My answer to "Should I adopt a kitten or a cat?"

Penny the Exotic and Mocha the Ragamuffin are perfect examples of why one should choose an adult shelter cat over a kitten. These two - along with Percy, the adopted Persian - are all far more bonded to me than any cat I've had since kittenhood. All were adopted between 2 1/2 - 4 years old. I've also handled the adoptions for cats as old as 10 or 12 years who have become just as bonded with their new owners.

With kittens you never know what they'll be like as adults. While with adult cats the personality is right there before you. Adopt an adult shelter cat - you just might be saving its life since most people pick the kittens!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• adopt shelter cats
• cat
• cats
• Ragamuffin
• Exotic Shorthair

[anneracht]

lovable cats staying with a very responsible, warm hearted owner. I really wish most people could do the same.

[Ferretocious]

@anneracht Aww thank you - such sweet comments! Penny is an absolute dream.  Such a sweetheart. I so adore her. She's also absolutely smitten wiith my boyfriend and will sit next to him staring at him till he pets her. And if he doesn't she starts pawing his hand LOL

[legomidnight]

i read somewhere that a 3-colored cat keeps the owners home safe from fire.

[Ferretocious]

@legomidnight LOL that's nonsense. She's really only two colours - Red Classic Tabby and White. Just darker shade of the Red in her tabby patterning.

[MsStarsea]

What a beautiful advert for adults. Sometimes I think Mocha should be in commercials, she knows her cues so well! *lol*

"This is Cafe Mocha Valencia-"

"Mew!" ("Yes, that's me!")

[Ferretocious]

@MsStarsea LOL I have thought about that! She takes direction well, too.  Look at her cat show vids. She just sits there and poses!

[Misskittycatcat]

Picking a shelter animal saves two lives. The animal that goes home and the room made for another one.

[Cl0wnCar0nFire]

And by 'age shouldn't matter, I mean if you click with a cat, ignore the age and take it home.

I am in support of adopting anything. Adults, kittens, whatever!

I do wish more people would adopt adults though, of course.

[Rach227204]

This is so true, so few people adopt the older cats but they have already been neutered and are usually much easier especially as a first cat, great advert :)

[MsSasycat]

Sadly My mum wants to buy a kitten but they're very hard to find and get by the time i go back to school (9th Jan), we were getting a kitten but sadly she got cat flue and cannot be delivered for a long time :'(. I begged her to get a fully grown (18 mnth) old cat but she won't budge :(

pls reply xx

[chloe7829]

Whenever people go to a kitty shelter they head for the cute little kittens, never thinking that adult cats need love too. Especially those mature cats that may have a medical problem, or may be lamed of be partially blind. Unless those elder cats have been mistreated they will make fine pets and love you forever.

[GentleWhisperingfan]

I have a 1 1/2 year old kitty. We are Wanting to gte another do you think a exotic short hair would get along well with her? my kitty i have now, patches is so lovebale but shes doesnt like anyone else except for me my mom and my dad help??

[diamondsgoddess]

They should send all of shelter cats to Asia, particularly to my country (Indonesia). It's so hard to find lots of cats' breed here and if they were available they wouldn't come cheap. I love your Ragamuffin.

[79barkingspider]

Very good advice. People should also consider older kittens (8-12 months). Often these wonderful young cats are ignored for the younger, smaller kittens, but, as with an adult, you know more what you're getting because their personalities are clearer. Also don't ignore the black cats. They're often the last to be adopted for reasons I do not understand. Remember black is the new black and a black cat goes with everything!

[capnquack]

@Aspie12345 Leave kitty alone, allow it access to food and water, and don't attempt to handle it. Ignore it if you see it. Allow him to wander around freely and check out the whole house. If he hides, put water and food near his hiding spot (so he doesn't have to go far to get it) and continue to ignore him. Eventually he'll be confident enough to come out and start acting normally again. Then you can work on coaxing him to yourself for pets.

[capnquack]

I adopted an adult cat. He was free and came with litterbox, dishes, toys and a catbed. He was also neutered, litterbox trained and well behaved. Buy a kitten - pay for everything, do all the training yourself. Find an adult cat for free on kijiji/craigslist, get everything for free. He doesn't like people he doesn't know, but he enjoys the company of my husband and myself, and loves to follow us from room to room. It's worth getting an adult!

[amiencc]

I got my Shadow (literally...he follows me everywhere) when he was over a year old, found him crying under some bushes, and he gave me a kiss on the cheek when I told him he was staying with me. He even made a little *smack* sound! A very special moment started a very special relationship. 9 years later, he still waits for me by the front door and literally hops with joy when I come home. Adult cats are the best. They know they were saved!

[kaytlinareneereynold]

i got a kitten get a kitten