Getting a Pet, Part 2: Adoption

In part 1 of this post I spoke about navigating the complicated world of getting a specific breed of dog, without supporting bad breeders. Now I'm focusing on the alternative to buying: adoption!

Every year, approximately 70% of cats that end up in adoption centres are euthanised. That is shamefully high but we can help lower this statistic by choosing to adopt over buying from a breeder. If you're looking into adoption and don't know exactly how to go about it, or want to know more details, hopefully this article will have the answers you are looking for.

To read part 1, click here: https://www.cooler-climate.com/post/getting-a-pet-part-1-breeders

It's important to mention that adopting dogs is very similar to cats, but I used dogs as my example in part 1, so it's the turn of the cats for part 2.

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The argument against breeding

As with dogs, breeding cats can cause huge issues.

The first is overpopulation. If you go to places like Greece, you'll notice the number of stray

cats there. Cats can breed sizeable litters and, unfortunately, their numbers can quickly get out of hand if not kept in check. This means that spaying and neutering cats is essential, because the numbers are already far too high for shelters or streets to manage. Stray cats don't live great lives and they are often prone to illness, eye infections and fleas. So why breed them? Why add more to a problem that is already out of control, with shelters euthanising so many cats and kittens that they can't look after?

The second is genetic abnormalities. It seems that the breeding issue is much more commonly discussed in dogs than in cats, but it's actually a problem for them both. For example, Munchkin cats are a breed that has very short legs and, although a pretty healthy breed, they can sometimes be born with a genetic spinal deformity called lordosis.

The worst case of cat breeding I know of is with the Scottish Fold. This breed of cats has ears that turn down, almost as if folded in half and, although incredibly cute, it is set up for a lifetime of pain.

Cats have 32 muscles in each ear and their ears are critical for communication and hearing. In Scottish Folds, especially those with fully folded ears, they are at risk of congential osteodystrophy. This is essentially arthritis, which can span from the ears, through the spine, and into the legs and tail. They can also have heart and kidney problems, but one of the most reported issues from owners with Scottish Folds are directly linked to the ears. The folded nature causes them to get mites and regular ear infections. Their ears need to be gently cleaned at least once a day and deafness is a real possibility.

Obviously if bred right these problems can be avoided, but it's difficult to know what issues a breed may have when they're kittens. It seems a shame though to breed cats and buy them simply for aesthetic purposes, when there are stunning cats in shelters desperately looking for a home. Nevertheless, if you want a Scottish Fold, shelters are likely to have some that were abandoned when health issues began to crop up.

The different places to adopt a cat from

• Kill Shelters

• No kill shelters

• Cat cafes

• Foster groups

• Special pet shops that take in rescues

• Online (not craigslist)

Kill Shelters vs No kill shelters

A popular Youtuber who fosters kittens, aptly named KittenLady, did a whole video about why we should support kill shelters.

Kill shelters are government funded, not-for-profit charities that accept every animal they are given. They rely on volunteers for the most part and have limited space, hence why they euthanise a lot of the animals that haven't been adopted for a long time. Those who operate in those shelters are usually big animal lovers who hate euthanising the animals they grow attached to.

No kill shelters, by contrast, do not euthanise. They are the preferred option for many looking to adopt because they don't kill their animals. However, the shelters are more selective of the animals they pick, so that they can get them adopted and the rest are sent to the kill shelters, that by law must accept the rest.

It's a common misconception that boycotting kill shelters is the right thing to do. But the only way for fewer animals to be euthanised is to support the kill shelters, either financially or through adoption. There are also groups of cats that will typically be euthanised more often, either because shelters do not have the resources to look after them, or because they are less appealing to potential owners:

• black cats --> they are often euthanised because many are still superstitious and believe they will bring bad luck. This is a shame because black cats are often full of character and don't deserve to be left to spend their lives in cages because of their colouration. #saveblackcats

• older cats --> unfortunately, many people want to adopt the cute kittens and the adult cats are left to pick up dust. Sadly, the older the cat, the higher the chances of euthanasia. But you should definitely consider adopting a cat over 2 years of age, because you know exactly what kind of cat you're getting. Kittens can be destructive in their play and their characters will change as they get older, so you may be in for a bit of a surprise. The advantage of adopting older cats is that you eliminate that risk, you're also much more likely to be saving a life that way.

• disabled cats --> cats that have been in car accidents and lost a limb, or lost an eye, or even have a hernia that can be easily fixed, are far less likely to be adopted. But they can be some of the most loving pets. There are many sweet stories of disabled cats finally finding a home and effectively thanking their new owners every day through different gestures. Giving these cats a home after the hardship they have been through is very rewarding and absolutely saves their life.

