline flock,

I'm about to adopt my first cat (well, I've had 2 before, but this is my first cat as an adult living by myself), and I'm trying to decide between two different sources upon where to adopt my first.

Candidate one is Bossier City Animal Control. They have a feral cat that was found in a cat trap, is three months old, has updated shots, been tested for disease (all negative), yet they aren't willing to give it away yet because she is not friendly right yet (picked her up and she was agitated, hissed and ran back to the corner of the cage when placed back). I havn't a clue what their policies on euthanization are, but they do give out some pets to Petsmart after some period of time.

The other source is a local PetSaver in Shreveport (just on other side of the river), which is a "no-kill" alternative. They have a pretty large number of adoptable kittens which I plan on visiting today (if I get enough time during the work day). The website kind of makes me feel as they need help, as they ask for volunteers. I have yet to ask, but I have a feeling they do not vaccinate and test for disease (being a non-profit organization and such), so that is yet another expense I would be faced with.

To sum up, I have to decide between a city animal control, which probably euthanizes and does give away to Petsmart (the staff seems caring though), so I would most likely be saving a kittens life, and a no-kill shelter that needs help and support. Any insight / advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
 

misskitties

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
98
Purraise
1
Location
USA
Originally Posted by Dankidus

Hello fellow feline flock,

I'm about to adopt my first cat (well, I've had 2 before, but this is my first cat as an adult living by myself), and I'm trying to decide between two different sources upon where to adopt my first.

Candidate one is Bossier City Animal Control. They have a feral cat that was found in a cat trap, is three months old, has updated shots, been tested for disease (all negative), yet they aren't willing to give it away yet because she is not friendly right yet (picked her up and she was agitated, hissed and ran back to the corner of the cage when placed back). I havn't a clue what their policies on euthanization are, but they do give out some pets to Petsmart after some period of time.

The other source is a local PetSaver in Shreveport (just on other side of the river), which is a "no-kill" alternative. They have a pretty large number of adoptable kittens which I plan on visiting today (if I get enough time during the work day). The website kind of makes me feel as they need help, as they ask for volunteers. I have yet to ask, but I have a feeling they do not vaccinate and test for disease (being a non-profit organization and such), so that is yet another expense I would be faced with.

To sum up, I have to decide between a city animal control, which probably euthanizes and does give away to Petsmart (the staff seems caring though), so I would most likely be saving a kittens life, and a no-kill shelter that needs help and support. Any insight / advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
Well, I'll give you some things to think about.
How far are you willing to go for the cat you adopt? The feral cat at the animal control facility is going to take more time and patience. You're going to have to work with her to get her to trust you. I rescued 2 semi-feral cats when they were 3 months old. They came around pretty quickly, but that's because I spent time holding them, being very patient, letting them hide under the sofa for hours if they wanted to. I assure you that the cat will come around. I doubt the people at that facility are really taking a lot of time to hold her or just simply be around her to get her used to humans, no matter how nice they seem.
The cat the the animal control facility has less chance of finding a home. Animal control facilities do euthanize animals and they OFTEN euthanize feral cats. They don't really know how to care for cats like that. Also, there aren't going to be many people that go in there and see this cat that doesn't want to be picked up, hisses, seems scared, etc. and want to take it home with them. The kittens at the no-kill rescue are going to get adopted eventually. They're young, probably not feral, and they don't have the danger of euthanasia.
Wait to see if you bond with a cat. You might go to the no-kill rescue and find you instantly bond with one of the kittens there. Then you might just know that he/she is right for you. Then again, you might go there and have the feral kitten on your mind the whole time. Maybe that means she is the cat for you.

Also, it's pretty likely that the cats at the no-kill rescue have been to the vet, had vaccines, been tested, maybe even spayed/neutered (if they're old enough). No-kill rescues are always asking for help and volunteers. They don't often have paid workers. Most of the work is done by volunteers. A non-profit can never have enough volunteers.
 

misskitties

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
98
Purraise
1
Location
USA
I just looked at the website for the no-kill rescue you mentioned. It doesn't say whether or not the animals get examined and tested before adopted. A photo of one cat mentioned that he will soon be neutered, so they must get some vet care. Almost all of the no-kill rescues I know of provide the animals with basic vet care before adoption.

