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calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 8:44 pm: | 
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I'd like to provide a home to two young kittens--my house has been catless for the first time, and I promised my daughter we'd try to find two kittens by her birthday at the end of the month. We're hoping to find healthy, friendly kittens, preferably white and black/white shorthairs, born and acclimated in a home. It would be great if they were slightly older than the traditional 6 weeks, as we have rambunctios two year old twins, so the cats will have to be quick on their feet. If anyone knows of such, please let me know! |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 845
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 9:29 pm: |
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Check out the JAC. I was there about a week ago and a cat had a young litter they said wouldn't be ready to be handled for a few more weeks! They are dark and very fluffy, med. haired cats.
(Call, b/c that day they said a couple had already been reserved.) |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7188
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 10:06 pm: |
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I know that you didn't ask, but if you have toddlers, please consider adult cats. Even "slightly older than 6 week" kittens are at risk of being "loved to death" by young children. I just went thru this with my brother and his 3 y/o. |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 77
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 10:46 pm: |
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I am very glad you would like to give a good home to two cats. And I would ask you to consdier what Greenetree has advised.
There are many rescue groups in the area(PL me if you would like the contact info of some good area groups) who will be inundated with baby kittens in the next few weeks. Many rescues foster cats in a home setting, and with an influx of the tiny kittens, many older kittens and young adults will be seeking homes.Unfortunately many wonderful cats are overlooked by people who have their hearts set on kittens. The advantages of adopting an older kitten are many, including the fact that their true personalities are formed, and you will be able to tell if you have a calm , laid back cat who will not be frightened by active children, or a "scaredy cat" who will hide under the nearest bed when things get noisy and a little wild.
Cats are, as you no doubt know , a wonderful addition to any household. Some rescue groups put age restrictions on children in the family, when they place kittens. Usually 4 yrs old is the minimum age in the home. Kittens only stay little puffballs for a very short period,but a cat will be your companion for a long, long time.Good luck ,and please choose carefully for a good match for your family.
Calli |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1766
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 11:13 pm: |
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Agree and seconding what Greenetree said:
We adopted a kitten (12 years ago) a sweet little puffball - affectionate, playful, kitten-ish in fact. When she matured she reverted to her feral ways, we do love her, but she lives in the attic - when we were renting she lived under beds and in closets.
Feral kittens behave like regular kittens, but they revert to their feral ways when they mature.
She is a great mouser, I'll give her that.
In the future, I would adopt a teenager cat or any cat under 4 years old so you can get an idea of their personality. |
John
Citizen
Username: Jdm
Post Number: 36
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 1:05 am: |
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Feral kittens behave like regular kittens, but they revert to their feral ways when they mature.
We've fostered more cats than I care to remember, and I have never seen this happen. Feral isn't a genetic state, and kittens are fairly easily broken of the few bad habits they may have developed in the "wild" (if it's fair to so call the streets of suburban NJ).
Sure, cats have different personalities and some are lap cats, some are loners, and some are just plain nasty (IMHO, my feline-loving wife may have a different opinion  ), but "reverting" to a feral state is something I haven't seen.
Do adopt from a group that rescues cats and uses the adoption money to further their work.
(I'll try to get my wife to add to this thread herself.)
No expert I,
JDM |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 249
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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we've been going over on a regular basis to the Homeless Animal Adoption League, 56 Dodd Street in Bloomfield. They have hours Tues & thurs. 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and sunday (i don't remember the weekdend hours). They have about 30 kittens with nursing moms currently. they have cute older cats there too. the place smells good and is clean. the cats seem well socialized by the volunteers. I'm impressed actually. |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 79
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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Cats, like all living creatures, have individual characteristics and personality types. Unfortunately, when a eight week old kitten is brought into a family,it is almost impossible to predict what kind of a personality she will have when full grown. Some people think personality is tied to color,or other physical attribute (Like polydactylism), which is why people are sometimes disappointed that the kitten they have adopted which LOOKED just like a beloved former pet, doesn't act the same way. I also urge people not to make a choice based only on appearance,but to spend some time with the animal to see how it behaves (lap cat? very affectionate? clown? independent?)to determine if it is a good fit.
Calypso, (my sister muse)there are so many terrific homeless cats and kittens, I am certain that if you look with your heart, you will find the perfect pair for your family!
Good luck!
Calli |
ccurtis
Citizen
Username: Ccurtis
Post Number: 32
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 12:20 pm: |
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we got ours through People for Animals. they're happy and healthy... |
cats
Citizen
Username: Cats
Post Number: 49
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 11:08 pm: |
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To add: People For Animals is in Hillside, NJ 908-964-6887. They do not have a shelter, but have a website w/pics and descriptions (sorry, but I don't have their website handy). They're very thorough in their adoption process and also do low cost spay/neuter at their clinic in Hillside. I volunteered there for 6 yrs. Worth checking out.
And when you finally do decide on a cat, please do not introduce it to the outside! Too many lost cats around here. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7191
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 6:59 am: |
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When I first met The Monster, he was 4 months old and not particularly affectionate. He was rather aloof, in fact. But, I brought him home to meet everyone anyway, because I was his last stop before the shelter. Turns out he wasn't aloof; he was just busy. Busy exploring, busy with mischief. The boy wore me out. But he is now the sweetest, funniest, most personable cat we've ever had. Now that he is 4, he has time to cuddle and be held. The rest of the time, he is still getting into mischief. Right now he is crying for me to get his toy so that we can play.
I got a PL asking about the 3 y/o and the kitten. Not to worry - after much discussion and talking to other parents, they decided to wait. No kitten was injured in the making of this post.
I summed up my thoughts on young kittens this way: The difference between a kitten and a toddler is that you won't have to change the kittens diapers and will find it much more challenging to put dangerous things out of a kitten's reach. |
Lucy Smith
Citizen
Username: Lucy123
Post Number: 104
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 9:08 am: |
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Just to add about People for Animals...we picked out our two babies last year from them...they are FANTASTIC-all of the animals they have are rescue animals and they are all kept in foster homes-no kennels! we LOVED that they were kept in a loving home-the foster mother was wonderful and caring and it was just a wonderful experience all around! they are located in hillside, but they also host adoption days every weekend (saturday and sunday from 10-2 i believe??) at the PetSmart in Bridgewater. There are always tons of kittens and adult cats looking for a loving home. They require references and detailed information about the home. They also put a restriction on cats going into homes with small children. ALL of their animals are vaccinated and spay/neutered prior to going into your home (no cost to you). They have a donation amount for each animal. In a nutshell-People for Animals is a class act and we would definitely use them again. |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 250
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
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greentree -- very funny! my fantasies did get a little out of hand! |
catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 132
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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JAC and over 300 shelter/rescue organizations in New Jersey are loaded with cats and kittens. Check out www.petfinder.com and you can see some of what these groups have to offer. And yes, don't overlook adult cats, as they are the real prizes. Most are already spayed/neutered, have had their shots (vaccinations for kittens are given in three or four stages requiring repeated veterinarian visits during their early months), and have enough of the immature mischief worked out of them so they won't wreak havoc in a new home. And keep them indoors 24/7 only to give them the opportunity to have a longer life and avoid the heartache of losing them to the perils of the outside world. I've done rescue work for eight years and would only obtain a cat through the rescue system. Give an orphan a chance!  |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3347
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 6:57 pm: |
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Why is it that when photos get posted (even photos that are not all that wide), everything gets spread out to where you have to scroll back and forth to the right and left to read the posts?
This drives me nuts!
(sorry for the thread drift ...) |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 305
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 8:43 pm: |
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sac:
I agree totally (not that I had that far to drive...) |
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