File :-(, x, )
Shelter Cats Anonymous
Dear /an/,

I am going to a pet shelter - in fact, the local RSPCA next week - to get myself a cat.

I have been there before, the shelter's nice and clean, the kitties are relaxed, and it appears I have a choice between adopting a kitten or a cat, fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped (microchips are law here in Aus, we have no choice)

Now the problem is, the shelter allows about 2-3 min of face to face time with the cat before making the decision. Aside from that, it's all sticking fingers through chicken wire as far as interaction's concerned.

As much as I have said that it was the local shelter, it is a 40 minute drive away, and I would rather not make a decision that turns out to be wrong for both me and the cat.

Previous cats I've owned were always raised from kittens so there were plenty of chance to bond, but I am not too sure about picking an adult cat. Are there some telltale signals that will give me a hint as to whether the cat likes me enough to want to be taken home? Are there some weird behaviours I should look out for?

Oh, and also, don't worry - the cat will be the only pet in the house, s/he will be completely indoors, etc etc. As I've said, I've kept cats before.

TL;DR: How can I tell apart a cat's personality and/or whether it will like me in a few minutes, anon?
Comment too long. Clickhereto view the full text.
>> Anonymous
All cats are two-faced, manipulative, skittish, clawing, stinky pieces of shit.

NO fucking exceptions.

TL;DR GET A CAT AND YOU WILL REGRET IT.
>> Anonymous
>>206784

They are NOT. My family's first cat used to babysit me, and she NEVER scratched me, even though I was 6 months old at the time and used to do horrible things to kitties like kneading them and chewing their tails.
>> Anonymous
>>206788
Cats don't have to scratch you to be complete shitfucks.
>> shelter cats Anonymous
Best way to get to know the cats is to be a volunteer and become a foster parent. Other than that, the cat chooses you.
>> Anonymous
>>206856
Speaks truth. The cat I ended up adopting stuck her paws through the bars to grab the back of my hood; so yeah, cats can definitely pick their people. To this day she's inseparable from me.
>> Anonymous
>>206856
Seconding this truth. My cat, who is pretty much silent at home, meowed when I walked by her at the shelter. She sat on my lap immediately once they let her out. She's a darling, I'm so glad I let her pick me.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
i adopted a cat, and he was very very friendly through the bars (would rub up against them purring) but when we got him out he wouldn't come out of the cage. he wasn't agressive; you could stick your hand in and pet him and he loved it, he just hated the cage. he eventually came out but hid under a chair. we brought him home anyway, and as it turns out, he just really really hates being transported in carriers. he's extreamly friendly and loving, slightly skittish around too many people or wierd noises, but otherwise incredibly affectionate. he was an older cat who's owner (i'm assuming from birth) had passed away.
>> Anonymous
You can go two ways:

1. Let the cat pick you. Sometimes this means getting an ugly one instead of a cute one, but it's your best bet at getting one who likes you.
2. Pick a cat yourself, and you may or may not have to work very hard at getting it to like you.

Rarely will an animal outright hate somebody forever if the person knows how to deal with animals and has patience. People can learn to get along with just about any non-traumatized dog or cat if they understand how. Still, some animals do just have less affectionate personalities than others, so you're probably better off getting a cat who is rubbing against the bars, meowing at you, etc. than one that's sitting in a corner and glaring.
>> Bitter Anon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
Thank you for considering a shelter pet!
When you get there, look to see if the animal greets you. Cats that come forward are generally friendly animals because they, obviously, want you to pay attention to them. Look at their facial expression. If they like you and want to be your friend, their ears should be forward, whiskers held out, and eyes wide and focused on you. They should have no gunk in the corner of their eyes and their noses should be soft and dry( if the cat has a runny nose/eyes, TELL A SHELTER WORKER).

If you WANT a shy cat, then ignore the ones that come rushing forward (except for a little rub through the bars to reward them for friendliness, even if you don't give them any other attention), and note which cats are slow to approach until you stop and give them attention.

(Why must I be so long winded? I WANT TO BE HELPFUL WITHOUT A FIELD TO LONG ERROR FOR ONCE, DAMNIT)
>> Bitter Anon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
>>206899
General etiquette: Don't yowl or meow at the cats. You can say things like 'here kitty kitty' and talk to them, but don't be a dick. Remember, these guys have cousins on the outside. Don't wiggle your fingers through the bars or make them chase your hands, unless you WANT to teach the cats to attack fingers. A cat that bites fingers shoved through the bars probably wont get adopted, and chances are they learned the behavior from retards trying to "play" with the cats.

If you see a cat you like, ask if you can place a hold on them, and come back tomorrow. If you still like the cat, come back the next day too. Most shelters do not allow first day adoptions, and if they did, I would seriously consider finding another shelter and not giving them money (or if you really really like the animal..tell them you are suspicious and would like to see medical records, etc.). A good shelter WANTS to give the animal to a good home, and a good home is one that wants their pet to come from a good shelter. Sure, you may look like a dick.. but seriously, I would rather give them to a dick who was gonna look after them than someone who just goes and gets a cat because it "looks purdy and matches the couch".

As another poster said, consider volunteering or fostering.
>> Anonymous
>>206784

Maybe cats know when they're around assholes and treat them accordingly.
>> Anonymous
don't worry about if it likes you or not, because if it doesn't, then MAKE it like you
>> Anonymous
>>206784
Obvious troll is obvious.

To everyone eles: good advice. OP, you better post pics when you get it :)
>> Anonymous
OP here.

Last time I was there, I've held tickets to meet two cats: one cat was just generally friendly to everyone, and I couldn't tell for sure whether that cat liked me specifically.

The other was a kitten who was absolutely hyped to see me: when I walked by outside, she actually went round to another cage to greet me, and when I got her, she was meowing and wouldn't want to go back in ... but then again, she was a kitten.

Both were desexed v.v. recently with stitches still in, so I didn't choose either of them as yet.

Point of interest: Shelter feeds Hill's Science Diet for its animals. Guess who's getting a diet change as soon as s/he moves in.
>> Anonymous
I got a cat from my sister.

Thing is, just treat them like a person and they'll likely like you. Give em time to adjust, give them attention and let them know that you'll provide love, food, and shelter to them when they need it. If they know that about you, you'll be fine.
>> Anonymous
My sister got a cat from a shelter several years ago. It was young but an adult already, and no-one really knew what his history was. Theory went that he was a "summer-cat" (term used in my country for kittens that are basically bought because they look cute but then the owner gets tired of the not-as-adorable adult cat and dumps it on the wild to survive on it's own. Sick, yes.)
The cat was absolutely terrified at first when he got here, the car ride didn't really help. But once it got used to living with us, it was one of the most affectionate and loyal cats I've ever seen. It used to even try and follow me to school when it happened to be outside and I left in the morning, I had to chase it several times so it would run back home and not risk crossing roads and getting hit by a car.

Tl;dr Even if the cat doesn't trust or like you the second you meet him/her, give it a lot of attention and care and over the time s/he will learn to love you, as long as you love him/her in return.
>> Anonymous
>>207198
>Tl;dr Even if the cat doesn't trust or like you the second you meet him/her, give it a lot of attention and care and over the time s/he will learn to love you, as long as you love him/her in return.

This is mostly true. However, like humans, some cats are just dicks no matter what. My family all treated my cat the same way when we first brought her home, but for no particular reason she only bonded with me and hates everyone else. She's a strange but adorable creature.
>> Anonymous
>>207136
Kitten sounds like she loevs you.