Cat Fight
So, boyfriend and I have been living together in our tiny apartment for just about nine months. It's a nice little place, even though there isn't even room for a kitchen table (which is a CRIME because I have dreams of food get-togethers, of course). We got some plants a while ago, and that certainly spruced things up. But wouldn't a small pet really be great? We can't have dogs in our apartment, but we can have a cat... for the nominal price of $50/month !
Yes, cats pay rent here too. Thanks, overpriced DC area.
That cost is ridiculous, but I thought maybe I could just smuggle the cat in... no one would know, right? Or maybe we'll find a new place close by after our lease is up, some place where you can actually eat at a real table instead of those fold out tv table things.
I started looking for places to get pets online - shelters, SPCA's, Washington Post ads, etc. On the SPCA's website I found an adorable little kitten named Turtle. He was brown, black and gray splotches. The website described him as playful and curious. Alright, I probably should be looking at descriptions that say something like 'peace-loving' and 'loves to cuddle,' but he was just too cute.
But then I noticed on the website that it says the kittens can only be adopted in pairs. Pairs?? $50/month for one cat alone is already too much, not to mention the expense of food, little, and vet bills. I had to find out if this was true or if it was just to discourage "non-serious buyers."
-----------------------------------
From: seredne@gmail.com
To: [spca representative]
Sent: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 11:37 AM
Subject: Turtle
Hello,
I was admiring 'Turtle' today and I noticed that it says they must be adopted in pairs. If someone just wants one kitten to devote their attention to (seeing as how kittens can be a handful!), I am just wondering why these kittens must be adopted in pairs?
Thanks,
Seredne
-----------------------------------
I tried to present myself as a thoughtful and sensitive cat-lover, thinking I might win her over. Nope.
-----------------------------------
From: [spca representative]
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 11:59 AM
To: seredne@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Turtle
Hi Seredne,
This is a misconception that most people have when deciding to add a cat to their home. One single kitten will likely be lonely and destructive. I can't tell you how many people contact us every summer having gotten a single kitten and soon realize it was a mistake and seek to find a second kitten.
Please read the info below. If you change your mind and would consider adopting a pair please get back in touch with us. Thanks
When Should Kittens Be Adopted In Pairs*
Required when there is not a preexisting kitten or young adult cat in the home
that would likely become a playmate/companion to the newly adopted kitten.
•Kittens need interaction with other kittens for healthy social development.
A kitten learns a lot in the first several months of life from its mother and littermates. Separating a kitten from its mother is often a necessity for adoption purposes, but taking it away from its littermates and isolating it can delay the kitten's development emotionally, socially, and sometimes physically. Kittens who are able to remain with one of their littermates or a similarly-aged companion tend to be healthier and happier, and in the long run, better socialized pets than those who are isolated from others of their kind at an early age.
•Even loving, caring, humans are not adequate substitutes for kitten companionship.
Even if a person is fortunate enough to be home quite a bit, the amount of attention a lone kitten will demand is likely to occupy more time than the person has available. A pair of kittens will definitely still want to interact with people, but can keep each other occupied. Most cats, regardless of their age, are highly sociable and are truly happier living with other cat companions. This in turn makes them better pets.
•Kittens are curious and crave constant stimulation.
Out of boredom, a single kitten will often entertain itself by chewing plants, climbing drapes and furniture, unrolling toilet paper, exploring electrical cords and sockets, etc. Kittens who live with other kittens may sometimes do these things as well, but if they have another kitten to tumble around and play with it is less likely they'll need to entertain themselves with behaviors like these, which can be destructive and dangerous.
•Kittens bite and wrestle with one another--this behavior is normal.
You can't prevent a kitten from doing what comes naturally, any more than you can force a two-year-old toddler to sit still. Though it's not acceptable for a kitten to bite and wrestle with its human companions, in the absence of having a littermate or companion its own age to play with, this is precisely what a single kitten will want to do. Even if you are willing to allow (and can tolerate) this behavior from your kitten, by the time the kitten matures, you will end up with an adult cat who has developed very bad habits ( i.e. biting and scratching as "play").
•Kittens are very active at night.
A single kitten is likely to keep people awake at night with constant jumping, pouncing and other "hunting" behavior. With a companion to play with at night, this behavior is minimized because they will have each other to chase and play games with until they too fall asleep.
•A single kitten is not a good companion for an older cat.
Kittens have boundless energy. They want to play and run constantly which typically overwhelms and irritates an older cat. Likewise, a kitten is apt to be frustrated that its companion doesn't have its same level of energy. At the very least, this can lead to two very unhappy cats. At worst, behavior problems such as litterbox avoidance or destructive scratching can occur as one or both cats act out their frustrations on their surroundings. Its not likely that the two will have a close, bonded relationship, even after the kitten matures, since their experiences with one another from the beginning of the relationship are likely to be negative. An older kitty is better matched with a cat closer to its own age and temperament.
