Humane Society Cat Adoptions

Humane Society cat adoptions can be very rewarding. This organization, located in Washington, D.C., encourages cat adoptions, and it also serves as support to local animal shelters around the country by providing training, publications, education and serving as an advocate. LoveToKnow had the pleasure of chatting with Nancy Peterson, Cat Programs Manager.

Nancy Peterson with Toby, a cat she adopted from a shelter three years ago.

LoveToKnow (LTK): About how many cats would you say come through the animal shelters each year?

Nancy Peterson (NP): The Humane Society of the United States estimates that six to eight million dogs and cats enter animal shelters yearly. About half of them are adopted.

LTK: What can the general public do to help?

NP: People can get involved by donating and volunteering. National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week occurs in the fall and is a good time to step up the efforts to help your local shelters. To find a shelter or rescue center in your area, go to Pets911.

LTK: When arriving at a shelter, do many of the cats come in with health problems? What's the most common ailment?

NP: It's not uncommon for cats to have minor medical problems that are easily remedied such as ear mites, fleas and internal parasites (worms). I wouldn't let such health issues dissuade me from adopting a particular cat.

LTK: How much medical treatment can a shelter provide to a cat coming in?

NP: The extent of medical treatment that a shelter or rescue group can provide to cats in their care depends on many factors – the space available in the shelter, the number of available foster homes, the financial resources, the prognosis, etc. And, it might take a longer time to adopt a cat with a chronic condition that will require lifetime care.

LTK: Are there any common behavior issues with shelter cats?

NP: Interestingly, the majority of cats surrendered to an animal shelter have litter box issues. We have a lot of great information about common and normal cat behaviors that can usually be remedied. For solutions see Pets for Life.

Sure, everyone wants a cute, funny kitten, but adult cats often languish in shelters. Remember that a kitten only remains a kitten for a short time. So, LTK asked Nancy Peterson for her take on adults vs. babies.

LTK: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of adopting an adult cat versus a kitten?

NP: As a general rule, kittens are curious, playful, and full of energy, while adult cats are more relaxed and less mischievous. Adult cats' personalities are more formed than kittens and "what you see is what you get". If a cat has a history of being a lap cat, it's likely he will remain that way, whereas it's more difficult to tell what a kitten's final personality will be. Kittens also require more time to train and feed.

LTK: What is the best way to choose the perfect cat?

NP: When you're choosing a cat, keep your family in mind. Young children usually don't have the maturity to handle kittens responsibly, so a cat that's at least four months old is typically the best choice for homes with [small] kids.

Some shelters, like the Oregon Humane Society are running programs that highlight cats (and dogs) that might otherwise be overlooked by potential adopters. One program is called wall flowers. These animals are placed into a glass walled window that visitors must walk past on their way to see whatever designer breed they think they want. Many owners wind up adopting a pet from these windows. Sometimes the cats have special needs and sometimes they are simply being overlooked, thus the wall flower title, so we asked Nancy about this issue.

LTK: Which cats have the most difficulty finding homes?

NP: Black cats, geriatric cats, cats with medical issues, too many cats – these are all issues that shelters and rescue groups share.

Some people go to an animal shelter with a specific breed in mind. Perhaps they want the kind of cat that they had as a youngster, or they've only ever owned Siamese. Maybe they prefer calicos or black cats. Whatever the preference, Nancy also had some advice in this area that may change your perspective just a bit.

LTK: What about someone that is looking for a specific breed of cat, such as Siamese? Can people find purbreds at shelters? What are the chances of finding a match?

NP: I would suggest that people base their choice more on personality and energy level than a specific breed. However, if someone is looking for a more common breed of cat such as a Persian or Siamese, it is possible to find one in a shelter. It's also possible that many cats are mixed with a breed that you like, so that's another option. For example, the picture of me at the top of this page is with Toby. I adopted him from a shelter, and he looks and acts like a Maine Coon. How could I resist him? Many shelters and rescue groups post photos and descriptions of their adoptable cats. There are also breed rescues that you can contact and reputable breeders. Remember, being a pedigreed cat does not prevent relinquishment. We urge people not to purchase pets or over the Internet or from a pet store unless the store is hosting an adoption group.

LTK: Anything you'd like to add?

NP: Many shelters and rescue groups spay and neuter cats before they go home with their new family. However, some shelters and rescue groups don't. One of the most important things you can do for your pet is make sure he/she cannot reproduce. Cats can reproduce at five months of age. Not spaying/neutering our pets results in the tragedy of cat overpopulation. Many shelters and rescue groups, as well as private veterinary clinics, provide affordable spay/neuter surgery. So, there is no reason not to spay and neuter. In addition to spaying and neutering, The Humane Society of the United States recommends that cats be kept as indoor pets safely confined to their property or trained to walk on a harness and leash. Cats should also wear a breakaway collar and visible identification, and owners should search immediately for their pets if they go missing.

A warm thank you to Nancy Peterson for taking the time to answer these questions. She would like to share a fascinating rescue story about the San Nicolas Island cats. You can also learn more about the work of the Humane Society and how to get involved by visiting hsus.org.

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