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Do some research to find the right companion
cat for you and your family. A little investigation
of breeds will help you find the perfect fit.
Also, decide if you want to obtain your cat
from a shelter or a breeder.
If you choose to obtain your cat
through a breeder, familiarize yourself with
the breeder's qualifications. Some breeders
are much better than others and some are even
cruel to their animals. |
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A reputable
breeder will keep the cats in a clean
environment with clean litter pans and
plenty of fresh food and water. The
cats should be well groomed, bright-eyed
and friendly. A good breeder asks questions
about you and your lifestyle.
A good
breeder answers questions honestly,
telling you the good and the bad about
the breed and teaching you about cat
care and training. The kittens will
be socialized at a very early age to
ensure that they are happy and confident
with people. You should receive a written
contract that protects you against certain
genetic problems and gives you either
compensation or replacement of the animal,
if such problems arise. A breeder that
requires you to spay or neuter your
kitten is a good sign as well. Finally,
reputable breeders do not mass-produce
kittens. They take great care in deciding
what two cats to breed. |
When considering a breeder, ask these
questions:
- At what age will you let your
kittens go home with their new owners? The
Wisconsin Humane Society recommends that
kittens stay with their mother and littermates
for at least 8 weeks.
- Are your kittens raised in the
home or in cages? Kittens raised
around people are friendlier and better
adjusted.
- How many breeding adult cats do
you have? Dedicated breeders choose
breeding stock very carefully and don't
care about the number of kittens produced,
only their quality.
- Are your cats tested for infectious
diseases? You want to deal with
a breeder who is doing his best to keep
his cats healthy and to produce healthy
kittens. The three diseases that you should
be concerned about are feline leukemia
virus feline immunodeficiency virus and
feline infectious peritonitis.
- What type of guarantees do you
give on your kittens? A reputable
breeder will be prepared to compensate you
for some of the financial loss should your
new kitten become seriously ill or die.
- Has the kitten been examined by
a veterinarian and received initial vaccinations?
When are the booster vaccines due? Has the
kitten been wormed? Kittens should
receive the first of the series of vaccinations
by 6-8 weeks of age. Kittens should also
be checked for internal parasites, such
as worms, at the first veterinary visit.
- What is included in your contract?
Many breeders place certain requirements
on the adopters such as keeping the cat
indoors, spay/neuter and no declawing. They
may also require that you return the kitten
to them if you find that you can no longer
keep your new feline. Don't be offended
by these requirements. Rather, consider
these conditions signs that the breeder
truly cares about the future of his kittens.
- Will you provide me with a veterinary
health certificate? A veterinary
health certificate confirms that the kitten
has been checked by a veterinarian and documents
the health care to date.
- Will you provide me with references?
Satisfied adopters are the best
advertising. Contacting references will
help you determine if the breeder you are
considering is reputable.
- May I inspect your cat area? It
should be clean and sanitary and provide
humane conditions for the cats.
The Wisconsin Humane Society has
a variety of wonderful cats available for
adoption.
Every possible combination of age, personality,
coat color and coat length can be found at
the Wisconsin Humane Society. Purebred cats
are frequently available for adoption as well.
For a low adoption fee all animals are spayed
or neutered, given a microchip for identification
and provided with other veterinary services.
As part of our adoption program, we provide
assistance for undiagnosed, pre-existing medical
problems within three weeks of adoption. One
month of additional free animal health insurance
is also provided.
You may want to consider adopting an older
cat that is physically and behaviorally mature.
Adopting an adult or adolescent cat can have
its advantages. An older cat is out of the
"kitty" phase and will probably be less destructive
around your home. An adult cat's personality
is already formed, allowing you to know just
what the cat's temperament is like.
Volunteer cat socializers spend a lot of
time with the Wisconsin Humane Society's adoptable
cats and provide valuable information about
each cat's personality, which helps adopters
select the perfect companion. An adult cat
is exactly the size it is going to be; there
are no size or coat length surprises. Currently,
the adoption fee is waived for cats over one
year old.
Whether you are interested in adopting a
kitten or older cat, the Wisconsin Humane
Society's knowledgeable Adoption Counselors
will assist you in selecting a cat that will
be compatible with your lifestyle.
Animal behavior seminars, informational
brochures and behavior telephone counseling
and tip lines are available at WHS. We have
a retail store and help people select appropriate
animal care products. Knowing that you are
giving a very deserving and wonderful animal
a second chance increases the joy of adding
a new member to your family.
Sadly, there are far more homeless cats in
our community than loving homes available.
Please spay or neuter your new cat and encourage
your friends to sterilize their companion
animals as well. Consider adopting a cat or
kitten from the Wisconsin Humane Society and
experience the joy of giving a second chance
to a wonderful companion animal!
Click here for adoptable
cats at the Wisconsin Humane Society.
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