Adoption Day!
Today my husband and I adopted a "spirit cat" or a "shy cat" from our local animal shelter. His given name is Buckbeak. He's a beautiful gray, long haired cat. He'd have a regal look about him if he weren't so scared. This is the picture that the shelter has online for him. Isn't he beautiful?
I have never had a super shy cat before, and I assume most people haven't either. All cats that I've gotten are always scared the first few days. I'm not sure how long Buckbeak will be scared. It could be forever. I think the important point is to not pressure him to do anything he doesn't want to do - as long as his health isn't an issue.
Before picking him up, I cleaned up the room where he will be staying. I washed the linens that go on the couch and sleeping areas and pillows. I swept, vacuumed (both are necessary), and mopped the floor with vinegar and water. I scrubbed out a litter box we already had (because I cannot at this point see any sense in purchasing another box) and filled it with litter. I put out water and food dishes in a slightly concealed area. I set up a cardboard box with blankets so he has a nice cozy bed (if he chooses). I also vacuumed the rest of the house because the last thing he needs is to hear vacuuming on his first week here.
Okay - I went to meet him at the shelter. It is difficult to "meet" shy cats because the ones I saw were both cowering in the back of cat carriers. I wasn't about to reach in and grab them or touch them. That would be a violation of their space and only freak them out. I've been looking at Buckbeak online for about two months now and he hasn't been adopted. He's gorgeous, but when you see him in his crate, he is really hard to see. I took a picture, which gave me a better visual than what my eyes could see.
I read over his history (there wasn't much) - there were some issues getting along with cats in a foster home. We have two cats, but I thought I'd risk it anyway so he didn't have to be in a shelter anymore. Also, he was only in the foster home for three weeks and I think maybe that wasn't long enough for him to get comfortable. I don't know.
When we got home, I put him into his room and opened the door of his cage. He looked a bit curious, but made no moves to get out. I moved the carrier to the window so he could see outside and he was interested in that, as well, but still didn't leave the crate. I ended up putting it back on the floor. I don't know how much muscle he has if he has spent most of his life cowering in a crate (poor guy). He left the crate soon after and crawled behind the couch.
I did end up having to play piano today due to unforeseen circumstances. He is in the room with the piano. Luckily, it is an electronic piano and I can turn the volume down. So, I played it quietly.
He has been here for about seven hours now and he has not left his hiding spot behind the couch. I don't know if he's hungry, but he has both wet and dry food plus water. I'm hoping he'll eat something overnight.
The plan right now is to let him get comfortable in his room (maybe a month?) and then see how he does with the other cats.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. The first step is to schedule him a vet appointment within 14 days. That was in my adoption contract! The shelter gave me a voucher for a free rabies shot and physical exam if I get him there within the 14 days, so there is incentive to abide by the contract other than the fact that I signed the paper and also am a responsible caregiver.
Well, here's to day 1!
I have never had a super shy cat before, and I assume most people haven't either. All cats that I've gotten are always scared the first few days. I'm not sure how long Buckbeak will be scared. It could be forever. I think the important point is to not pressure him to do anything he doesn't want to do - as long as his health isn't an issue.
Before picking him up, I cleaned up the room where he will be staying. I washed the linens that go on the couch and sleeping areas and pillows. I swept, vacuumed (both are necessary), and mopped the floor with vinegar and water. I scrubbed out a litter box we already had (because I cannot at this point see any sense in purchasing another box) and filled it with litter. I put out water and food dishes in a slightly concealed area. I set up a cardboard box with blankets so he has a nice cozy bed (if he chooses). I also vacuumed the rest of the house because the last thing he needs is to hear vacuuming on his first week here.
Okay - I went to meet him at the shelter. It is difficult to "meet" shy cats because the ones I saw were both cowering in the back of cat carriers. I wasn't about to reach in and grab them or touch them. That would be a violation of their space and only freak them out. I've been looking at Buckbeak online for about two months now and he hasn't been adopted. He's gorgeous, but when you see him in his crate, he is really hard to see. I took a picture, which gave me a better visual than what my eyes could see.
I read over his history (there wasn't much) - there were some issues getting along with cats in a foster home. We have two cats, but I thought I'd risk it anyway so he didn't have to be in a shelter anymore. Also, he was only in the foster home for three weeks and I think maybe that wasn't long enough for him to get comfortable. I don't know.
When we got home, I put him into his room and opened the door of his cage. He looked a bit curious, but made no moves to get out. I moved the carrier to the window so he could see outside and he was interested in that, as well, but still didn't leave the crate. I ended up putting it back on the floor. I don't know how much muscle he has if he has spent most of his life cowering in a crate (poor guy). He left the crate soon after and crawled behind the couch.
I did end up having to play piano today due to unforeseen circumstances. He is in the room with the piano. Luckily, it is an electronic piano and I can turn the volume down. So, I played it quietly.
He has been here for about seven hours now and he has not left his hiding spot behind the couch. I don't know if he's hungry, but he has both wet and dry food plus water. I'm hoping he'll eat something overnight.
The plan right now is to let him get comfortable in his room (maybe a month?) and then see how he does with the other cats.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. The first step is to schedule him a vet appointment within 14 days. That was in my adoption contract! The shelter gave me a voucher for a free rabies shot and physical exam if I get him there within the 14 days, so there is incentive to abide by the contract other than the fact that I signed the paper and also am a responsible caregiver.
Well, here's to day 1!
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