Adopting a cat can be a great experience, because cats can provide companionship, love and years worth of joy and entertainment! Cats make wonderful pets because they’re affectionate, playful, independent and adaptable.
I’ve owned many cats throughout my life. One lived for 20 years! My current cat, Whiskers, is a true lover boy. He’s one of the most loving, affectionate cats I’ve ever owned. A real snuggle bug!
Adopting a cat is an awesome idea! But remember that adopting a cat is also a big responsibility and requires preparation and planning. This cat adoption guide will walk you through everything you need to know about adopting a cat!
In this post, we’ll cover:
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- Cat Adoption: Are You Ready to Adopt a Cat?
- Where Can I Adopt a Cat?
- Adopting a Rescue Cat from a Shelter
- Cost of Adopting a Cat
- How to Adopt a Cat for Free
- New Cat Checklist
- How to Take Care of a Cat
- Cat Training, Communication and Health Care Guides
- Additional Cat Adoption Information
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WATCH MY VIDEO ON HOW TO ADOPT A CAT:
Cat Adoption: Are You Ready to Adopt a Cat?
Cat Adoption: Are You Ready to Adopt a Cat?4 things to consider before you adopt a cat:
1. Keep in mind that cats often live into their teens and beyond. Consider whether you’re ready to make that kind of commitment!
2. Are you home enough to own a pet? Cats are fairly independent, but they can’t be left home alone constantly. If you’re not home regularly, or if you’re often gone for extended periods of time, you might not want to get a pet.
3. Are you allergic? Pet allergies can be a problem, so consider whether you, or anyone in your home, may suffer from cat allergies.
If someone in your home is allergic to cats, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a deal breaker. Read this article from PetMd about finding a hypoallergenic cat. But realize you will have to spend extra time grooming your cat, vacuuming, and cleaning furniture and bedding regularly.
4. Do you want a kitten, or an adult cat? Kittens will need a lot of attention and supervision, and a large amount of patience! Adult cats will usually settle in pretty quickly to a new home and routine. Older or senior cats will likely do best in homes without small children and you’ll have to consider if they’ll do ok with other pets in the home.
For more help deciding if you’re ready to adopt a cat, read this post from iams.com, Are You Ready to Adopt a Cat?
Where Can I Adopt a Cat?
Where Can I Adopt a Cat?There are several places where you can find a cat that needs a home. These include:
1. Animal shelters: Local animal shelters are one of the best places to adopt a cat. These shelters house cats of all ages, breeds, and personalities, and many shelters includes medical examinations, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services in the adoption fee.
2. Cat rescue groups. These organizations specialize in rescuing abandoned, abused, stray or feral cats. They typically place cats in foster homes, where they are cared for until adoption. You can google “cat rescue near me,” or check with local veterinarian offices to find these.
3. Online platforms. Places like PetFinder.com and Adopt-a-Pet.com allow you to search for adoptable cats in your area. You can search by breed, age, and other criteria. I adopted one of my dogs this way. To get for information, read my post, How to Find a Pet (includes video).
You could also search on Craigslist, Facebook and Nextdoor, where people often advertise if they have a pet who needs a home.
4. Local pet adoption events. Some organizations, like your local SPCA, often hold pet adoption events. They’ll also set up sometimes at local events such as art shows and festivals in your area.
5. Ask friends and family. Let people know you’re interested in adopting a cat and ask them to spread the word!
Adopting a Rescue Cat from a Shelter
Adopting a Rescue Cat from a ShelterAdopting a rescue cat from a shelter will improve their life (and yours!) in countless ways. Here are 3 excellent reasons to adopt a rescue cat!
1. Giving a rescue cat a home provides a second chance at life for the cat, plus frees up space in the shelter for other animals in need.
2. Animal shelters often conduct health and temperament screenings, making it easier to find a well-behaved, healthy cat.
3. Adopting a rescue cat is also cost effective. The adoption fee usually includes immunizations and spay/neutering.
Cost of Adopting a Cat
Cost of Adopting a CatHow much money do you need to adopt a cat? The cost of adopting a cat can vary depending on where you get the cat and what services are included. Here are some common expenses:
Adoption fees. These usually range from $50 to $150. Some shelters offer a discount for senior cats or during special adoption events. I’ll be giving you some ideas on how to adopt a cat for free later in this post.
Cat supplies. You can expect to spend $100 or more for items like a litter box, cat litter, food, toys, a carrier and food and water bowls. I’ll provide you with more information about this plus a new cat checklist a bit later in this post.
Veterinary care. Initial veterinary costs, like vaccinations, spaying/neutering and microchipping are often included in the adoption fee. If not, read my posts, Free Spay or Neuter Clinics: Help to Get Your Pet Fixed (includes video) and Do Indoor Cats Need Shots? (includes video) for a list of vaccines your cat will need.
There may be additional medical expenses like examination fees and flea treatments. For help handling your cat’s medical expenses, read my post, Help With Vet Bills: Ways to Pay for What Your Pet Needs (includes video).
Recurring expenses: Monthly costs for food, litter, and routine care typically cost around $50. Food for my cat, Whiskers, costs around $20 per month. I give him one container of Meow Mix wet food plus a scoop of Meow Mix dry food daily. I save a ton of money on cat litter by using this method.
How to Adopt a Cat for Free
How to Adopt a Cat for FreeIt’s possible to adopt a cat for free through various programs and resources. Here are 4 ways you may be able to adopt a cat for free:
1. Check with local animal shelters and rescues. Some will waive adoption fees during special events or promotions. Search for the term, “fee-waived” adoption days.
2. Ask your veterinarian. Vet’s offices usually know about local cat rescue organizations and shelters. They may even have customers who have litters of kittens who need homes.
They may also know if there are local TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs near you who may place adoptable cats with new owners for free.
3. Check places like Facebook, Craigslist and NextDoor. People often advertise there if they have a cat or kittens who need a home. You could also find out about adoption events happening in your area hosted by pet stores or local animal shelters.
4. Ask friends and family. Let people know you’re interested in adopting a cat. Someone might just know of a cat who needs a home.
New Cat Checklist
New Cat ChecklistYou can get information about exactly what your new cat or kitten will need by reading these posts:
Cat Adoption Checklist from the American Humane Society.
My post, What Does a New Kitten Need? (includes video and printable checklist).
My post, Bringing Home a New Pet (includes video).
How to Take Care of a Cat
If this is your first time adopting a cat, my post, How to Take Care of a Cat: Guide for First-Time Cat Owners (includes video).
3 Guides for First-Time Cat Owners
I can recommend these inexpensive eBooks for help taking care of your new cat:
Complete Cat Health Care Guide
Cat Adoption Information
Cat Adoption InformationFor more help and information about adopting a cat, check out these three videos from cat expert, Jackson Galaxy:
Everything You Need to Know Before You Adopt a Cat
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Adopting a Cat
Everything You Need for Your Cat
Plus this post from TheRescueVets.com, How to Adopt a Cat.
I Donate to Animal Charities
I Donate to Animal CharitiesThanks so much for visiting my website! I hope the information I’ve provided here will help you decide if you should adopt a cat, and how to be properly prepared if you do!
I’ve owned cats for my entire adult life. I’ve loved each one so much, and each one brought so much love and happiness into my life. I’d love it if you’d comment below and let me know details about the cat you adopt!
You should know I donate to animal charities. I receive a small commission on some of the products and services I recommend on my website. That’s how I do PeopleLovingAnimals.com as my full-time job. I donate 10% of my earnings to the animal charities listed here.
If you found this post helpful, please share my website with your friends and family members who own or love pets! Thanks so much. Debra
