| If you have decided to get a new cat for your | | | | The ears should also be clean. Ears that are |
| family, why not choose one from your local cat | | | | extremely dirty are potentially contaminated with |
| rescue home or animal shelter? There are so | | | | ear mites. Ear mites can be very difficult to get |
| many animals that are in desperate need of a | | | | rid of and can easily spread to other cats at |
| loving home. By adopting from a shelter instead | | | | home. |
| of buying from a pet shop, you help those | | | | Finally, the cat's fur should be clean, shiny, and |
| animals that are most in need to find a home and | | | | free of fleas. Fleas can be particularly bothersome |
| help fund the rescue work so that other cats can | | | | to both the cat and to the owner. Eliminating fleas |
| be saved. Many of these felines have had difficult | | | | once they infest the home can be very difficult. |
| lives so far - they may have been abandoned, | | | | Listen to the Cat |
| abused or neglected by their owners. So, | | | | A cat that coughs, sneezes, or sounds congested |
| responsible rescue centres will take special care to | | | | can be quite ill and should be avoided. Also, listen |
| find these cat's a good home. Here are some | | | | for sounds of contentment. A cat who is purring |
| pointers to help you choose. | | | | is probably happy and healthy.A meow can |
| Observation | | | | indicate eithertrouble or contentment. A long, |
| Take sometime to just watch the cats and | | | | pleading meow could show that the cat is ill. On |
| kittens without trying to interact with them. | | | | the other hand, a playful meow could mean the |
| Observe how active they are and what type of | | | | cat is already developing a bond with its potential |
| attitude they have. A cat that stays huddled in a | | | | new owner! |
| corner or appearslethargic may be sick, which | | | | Play with Kitty |
| could mean expensive vets bills in the future. Or | | | | After narrowing your choice down to a few |
| the poor cat may nave been abused and so is | | | | possibles that appear to have the appropriate |
| terrified of everyone and everything. If you have | | | | personality, it is time to play! See how the cats |
| the time and patience, pleasedon't automatically | | | | play with each other first to get a feeling for their |
| dismiss an abused feline. They can repay your | | | | disposition. How each cat interacts is particularly |
| care many times over.Take my friends cat as an | | | | important for pet owners who already have a pet |
| example. | | | | cat at home. |
| Sunny can be affectionate but as she was abused | | | | Play with the kitties yourself. |
| by her previous owners, she can be easily | | | | Take out a string, ball of wool or car keys and |
| startled and scared. Her new owners found out | | | | dangle them in front of each cat. The one that |
| the extent of her abuse when they went to the | | | | seems most alert and active is likely to be the |
| vets to make sure she couldn't have kittens, but | | | | better choice. Of course, you could always take |
| the vets couldn't find her ovaries. It was then | | | | home more than one if the decision is just too |
| they learnt that Sunny had been drop-kicked by | | | | difficult to make! |
| her previous owners and her insides had been | | | | Word of Caution |
| "rearranged". Due to this Sunny is nervous around | | | | Any cat or kitten that comes from a shelter will |
| people standing up, but fine if you don't move | | | | be stressed to some level. This stress has put |
| very much and just lie down quietly, then she will | | | | them at a higher risk of attracting a respiratory |
| come and cuddle up to you. Her life has changed | | | | infection. They may also be more prone to bite |
| dramatically by having loving owners. | | | | or scratchyou before you have bonded. |
| Observe how playful a cat is. | | | | Most cat rescue shelters offer a spayed or |
| Some pet owners are looking for playful cats that | | | | neutered cat, with full shots and de-worming but |
| will scamper about the house and chase and play | | | | you must also get your cat tested immediately |
| with toys. Others would prefer a more docile cat | | | | for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). |
| who will spend hours cuddled up in the owner's lap. | | | | Be aware of any potential problems. listen to the |
| Examine the Cat | | | | advice of the shelter workers and don't rush into |
| Start with the eyes. Bright and clear eyes with no | | | | any decisions. |
| discharge or weepiness are a good sign. | | | | However, it is so rewarding to adopt a cat from |
| The nose should be clean and slightly moist.Again, | | | | a cat rescue shelter and know that you have |
| there should be no discharge. | | | | saved its life and given it a comfortable home. |