Kittens, like all baby animals, are the cutest things. They’re fuzzy, silly, soft little fur babies who play and scamper and purr and provide endless entertainment. That’s the idyllic image of a kitten, and all those things can be true! But there’s a lot to think about when considering adopting a kitten (or any animal).
Is this the right time? There’s no perfect time to add an animal to your life, but there are times when it’s best to wait for stability, such as after a pending move or trip.
Is everyone in the family on board? Is anyone allergic? The best outcome is when everyone is enthusiastic and shares the desire for a new family member.
Who will feed the kitty, and who will scoop the litter box? Hold a family conference to establish these responsibilities.
Have you built it into your budget? Animals require regular vet visits, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and of course food! If your kitten becomes ill, emergency vet visits are costly. Even if a kitten presents as wonderfully healthy, there could be underlying conditions that develop later. Are you prepared financially to support your new family member throughout its lifetime?
The D Word
And let’s talk about the D word: diarrhea. Kittens’ stomachs are tender and easily susceptible to upset, for a wide variety of reasons. It’s no fun for anyone, and sometimes takes awhile to resolve depending on the cause.
How Much Do You Love Your Sofa?
How much do you love your sofa? Kittens’ claws are sharp and they love to jump, climb, and scratch. It’s best to do a little advance research into ways to head off upholstery shredding before bringing a kitten home.
Kitten Proofing
Kitten proofing: kittens can crawl into unbelievably tiny spaces when exploring, ready to take a nap, or wanting to hide. It’s best to keep any new animal in a small area at first. Make a plan for where you’ll keep them and how to block off nooks or crannies where they can hide from sight. As you expand their territory, use the same strategy for the wider area.
Now back to that happy image of a silly, rollicking kitten. Some are definitely the social butterflies that we picture, but in reality, not all kittens are the same. Those have had a rough start in life or not much contact with humans can be quite shy. Your goal shouldn’t be “a kitten.” It’s important that a new kitten be the right match for your family, your expectations, and your lifestyle for a lasting happy result.
Now let’s think about the saying “The trouble with kittens is, they grow into cats.” The kitten stage is very short in a cat’s lifetime. Before you know it, your cute little kitty will grow out of kittenhood and become a beautiful cat who will be a part of your family and responsibility for years to come.
So do your homework and a give things a reality check… is it all good? Once you’re happy with the decision to take on a kitten, it’s time to think about how to get one. The best course is “Adopt, Don’t Shop.” In Santa Cruz County, we have the SC County Animal Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez Street and the SC SPCA at 2601 Chanticleer Avenue. These responsible agencies work as matchmakers to help your family choose the kitten that is right for you.
Oftentimes these shelter kittens have been in foster care, so there’s information about their personalities. Your family can meet and interact with the kitten (or kittens — adopting a pair is a great idea) before making any decisions.
Also, shelter kittens have already been spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and given flea and tick prevention as appropriate. That makes the adoption fee a super bargain! The private expense of spay/neuter alone is many times the amount.
Both local shelters show available animals on their websites, listed below. In the market for a rowdy, outgoing youngster? Then get ready for hilarious live kitten tv. Or maybe you find yourself bonding with a kitten who’s undersocialized, and you’re ready to help them understand humans and grow into their full potential as companions. Whatever kind of kitten or cat you’re looking for, be sure to give time and thought into looking for the right match for you and your family. You will be rewarded purrfectly.
Pet Of The Month: Zoe
Meet Zoe, a sweet senior calico looking for a loving home. She came to the shelter when her previous guardian moved out of state and couldn’t bring her along. Zoe lived with young children and would often greet people with a friendly “meow.” She prefers to be the only cat in the household, as she hasn’t enjoyed meeting other cats. Zoe was primarily an indoor cat but might appreciate a safe catio where she can watch the outdoors. She used the litterbox reliably in her previous home. Thanks to Shelley’s Angels, Zoe’s adoption fee is reduced by $20 to help this wonderful senior find her perfect family. Visit our website at scanimalshelter.org for more information.
