Do you want a kitten or cat?
Youthful cuteness comes with high energy and curiosity, and sometimes a few social miscues (missed litter box or gave you a scratch during over excited play). That same youthful enthusiasm can sometimes get them into trouble; they need to be watched around other pets or children and can't be left alone for long periods of time. Kittens should be paired with a litter mate or another playmate in order to learn positive cat behaviors. They are more socialized and get more physical exercise when they have a buddy to wrestle with on-demand. They learn to entertain themselves and won't always be expecting your attention and affection.
Over time, a cat's 'pace of play' will start to slow; they may outgrow the big eyes and round faces, but their true personality emerges. Older cats are more independent, become established in their routines and increasing likely to exhibit consistent litter box etiquette. They able to show you what they want or need from their owner; a tap may mean they can't find their favorite toy, a cry may be a demand for more food, a head butt as a reminder that they have not had your full attention for a whole minute, zoomies mean they need more playtime to work off some energy. Maturity also means they can be left alone longer and are more content to sleep or responsibly entertain themselves while you're gone.
If you have your heart set on a cat with a specific personality or temperament, you may want to consider adopting an older cat, because a kitten's personality is hard to determine.
Be patient and spend some time with your desired cat or kitten before you make a life-long decision:
Little Buddies is not a shelter, our pets live in the homes of our volunteer foster parents, where they are cared for, fussed over and socialized in an environment similar to their forever homes. Take the time to visit the cats that caught your eye.
- Pay attention to how they respond to you, how they interact with the other animals and how they are with the foster parent.
- Talk to the foster to find out the cat's unique quirks and how they spend their time.
- Are they friendly and doesn't know a stranger?
- Do they meow a lot?
- Are they timid and hides when someone enters the house or makes an unexpected noise?
- Are they attention greedy; happy for you to never stop rubbing their head or do they prefer affection only on their terms and timeline?
- Do they mind being to be picked up?
- Do they have favorite toy or place to sleep?
- Do they react wildly to catnip or are they more likely to take a nap when exposed?
- Ask about their breed? Many of our rescues are mixed breeds, but if their breed is known, that information may help give you some idea of their overall temperament.
- Trust your heart, you will know which cat is right for you when you feel that special connection.
Do you have any allergy concerns?
It is a common misconception that long-haired cats cause more allergies than short-haired cats. But either type can trigger an allergic reaction because of their dander, not their level of shedding that is the irritant. Also, it is possible to be allergic to some cats and not others. Take time with your potential Little Buddy to see how or if you have a reaction before you make a forever home decision.
How much grooming are you willing to do?
Long-haired cats are beautiful, but they need a lot of grooming, including regular brushing and possibly professional grooming trimming to avoid matting and prevent overheating in warmer climates. Short-haired cats may shed less but will also require some brushing.
Ready to make a decision?
If you haven't already, review our Available Little Buddies then call our Adoption Coordinator at 703-431-5931 and leave a voicemail with your name, number, and name(s) of the little buddy(s) you are interested in learning more about. Our Adoption Coordinator will return your call in 24-48 hours. Calls will be returned in the order they are received. Please only call once and remember to leave a detailed voicemail.
Once you are approved for your little buddy, a little preparation and some patience during the first few days, will ensure you are set for a life-long adventure with your new best friend. We've even compiled a Shopping List for new pet parents!
