Adopting a cat is a big responsibility. It’s not something you should just do on a whim. Here are some good questions to ask yourself (and be honest with yourself about) before adopting:
- Are you willing to keep your cat for its entire life? Indoor cats can live an average of 10 to 15 years, though some cats have been known to live to 20 or more years old.
- Is there anything that may come up in your life that would make it difficult for you to keep your cat? Some examples being moving, job opportunities, changes in family (having children, getting married, etc).
- What will you do with your cat when you travel? Even if you don’t think you will travel, it’s always good to have a plan just in case. Will you put them at a boarding facility? Keep in mind boarding cats tends to cost $20 or more per day. There aren’t too many places where you can board cats locally except for at a vet clinic, which can also cost $20 or more per day. You could also hire someone or have a friend come check on them or maybe you have a friend or family member who will take them to their house while you are gone.
- Are you able to afford regular vet visits, vaccinations, etc? Check-ups can help identify a potential health problem before it gets more severe.
- What will you do if there is an unexpected expensive vet bill? Accidents happen, and even healthy cats can get sick or injured. Pet insurance can help with this.
- Are you willing to give the cat time to settle into their new home? It may take them time to learn the rules of the house, and they might scratch something they shouldn’t, not immediately get along with other pets in the home, or they may have an accident while settling in. Are you willing to accept this and work with them?
- Do you have the time for a cat? While cats don’t require a huge time commitment, depending on the cat they need a fair amount of attention, and you will need to be able to dedicate the time to scoop the litter box, play with them, grooming, etc.
We are by no means trying to talk you out of adopting a cat, but it is a very big commitment, and something you should really think beforehand. It’s much harder on cats to be adopted then returned to the shelter, so it is really important that you are sure you are ready to adopt before taking home a new pet. We understand that sometimes adoptions do not work out, which is okay, but it is heartbreaking to see a cat come back to the shelter after doing nothing wrong simply because the owner was unable to handle having a cat or something foreseeable came up.
Still interested in adopting? Great! Read more about the adoption process here: https://cchumanesociety.com/so-youre-ready-to-adopt-a-cat/