I cannot decide for your or tell you what to do, but I really don't think the costs of shots and spay/neuter should be the deciding factor. I don't know your situation, but if you're worried about that being an "extra expense," then I hope you are prepared for the emergency medical fees that can come along with a cat. My seven month old cat came down with an incurable disease. He had been neutered, tested, and vaccinated. I didn't expect that to happen, as many people with kittens don't.
 

icklemiss21

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 14, 2005
Messages
16,465
Purraise
20
Location
in the land of poutine and ice
I know Petsmart here just hold the kittens for us, they are a member of most shelter websites like adoptapet and offer free advertising for shelters through it so I would imagine they are not given to petsmart, but they use Petsmart facilities like we do here.

As a non-profit, no-kill all of our cats get vet care. Before they ever set their little paws in the shelter they have been held at the vet for advertising if found stray, been health checked, dewormed / flea treatments if neccessary and have all age appropriate vaccinations and speuter if old enough. We have hundreds of volunteers yet always accept new ones and have banners on our website for volunteers. New people bring new ideas and fresh life into shelters and you can never have too much help.

Since your no-kill even says kittens will be speutered after adoption at their expense I would imagine that they also do healthcare.

My honest recommendation is go to both and see who you bond with. I can't tell you the number of times I have had people come in saying 'I want 'Fluffy (or whatever cat)' from your website and they go home with the exact opposite. Or the people who come in wanting an orange short hair male who go home with a black long hair female etc. It should be about the bond you feel with them and which shelter makes you most comfortable.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

dankidus

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
11
Purraise
0
Location
Bossier City, LA
Money isn't the issue for me, it's the added inconvenience of going to the vet for such things. I'm basically on call for my job and scheduling for a vet can be very sketchy for me. Given - my boss is very understanding if theres an emergency, at least the vet part is taken care of by animal control. In either case, I know in my heart the liklihood of this kitten finding a home is pretty slim, which is why I lean on it. But I only want one cat, so if it's a mean one that will not like me...

Well, at least animal control isn't willing to let it go unless it becomes friendly with humans, or I'd likely have the kitten now... so maybe that will be my option. If I get time this week I'm going to go to the PetSavers (my week seems pretty filled up with out of town trips during the day. Ultimately, I guess it all depends which kitten tugs at my heart the most. The peril of the feral cat in the animal control shelter is such an attention grabber in my view.

Animal control gave a cute pair of kittens to Petsmart, I almost got one of those. However, one was licking the other while the other was sleeping, and I didnt have the heart to seperate them. I sure hope they find a home together.
 

opilot

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Oct 17, 2005
Messages
832
Purraise
4
Location
I live in the No. Va area near DC.
My 2 cents: get home visits from a visiting vet (you schedule and they come on YOUR time, LOL.) Also, feral cat will take time but probably IS NOT going to be wild in your home with you, lastly GET 2 cats not one esp if you get the feral. They will have each other for company and friendship when you are not home, and will play w/ eachother when you aren't available, LOL...
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

dankidus

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
11
Purraise
0
Location
Bossier City, LA
I found a cat and brought her home. She was given to the Caddo Parish Animal Shelter on the 22nd, will be 5 months on the 11th. I looked at her in the cage, she jumped up, I put my fingers slightly inside the cage and she rubbed against them. Couldn't resist! She has a squeaky meow and its absolutely adorable. Since then she has shown quite a bit of affection, rubbing against me and even sitting in my lap within an hour of having her home. Pictures don't do her justice as she is a very pretty shorthair tabby, but here is one: http://gallery.filefront.com/sparkin50//1149486/

I wish Iphone had a better camera.
 

misskitties

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
98
Purraise
1
Location
USA
She's beautiful. I love her pink nose! Good luck with her. I hope you have many wonderful years together.
 

mrblanche

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
12,578
Purraise
119
Location
Texas
Not just a tabby, but a patched tabby like Fastnoc's Tinker. Very pretty kitty.
 

momofmany

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
16,249
Purraise
70
Location
There's no place like home
Congratulations on your new kitty!

Just for the record, Petsmart doesn't take animals. They always work with local humane societies or rescue groups to give exposure to cats up for adoption. Petsmart doesn't sell them.
 
Top