Opinions-kittens or young cats?

[badger]

we've only ever had one kitten in probably 20+ cats that have come and gone in my family's lives. He was the first and we got him from someone wanting to give away kittens at the County Fair type deal. All the cats since have been rescues.

Older cats will definitely present chances for issues, but we've never really had any horrible ones we couldn't deal with. In time they always came around.

Please give older cats a chance, especially the black ones that get passed over.

[Brandi]

My last 2 cats were both about 4 months old. Perfect age I think. Not to young to worry about leaving at home and not to old to have bad habits yet. Young young kittens you have to worry about so much. not that bonding with them isn;t great. Getting 2 at the same time is a great idea too. It's fun Whenever I have had a cat pass it always seems in the spring and we wait till fall or winter too. Morning was really hard on one we lost. But we also feel our home open's up to another that really needs a home. But I do advise going with a very open heart. We had adopted our cat Bo when he was 4 months old and had a broken femur. Now why would we take an injured cat in? He was that special and the shelter paid to have his leg fixed so what they paid the vet was our donation. And he is the best cat EVER!

[Velocivixen]

I agree with what every single person has said here. So, you can see it's difficult. There is our local shelter, which is not "no-kill". The volunteer in the cat section said that kitten season is late here and the little kittens are all in foster homes and will come to the shelter when they're bigger/older. That might be a good time in the fall to get a cat that is maybe 4+ months old.
However, there is a "no-kill" shelter that does this testing on adult cats called "Meet Your Match (trade marked) Feline-ality (trade marked)" program for all cats nine months and older. Read more here: http://catadoptionteam.org/adopt/adoption-process/

So DH and I answered the questionaire and we could do best with either a "Sidekick" or "Personal Assistant" based on our answers.
The only challenge that could pose itself at this no kill shelter is that some of the adult cats that have been there awhile have been "returns" due to "issues", which they will openly tell you about. As much as I like cats, I really don't want to adopt one with a lot of behavioral "issues". So if we adopt a 9+ month old or so cat from there it can't have been living there for years. I know that sounds mean, but there are just some people who are better at that sort of thing, and I am probably not one of them.

So...this isn't something that we'll do soon. I'm mostly just wondering out loud.
Thanks for all your responses.

[zoom-zoom]

Please give older cats a chance, especially the black ones that get passed over.

Our nearby no-kill shelter has SO many black cats...I was surprised when they told me that black cats are the hardest to find homes for. I love black cats...they are so sleek and sophisticated-looking. We vowed that our next cat would be a black cat from the shelter.

[Velocivixen]

Yes, it's true. I volunteered at our local animal shelter for 14 months in the, what was then called "Cat-Nip" program, helping potential adopters find their forever friend. Black cats and even dogs do not get adopted as much. At Halloween time the shelter intentionally will NOT adopt out a black cat, for fear of someone adopting one and intentionally harming it for superstitious & Halloween related stuff. It's sad but true.
We will likely adopt two at the same time. If they're related that would be great, but not absolutely necessary. If possible I think one should be black.

[Biciclista]

I agree with what every single person has said here. So, you can see it's difficult. There is our local shelter, which is not "no-kill". The volunteer in the cat section said that kitten season is late here and the little kittens are all in foster homes and will come to the shelter when they're bigger/older. That might be a good time in the fall to get a cat that is maybe 4+ months old.
However, there is a "no-kill" shelter that does this testing on adult cats called "Meet Your Match (trade marked) Feline-ality (trade marked)" program for all cats nine months and older. Read more here: http://catadoptionteam.org/adopt/adoption-process/

So DH and I answered the questionnaire and we could do best with either a "Sidekick" or "Personal Assistant" based on our answers.
The only challenge that could pose itself at this no kill shelter is that some of the adult cats that have been there awhile have been "returns" due to "issues", which they will openly tell you about. As much as I like cats, I really don't want to adopt one with a lot of behavioral "issues". So if we adopt a 9+ month old or so cat from there it can't have been living there for years. I know that sounds mean, but there are just some people who are better at that sort of thing, and I am probably not one of them.

So...this isn't something that we'll do soon. I'm mostly just wondering out loud.
Thanks for all your responses.

how can you tell if you pass the test?

[Velocivixen]

@Mimi, haha....you're so funny. No, did you click the link and look at the "questionnaire"? I think it's a really good little quiz to take and would potentially help match the right person/family with the right kitty.

I guess I'm just fortunate that my little kitties got along so well and didn't do anything like tear up my tiny apartment that I had at the time.

[Koronin]

I volunteer with a cat only rescue and yes black cats have the hardest time getting adopted followed by tortishells. Actually around Halloween not only will they not adopt out black cats, they also will not adopt out orange cats for the same reasons.
Personally I'd go for an adult cat, but that's just me. Hubby would rather get a kitten. (someday when we get a new cat, not sure which way we'll go, but it won't be while we have our current three).

[KMEichhorn]

It's funny. When I find out one of my friends is having a baby, I'm happy for them, but not the least bit envious. When I find out a friend (online or otherwise) is planning to adopt a cat or kitten, I get totally jealous. I want a third cat!

Yes! Me too.

[badger]

maybe when the time is right, what you should do is see if any of them will choose you. It's one thing to choose them, but they need to accept/adopt you, too!

[Kathi]

After my 20+ kitty passed away I looked at shelters several times but no kitty spoke to me. One day I was at the other end of town shopping and I decided I neeeded to look for a kitty, then, now. I drove to the shelter, filled out the papers and went with the lady helping me to see the available kitty's. We were talking about the cats but when one kitty heard my voice she started talking. The woman helping me was shocked as this cat was very shy and had not responded to anyone. She said they were going to put her on the "no adoption" list (still not sure what that means) because she was not responding to anyone. She was 6 yrs. old, Himayalan, Rag Doll mix. She was friendly, curious, active so I decided to give her a try. When I brought her home she hid under the bed only coming out to play, eat and sleep with me. I finally stuffed anything I could find under the beds and furniture to keep her from hiding. She got the message, she has become my best friend, sweet, loving, sometimes to dependent but laid back enough to tolerate our life style, boarding while we're out of town and frequent car trips to our condo.

Three years later she's still not friendly to visitors, probably never will be, but loves our little ski condo, still has a lot of curiousity, loves to play and has become a wonderful, forever fur baby.

BTW, I almost didn't adopt her because she was so pretty. I named her Megane (Celtic, meaning soft and gentle) because it describes her perfectly.

[Becky]

The only challenge that could pose itself at this no kill shelter is that some of the adult cats that have been there awhile have been "returns" due to "issues", which they will openly tell you about.

I have previously volunteered at a shelter, and some of the reasons that people give for returning a pet are unbelievable.... That's not to say that there aren't legitimate reasons, but sometimes it's worth digging a little deeper to get the whole story.

I'm a big fan of asking the shelter staff/volunteers which particular animals they like most and why, and who they would recommend for our home. They get to know the animals so well, especially those who have spent some time there, and can offer some really good insight.

[zoom-zoom]

maybe when the time is right, what you should do is see if any of them will choose you. It's one thing to choose them, but they need to accept/adopt you, too!

Strays have often adopted us over the years...it's funny. But when DS and I have gone to the no-kill shelter to donate supplies they always encourage us to go visit the kitties in each of the 4 rooms. In these rooms most of the cats wander freely. And it's amazing how desperate so many are...you can barely walk without tripping over over-auditioning cats. Makes me want to take them ALL home!

[redrhodie]

I vote for one of each.

[Blueberry]

Gotta have photos in this thread

Here are my 3 "recent" additions: