Cat Adoption How to Choose a Shelter Cat
I've adopted two cats from shelters. The first one was actually for my mother who needed a new animal companion after her dog died, but was getting too old to look after another dog. I wanted to get her a very friendly cat that would enjoy her company and sitting on her lap. I was looking for a cat at least a year old so that my mother would have it for a while.The second adoption was for my own family. We had a 6-month-old Burmese who had just lost his sister. He really needed the company of another cat, so we went looking for a playful cat of similar age that liked being with other cats.In both cases, knowing what characteristics I wanted was crucial. In the first instance, the shelter did not provide much information about each cat's temperament, so I entered the large room housing the adoptable cats and first looked for the ones that responded to me with interest and friendliness. I observed which cats enjoyed being petted. One very quickly rubbed against my hand and followed me around the room as I checked out the others. She was the one! And a great success she was too. She and my mother adored each other and lived together for many years.The second adoption occurred with more technological assistance! My family found her on the shelter's website where her photo and biography were posted. We put her on a list with the other cats of the right age that liked cat company. Although our Burmese was initially defensive about the new arrival, after a couple of days we knew we had made the right choice as they started to play with each other the way the two siblings had done. She loves her humans as well.How can you be sure you'll have similar success choosing a shelter cat? When you get there, look at all the cats and interact with them as much as you can. Read the information available on each cat - the staff and volunteers will have described their temperaments and any special needs. Notice which cats are good with other animals and children if these are requirements. Do you want a quiet or outgoing cat?Ask to hold and play with particular cats. If there are toys to play with, try to engage with the cats that interest you. If you want a mouser, you'll want a playful cat.Often shelter cats choose you! That certainly seemed to happen with my mother's cat. You'll most likely have stronger feelings towards one or two cats. If you can't decide, try asking the shelter staff for help. Tell them what you're looking for, where you live, whether you intend the cat to be indoors or outdoors, how many hours a day the cat will spend alone and so on.If you can't decide, just sit or stand quietly and see which cat comes to you. If worst comes to worst, you can always get two!
Abyssinian Cat Breeders - Abyssinian Cat Breeders Have A Wild Time
If you hang around Abyssinian cat breeders you will be convinced that must have raised squirrels at some point in their lives. Abyssinian cat breeders and owners say that living with an Abyssinian is like living with squirrels.
Abys have the wildcat look of felis lybica, the African wildcat ancestor of all domestic cats. You might think they bear some resemblance to a mountain lion, a mini-cougar. Unlike their wild cousin, they area very sweet and affectionate animals that love to interact with their human families. Images in ancient Egypt show cats with a very similar appearance, right down to the ticked appearance of their coats. In the early eighteen hundreds, the first Abyssinian cats arrived in England from Ethiopia on trader ships
The Abyssinian cat has a graceful tail that is as long as the rest of its body. Although Abyssinians can have coats in several shades, including ruddy, red, blue and fawn, they all are tabbies with a ticked appearance. This means that each individual hair has four to six bands of dark and light color. This cat breed has a wedge shaped face with eyes that are green, amber, or hazel colored.
It is no surprise that such a curious breed is also extremely active. While they will spend some loving time in the lap, do not consider them a lap cat. You should also put up your breakables, and rethink your decorating. It may be time to add some cat furniture decor for climbing.
Owners spend a lot of time playing with these 'feline squirrels'. Abyssinians can scale any fences, rail or wall trim as they explore their surroundings. If you adopt an Aby, you'll grow accustomed to seeing her cross shelving and even jump several feet in the air.
Did I mention toys? These cats need lots of toys. If you don't provide playthings, your cat will use your belongings to create his own toys. There goes your necklace, earrings and grandmother's ring.
Perhaps more than any other breed you must keep a close eye on your Abyssinian if you allow him to go outdoors. He is an escape artist. Plus he has to introduce himself to the neighbors.
This breed's personality means that it needs a lot of attention and affection from its owner. An Abyssinian is the wrong choice for anyone who spends most of their time away from home at the office or traveling. This breed does enjoy playing and interacting with other cats. You could add another Abyssinian to the fray, but an Aby really doesn't make a good latchkey kid.
It won't take long for you to teach your cat a few simple commands. He can learn to come to you when he is called, fetch and chase. This helps keep him trim too. It shouldn't be a chore to spend time playing and training this agile descendant of Ethiopian wildcats.
As a breed, Abyssinians are very healthy. The breed can be prone to kidney problems (feline renal amyloidosis), become anemic, have a tendency to develop gingivitis, and develop a degenerative eye disorder (progressive retinal atrophy) which can end up in blindness.
With its short sleek coat, the Abyssinian needs very little grooming. However, they have been known to love water and have fun in the bath -- with or without their human bather.
