If you’ve been following my tweets or facebook updates recently, you’ll know that Sean and I are looking to expand our household. London has been our baby for the past two years (I can hardly believe it’s been that long) but every time we’re in a show or booked solid outside of work, we feel terrible leaving him alone. He is very attached to us, and lately we feel he’s been letting us know that he feels neglected.
So we decided that to help ease the loneliness, we’d look into getting him a playmate and companion. We were waiting until we were finished with Moon Over Buffalo rehearsals, so we would be home to give the new addition the attention (s)he needs to get acclimated. That time has come, and we poured through Petfinder’s listings to find felines that stood out to us.
I’m going to take this moment to reach out to shelters and give them some constructive criticism. Sadly there are many pets out there that won’t get the attention that they deserve for the following reasons:
- No Picture – Yes, it’s incredibly shallow, but potential adopters want to know what this animal looks like. Our society is very visual, the photos are what will create the initial connection. Descriptions help, but they can’t be relied on to get someone to call. There are a sea of competitors out there looking for a home. You want the animal to stand out. Without a picture, you’re just asking for your candidate to be skimmed over.
- No Description – Pictures create an attachment, but sometimes a false one. Potential adopters need to know if an animal’s personality will fit what they are looking for (to be covered shortly). It’s wasting the adopter’s and the shelter’s time when the two don’t mesh. That can easily be rectified in the animal’s profile. Canned descriptions or mere contact information can be just as bad. Petfinder does not make it easy for a shelter to link directly to its website. Potential adopters want ease of use and immediate information. If you don’t provide it, another shelter will. It shows when a shelter takes the time to individualize each animal’s description, and can only help the pet find its right home faster.
Some of you may feel differently, and I understand that shelters are volunteer heavy, I’m just speaking from my recent experience.
Ok, so back to those of you looking to adopt a new furball. Before you even begin your search or browse the listings, you need to take a few minutes and do your homework.
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT IN A CAT.
Analyze your home environment, your family’s situation, how you expect a cat to fit in to your lifestyle. In particular, consider the following:
- Cat’s Personality – Are you looking for a spunky, high-energy entertainer or a more docile companion? If you are looking for a particular personality, highly consider a matured cat over a kitten. Kittens often haven’t fully developed their personalities, so it’s a gamble when you bring them home. Adult cats (6 mos +) have come into their own for the most part, and you’ll have a better sense of what you’re getting yourself into.
- How Often You Are Home – Will the cat need to entertain himself/be alone much or are you home to feed him attention? Would it make sense to adopt siblings who can keep each other company? Some breeds require attention be lavished upon them frequently. Other cats could care less if you were home (unless it’s dinner time).
- Kids? Other Pets? - Will this cat need to be tolerant of young children? Other cats? Dogs? Iguanas? Rescue cats are special cats and come with a history. Some have special needs, others have been traumatized. Those cases won’t do well with young children startling them, making loud noises or rough housing. Others have come from homes where they’ve been exposed to and do well with kids and other species of pets. Petfinder has icons which will alert you to any sensitivities or special needs a cat may have.
- Social Tendencies – Analyze the activity level of your home. Are you quiet homebodies or the social hub of the neighborhood? A retired person keeps a very different home than a young, social couple or a young family. Will the cat enjoy being a social butterfly when friends come over, or will they stress out and hide the moment the doorbell rings?
Knowing how the cat will need to fit into your home will make the search easier and the result better for everyone. Make sure to discuss these needs and desires with shelter employees, who have developed relationships with their animals. They may be able to direct you to a cat you might not have considered.
Sean was not a cat person before London. I had grown up with animals, so I felt the lack of furry friendship. As his Christmas gift to me, he conceded to getting a cat. We thought about what we wanted, and decided that our ideal cat would be long haired (Sean’s preference), playful and entertaining, but at the end of the day, would want to snuggle on the couch. After meeting only two cats, that is just what we got.