*SPCA requires that young kittens be adopted in pairs unless you have an existing kitten or young cat at home. This policy is NOT based on a desire to increase our number of adoptions. Rather this ensures that the kittens we rescue, nurture, and love are adopted into homes that offer the best possible environment for their social development. We understand that some people will still want to adopt a single kitten. Most rescue groups have similar policies regarding kittens. Thus, we suggest you adopt from a local animal shelter where kittens may not otherwise find any home.
-----------------------------------
SMACK - that woman told me!
I had a single cat for many many many years and he wasn't destructive at all! He was a little bit grumpy, but that's just his style. Fine, when we brought another kitten into the house years later he wasn't pleased... and the two bit and swatted at eachother constantly. But I just can't believe that a place that should be helping loving families adopt animals will not relent on this two cat only policy. Even if I wanted two cats, the cost really would cripple me.
I tried to explain my side, but...
-----------------------------------
From: [spca representative]
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 12:28 PM
To: seredne@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Turtle
There are a lot of conisderations that go into choosing a compatible pair. What breed/color were your cats? Sex? By any chance declawed? Both the same age? Same litter?
I would be curious to see if your two cats have any of the characteristics we usually employ when trying for a good match.
-----------------------------------
I didn't even bother responding.
SPCA also hates people who declaw their cats. They sent me more on how declawed cats have no balance and live completely miserable lives, constantly in fear. I really didn't get this impression from my other cats, but I guess she's the expert? Cats have been adopted without pairs for yeaaaarrrs, and many if not most of them are declawed (at least in the front paws). I could probably deal with not getting them declawed, but the pair-only policy kills the deal.
I haven't heard from my friends or relatives that their cats are off in the corner drinking all the vodka alone, trying to commit suicide out of the second story window or falling on a kitchen knife. This woman really made me feel like shit. I know it's their policy, but she made it sound like I know absolutely nothing. I don't want to think that Max, who recently died at 19, was incredibly depressed and that we did it to him by not getting two cats.
I guess my cat adoption plan is suspended... for a long time, sadly.
Yes, cats pay rent here too. Thanks, overpriced DC area.
That cost is ridiculous, but I thought maybe I could just smuggle the cat in... no one would know, right? Or maybe we'll find a new place close by after our lease is up, some place where you can actually eat at a real table instead of those fold out tv table things.
I started looking for places to get pets online - shelters, SPCA's, Washington Post ads, etc. On the SPCA's website I found an adorable little kitten named Turtle. He was brown, black and gray splotches. The website described him as playful and curious. Alright, I probably should be looking at descriptions that say something like 'peace-loving' and 'loves to cuddle,' but he was just too cute.
But then I noticed on the website that it says the kittens can only be adopted in pairs. Pairs?? $50/month for one cat alone is already too much, not to mention the expense of food, little, and vet bills. I had to find out if this was true or if it was just to discourage "non-serious buyers."
-----------------------------------
From: seredne@gmail.com
To: [spca representative]
Sent: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 11:37 AM
Subject: Turtle
Hello,
I was admiring 'Turtle' today and I noticed that it says they must be adopted in pairs. If someone just wants one kitten to devote their attention to (seeing as how kittens can be a handful!), I am just wondering why these kittens must be adopted in pairs?
Thanks,
Seredne
-----------------------------------
I tried to present myself as a thoughtful and sensitive cat-lover, thinking I might win her over. Nope.
-----------------------------------
From: [spca representative]
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 11:59 AM
To: seredne@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Turtle
Hi Seredne,
This is a misconception that most people have when deciding to add a cat to their home. One single kitten will likely be lonely and destructive. I can't tell you how many people contact us every summer having gotten a single kitten and soon realize it was a mistake and seek to find a second kitten.
Please read the info below. If you change your mind and would consider adopting a pair please get back in touch with us. Thanks
When Should Kittens Be Adopted In Pairs*
Required when there is not a preexisting kitten or young adult cat in the home
that would likely become a playmate/companion to the newly adopted kitten.
•Kittens need interaction with other kittens for healthy social development.
A kitten learns a lot in the first several months of life from its mother and littermates. Separating a kitten from its mother is often a necessity for adoption purposes, but taking it away from its littermates and isolating it can delay the kitten's development emotionally, socially, and sometimes physically. Kittens who are able to remain with one of their littermates or a similarly-aged companion tend to be healthier and happier, and in the long run, better socialized pets than those who are isolated from others of their kind at an early age.