All Abyssinian cat breeders know, their felines probably won't spend a lot of time in your lap, but they will learn quickly and have a wild time with you and your family.
Abys have the wildcat look of felis lybica, the African wildcat ancestor of all domestic cats. You might think they bear some resemblance to a mountain lion, a mini-cougar. Unlike their wild cousin, they area very sweet and affectionate animals that love to interact with their human families. Images in ancient Egypt show cats with a very similar appearance, right down to the ticked appearance of their coats. In the early eighteen hundreds, the first Abyssinian cats arrived in England from Ethiopia on trader ships
The Abyssinian cat has a graceful tail that is as long as the rest of its body. Although Abyssinians can have coats in several shades, including ruddy, red, blue and fawn, they all are tabbies with a ticked appearance. This means that each individual hair has four to six bands of dark and light color. This cat breed has a wedge shaped face with eyes that are green, amber, or hazel colored.
It is no surprise that such a curious breed is also extremely active. While they will spend some loving time in the lap, do not consider them a lap cat. You should also put up your breakables, and rethink your decorating. It may be time to add some cat furniture decor for climbing.
Owners spend a lot of time playing with these 'feline squirrels'. Abyssinians can scale any fences, rail or wall trim as they explore their surroundings. If you adopt an Aby, you'll grow accustomed to seeing her cross shelving and even jump several feet in the air.
Did I mention toys? These cats need lots of toys. If you don't provide playthings, your cat will use your belongings to create his own toys. There goes your necklace, earrings and grandmother's ring.
Perhaps more than any other breed you must keep a close eye on your Abyssinian if you allow him to go outdoors. He is an escape artist. Plus he has to introduce himself to the neighbors.
This breed's personality means that it needs a lot of attention and affection from its owner. An Abyssinian is the wrong choice for anyone who spends most of their time away from home at the office or traveling. This breed does enjoy playing and interacting with other cats. You could add another Abyssinian to the fray, but an Aby really doesn't make a good latchkey kid.
It won't take long for you to teach your cat a few simple commands. He can learn to come to you when he is called, fetch and chase. This helps keep him trim too. It shouldn't be a chore to spend time playing and training this agile descendant of Ethiopian wildcats.
As a breed, Abyssinians are very healthy. The breed can be prone to kidney problems (feline renal amyloidosis), become anemic, have a tendency to develop gingivitis, and develop a degenerative eye disorder (progressive retinal atrophy) which can end up in blindness.
With its short sleek coat, the Abyssinian needs very little grooming. However, they have been known to love water and have fun in the bath -- with or without their human bather.
All Abyssinian cat breeders know, their felines probably won't spend a lot of time in your lap, but they will learn quickly and have a wild time with you and your family.
Adopt a Cat and know the Difference it can Bring to your Life
Man has been looking for a companion other than his own species since time immemorial. He has domesticated many of the animals including many of the so called dangerous species to work for him or to spend time with him. Among many of the animals that he has domesticated one of the most precocious ones has been this enigmatic animal called cat. It is important to note here that although one of the most surprising as well as the most charismatic and egotistic animal, cat is still the favourite of many of the animal lovers. One thing that can be said with certainty is that the cat despite of its tenacity and temerity is loved and adored by many of the pet lovers and more so by the fairer sex. Women are more likely to adopt a cat than as compared to men.
Just imagine that you have returned home from a gruelling day of work and you are greeted by that sweet meow of your lovely pet and that soft rubbing of the smooth and silky fur. Nothing is more exciting and refreshing than this act of affection and love of a species other than humans. Although if you adopt a cat you might have to face the whims and fancies of this animal, yet the wonders that you would be introduced to are many. In fact you can go ahead and adopt not only just one cat but more. More number of cats at your place would give you a feeling that you have never experienced before. Besides if there are more than one cats at your home, it would be good for them also. They would remain busy among themselves for the time that you are not at your home. And once you are home you would be greeted with more than one meows at a time and can feel more than one coat of fur.
So go ahead and adopt a cat, or more than one number of cats for yourself and you would know the difference that it can bring to your life and work.
Just imagine that you have returned home from a gruelling day of work and you are greeted by that sweet meow of your lovely pet and that soft rubbing of the smooth and silky fur. Nothing is more exciting and refreshing than this act of affection and love of a species other than humans. Although if you adopt a cat you might have to face the whims and fancies of this animal, yet the wonders that you would be introduced to are many. In fact you can go ahead and adopt not only just one cat but more. More number of cats at your place would give you a feeling that you have never experienced before. Besides if there are more than one cats at your home, it would be good for them also. They would remain busy among themselves for the time that you are not at your home. And once you are home you would be greeted with more than one meows at a time and can feel more than one coat of fur.
So go ahead and adopt a cat, or more than one number of cats for yourself and you would know the difference that it can bring to your life and work.