Most people looking for a cat just want a pet. For them, a mixed breed is often the right answer. There are many sources for acquiring a mixed breed - friends or acquaintances with an "oops" litter, answering an ad, buying from a pet store, rescuing a stray from the streets, and, of course, shelters and rescue groups. There are many more kittens born each year than there are good homes, so we urge you to stay away from pet stores unless they, themselves, are rescuing homeless kittens. Ask where the kittens came from and make sure they weren't bred to be sold. Many stores invite shelters or rescue groups to bring in pets for adoption, and several in our area will take in a rescue litter to try to find good homes.

If you're helping out by taking a kitten from an accidentally bred litter, encourage the owner to get the mother cat spayed.

Adopting from a shelter or rescue group has several advantages. First and foremost, you are saving a life. A responsible shelter or rescue group will carefully screen adopters. They will have you sign a contract, stating the obligations of both the shelter and the adopter. They will require that the pet be spayed or neutered. They will take the cat back if the adoption does not work out. They will spell out what they will do if the cat has medical problems. They will offer support and advice if you encounter problems with your new cat. Please see our Adoption page for more information on the Bergen County Animal Shelter's adoption policies. For other issues to consider see Choosing A Cat.

Cornell Feline Health Center
AVMA Feline Health Information
The Feline Advisory Bureau Information Sheets
American Animal Hospital Association
Acme Pet Cat Health Bulletin Board
Cat Fancy
rec.pets.cats FAQ Medical Information

How can I tell when it's an emergency? can help you decide if your cat's symptoms require an immediate trip to the vet. The Bergen County Animal Shelter does not provide emergency medical care for owned pets. In Bergen County, New Jersey, The Oradell Animal Hospital provides 24 hour emergency service.

The Feline Help Directory is a list of links to people who have personal experience with different health-related problems.

Vaccinations - Cats and kittens adopted from our shelter have received at least one vaccination to protect them against feline distemper, calcivirus and herpesvirus. Most cats that are old enough (over 14 weeks) have also received a rabies shot. As a cat owner, you should discuss with your vet the vaccine schedule that will be best for your pet. Links that may help you to understand these issues are: Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks Sylvia's Journey of New Hope, a site that addressed the risks of post-vaccination sarcomas and includes the feline vaccination protocols recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

URI - Upper Respirator Infections are one of the most common medical problems with adopted cats. Because the virus is airborn, it is nearly impossible to eradicate in a shelter setting where new cats are introduced daily. Fortunately, most cats recover with no problems. Symptoms include runny noses and eyes - just like a human cold. While there isn't much you can do for the viral infection, many vets will treat with antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections. If your cat starts sneezing, it's time to see the vet. Cats adopted from our shelter are covered by the two week medical care guarantee for treatment. When a cat can't smell because its nose is stuffy, it often won't eat. This can be very serious in a young kitten. It is critical to see a vet immediately if a young kitten stops eating. Check out: TICA.

Parasites - During the first two weeks of adoption, our medical care guarantee includes treatment for parasites. We ask all adopters to bring in a fresh stool sample during that period. If parasites are found, we will provide treatment. Worms and protozoan parasites are discussed in Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cats. For information on ear mites see Feline Ear Mites and more.

Zoonoses and You: Something To Be Concerned About discusses diseases you can catch from your cat.

Feline AIDs - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Rabies - probably the most serious disease that can be transmitted from a cat to a human. New Jersey law requires that bites be reported to your local health department. They will enforce a 10 day quarantine. If the cat is healthy ten days after the bite, there is no danger of catching rabies from that bite. If the cat is not available for quarantine, the person bitten will probably have to undergo rabies treatment. Here's the link to the New Jersey site that duplicates the brochure available at the shelter: What you should know about rabies.

Spaying and Neutering - If your cat is from our shelter it will already be spayed or neutered. The Winn Feline Foundation Reports On Early Spay/Neuter In The Cat addresses concerns about juvenile spay/neuter surgery. Just about every website for an animal organization provides spay/neuter information. A few links on this topic:
      Why Spay or Neuter?
      Lisaviolet's spay/neuter page
      Spaying and Neutering Your Cat