Didn't Think Finding A Cat Was This Hard!

This is more of a ramble than anything, but I'm getting a bit impatient here. Ever since I made the official decision to get a second cat, I've been looking forward to having another kitty around the house. With so many cats needing to be rehomed or adopted, I didn't think it'd be too hard... turns out I was wrong.

We had our eye on a sweet looking Siamese kitty, but distance was an issue, so it didn't work out. Then it was a long haired boy, but he was adopted before we had a chance. We also visited adoption events at Petco/Petsmart. That didn't work either.

Some cats were too shy, some cats had to be an "only cat", and some cats just plain hated dogs. Some were on the mean side, some were on the overly fearful side, and others were complete outside cats, which isn't something we want.

The majority of the cats around here are kittens, which isn't exactly what I'm looking for. I want to have an older cat that may be overlooked because he/she isn't "cute" or "small" anymore, a cat that's calm and sweet and looking to be loved.

Still continuing to look, but I could use some good vibes!

Let me tell you, if you came into our shelter, I could point out a cat that would suit your needs. You probably would have loved Stevie, and could have saved his life. But I've never seen a shelter that doesn't have a pretty good variety. Unless (and I've heard of this) someone in control just doesn't like adults.

Stevie:

I think the right kitty will find you soon enough.

I have one for you who loves people, cats and dogs yet has been in the shelter for about 2 months already, an adorable white and grey long-hair.

Sometime I found with the no kids / cats / dogs notes on cats at most shelters, they are there needlessly. A local rescue here puts them on all cats she adopts but she has them all in one room and the slightest hiss when settling gets them a no cats note and since she doesnt intro them to children / dogs they all get them.


Most times those notes are put on when they come in to the rescue group and most cats are grumpy the first day ( or week ). We revisit our write ups every few weeks to make sure they are accurate but many shelters around here have the same writeups for months

This is absurd. How can wonderful cats that sound so perfect stay in the shelter for so long? I would have taken these kitties in a heartbeat.

There actually are quite a few adults in shelters and rescues, but the large majority of them do not like dogs. I don't know if this is actually true on the cat's part, or if it's the rescue group or shelter being extra strict on what homes their cats go to, because the idea of a large breed dog is not appealing to them.

Either way, I know good things are worth the wait... I just wish I didn't have to wait so long!

Most cats at the shelter here flip with they first see a dog, but in a home will eventually adapt to a dog. We have everything from adults to kittens to seniors - some declawed most not. But when it comes to picking one out - that is very hard, I don't envy you!

Same with us, one of our receptionists fosters guide dogs in training so we test the cats with her very well behaved guide dog, who lives with cats, rather than the shelter dogs because we dont know what vibe they will give off to the cats.

This is our one who adores the company of the dog ( a golden)

The first time I introduced them, the dog licked him and he rolled over for the other side to be groomed by the dog purring

That is sad. I've noticed that a lot as well, that they'll usually just label a cat "no dogs" or whatever else, without actually checking to make sure the cat even has that issue! Hopefully the right kitty will find you soon, I know the wait is almost unbarlable but think about how much it'll be worth it when you find the PURRRFECT member for your family =0) Good luck!

Have you tried petfinder? I know you probably have, but, wanted to ask anyways... Another option would be a rescue - they tend to know their cats a little better IMO.... Especially if the cat is already in a foster home with dogs

There are two sweet adult sister cats here in NYC who are in danger of being separated after 5 years together after having been dumped by their owner.

It'd be a long drive but lotsa cat company!!

I know a lot of people don't like Craigslist and there are horror stories out there, but have you checked it?

I got my first kitten off of Craigslist, and the whole story had a happy ending. A gal found a ferral cat with kittens, she managed to trap the mom and get the kittens. She had the mom spayed, and socialized the kittens and found them homes. She had a pretty good screening process too, I needed to provide her my vet's number as a reference and also show her my pet contract with my apartment. She emailed me a few weeks ago to see how everything was going. There are crazies on Craigslist, but also a lot of honest normal folks.

I browse on Craigslist just to kill time, and there are lots of adult cats that need homes. And these are personal pets being advertised by the owners, so they will know if they're good with dogs or not. With the stinky economy these days, a lot of people are having to give up their pets and are afraid of what might happen at a shelter. I've seen lots of ads of intelligent normal folks who obviously care a lot about their animals but they know they can't provide for them and have to give them up.

It takes some discretion, of course, but Craigslist can be an option when looking for a pet.

There is definitely a difference between cats that will tollerate dogs & those that actually like them. Keep searching, Trent looks like a cuddler and I bet he'd prefer another cat that actually likes him .

Craigslist (etc) make me SO depressed. There are TONS of cats around here in need of good homes and I'm sure never find them . Seriously! How many people in the city of Ottawa can spontanously come down with cat-allergies after 5, 8 or even 14 years of cat ownership!!! I want to take them ALL (a.k.a. why I stay AWAY from those sites!!!).

However, that is how we found our wonder-dog Kayla. We picked her up from a couple (and soon to be +1) in a house that was way too small and became her 4th home at 9 months. This is the same dog that allows my toddler to ride her like a pony (poor, poor girl!), cleans the kitten's bum every chance she gets and actually asked to go out yesterday because she had to puke!

Those guys really don't know what they are missing!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. It really helps.

Although I have to admit the pictures aren't doing me much good. I am now way too tempted to start driving across the country to snatch those poor kitties up.

