I'm fairly sure that is not the response most people would think of; something like "kittens given away" or "taking in the stray who shows up" would be what most people think of as The Easiest.
But it is all about how we define "easy," isn't it? These methods require little effort on our part... at first. Yet, they require the greatest effort in shaping this cat into a wonderful pet. Especially if we are new to cats.The problem with cats as randomly found objects is that we need to do health and personality evaluations. Before giving them the run of our home and our heart.
Do we have a quarantine room we can set up?
Do we know what they are saying when they are upset and frightened?
Can we tell if they are sick or hurt or suffering?
A good shelter is able to answer a lot of these questions. Plus, we get vet care, ID chipping, and reassurance.
Kittens are delightful and cuddly but require more time and patience than adults. Adult cats should come home altered and up to date on their shots. It's great to get some idea of what this cat is like, and if that is what we want in our cat.
Adults are great starter cats because it is easier to develop communication skills. Things we like in kittens are also found in adult cats.
The problem is that people don't know how to make friends with adult cats. But that's easy!
I explain in The Bridge to Grown Cats.
1 comment:
"The problem is that people don't know how to make friends with adult cats." That is why I would think that the stray that shows up is a little easier. As long s you know for sure they are strays. Usually the stray that shows up tries to make friends with the person who ends up adopting them, so all that new cat owner insecurity about befriending an adult cat is eliminated. They are obviously familiar with the area, and you can invite them into your home on their terms. I've heard of shelter cats coming home and later being found to have ringworm or upper respiratory infections that the shelter vet didn't see or the people weren't told about, so it's probably a good idea to take a shelter pet to your own vet anyway. Of course, a person can always go to the shelter and pick out a cat that tries to be friends with them, but then you can't know how it would react to your home environment. You know a stray cat that shows up and sticks around a home with kids or dogs isn't going to be scared by them. However, a person might not want to wait around for a stray cat to show up, so a good shelter is their best choice. After all, that's where a friendly stray would end up if no one takes it in or animal control sees it first.
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