•Even loving, caring, humans are not adequate substitutes for kitten companionship.
Even if a person is fortunate enough to be home quite a bit, the amount of attention a lone kitten will demand is likely to occupy more time than the person has available. A pair of kittens will definitely still want to interact with people, but can keep each other occupied. Most cats, regardless of their age, are highly sociable and are truly happier living with other cat companions. This in turn makes them better pets.
•Kittens are curious and crave constant stimulation.
Out of boredom, a single kitten will often entertain itself by chewing plants, climbing drapes and furniture, unrolling toilet paper, exploring electrical cords and sockets, etc. Kittens who live with other kittens may sometimes do these things as well, but if they have another kitten to tumble around and play with it is less likely they'll need to entertain themselves with behaviors like these, which can be destructive and dangerous.
•Kittens bite and wrestle with one another--this behavior is normal.
You can't prevent a kitten from doing what comes naturally, any more than you can force a two-year-old toddler to sit still. Though it's not acceptable for a kitten to bite and wrestle with its human companions, in the absence of having a littermate or companion its own age to play with, this is precisely what a single kitten will want to do. Even if you are willing to allow (and can tolerate) this behavior from your kitten, by the time the kitten matures, you will end up with an adult cat who has developed very bad habits ( i.e. biting and scratching as "play").
•Kittens are very active at night.
A single kitten is likely to keep people awake at night with constant jumping, pouncing and other "hunting" behavior. With a companion to play with at night, this behavior is minimized because they will have each other to chase and play games with until they too fall asleep.
•A single kitten is not a good companion for an older cat.
Kittens have boundless energy. They want to play and run constantly which typically overwhelms and irritates an older cat. Likewise, a kitten is apt to be frustrated that its companion doesn't have its same level of energy. At the very least, this can lead to two very unhappy cats. At worst, behavior problems such as litterbox avoidance or destructive scratching can occur as one or both cats act out their frustrations on their surroundings. Its not likely that the two will have a close, bonded relationship, even after the kitten matures, since their experiences with one another from the beginning of the relationship are likely to be negative. An older kitty is better matched with a cat closer to its own age and temperament.
*SPCA requires that young kittens be adopted in pairs unless you have an existing kitten or young cat at home. This policy is NOT based on a desire to increase our number of adoptions. Rather this ensures that the kittens we rescue, nurture, and love are adopted into homes that offer the best possible environment for their social development. We understand that some people will still want to adopt a single kitten. Most rescue groups have similar policies regarding kittens. Thus, we suggest you adopt from a local animal shelter where kittens may not otherwise find any home.
-----------------------------------
SMACK - that woman told me!
I had a single cat for many many many years and he wasn't destructive at all! He was a little bit grumpy, but that's just his style. Fine, when we brought another kitten into the house years later he wasn't pleased... and the two bit and swatted at eachother constantly. But I just can't believe that a place that should be helping loving families adopt animals will not relent on this two cat only policy. Even if I wanted two cats, the cost really would cripple me.
I tried to explain my side, but...
-----------------------------------
From: [spca representative]
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 12:28 PM
To: seredne@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Turtle
There are a lot of conisderations that go into choosing a compatible pair. What breed/color were your cats? Sex? By any chance declawed? Both the same age? Same litter?
I would be curious to see if your two cats have any of the characteristics we usually employ when trying for a good match.
-----------------------------------
I didn't even bother responding.
SPCA also hates people who declaw their cats. They sent me more on how declawed cats have no balance and live completely miserable lives, constantly in fear. I really didn't get this impression from my other cats, but I guess she's the expert? Cats have been adopted without pairs for yeaaaarrrs, and many if not most of them are declawed (at least in the front paws). I could probably deal with not getting them declawed, but the pair-only policy kills the deal.
I haven't heard from my friends or relatives that their cats are off in the corner drinking all the vodka alone, trying to commit suicide out of the second story window or falling on a kitchen knife. This woman really made me feel like shit. I know it's their policy, but she made it sound like I know absolutely nothing. I don't want to think that Max, who recently died at 19, was incredibly depressed and that we did it to him by not getting two cats.
I guess my cat adoption plan is suspended... for a long time, sadly.
1 Comments:
My 2-cents: The first kittens I got were brothers. I had them de-clawed. One learned to climb the Christmas tree and kitchen cabinets without falling. The other eventually learned to climb trees and live outside.
The next kitten I had was born into a household with her Mama. "Squeaks" - later renamed Jessie - played more with string and wire and me than her Mama or the furniture.
I did the pair thing just so they wouldn't be lonely. I think they would have been just fine as the only cats!
Yes, SPCA people are wacked!
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