Adopting a kitten: where, when, how, what responsibility?

Adopting a kitten is a decision that must be well thought out and taken in common agreement with all family members. This is a crucial point for the animal to be happy, everyone having responsibilities towards it. But in addition to this aspect, it is also necessary to know who to contact preferably, from what age a kitten can be adopted without it harming its balance and what is the procedure to follow so that the adoption of the kitty is carried out in the rules of the art.

Where to adopt a kitten?

There are several solutions to find a kitten to adopt, whether you want to buy it or not.

Contact an individual

It is better to know this person or to take advantage of word of mouth in order to be assured that he is serious, that he respects his animals. You can also inquire with a veterinary because he is usually informed when one of the owners of his little patients wishes to give away or sell kittens.

But it is also possible to respond to a classified ad. In this case, it is necessary to be able to spend a little time with the individual in order to collect as much information as possible on the kitten to be adopted, to know its life story and get to know the kitty better. During this visit, you can see if the animals are well cared for, loved and happy. THE vaccination record must be up to date and identified kitties. If anything is wrong, better move on.

Contact a shelter or an animal protection association

This is the best way for take in a little cat which was saved from abandonment, even abuse. This process usually involves a Financial participation around a hundred euros on average for a cat. This amount helps fund operating costs since these structures only live on donations, being non-profit. No profit is therefore made.

The costs they have to bear are enormous and individuals are not always aware of it. Travel costs, cages, food, miscellaneous maintenance, equipment and accessories. These structures also support many veterinary expenses for animal identification, vaccines, care in the event of a health problem or accident, and even sterilization…

Adopting a kitten under these conditions rather than buying one by other means is highly preferable because shelters and associations are overwhelmed by the number of little boarders. A place is thus freed up which will quickly be filled, the number of abandonments in France being unfortunately constantly increasing.

Go to a professional breeder

This is often the path chosen by people with definite idea in terms of feline breed. Going to a recognized professional therefore makes it possible to buy a purebred kitten, to know perfectly its origins and to be informed when there is a risk of genetic disease for example because the very young cats are subjected to a check-up carried out by a veterinarian. Likewise, they are identified and vaccinated.

The adopter has every opportunity to ask about from the breeder on the life history of the kitten and its mother, and he can from this professional collect innumerable advice. A serious breeder never fails to remind individuals of their role, their commitment and their responsibilities towards their future little protege.

When can you adopt a kitten?

In France, the legislation strictly governed sale and donation of a pet. Thus, a kitten (just like a puppy for that matter) can be transferred free of charge or against payment only once it has reached 8 weeks old. This is the minimum required, knowing that it is preferable to wait if possible until he has 10 or 12 weeks in order to give him time to become sufficiently independent, to take full advantage of his mother’s education and the apprenticeship he benefits from with his brothers and sisters.

On a legislative plan the animal being a transaction object “, it is protected by the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, but it is also protected by an ordinance relating to the trade in animals. Moreover, now recognized by the Civil Code like a ” sentient being » he has a legal status and is finally defined for itself and no longer for its market value. This changes everything because the animal condition should be greatly improved.

How to adopt a small cat?

It is possible to take advantage of an “Open Doors” period organized by the SPA if you wish adopt a cat as soon as it is weaned through the Society for the Protection of Animals. As we have pointed out, adoption fees are required. In addition, the adopter must produce certain documents, namely:

• • Her National Identity Card or his passport,

• • A proof of address less than three months old.

It should be noted that any serious person is likely to verify the identity of the future master to whom they entrust an animal, whether it is a professional, an individual or the manager of an association for example.

Before leaving with the kitten under your arm, whether you have contacted an individual, an association, a shelter or a breeder, it is essential to require the following documents :

• • THE birth certificate only in the case of a kitten born from parents with pedigree,

• • A change of ownership certificate in case of donation or Invoice if the animal has been sold,

• • A certificate established by a veterinary,

• • There license plate original.

Adoption of a kitten and responsibilities of the master

Welcoming a pet permanently into your home is a long-term commitment and without any conditions. Many parents are moved by the request of their children who have fallen for a kitten, but who after a few weeks are completely uninterested in their animal. In this area there is no no room for whims. A kitten is not a toy. He will need all the attention of the members of his foster home without exception, throughout his life.

Adopting a kitten implies that everyone accept constraints what it represents. Feed him, offer him everything he needs, clean his litter box or teach him to relieve himself outside, educate him, cuddle him, but also commit to caring for him when he falls ill. This involves set aside a budget not insignificant both for his food, his toys and accessories, and for the essential veterinary procedures that he will absolutely need to stay in good health for as long as possible. Must also predict the cost of cat mutual health insurance very useful if the master wishes get a refund all or part of the veterinary expenses.

It is also the responsibility of the kitten’s owners to make up for their daily absence when everyone is going about their business so that the animal does not get bored. The kitten then the adult cat is a little companion sensitive to stress, and just because he’s relatively independent doesn’t mean he doesn’t need attention. He needs to be able entertain when he is alone and for that, his master must find the best solutions. Finally, it is better to provide a sufficient budget to raise a cat in worthy conditions and take into account that the animal can live between 15 and 20 years.