advice on adopting a cat?
Hey, y'all!
So, I've decided that I really, desperately would love to adopt a cat. I've been missing a pet in my life for years now, and I found out that the apartment I will (hopefully) have next year accepts pets...so I was thinking a cat, since they tend to be less needy than dogs, and also a bit less expensive. I realize that any animal will have its own individual expenses and need plenty of attention, but I'd be more comfortable with a kitty in a small apartment than a dog. They usually need lots of land!
Anyway, I know I have quite a few cat-lovers on my flist, and I was wondering if anybody could offer me any advice. I Googled cat adoption in Orange County (because really, I'd like to adopt the cat here so we can get to be pals before we set off for the apartment) and see that there are several shelters who either adopt through PetSmart, and some independently. What is the best way to go about adopting a cat? What should I be prepared for about the process? Are there any specific questions I need to have answered? Some of them require a $135 donation on top of the adoption; some are a bit cheaper, but all the cats have been spayed/neutered.
Also, while I have close friends who own cats and have spent plenty of time around them, what should I look forward to/be ready for about owning a cat? Any general advice? I'd greatly appreciate it in addition to my own research!
*cough* Okay, now back to work. I tooooootally haven't been looking at pictures of adoptable cats for the last half an hour or so. Nope.
So, I've decided that I really, desperately would love to adopt a cat. I've been missing a pet in my life for years now, and I found out that the apartment I will (hopefully) have next year accepts pets...so I was thinking a cat, since they tend to be less needy than dogs, and also a bit less expensive. I realize that any animal will have its own individual expenses and need plenty of attention, but I'd be more comfortable with a kitty in a small apartment than a dog. They usually need lots of land!
Anyway, I know I have quite a few cat-lovers on my flist, and I was wondering if anybody could offer me any advice. I Googled cat adoption in Orange County (because really, I'd like to adopt the cat here so we can get to be pals before we set off for the apartment) and see that there are several shelters who either adopt through PetSmart, and some independently. What is the best way to go about adopting a cat? What should I be prepared for about the process? Are there any specific questions I need to have answered? Some of them require a $135 donation on top of the adoption; some are a bit cheaper, but all the cats have been spayed/neutered.
Also, while I have close friends who own cats and have spent plenty of time around them, what should I look forward to/be ready for about owning a cat? Any general advice? I'd greatly appreciate it in addition to my own research!
*cough* Okay, now back to work. I tooooootally haven't been looking at pictures of adoptable cats for the last half an hour or so. Nope.