Adopt a Cat:

BRINGING A NEW CAT HOME

WHY WE DISCOURAGE DECLAWING

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CHECK OUR LIST OF CATS WHO NEED HOMES

We try to place every cat that comes to us in a safe, loving and permanent home. Because it is our responsibility to make sure that the cats who come to us get a better chance this second time around, we do have certain adoption rules and requirements.

Please visit the shelter during our regular business hours which are 12:30PM - 6:00PM seven days a week, or call us at (773) 465-4132 for further information.

Please note that we do have an adoption fee in order to cover the costs of vaccinating and neutering all of the cats who comes to us.

In order to be considered for an adoption you must:

• Fill out an adoption application which is subject to approval by Felines Inc.

• Be 18 years of age.

• Have the knowledge and consent of all adults living in your household.
  
  
• Have a valid ID with a current address.
  
  
• Be able to provide your landlord's name and phone number (or lease)
  
  
• DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION
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We encourage you to bring your family and/or household members with you when you come to choose a cat. Adding a cat to your household should be a decision that everyone feels good about!

Visit the Shelter

Call (773) 465-4132 for directions to the shelter

Bringing a New Cat Home

Welcoming a cat into a household that already has a cat can be tricky. Cats can be highly territorial and are not always willing to accept change. For these reasons, it is important to take things slowly.

Start by putting the newcomer in a room by herself for a week. This allows the new pet to get used to her new surroundings a little at a t ime. It also helps the resident feline to gradually accept her presence. The room should be comfortable (litter, food, toys, a bed). Be sure to spend time with the cat every day and ascertain that she is adjusting well.

After four days, put your first cat in the newcomer's room, and allow the new pet to explore other areas of the home. Exploring each other's territories lets them do research on each other before their first meeting. This should last for about a half an hour. Do this again for the next two days.

Most cats will be more than ready to meet after this separation. However, there are exceptions. If, at the end of the week, the cats are still sitting by the closed door and growling and hissing frequently, a few more days may be needed. Use your instinct. If you believe the cats are not ready, they probably aren't.

Assuming all looks good, open the door. Don't force a meeting; allow the cats to come and go as they please. It may help matters to offer both felines a special cat treat immediately. How can they not get along when each brings the other delicious treats?

Hissing, swatting, even a little growling are normal and should not be cause for much concern. Let the cats work things out themselves. But be prepared to intervene if there is a fight. Lunging, crying, and flying fur are not good signs!

At this point, use your best judgment on whether to continue to separate the cats. Ordinarily, it is a good idea to do so when you are away or cannot watch the cats closely. It is not unheard of for cats to be seen curled up with each other within minutes of meeting, though. If this happens to you, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!

Introducing your new cat to your
current dog(s):

Proverbs aside, most canine and feline relationships do work. It may take a little more work than same-species introductions, as the animals need to learn a new "language". But the effort is well worth it.

The new pet should be separated from the others for several days. Provide all that is needed for her to be comfortable, and be sure to spend time with her. For short periods each day let the new cat out and put the resident dog in his room.

After the initial separation period, allow the animals to see each other from a distance - through a slightly opened door or screen. Any defensive or aggressive tendencies can be worked through without any possibility of physical harm.

Once you are comfortable with how this is progressing, bring the animals together. Dogs should be on a loose leash. Cats should have an escape route. Hissing growling, barking, and swatting are normal and acceptable behaviors - this is how animals set boundaries. Dogs should not be allowed to chase cats, however. Terrorism does not make the beginnings of a good relat ionship. Don't force the animals together. Let them proceed at a comfortable pace.

Why we discourage declawing?

We are opposed to the procedure of declawing cats because of our basic commitment to the protection of all cats. Having a cat declawed is a procedure that could be very traumatic for your pet. We ask that you familiarize yourself with all the facts and possibilities concerning this procedure and that all the choices be well-informed. Should you decide against declawing, but are still concerned for your furniture; our shelt er staff is available to coach you through behavioral retraining. This alternative requires only a scratching post, time, patience, and love.

Declawing is a painful surgical procedure.

• Declawing is a surgical procedure and carries all of the risks normally associated with surgery.

• Declawing requires anesthesia that involves the removal of the claw and up to the first bone in each toe.

• Declawing is not always done in a sterile environment, and infection is possible.

• Death from anesthesia is also possible.

• After surgery, cats are often very uncomfortable for at least a week - and, unfortunately, it is very difficult to provide pain relief as most common analgesics are poisonous to cats.

• After recovery, the cat will have to learn to walk again on the stubs of the remaining bones in its toes. A guillotine-type surgical procedure or overlooked bone fragments could cause scar formation on the toes. If this occurs, the nails may grow back under the skin. These nails grow haphazardly, usually into the paw, and cause intense pain. Another surgical procedure is then required to correct this problem.

Declawing can lead to behavioral problems.

• Aside from the physical aspects, declawing is known to cause behavioral changes and even psychological damage. Some cats have become so frenzied at their loss that they have h ad to be euthanized.

• A cat that has always been gentle may resort to biting in an instinctive attempt to alleviate the loss of their primary defense.

• A cat that has been declawed will often have difficulty adjusting to the change. The older the cat is at the time of the procedure, the more difficult the adjustment.

• Scratching and clawing is a normal behavior for cats. It is an instinctive marking procedure, as well as being part of a grooming routine. Scratching occurs during play and is associated with stretching upon awakening. Kneading during interaction with people is an indication of excitement or contentment.

Declawing jeapordizes a cat's safety.

• The safety of a declawed cat may also be jeopardized. A cat without claws is basically defenseless. All cats should live indoors; a declawed cat MUST live indoors, as its ability to fend for itself, or to defend itself against another animal has been restricted.

• The cat's ability to run and climb can also be affected.