I am looking for a cat. Where can I find one to adopt?

There are many sources of cats for adoption. Each of the sources carries risks and benefits. The age of the cat to adopt must also be considered. Has it had vaccines, spay/neuter, and dewormings? Is it declawed? Is it litter box trained? What is its risk of disease? How much do you want to spend? Are you helping worsen the cat overpopulation problem?

Common places that I see cats come from include farms, pet shops, humane societies, friends, and strangers standing in a location with kittens free to a good home.

Farms often have large numbers of cats. Many of these cats, especially the males, come and go, wandering over large areas. Little is usually known about these cats. The risks for parasites and many diseases, especially feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are very high. Often, these cats are very poorly socialized. The mortality rate of unregulated farm cats is quite high, and typically, they are allowed to reproduce as nature designed them.

Pet shops usually get kittens from large-scale breeders (similar to puppy mills). Some stores only offer adoption of cats from a humane society. Breeders are often trying to make money without offering proper care of the cats, and are contributing to pet overpopulation problems. This being said, I certainly know breeders who are very careful about the husbandry of their cats and working to better the breed.

Independent parties with kittens are very similar to the farm situation. Usually, the cat was not intended to be bred, or the owner wanted their kids to see the miracle of birth. These cats then need homes. Often homes cannot be found, so the cats are abandoned or taken to a humane society.

Humane societies and other rescue organizations are very good places to find cats. These cats are in desperate need of homes. They are often spayed/neutered, have some of their vaccines and dewormings, and have been FeLV tested. Unfortunately, humane societies often have problems with upper respiratory diseases. Adoption of these cats will not encourage further breeding of cats. As spaying/neutering is required (if not already done), they will not contribute to overpopulation.

Spaying/neutering of cats is a cost effective means of decreasing the cat overpopulation problem. It is inexpensive, especially when compared to caring for all of the homeless cats at humane societies and rescue organizations. Spaying and neutering not only increases the animal welfare by decreasing the number of unwanted pets, it improves quality of life by decreasing disease related to the reproductive organs like cancers and infections. It also decreases tendencies to roam and fight.

Control of the cat population is important. Feral cats have large impacts on the environment. Trap, neuter, release programs have been very helpful in some parts of the country to help control populations. A single female cat and her descendants have the potential to produce 420,000 offspring in just 7 years. Every year, millions of cats are euthanized, kicked out of the house, dumped by the side of the road, or abandoned at humane societies and rescue organizations.

Please do your part to help control the cat population. Be a responsible pet owner. Spay and neuter your cats. If you are looking for a cat, try to adopt one from a humane society or other rescue organization.

Some humane societies and rescue organizations in our area: PAWS, Animal Humane Society, Arnell Memorial Humane Society, Dunn County Humane Society, Cause for Paws, Caring for Cats, Second Chance Rescue, and Homeward Bound.

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