Deciding to adopt a cat is an important decision that should not be taken lightly because when that cute, cuddly kitten grows up it may become a disastrous reality. When people adopt an adorable kitten without a second thought in the world they often find that what they thought was cute in the beginning is not what they are looking for when that kitten grows up.
For this reason, it is essential to realize that like people have many different personality traits, so do different breeds of cats. According to Cat Chat, "There are between 40 and 80 different breeds of cat and about 500 varieties. Apart from the differences in their appearance, each breed has a distinct temperament and personality" (38). For example, a Birman is affectionate and sweet while the Egyptian Mau is highly athletic and always on the go, which means it may be harder to get them to cuddle with the owner if that is what they are looking for. So, it is important to decide which type of personality is preferred.
The person seeking to adopt a cat should also determine if they prefer an active cat - one who wants to play or a cat that enjoys relaxing and being close to them. This is important too as activity levels vary among different breeds of cats. Some cats are active like the Abyssian who prefers to be moving often, while others are very laid back like the Scottish Fold and enjoy just being near the owner. This is something a family in search of the perfect cat should consider before adopting their new friend. Another thing to consider is the time they have available to spend with their cat because if they are not available s/he may find it fascinating to go off exploring counters, climbing the curtains, etc. so these are things to consider if considering a more active breed.
Another thing the adopter should contemplate is if they would enjoy constantly brushing a cat with long hair in order to keep the knots away. Cat hair often ends up floating through the air and landing right in nearby food. Do these things bother the person considering adopting a cat? If so, they may find a short haired breed fits them more appropriately or perhaps a hairless cat such as the Sphynx would be a better fit as there are none of these issues with a hairless cat.
After they figure out these critical details they will need to decide where to find that cat - a rescue or a breeder? People often find rescues have wonderful cats available looking for a home; however, it is important to ask the rescue the circumstances of why that cat is in the rescue and be completely honest regarding what they are looking for. One difference between adopting from a breeder versus a rescue is the ability to meet the parents in most cases and be able to see whether the cat was in an environment where s/he was socialized. A study done on socialization regarding rescued kittens by Casey & Bradshaw states, "That kittens receiving additional socialization were evidently less fearful than the controls at 1-year-old, and their owners may have been more strongly attached to them, if this reflects the greater degree of emotional support they experienced" (202).
As people can clearly see, it is extremely important the person considering adopting a new cat establishes what they are really looking for: loving vs. less affectionate, active vs. a lazier cat, long hair vs. short hair or no hair at all, and where to adopt their new best friend as well. When a person takes the time necessary before adopting a cat to establish what they are looking for, they increase the odds of having a very happy cat and family for many years to come.
Works Cited
Casey, R.A., Bradshaw, J.W.S., "The effects of additional socialisation [sic] for kittens in a rescue centre [sic] on their behavior [sic] and suitability as a pet." Applied Animal Behaviour [sic] Science 114:1 (2008): 196-205
"Cat chat." Mail on Sunday 12 July 2009: 38. Regional Business News. Web. 21 May 2012.
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