Adopting a kitty

The Cat Practice often has adoptable cats and kittens in our lobby. We are an adoption satellite of Oakland Pet Adoption Center in Auburn Hills. All cats and kittens up for adoption have been socialized, vaccinated, dewormed, negative for internal parasites, tested for feline leukemia and FIV, and are typically spayed or neutered (exceptions are kittens that are too young). Our adoption fee of $75 goes to the cats’ care and allows us to keep our adoption program running.

You can find more cats at Oakland Pet Adoption Center at 1700 Brown Rd. (between Lapper Rd/M-24 and Jocelyn Rd.) Call them at 248-391-4100 or go to http://www.oakgov.com/petadoption/.

We also support Kitty City, located in Pet Supplies Plus on Telegraph Rd. north of Square Lake Rd. in Bloomfield Hills. Kitty City is a free-roaming adoption center in which cats can interact naturally with other cats and humans. See more about Kitty City.

KEEP IN MIND THAT AS MANY AS 40% OF PETS SURRENDERED TO RESCUES AND SHELTERS ARE PUREBREDS. So your chances of adopting your ideal pet are very high.

You can also go to http://www.petfinder.com.  Petfinder features THOUSANDS of pets up for adoption in all 50 states. Simply plug in the type of pet you are looking for along with your zip code and the site will generate photos of available pets that meet your criteria along with the location of the rescue groups that are caring for them. Petfinder is an excellent resource for anyone looking for a new family member. It’s also a great way to identify LOCAL RESCUE GROUPS for anyone interested in volunteering or supporting them.

What to ask yourself before you adopt a cat:

1. Is everyone in the house prepared to have a cat?
Talk to family members BEFORE bringing home a new cat. Divvy up chores so that everyone shares responsibility for feeding, litter changing and grooming.

2. Do my current pets like other cats?
Existing pets are a huge factor in successfully introducing a new cat. Does your existing cat do well with other cats? Is your dog cat-friendly? Each animal reacts differently to a new family member. Be prepared for a gradual introduction process to increase the likelihood of success.

3. Do I have room in my home for cat items?
Many people think cats are easy because they don't take up much space. Cats require environmental enrichment in the form of cat trees and other vertical space. Also, be sure to have one litter box per cat plus one extra. So if you have 2 cats, be prepared to find room for 3 boxes. Read about litter box behavior.

4. Is your home cat proofed?
Kittens, in particular, will get into everything. It's not just annoying; it can be deadly, especially if kitty swallows something harmful. Many species of plants are toxic (for example, ALL lilies). Electrical cords can be chewed resulting in severe burns or other injury. Glass decorations can be knocked off shelves and broken.

5. Can I afford routine and emergency veterinary care?
Emergency care (we hope your kitty never needs it!) can be expensive and regular wellness care can add up over the years. Consider pet insurance, or keep a separate fund to cover veterinary care.