Free Kittens to Good Home

About Free Kittens to Good Homes

The fact is, there is an overabundance of cute, cuddly kittens that need owners to care for them. Whether you are a person who needs to give kittens away or someone thinking about adoption, there are a number of things you should consider before going through with your plans.

From the Giver's Perspective

What to Look for in a Potential Owner

One of the most important things you should do when offering free kittens to good homes is spend a little time getting to know the person who wants to adopt one. The time you'll have during an interview won't be long enough to tell you everything you need to know, but it should be just long enough for you to get a sense of whether this person will make a kind and responsible care giver. You may not find the ideal family for each kitten, but you should be able to determine which people are most likely to provide good, stable homes.

Look for:

• A calm attitude
• Gentle handling of the kitten
• A little prior knowledge of cat care
• A willingness to provide vaccinations and vet care as needed

Watch out for:

• A nervous or unsure attitude about taking the kitten
• A sense that a free kitten is not a valuable kitten
• Any resistance to follow up veterinary care
• Anyone who tells you the kitten will be an "outside" cat
• Households with dogs, unless the person demonstrates an understanding of what to do to introduce the pets and keep the kitten safe

What Makes a "Good" Home?

Although it may seem a bit prejudicial, it is a far better proposition to give a free kitten to a home owner, rather than someone who tells you they are renting. Many rental homes and apartment complexes prohibit pet ownership, and renters may eventually move to a new location only to find that their new lease doesn't allow them to keep pets. There are many perfectly fine animals sitting in shelters that were given up by loving owners because they weren't allowed to make the move to the next dwelling. While there's no guarantee a home owner won't eventually give up the kitten, the odds are slightly in the kitten's favor that it has found a home for life.

Additionally, it's helpful to invite the potential adopter to bring the family along so you can see how they react with each other, as well as how they handle the kitten. Look for generally harmonious, if not perfect interactions. Avoid giving a kitten to someone acting as a go-between for someone else, and ask to meet the potential adopter face to face.

Be sure to ask if there are any other pets in the home and how the adopter will handle the introductions. Also ask what will happen to the kitten if the pets don't get along.

From the Adoptive Pet Owner's Perspective

As a potential adoptive pet parent, there are many things you should carefully consider before making a decision to bring a new kitten into your home. Here are two of the most important factors.

Health

Ideally, many of us would prefer to bring home a healthy kitten, but there's always a chance your heart will be stolen by a woeful little feline that's suffering from some sort of illness or injury. If you choose to come to the kitten's rescue, you must consider whether you will be able to pay for veterinary care and accommodate the kitten's needs through recovery and beyond.

If you wish to choose the healthiest kitten you can find, here are the signs to look for:

• A bright and inquisitive nature
• Clear eyes and nose, free from any crusty discharge
• A well groomed coat without signs of parasites, lesions or wounds
• A clean rectum
• Ears without signs of dirt debris or irritation

Keep in mind that choosing a healthy kitten doesn't mean it will always remain that way. You may indeed need to visit the vet someday, so consider the expense of vaccinations and routine care into your decision.

Socialization

Be aware you may meet up with a kind-hearted soul who has found a litter of feral kittens and is trying to give them away with the best of intentions. Feral kittens have likely spent a good deal of time without any human touch, and a true feral will seldom make a full family member or pet. When judging whether a kitten has been adequately socialized, bear the following things in mind.

Look for:

• A willingness to be handled
• A lack of basic fear; a little wariness is okay and to be expected

Watch out for:

• Aggressive/wild behavior, such as scratching and biting to get away
• A refusal to interact with the current owner
• Generally rough looking condition that could be attributed to starvation and/or living in the wild

Should you find yourself entertaining the idea of trying to tame a feral kitten, the decision is yours. However, think ahead to how you'll handle the situation if you are unable to train the animal and gain its trust.

It's a Big Responsibility

Whether you're the person giving free kittens to good homes or you're hoping to adopt, you play a role in the well being of another life. It's your duty to act responsibly and make sure each kitten has a full chance at a long and happy life..