Cat adoption

[Acorn]

We might add a second cat soon. We had actually wanted two last spring. The one we adopted then took longer to adjust to people than I had thought, so I didn’t want to stress her too much at the time. Only one rescue in town is currently doing adoptions. The cats are in home fosters but someone from the rescue will bring a cat to a pet store for meets. I guess they don’t send pictures ahead of time. I asked what color and gender are available, and the text reply was that I could meet in a couple days.

First, it’s not a great realization about myself but I do have color preferences. My family thinks I’m crazy. I don’t want to reject a cat that they would love, especially if that lowers my standing with the rescue. It’s weird enough that I’m going alone to meet the cat. Before virus, I had assumed 3 or 4 of us would make this decision together. Do other people have color preferences? If I don’t take the one color that I don’t like  from the rescue, will they let me see another cat? 
 

I have a reserved 18 month female. I’m reading that gender won’t make much difference on the success of their bonding. We all miss having an affectionate and cuddly cat. I’ve been told that males are more lovey. However, our now deceased cat that was a lap cat was female. Thoughts?

I really admire everyone that fosters and manages adoptions. I do sincerely hope all cats find good homes. 

[happi duck]

Hmm.  It was from a cat shelter that I learned that color and sex can be part of figuring out a good fit for the family and with other pets.  Certain colors usually tend toward certain personalities and certain colors get along better etc.  I don't remember any specifics but I do think a shelter would ask a lot of questions and figure out a good fit.

 

[RootAnn]

We have had 2 cats of each gender & our cuddliest was a female. Next cuddliest is a male. I think personality and early socialization make a big difference.

Most shelters care about fit because they don't want a return later. I would assume if you don't like the one they bring that they will give you a chance at another. Some people don't understand color preference, but maybe the person bringing the cat will get it & encourage pictures to be sent in the future.

Good luck & thank you for adopting.

[Jaybee]

I care about color for both cats and dogs. While I'm not entirely limited to these colors, I am partial to gray kitties and black dogs. I have no reason for it except perhaps that my first kitten I remember was a gray tabby. I do like tri-colored dogs as well, and like orange tabbies for their general personality. But the gray and black are the ones I am most naturally drawn to.

[Pawz4me]

I've always had a bias for black or orange male cats, because they're the ones I've had the best personal experiences with. In general most of them I've had or met have been very dog like love bugs. Once your application is approved the rescue should work with you to find the perfect match. Good rescues understand that you can't always pick that perfect match based on a few pictures and a written description. If they aren't willing to work with you then find another rescue. Usually with dogs you preferably want opposite sexes. With cats it doesn't seem to matter so much. I wouldn't get a rambunctious younger cat if I had a lazy older cat, though. It's a good idea to try to match personalities and temperaments if you can. Good luck!

[MercyA]

My former vet and vet tech agreed with me that orange males (orange females, of course, are rare) do tend to have a very affectionate, outgoing, loving personality and bond well with people. 

I think it's fine for you to have a color preference.

I'd be shocked if the rescue expected you to take a cat with whom you just didn't click. Hence, the meet and greet.

Good for you for adopting!!! I hope you find a wonderful cat for your family.

[Selkie]

I've worked in animal rescue for many years and have had cats of all colors. My experience is that none of the commonly held beliefs about gender or color are accurate. Just like people, cats are individuals and each have their own personality.

We currently have six cats. Two of them are gray brothers, almost identical, but one is a raging extrovert and the other is a reserved introvert. We have two calicos (female, of course), one of whom is very friendly and the other is shy. Then we have a white male and a black & white female who are both snuggly and outgoing.

I doubt you will be the first person to express a color preference - the rescue probably hears that all the time, so I don't think that will disqualify you from adopting. I personally would focus on personality rather than color, though. It can be tricky because sometimes cats are so stressed in a shelter situation (or being taken to a pet store to meet a potential adopter) that they don't show their true nature. Our black & white cat had been at the shelter for many months -  the longest of any animal there. She hadn't been adopted because she was very standoffish (plus, there are so many black & white cats that they often get overlooked). As soon as we got her settled in at home, though, she did a complete 180 and became the most loving, cuddly sweetheart of a cat. So I would ask lots of questions of the foster parents to try to get an accurate idea of each cat's temperament.

Good luck, and post pics when you get your new kitty!

[Pen]

I theoretically prefer the color combo of my lifetime favorite cat. But he’s the only one I had that color combo. 

I think 2 males, even when neutered, may not get on well.  IME.  Females seem to have a pecking order (or slapping order), but I haven’t experienced serious issues / fights just kind of (again even when spayed) a queen cat and her subject(s) underlings. 

[TechWife]

I have always had black cats and the last time we went to adopt we told them we only wanted to consider black cats. I like them because they are beautiful to me.

Years ago our vet told us male cats are more affectionate than female cats. We've had three males and one female and while it was true in the early years, in her later years the female cat became quite affectionate towards us, but still didn't care for other cats or strangers. She was a scared cat who spent much of her life under our bed, coming out at in tht late evening & at night when the house was quieter.

[sheryl]

I'm working with a couple of women locally and there is a 12 yo female available for adoption now.   Anyone interested?   

Charlotte, NC

[stephanier.1765]

1 hour ago, Pawz4me said:

I've always had a bias for black or orange male cats

Me too! Both have been the best cats ever. Right now our male black kitten is absolutely the more cuddly of the two. He will come up and stare right into your eyes as you pet him and he wants you to look right back into his eyes as if by doing so he is forming lifelong bonds right then. I'm really going to miss that little critter when he goes to his new home.

[May]

We’ve had 3 male dogs. All of them have been black and white. I grew up with a black female cat and dog. I also prefer long hair cats. 

[Acorn]

I’m only getting a sneak peak tonight. The rescue won’t release any until spay/neuter apts in three weeks. I do think that there will be several to look at, so I’m crossing fingers for hopefully some choices. I’m also hoping that vets really are back to surgeries in three weeks. I don’t want to wait that long but understand. 

[MEmama]

28 minutes ago, Acorn said:

I’m only getting a sneak peak tonight. The rescue won’t release any until spay/neuter apts in three weeks. I do think that there will be several to look at, so I’m crossing fingers for hopefully some choices. I’m also hoping that vets really are back to surgeries in three weeks. I don’t want to wait that long but understand. 

Good luck, and enjoy being surrounded by kitty love! 😻

[Tanaqui]

Color preference - or, at least, dispreference - is very common. Many people won't adopt black cats, period.

I can't say I personally approve, but a rescue or shelter run by non-zealots* will work with you. It's not like there's any particular shortage of cats in ANY color or personality combination your heart desires, so it should be easy enough to accommodate your wishes, no matter how trivial you worry they may seem. If the choice is to let you pick and choose colors, or to keep Yet Another Cat on their rolls, of course they'll go with the former.

* Despite the hype, I believe most rescues and shelters are perfectly reasonable. However, there is a non-zero number of hoarders in the rescue ranks, and people who, while not hoarders per se, are convinced that only they know the one right way to take care of their chosen animal. It's always possible you're dealing with one of those, in which case, good luck.

Edited April 23, 2020 by Tanaqui