Adopting A Cat Online

Have you looked at all the cats on Craig's List? Here are some other places to check online for cats who are staying with their families until they're adopted.

The Maryland SPCA has courtesy posts on its website.

Baltimore's Virtual Cat Adoption Center is a Facebook page for "owner give-ups." It's sponsored by the Howard County Cat Club.

We encourage people to rehome their cats themselves and keep them until they're adopted. No cat belongs in a shelter or in rescue, and cats "show" better when they're in their own homes.

Here are some suggestions for adopting a cat who's still with his family.

• Meet the cat in his own home, not yours. You'll get a better idea of what his personality is like.

• Ask questions.

1. Why are the people giving up the cat?
2. If the cat has litter box issues, will your home be less stressful than the one he's in now?
3. If the cat wants to be outside, can you provide an indoor/outdoor environment for him?
4. If he doesn't like other animals, are you willing to let him be the one and only for life?

If your answer to any of these questions is no, you and the cat are probably not a good match.

• Have his "ex" bring the cat to you. That will be less frightening for the cat than going off with a total stranger.

• Make sure his "ex" brings his medical records, dishes, favorite toys and an unwashed towel or pillowcase that smells like home. That will be reassuring to him in his strange new environment.

Be patient. It can take a cat several days or even weeks to get used to a new home. But by adopting a cat who's still with his family, you've done a good deed because you've probably saved the cat from a shelter or going into rescue.

Baltimore Area Cat Adoption Shows

Alley Cat Rescue always has cats for adoption at the Laurel PetValue store in the Laurel Town Center Mall on Route 1 in Laurel.

Cats R Us has cat adoption shows at both the Arundel Mills and Annapolis PetSmart stores from noon-3 pm on Saturdays. The Arundel Mills store is located at 7663 Arundel Mills Boulevard, Hanover. The address for the Annapolis store is 2601 Housley Road. You can also see the rescue's cats for adoption at the Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Edgewater and Ellicott City PetValue stores. Visit the the Cats R Us website to see cats available for adoption.

Cats from BARCS are available for adoption at the Halethorpe PetCo store, 3591 Washington Boulevard (Walmart shopping center). A BARCS volunteer will walk you through the adoption process.

Charm City Animal Rescue has adoption shows from 11 am-2 pm on the first and last weekend of every month at the Lutherville Petco store, 1719 York Road. To see cats available for adoption, visit the no-kill rescue's Adopt a Pet.com page.
 
The Feline Rescue Association has adoption shows at the Owings Mills PETCO on Saturdays from 11 am-3 pm. and at the Gambrills PetCo on Sundays from 1-3 pm. The Owings Mills store is located in the Garrison Forest Shopping Center, 10383 Reisterstown Road. The Gambrills store is at1412 South Main Chapel Way. For more information and to see the Feline Rescue Association's cats, visit www.baltimorecats.org.


The Howard County Cat Club's cats for adoption are always happy to see visitors at their group home. For an appointment write to howardcountycats@earthlink.net. To see the cats online, visit the no-kill rescue's Adopt a Pet.com page. Looking for barn cats? Check the Mouse Patrol page on Adopt a Pet.com

The Maryland SPCA's Satellite Adoption location at the White Marsh Mall is open from 11-6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For information, visit  www.mdspca.org.

Rude Ranch in Harwood welcomes potential adopters to visit its no-kill shelter. Check the rescue's website for more information and to see adoptable cats.

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