• kittens under ..... weeks old--> young kittens that come in without a mother are the most euthanised of any cat group. This is because shelters don't have the manpower to give them around the clock care. In order to minimise this, shelters rely on kitten fosters, who act as surrogate mothers until they are of age to be adopted out. Which brings us onto our next topic: fostering!

Fosters

Becoming a kitten foster is no mean feat. Those who foster have hearts of gold because if the kitten is young, it will mean getting up to feed them every two hours, like you would a baby. Then once you've grown attached to them, it's time to give them to their forever home. Many cat foster parents do end up "foster failing" though (if you can even call it that) and fall head over heels for a kitten or two. Doesn't really matter if that kitten has found a good home, as long as it doesn't happen every time you try to foster.

To become a foster parent, the easiest thing to do is to contact your nearby shelters who will likely register you in their volunteering system and call you when they have a cat they can't take care of. Then either you can give the kittens back to the shelter when they're older, or look for suiters through social media. I like the idea of filming the kittens and then finding a family for them online, that way you have a record of them but you can also interact with the future owners. This means you can control where the kittens spend the rest of their lives, rather than handing them back to the charity.

Fostering can also be a great way to rehabilitate animals that have been rescued from traumatic circumstances. They often need love and care, or even just medical help if they need something specific like a rigorous diet. Foster parents are some of the best for providing an animal with security, without committing to getting a pet for life.

Cat cafes

Cat cafes became massively popular, starting off as places where the residents of the cafe were permanent and then adoption cafes appeared. These are cafes where the money you spend pays for your visit, staff and the cats. You get to sit amongst the cats, eat and drink as you would in a normal cafe and play with the cats. It was initially thought of because of the therapeutic effects cats can have, and because it's a relaxing environment. Some cafes still operate on that basis alone but some also help shelters by taking some of the cats and putting them up for adoption in a cafe.

I personally love the idea of adopting from a cafe. You can really get to know the cats, you can relax and make a nice event of it. Cat cafes that double up as adoption shelters have had great success and I hope that more start cropping up.

Pet shops

Be careful with this one and be mindful to check the law. Many pet shops will get their cats and dogs from mills, but in places like Canada where that is illegal, the animals will have been rescued. Do be careful with this one not to get it wrong though, unless you're sure I would just go to a shelter.

Online

Social media is a great way to find a pet. There are youtube channels dedicated to animal rescue and they have links to adoptable pets or foster opportunities. Many animal foster homes will have instagram accounts where they will post regular updates, so you can get a real insight into an animal's personality. In many ways, social media enables you to "fall in love" with the cat from afar before deciding to adopt them, in a way which shelters can't.

FAQs

Q: If I adopt, will my pet have to be mixed breed?

A: No, there are adoption shelters that specialise in pure-breeds, so if there is a type of cat you want you don't have to buy it. Do know that if they are pure-breed, they are more susceptible to having genetic health problems.

Q: What should I do if I'm not sure whether I'm ready for a cat?

A: Definitely do your research before committing. You wouldn't want to adopt a cat, realise you shouldn't have made the commitment and then put the cat back in the shelter. That's cruel and traumatic for your pet. Talk to people about their experiences with owning a cat, and research cats. Youtubers like Jackson Galaxy are a great source of information and there are many books. You can also visit the shelter and talk to them there. Oh and fyi, please don't wash your cat, you will get scratched and there's no point, they wash themselves.

Q: If I adopt a stray, should I spay or neuter it?

A: Yes, absolutely. And get a vet to check the stray for any illnesses while you're there. We want to give the cats that are alive now a good home, we do not need any more cats giving birth to litters of kittens.

Q: How do I know if I've found my cat?

A: They often say that you won't find the cat, the cat finds you. If you take the time to get to know the cats where you are, you will start to form bonds and the decision will be clear.

Q: Should I adopt a cat based on their breed?

A: You can if you want to and I encourage it if you know there's a type of cat that is more likely to be euthanised that you want to prioritise. For the most part though, I would let the cats' personalities and the bonds you form with them be the decision-making factors.

Q: I don't want to adopt but I do want to help the shelter, anything I can do?

A: Yes, you can donate money or cat supplies, like beds, toys, food, litter. You can volunteer at shelters or you can foster.

Q: I don't know much about cats but I want one, what should I do first?

A: Make sure you know about cats. They are no more like dogs than they are like rabbits. Make sure you know your facts from your fiction and that your house is equipped for the arrival of a pet. Don't just get a pet on a whim but if you like cats and you want a cat, then adoption is the kindest thing you can do for them.

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And that is all I have for you! I cannot recommend adoption enough and I thank everyone that has ever, or is looking into adopting their next furry friend.