Adopting a cat can be a wonderful experience for you and your family, bringing warmth and happiness into the lives of both you and your cuddly new friend. Once you have made the decision to bring a new feline into your home, there are several options you must consider before taking the necessary steps towards adoption. This How-to guide will point you in the right direction, and you'll be bringing home your furry friend before you know it.

Adopting a cat can be a wonderful experience for you and your family, bringing warmth and happiness into the lives of both you and your cuddly new friend. Once you have made the decision to bring a new feline into your home, there are several options you must consider before taking the necessary steps towards adoption. This How-to guide will point you in the right direction, and you'll be bringing home your furry friend before you know it.

• Have you been feeling like your life is missing something, that no matter how happy you or your family are that there still seems to be a void? Do you find yourself tempted to feed stray cats from the neighborhood, or that you become distracted by the faint sound of a meow in the distance? When you are out in your neighborhood do you discover that you always manage to catch sight of your neighbor's cat? If you answered yes to any of these, than maybe it is time to consider adopting a cat into your family. By following this simple How-to guide, you will be well on your way to having a furry creature of your own.

• Now that you have decided to adopt a cat, it is time to narrow down your options so that you are able to make the appropriate decisions about where to go for adoption and how to select the perfect feline persona. Here is what you must consider:

1. Will your cat be living indoors or outdoors? This is an important decision, as many shelters require that you confine your cats indoors, which will limit your options as far as where you can go to adopt.
2. Considering a cat's age is a must, and while many people prefer kittens, there are also benefits to adopting an older cat. If you go that route, however, you should consider the living environment and whether or not young children will be around. Older cats may have less tolerance for toddlers pulling their tails!
3. Do you have a preference regarding the cat's breed? If you specifically want a Persian or a Maine Coon, for example, than there is a good chance you will be adopting from a breeder or a pet store
4. Personality! Are you looking for a playful or a docile cat, one that likes to talk or one that is quiet? For example, Maine Coons love to speak, so if you want a quiet feline then you would avoid this breed
5. Choosing hair length is often a priority if the cat is indoors. Long hair cats are more likely to shed, and many people's allergies tend to flair up more with long or medium hair cats.

• A great way to cover all the above options is to purchase several cat books and become familiar with the different breeds and their dispositions. Keep in mind the type of people that will be around the cat. Will there be young or elderly around, and what affects will this have on them and on the cat? The more knowledge you have, the better chance you have of selecting the perfect cat for you and your family's needs.

(Creative Commons photo by Klwatts)

• There are many options available to you when the time comes to adopt your new cat, and each one has its own positive and negative attributes. Ultimately your decision will be dependent upon your specific needs, and what type of cat you are seeking. Here are some options:

• Shelters are one of the most popular places to adopt cats, often because people like the idea that they are saving an animal from being euthenized. There is also a broader selection, including types and ages.

• These are shelters where the animals are not put down, and many people chose to adopt from them in order to promote all shelters adopting the no-kill policy in the future.

• This is a great place to adopt a cat if you have an overabundance of love a patience for the abused animals of the world. While not all of the cats found here have been abused, many have specifically been removed from homes because of abusive treatment. Choosing to adopt from here will increase your chances of selecting a feline that needs more attention than most.

• Pet shops sell cats as well as adopt them. Many work in association with local animal shelters as well, providing spay and neutering services. If you are looking for a certain breed this is often one of your better options.

• Inquiring at your local veterinarian is often a great place to start. Patients that can no longer care for their animals often bring them here, so the vet may have a lengthy history on any potential cat you may select for adoption.

• Adopting animals online is the newest trend and a popular way for people that can no longer care for their pets to find them a perfect home. Much like putting ads in the paper for free kittens, adopting online is very popular. Sites to check out:

1. Petfinder.com
2. Adoptapet.com

• This should be the easiest part of the adoption process, but it is often the most difficult. This is especially true when there are several people trying to agree on the same cat. The best advice here is to trust your instincts, but at the same time not make a decision too sporadically, because it will ultimately have far reaching implications on both you and the cat. Keep in mind the checklist from Step 1 and you should be fine, and remember, don't feel pressured to make the final decision on the very first day. Give yourself a day or two to be certain because you are choosing the newest member of your family and you want it to be the right fit.

• Once you have chosen the perfect cat to adopt it is time to go through the sometimes rigorous process of filling out paperwork and making sure you meet the necessary requirements of the adoption facility. Some requirements may include:

1. Paying to have the cat spayed or neutered
2. Providing proof that cats are permitted in the apartment complex or home you are renting or leasing
3. Proof that your cat will remain indoors

• Now it's the moment you have been waiting for; it is time to bring home your new cat. Before you do this make sure you have all the necessary supplies to keep your cat happy, and don't forget to show your new animal how much they are wanted and loved.

• Bringing home a new family member is always an exciting and rewarding experience, one filled with many unexpected surprises. Remember that you are embarking on an adventure, one that will provide you with years of joy as you spend time getting to know and love your new feline companion.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: Consider Your Options
• Step 2: Choose Where to Adopt
• Step 3: Find the Perfect Feline
• Step 4: Begin the Adoption Process
• Step 4: Welcome the Newest Family Member
• Conclusion