Why are kittens and cats returned to the shelter?

Millions of cats end up in animal shelters every year. And although these cats are taken away, sometimes their new home does not become a permanent home for them. For example, an older cat from a shelter may not be suitable for a family with small children. Perhaps the new owner does not have the patience or knowledge to give the animal the opportunity to adapt. If you are considering adopting a cat from a shelter, you will be interested in learning about the most common reasons for returning cats to a shelter. This information will help you prevent similar problems for you and your potential pet.

Independence

Cats are personalities just like humans and have different personalities. Some cats are very affectionate, sociable, others are more restrained, independent and love solitude. Not surprisingly, one of the reasons cats return to shelters is their aloofness. Many people want their pet to be more social and are unable or unwilling to appreciate their cat’s unique personality.

scratching

Cats need to scratch everything around – it’s good for their body and mind. Cats scratch to sharpen their claws, mark their territory, or stretch. Often they scratch furniture, walls and other inappropriate things. Because of this, many owners are quick to return a kitten taken from a shelter in order to save their home and property. Unfortunately, such destructive behavior is often the result of poor planning on the part of the owner. Owners most likely do not provide their cat with enough places to scratch, or such territory is limited. Before returning a cat to a shelter because of its natural scratching habit, consult with a professional about this behavior. Usually this problem can be solved with a good scratching post. You can even make your own scratching post.      

Health problems

It is clear that everyone wants to have a healthy animal. Sick or injured cats are not only difficult to care for, but many are not ready for veterinary bills. Before you go to a shelter, it is important to understand the financial responsibility for keeping a pet. Understanding that you will have to pay for the services of a veterinarian will help ease the process of entering a cat into the family.

Communication with children and other pets

Many families want a cat that will get along well with their children and other pets. And while shelters monitor a cat’s behavior before it enters a family, it can still be difficult to get an accurate assessment of a cat’s personality in a shelter where there is so much going on. Some cats live happily around well-behaved children and other animals, while others are intimidated by children and pets. It may take time for the cat to become friends with everyone, or she is simply the type of cat that is best left alone. If your pet is shy, this is not a sign of a bad temper – most likely, she just does not like noise.

Restrictions on the territory of residence

Although this happens much more often with dogs, the main reason why cats are returned to shelters has to do with apartment building regulations. If you’re renting a space, be sure to check with your landlord if you can get a cat. A pre-screening will save you from having to give your little friend back to the shelter. This should also be taken into account if you already have a cat and are moving to another rental apartment or house. Knowing your pet policy ahead of time will help you decide if a new home is right for you and your pet.

There are other reasons why cats are returned to shelters, but these are the most common. It’s worth taking some time to research the issue. Your patience can go a long way in creating comfort and a pleasant home atmosphere for you and your new cat, so don’t rush to bring her back to the shelter. Understanding what’s in store for you and being willing to put in some effort will give your pet a chance to successfully adjust to your home. After all, just recently she was in a shelter surrounded by many other animals, sounds and people. A little time to adjust to your surroundings and getting to know you and your family can work wonders. If you give her a chance to be truly happy and live comfortably, you will see that she is well on her way to being the perfect friend for you.