The cage was small, but the people were nice and Tiger felt safe. He was fed, stroked and groomed regularly. But it was still not home. Tiger was "at home", and still had vague memories of the woman who took care of him and the other cats who lived with her. Since he had been to this place, and had been here so long that he almost forgot the "Home", and the woman. There was concern here, however, and Tiger knew it. Something was about to happen. Something bad. Then two people came in. He was put in a cage with them. He jumped up in the woman's lap. He was put in a dark place that bumped and jostled him. He heard a strange, scary noises. He howled, and a male voice responded with the sounds he could not understand. Then it was easy. And the terror! A small hand reached for him and tried to take him. There were people he does not know, they all approached him. There was another cat arched and spat. Then horror of horrors ... There was a dog! Tiger fled. He fled down a long corridor and screwed through the first open door he found. He hid in the darkest place he could find ... including soft and hard things he had not confessed. He heard voices. He heard the dog bark, and he shuddered. He heard the child's high voice, and a woman's voice ... which was easier to bear. He hunkered down and remained invisible and silent as he could. Adoption of Haste The staff at shelters greet people seeking new pets with both joy and circumstance. People walk between the cages, looking over each cat, and staff hope they will choose a cat that has been there for a long time. But they know what people are looking for, they are looking for kittens, not adult cats. If there are no kittens, customers are sometimes reluctant to choose an adult cat as a "consolation prize", pay the adoption fees and cart him or her ... Only to return the cat two or three days later. ".. I'm sorry, but this cat just did not work out, we could not get it down in the family "Or ... "This cat is too wild, we need something tamer, something that will fit into." "What happened?" The employee asked. "The cat bolted and hid it took us three days to find it, and when we finally did, we had to chase it all over the house before we caught it, we need something tamer, something that fits better ... "So go the sad stories of return ... But wait, it could be worse for cats adopted through other means. "The landlord will not let me hold her, could you take her in?" People who adopt strays off the street, or a friend's cat, often realize the full extent of the things they need to do for their new cat: o prepare their house to get her cat o Take care of their cat's medical needs o Ensure that their other cats have protection against disease o take care of their cat's physical needs o Proper presentation of the cat to their live-in companions, children and other pets And perhaps most importantly: o prepare for a good relationship with their new cat People who have never owned cats before do not really realize what a cat is: A very intelligent, independent animals who need love and affection every day - but is not a dog. Cats with people, just as dogs do, but they do not always bond with the person who adopted them. They will choose who they want, much to the dismay of one who "picked them up" in hopes of having made a new friend. This is a very good reason why the first 24 hours are so important. It is during this period that your cat will decide who she wants to bond with. If you do not know what you do, it can not be with you. Time A cat needs time with her. One of the major mistakes busy people make is to fail to realize that they have busy schedules that do not allow them to spend enough time with their newly adopted cat. This would ultimately result in your cat runs away. If you do not have time to spend with your cat, she will choose not to your house as her "lair". She will go out looking for another, and you may soon report a "lost cat". Or, to your dismay, you will find that the cat you thought would be a loving companion has bonded with another member of your household ... someone who had time to spend. Money Many people do not count the cost of pet ownership. In their exuberance to adopt a cat, they forget that they do not have the budget to keep her. Late discover they do not have cash on hand to buy their new cat is absolutely necessary, or give her the medical attention she will certainly need. Many people shy away from pet health insurance, not realizing that the same things that happen to people happen to cats, and can cost large sums of money to cure. This can result in losing their beloved pets as the price to save her is "too high". Medical needs Some people who adopt strays or cats owned by friends do not realize the full extent of the care of their new cat needs: o a complete physical examination o A complete immunization schedule o spaying or neutering Especially the cute kitten you brought home from a friend's litter will need a long series of vaccinations (with boosters) that will extend over a period of a couple of years. You can not do everything in one day. To fail to do so will almost certainly result in tragedy down the line. I know. I failed to give one of my kittens their vaccinations. I made it an outdoor cat and it died of feline leukemia. The story was definitely a very sad ending ... Your cat's physical needs when your cat climbs out of the carrier box for the first time, you will be equipped with the necessities? Or will you find that you need these things later ... and put them in one by one, after your cat has defecated in the corner started to scratch the furniture, or started some other inappropriate behavior, you are not prepared for? (And, get advice, a cat is a very obsessed with animals ... when she starts to do something, it is very difficult to change it). To ensure that you have what you need to get your new cat is important ... and you must have the basics on hand before you take her home. First introductions So when your cat first climb out of her career, she is supposed to be on every member of your household all at once? And when she does, she will flee in terror, trying to find the safest and darkest corner she can find? Or will you introduce her gradually ... to try to reduce the trauma as much as possible so that she can adapt to and feel at home in her new situation? Your technology to do so can be a deciding factor in whether your cat adapt to your home immediately, the next day or next month, or escape the house altogether. The days to follow Do you know how to take care of your new cat in the coming days, provided that you handle your first introduction, right? Do you know about allergies, special diets, bathing, grooming, hair balls, remove the urine, training and teaching without frightening and alienating her, and a host of other situations cat owners face daily? Do you know the risks in letting her be an outdoor cat? Be prepared as you have often heard, preparation is the key to success ", and nowhere to apply more appropriate than cat ownership. If you are ready, your adoption will probably go very smoothly. I say probably because every cat is different. Even with the best preparation of a knowledgeable owner, a cat still wants to hide for a while. And if you find so ... You have to know what to do. The key So, that's why I wrote my book, "Your New Cat's first 24 hours", http://www.yourcatsecrets.com, to give you everything you need to know and not only has to get ready for your new cat and introduce her to your household, but to understand and take care of her in the days to follow. I must say it again: preparing ... and knowledge ... is the key. When you choose to adopt, I hope you will not do it in haste. I hope you will do it knowledgeably and with understanding.
