Looking for a home for your kittens might seem straightforward at first, especially when you hear phrases like, “Just one litter; we’ve got homes for all the kittens!” However, those involved in animal rescue work can attest to the challenges of finding not just any home, but a forever, loving one.
Securing a safe and caring environment for your kittens is no small task. In this journey, we’ll delve into the world of cat adoption, shedding light on its complexities, rewards, and hardships. We’ll also deepen our understanding of responsible pet guardianship.
Join us as we navigate this terrain and gain fresh insight into the lives of our beloved feline friends.
Responsibility Of Rehoming: More Than Just Finding A Home For Your Kittens
When it comes to finding a home for your kittens, whether they’re born to your own cat, a fostered pregnant feline, or rescued from various circumstances, it’s crucial to ensure they land in good homes.
These are homes where their physical and emotional needs are fully met, where they’re treated as cherished family members, not subjected to abuse, declawing, or abandonment.
The Reality Of Kitten Adoption: Beyond The Cuteness
Yes, everyone adores playing with cute kittens.
But it’s your responsibility to ensure the adopting family is committed to handling less pleasant situations, like potential health or behavior issues, that may arise over time.
Animal Shelters: The Unsung Heroes Of Pet Adoption
Animal shelters are the real pros at screening potential adopters, a fact that sometimes draws criticism.
Some people expect shelters to be grateful to anyone who walks in wanting to adopt a pet.
The Adoption Process: A Necessary Hurdle For Finding A Home For Your Kittens
But a good shelter will require potential adopters to fill out forms, undergo thorough interviews, and pay an adoption fee.
It may seem ungrateful or even greedy, but this process is designed to maximize the chances of the cat finding a truly good home – a home that will be their last.
The Art Of Screening Potential Adopters: Ensuring The Right Fit
When you’re looking to find a home for your kittens, it’s essential to thoroughly vet those who respond to your ads.
This isn’t just about ensuring they’re who they claim to be, but also about protecting the cats from potential harm.
The Importance Of ID Verification In Pet Adoption
Ask for IDs and note down the details. Ensure that the potential adopters are over 21.
Engage them in a phone conversation, listen more than you talk, and try to gauge their intentions before inviting them to meet the kittens.
Why Charging A Fee for Adoption Matters
Never advertise your kittens as “free”. Always charge a fee. If this feels too mercenary, consider donating the proceeds to a charity.
The act of paying is a way to ensure a level of commitment and filter out those who might have malicious intentions.
The Power Of Pre-Adoption Conversations
Try to ask as much as you can over the phone first. Use the suggested questions below before you even invite them over.
If they think you’re asking too many questions, explain that you’re trying to find a good home for the kitten, not just any home. Genuine adopters will appreciate your diligence.
Safety First: Meeting Potential Adopters
For your own safety, don’t invite strangers into your house before you’ve had extensive conversations and assessed their sincerity and commitment.
When they do visit, ensure you have someone else at home with you.
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What To Ask Potential Adopters
If you want to make sure that the kittens indeed go to good homes, here are a few things to check with your potential adopters.
Whether they’ve just replied to your newspaper ad, or happen to be your beloved auntie –
Are You Able To Commit To The Care Of The Kitten Throughout Their Life?
Your potential adopters need to understand that the cat will be their responsibility, come rain or shine, for decades to come.
Ask them what would happen to the cat if, for some reason, they could no longer take care of them.
Who Lives In Your Household, And Do They All Want To Have A Cat Join Them?
Never adopt a kitten out to a family where one of the family members objects to having a cat. No, it will not work out over time.
The cat is more likely to be shown the door as soon as a problem comes up if someone living in the house never wanted them there in the first place.
This is also a good time to make sure that no one in the household is allergic to cats.
Do You Realize The Costs Involved In Keeping A Cat, And Can You Afford It?
Be direct and talk about the costs of quality pet food, vet care (and insurance), cat litter, and all that jazz.
They need to know about it now and they need to make sure that they will be able to afford it on their current salaries and also future ones.
Sad as it is, people who don’t enjoy financial stability are not good candidates for adopting a cat.
Have You Owned Cats Before? If So, What Happened To Them?
Being a past owner can be a benefit. That person is more likely to realize what caring for a cat involves.
However, if they end up telling you that they’ve had ten different cats over the past five years and none of them stayed there for long, you should probably keep looking for a different home.
If they do have or have recently had cats, ask about their veterinarian and ask for permission to call them for references.
Are You Prepared To Accept A Cat As Being A Cat?
This would be a good time to discuss things like hair shedding, chewing and scratching, scratching of furniture, and jumping on counters.
Explain that there are solutions to these problems, but that owners have to put in time and energy towards them.
Are You Committed To Spaying/Neutering The Kitten When It’s Time?
Read more about why cats ought to be spayed and neutered here. Better still, type out that article and hand it over to your potential adopters.
In our opinion, it’s best to actually have the kitten neutered while he or she is still in your household.
If they are too young, then make sure that it will be done as soon as possible by the people adopting them.
If need be, make them sign a contract to do so, and ask them to place a deposit with you, which will be given by you directly to the vet at the time of neutering.
Are You Committed To Keeping The Cat’s Claws Intact?
Never give the kitten away to someone who would amputate their toes.
You can read more about declawing and why it should never be performed in the following articles:
Declawing – More than Just a Manicure
Declawing and Alternatives
Where Will You Be Keeping The Cat? Will They Be Indoors Only?
Make sure that the potential adopters realize the risks involved in letting a cat out where they live.
If they live in an urban environment or where the risks outdoors are too high, make sure they know how to keep their cats indoors, safe and happy.
“Is There Anything Else You Wish To Tell Me?”
Let them do some talking. Let them bring up any problems or issues now.
It may seem like a lot of questions, but it’s never enough when a kitten’s future is at stake. Your role is to ensure they find the right home now when they have the best chance.
Keep track of the adoption with scheduled follow-ups and be prepared for hard work. It’s not always pleasant, but it’s necessary.
If you find fulfillment in this process, consider volunteering at a local shelter. They’ll appreciate the help.
The Rewarding Journey Of Finding A Home For Your Kittens: Final Thoughts
If you find yourself in a position where you need to find a home for your kittens, I hope this article has been both informative and empowering.
While the task may seem daunting, remember that it’s entirely achievable. And when done right, the reward is immense.
You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve done everything in your power to secure a bright future for a deserving animal.
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