Adopt a cat, give it a home

Any person who adopts a cat must be very sure that he or she really wants to commit to the care of an animal, as it is not a toy that we can part with when we get tired of it. The obligations that we commit to when taking it under our care should be very clear to us upon accepting the pros and cons of our decision, doing what it takes and considering that a cat lives an average of 15 years. Therefore, before adopting, let's think it over.

When choosing a cat for adoption, we must take into account the different factors and consider at all times what we have to offer the animal. In this sense, if we choose a kitten, we must know that it will require greater care and attention, as well as much more time and patience. Kittens are adorable, but you must bear in mind that you cannot leave them home alone for too long, and that you will have to take responsibility for their education. Also, they are mischievous and playful, and we must always be aware of them.

If we adopt a cat from an animal shelter, it will already be sterilised. This is a process that causes no harm to the animal when it has reached adulthood and in no way does it affect its quality of life. Moreover, it prevents urine marking, heat periods and unwanted pregnancies, while decreasing the incidence of some cancers, such as breast cancer and other illnesses.

When arriving at their new home, cats will require a process of adaptation. At first, they will appear aloof and suspicious, they may resist eating, and they may scratch and cause damage to your furniture, but gradually we will achieve their adaptation and acceptance of the rules of coexistence. It is important to teach them from day one where the different areas are located, i.e. toilet, eating, bathing, sleeping and playing areas.

You must also keep in mind that cats are independent and solitary animals who are not made to live in herds, and therefore accept no authority. Rather, we must reach a cohabitation agreement with our cat based on mutual respect, and above all on love and trust. Of course, we must reprimand them when they do something that is not allowed, but it is not about making the hierarchy clear, as we would do with a dog.

Finally, enriching the cat’s environment with balls, toy mice or shelves on the walls so they can climb up will help us with their education. It is a question of supplying elements that are similar to those they would find in nature to practice and learn, and, incidentally, to relax and feel happy as soon as possible in their new home.

As with any person you decide to spend the rest of your life with, we must also commit ourselves to care for and love our kitten forever.