Opinions-kittens or young cats?

[Velocivixen]

@Badger, yeah, it would be great to be in a room and just see what cats/kittens come up to us. I want them to like us too.

@Becky, for sure regarding why folks return cats. Sometimes it's something like the child has allergies or they're moving and cannot have pets, etc. The folks at the no kill shelter are not shy about sharing why cats have been returned, etc. I feel that they legitimately want to find forever homes for these cats and will work with you.

I think we're leaning toward the range of 6-14 month age range, and littermates if possible. We are open though, and I would like at least one of them to be black.

[Chile Pepper]

Oooh, I could not resist a kitten! I have two cats and four dogs, so no kittens in my near future--and that makes me sad. Those itsy bitsy balls of fur are just so cute! I would not want to miss that if I had the option.

[Koronin]

The reasons for abandoning or returning dogs or cats can be just crazy. I will never understand the dumping an animal because you're moving. We moved across state with our three cats and my parents ended up taking in the stray we had been helping. Long story short we took all 4 to my parents for about 2 months while I sold our old house and we moved to the townhouse we rented. Our three would not accept the stray, but my mom's cat had no problem accepting him, so he stayed with my parents who are very happy to have him there. The place we rented the company we rented through has a two pet limit, but with approval you can have more pets in one of their rentals. They called and talked to the owner who said we could have our three cats in her place. She didn't mind at all.

[Kathi]

Meggie in her kitty tree.

[smilingcat]

I'm still in touch with the rescue group in California. In fact, I had a long pleasant conversation with one of the directors.

Times are still tough! Families are still downsizing and moving into apartment which do not allow pets. @ apartment owners. Traumatic for both the cats/dogs and the kids.

Adoption for kittens and cats are very slow. It hasn't returned to a level we used have 5 years ago.

If you are planning to adopt two cats, Bicilista's comment about getting two cats who have bonded is a great idea. Cats have feelings and being separated from one they have bonded is just too cruel. It would be nice if you could find a pair you like.

If you are worried about their personality, adopt a pair of cats who have been fostered and not just locked up in a cage at a shelter. The fosters are generally very upfront and honest with their assessment of cats personality. I didn't want my fosters returned so I pointed out all the faults with my foster kittens.

The group I worked with, they have about half a dozen kittens from last year, now a year old. Pretty sad. And I have 7 failed fosters who call my home their forever home. Other three were never up for adoption.

Older cats are just as fun as the kittens. Kittens only stay kittens for about 9 month to a year.

Enjoy your new kittens or cats when you find them.

[SheFly]

Last year, we adopted 9 week old siblings from a foster/no-kill shelter. As Mimi said, they had already bonded, and we were luck in that they actually DID choose us when we went to see them! They are brother/sister, and have NEVER been apart (well, except when we had to temporarily separate them because Ellie went into heat early).

My DH stayed home a bit more when we first got them, but they have settled in with both of us working. We just bought a brand new leather couch, and they haven't destroyed that or any other furniture (though they do like to chew on the cherry knobs of the bedroom furniture!).

After having lost a 17 year old cat (whom I adopted at 10 weeks), these two have literally rescued us vs. the other way around.

So, I agree with the bonding piece - and if you can, siblings are terrific!

Good luck!

SheFly

[Aggie_Ama]

Muirenn- My hairdresser acquired a dog as part of her house too! The owners were moving due to a layoff and the Great Pyrennes mix couldn't go to the one bedroom apartment with a 30lb limit. It was only 6 months old and they were devastated. They asked her if they could leave the dog with the property so it wouldn't languish in the shelter, no friends could take it. She felt pressured but said yes, she LOVES him. She has a profoundly autistic daughter but the dog takes great care of her. He doesn't mind her lhasa mix either and she said a great guard dog for the 5 acre spread. So it ended up being a happy ending.

[Biciclista]

wow, I can't imagine unexpectedly inheriting such a huge dog. Glad it worked out ok.

[Koronin]

Those two dogs got lucky that not only did the new owners accept them, but they also are good owners.

I guess I actually can understand the layoff loosing a job and having to move thing a bit more than most other reasons.