Bringing Home a Shelter Cat
Perhaps you decided to celebrate the spirit of the winter holidays by adopting a shelter cat. Or you've found yourself without a cat for the first time in years, and feel that you are ready to open your heart and home to a shelter cat. Congratulations! You have helped stem the cat overpopulation problem, and possibly saved the life of this cat.
It will be helpful to know what to expect when you bring him home. There will be a number of things to watch for, both physical and behavioral. The cat who seemed affectionate while in a cage may suddenly become shy, withdrawn, or even aggressive. Careful pre-planning will help avoid many inherent problems. This article will help pave the way to a happy homecoming for your new shelter cat.
Photo Credit: © iStock Photo/Dan Brandenburg
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How to Choose a Cat from the Shelter
Top Mistakes by New Cat Owners
Comments
Thank you so much for this article, Franny! It does take time, sometimes even a few weeks, for a shelter cat to feel comfortable in their new environment. Their love is worth the patience, though
I love to see anything urging adoption of shelter cats. My sweet funny Coco Bear has been such a delight, and she was a Humane Society find. She had a slight cold the first week or so, but has been wonderfully healthy for the most part, and makes me laugh every day.