The month of June brings many things: the longest day of the year, insufferable heat and… cats? Yes, June is the American Humane’s Adopt-A-Cat-Month. During the next week, we at The Greenies^® Brand will be sharing some advice for those soon-to-be new cat owners.

Let’s look at the first steps to finding the right cat—beginning with determining the adoption facility or organization and things to keep in mind in choosing your cat.

Find a trustworthy facility

Before adopting, research the options to make sure they’re reliable. Supporting a facility that obeys laws and maintains high standards in their business practice ensures that your new pet has been well-cared-for. County or city shelters are a great place to start; typically they have a veterinarian on staff that provides basic care such as deworming and vaccinations. Some spay or neuter the animals before placing them for adoption.

Additionally, many adoption facilities now perform in-home interviews before allowing adoption, so be prepared to answer a few questions before you bring your new pet home. These interviews are in the best interest of you and your future pet, as it helps the facility confirm that you are well matched.

Choose the right cat

Typically, potential cat parents are not concerned with picking a particular breed; however, not all cats are the same. Jacque Lynn Schultz, MA, C.P.D.T., says, “If you are a novice cat owner, stay away from “excessive” cats—excessively shy, aggressive or demanding—for they may provide too great a challenge for your first experience.”

It is important to consider the personality of the cat in addition to its appearance. A pretty kitten may not always be the best pet. If you have small children, you may want to consider adopting a more experienced, adult cat as kittens and children are both very unpredictable. Once you’ve chosen a cat or at least narrowed your choices, spend some with them in the adoption facility for a preview of what kind of pet they will be at home. Keep in mind that animals in the shelter may be more timid than they will be once settled into their new home.

For those of you considering adopting this summer, what are you looking for in your new pet? For those that have gone through the adoption process, how did you know your cat was the right one?

Look for our next blog post later in the week; we’ll be talking about bringing your new cat home.