Petfinder, Craigslist, Rescues, I'm keeping tabs on them all. Our current cat, Bree, was actually found on Craigslist. She was an awesome, gorgeous little cat, being rehomed for a completely stupid reason (not that there are many good reasons to begin with). I wasn't planning on a cat then, only browsing to look for a larger crate for the dog, but that had to be the best spur of the moment decision I've made yet

The cats on Petfinder are always the cats at the rescues or adoption events I go to. The problem with the rescues is that they do seem to be on the strict side and it's easy to see that they are reluctant to adopt a cat out to a home with a young, large breed dog, especially since some German shepherds do have a high prey drive. Trent is wonderfully behaved around Bree, and although he crowded her too much at first, he knows cats aren't for chasing and that Bree doesn't appreciate licks and cuddles. He definitely is a cuddler and I know he'd love a cat that would love on him.

Bree's definitely a cat that tolerates dogs - tolerates, and no more. She enjoys being in the same room as him, but the moment he gets remotely close, she's on guard. If he dare put her muzzle within a foot of her, *wham!* he gets it, and I have to lead the heartbroken guy away.

A dog friendly cat would be nice for all of us!

The right cat will come...

ASK your shelter how they determine dog or no dog cats ... one shelter here lists NO CATS as being dog friendly .. they list either no dogs or dog maybe since they only walk dogs thru the cat areas and see the reactions..

Originally Posted by Nes

Seriously! How many people in the city of Ottawa can spontanously come down with cat-allergies after 5, 8 or even 14 years of cat ownership!!! I want to take them ALL

(a.k.a. why I stay AWAY from those sites!!!).

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I know, that is probably the number one excuse (excuse not reason) people give their animals to our shelter. When they come in to surrender them, they arent sneezing or covered in hives. Maybe 5% are actual allergies and usually with children not them

It doesn't help that the first thing a doctor will say when he diagnoses allergies is to get rid of the cat. I ended up doing a lot of research and found ways to live with my cats and my allergies. And I still don't think they are the primary cause of my sneezing. Generally, Carly and I will start having problems about the same time.

Keep looking and keep your heart open. The right one may show up on your doorstep.

Good luck in your mission. I know you'll find the right cat.

Originally Posted by katachtig

It doesn't help that the first thing a doctor will say when he diagnoses allergies is to get rid of the cat. I ended up doing a lot of research and found ways to live with my cats and my allergies. And I still don't think they are the primary cause of my sneezing. Generally, Carly and I will start having problems about the same time.

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Oh, I can not stand it when doctors do that! That happened to me many years ago. I was hospitalized for an anxiety attack. The doctor decided that it was an asthma attack and that my cat absolutely had to go, even though, I had her for a year and a half. I loved that cat so much. Sadly, this ridiculous doctor told me that I could keep my cat, but I might lay down one night and not wake up the next morning. My parents, who I did not live with and lived 2hrs away from me, heard him say this, so what did they do? They went back to my apartment and got rid of her. I had NO idea until I got home from being hospitalized for a week. I never could find out who had her, so I could try to get her back. To this day, I still get upset when I think about it. I live with 4 cats now, and have helped with many orphaned kittens and homeless adults since then. Well, I'm still here, aren't I?

Ok, enough of my rambling. Sorry about that. Here are for the right one to come along for you. You will find that right one. I lost one and it took me almost 4yrs before I found that special cat, but I did and it was definitely hard, but well worth the wait. You'll just know. What's that saying? You normally find what you're looking for when you least expect it? I wish you the best of luck on your search!

Originally Posted by TortietudeLove

Oh, I can not stand it when doctors do that! That happened to me many years ago. I was hospitalized for an anxiety attack. The doctor decided that it was an asthma attack and that my cat absolutely had to go, even though, I had her for a year and a half. I loved that cat so much. Sadly, this ridiculous doctor told me that I could keep my cat, but I might lay down one night and not wake up the next morning. My parents, who I did not live with and lived 2hrs away from me, heard him say this, so what did they do? They went back to my apartment and got rid of her. I had NO idea until I got home from being hospitalized for a week. I never could find out who had her, so I could try to get her back. To this day, I still get upset when I think about it. I live with 4 cats now, and have helped with many orphaned kittens and homeless adults since then. Well, I'm still here, aren't I?

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That's HORRIBLE! I'm so sorry they did that to you! My allergy doc looked at me like I had 4 heads when the did my allergy testing. He asked if I had cats (when we started) and when we were done said "well, I guess you can keep your kitties" I told him I wouldn't get rid of them even if I WAS allergic.

Originally Posted by P&R

That's HORRIBLE! I'm so sorry they did that to you! My allergy doc looked at me like I had 4 heads when the did my allergy testing. He asked if I had cats (when we started) and when we were done said "well, I guess you can keep your kitties" I told him I wouldn't get rid of them even if I WAS allergic.

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It was really bad. She was the only pet I had at that time, and I didn't see her as a pet. She was my family and my roommate. I never felt so alone as I did when I got home to find her gone. She was a tortie point Himalayan mix that I had found as a stray and had taken her in. She couldn't have been more than 6wks old when I found her. She even loved to go for rides in the car with me. I had a bed for her in the backseat and she would just curl up there for the length of the ride.

That's great that you aren't allergic to them! I agree. My doctor recently asked me if I had considered having an allergy test done, and I told him that I had thought about it, but had never had one done. He knows that I have dogs and cats. I told him that if I decide to have the test and we find out that I have allergies to my furry babies, then we would need to figure out something, because I'm not letting any of these go.