Meow and Furr-ever Part 2: New Cat

We just had a successful adoption event last weekend. Bruce and Cora, a pair of bonded seniors, were adopted! This adoption is marvelous because the odds were not in their favor. (Hey, the Hunger Games prequel comes out this year, so no judgment for that old reference). Bruce and Cora are very loving and sweet cats, but they were both over ten years of age. They are still active cats, despite being on the older side. Many people look for kittens or young cats when adopting, and despite having a lot of love to give, our seniors can struggle to find forever homes. Another point working against them is that they are bonded.

Bruce and Cora came to our rescue from an owner surrender when her housing situation drastically took a downward spiral. Because of our fosters and volunteers, these two beautiful cats had a second chance to find a new home together. It would be cruel and unproductive to separate them when they had known a loving home together for many years. When bonded cats are separated, they become distressed. This could manifest as not eating, lethargy, or lashing out by hissing or biting. We closely watch our cats and can tell when two are bonded because they usually sleep together and groom one another. However, more people want single cats, not doubles. This is usually because they already have a cat at home and are looking for a companion, which makes sense. Join us as we raise our metaphorical glasses and toast Bruce and Cora.

This post is about what to expect when you adopt a cat. This post is geared toward those who’ve never owned a cat before and are curious if a cat is a suitable choice for them.

Hey, Must be the Money

Adding another family member can be expensive, and sometimes you might need to realize how expensive a pet is before you own one. Their needs add up fast! If you do not have any pet items, be prepared to drop a large sum of money when you take home your new family member.

First, there is the adoption fee. This fee ranges based on age and rescue. At the time of publication, OCSP Cat Rescue’s adoption fees begin at $195 for kittens and $170 for adults, with a small discount for adopting two simultaneously. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip, deworming, UTD on vaccines, FELV/FIV testing, and any other vet care that has been administered. You are getting a happy and healthy cat like Taylor (left). Taylor loves attention. He is extremely friendly and enjoys spending time with people. He loves sitting on laps and sleeping on the bed at night. He is vocal and greets his foster family when they return home. Thinking about adoption? Consider Taylor!

Adoption Starters

If you don’t currently own a cat, you will need several items.

• Wet food

• Dry food

• Food and water dishes, and/or a water fountain*

• Litter box and litter

• Cat carrier, one for each cat

• Cat bed

• Cat tower, to play and scratch

• Cat toys

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*I do prefer a water fountain if possible as it encourages your cat to drink enough water. One of my cats has kidney issues, so hydration is especially important for her.

Everyday Care

Some items you will use daily, like food. Other items, like litter, can last up to a month, depending on how many cats you have and how large a litter container you buy. Cat toys should be thrown away if they break or become too dirty to spot clean. (Some of our shelter kitties throw theirs in their litter boxes, yuck!) Other than that, toys last several months. It’s a good idea to replace toys every six months to a year, depending on how frequently your cat plays with them. If your cat carries the toy around in her mouth a lot, aim to replace the toys more regularly. Toys build up old saliva and bacteria, so replacing them keeps your furry friend healthy. Litter boxes should be replaced every year for the same reason. While you should dump old litter once per month and clean out the litter box before refilling it, scratches on the inside of the plastic hold on to bacteria.

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