We recently adopted two kittens, from two different rescue orgs. There was a phone interview--basically telling you what to expect if you've never had one before, or discussing your experience if you had. They want to know you'll have the cat fixed (if not done yet), that you won't declaw or let them outside. If you have kids, will want to know their ages and whether they've had experience with kids. If you're looking for a particular temperament--some prefer quiet lap cats, others more playful and interactive cats--they'll work with you to find the right cat. We had a home visit with one org, but not the other (we basically did the interview in person at an adoption event). That's pretty much it, not a big deal. In both cases, took less than a week from start to finish. It depends mainly how busy they are, since the staff is all-volunteer. They want to make sure their kitties go to good homes, and that you'll get the right cat for your household. A good thing all around.

Haha. Well the SPCA we adopted from in a different city let us take the kitten home on the spot. My DH, who never owned a pet and who decided to take the plunge, expected a delay and didn't get one, leading to a bit of a minor freak out.

To be fair - there are horror stories of what happens to cats that get adopted out without vetting/fees.

Trigger warning....

Sold to be killed and dissected, but before being killed, being injected in arteries and veins with colored latex as it was easier to get through the system while it lived.

These people care and are trying to do the right thing. There are evil people out there.

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard - home visits for a cat adoption? Why anyone would go through that much scrutiny to get a cat is beyond me. Maybe for a dog.... but a cat- no way.

Go to Pete art on the weekend. You can walk out with Ann armful or cats.

Wow, I got my cat at a PetSmart dog adoption. I can't remember the org, but they have them outdoors at PetSmart and had a few cats too. It was $100 to cover the spay and shots she'd had. She was rescued from down south. I filled out forms, bought some things from PetSmart and brought her home that night. She is a spoiled princess!

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, it's easier to buy an AR-15 than to adopt a cat.

SO TRUE!

A lot of the animal rescues are pretty intense about the background checks. I had to provide 3 personal references and a vet reference, and the rescue people met my (then) small child, but there was no home check, so I figure I got off easy.

My brother was deemed unsuitable by a dog rescue because he and his wife both worked full time. I haven't run into a cat rescue requiring a stay at home pet parent...yet.

This happened to our friends.

Home visits. Signing a pledge of all the things they agreed never to do (allow the cats outside. separate any pairs. Crazy stuff.)

Rescue people are a very special kind of crazy.

I remember having to undergo a home visit from a stern woman when we were applying to adopt a cat from MoCo Animal Shelter long ago.

It was good prep for adopting a kid a few years later!

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, it's easier to buy an AR-15 than to adopt a cat.

Sigh. Yes.

This is why we ended up purchasing our last cat.

They have this way of treating you like you are some sort of scum.

Sadly, it's easier to buy an AR-15 than to adopt a cat.

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to say the name as I don't want to cause problems with our application. It's already been annoying.

Just go to one of the shelters or a big adoption event like Wolf Trap. You can probably even leave with a cat the same day. I’ve never heard of a lengthy adoption process for a cat. For a dog, yes.

I don't want to say the name as I don't want to cause problems with our application. It's already been annoying.

Which rescue? Someone my have a recent experience ...

What kind of rescue/shelter does a vetting process for a cat? When I adopted both of mine from the shelter, I was in one day to pick out the kitten and had my application approved on the spot. I think in both cases we came back the next day to pick them up. So 24 hours altogether.

Now we have to go through the vetting process.

They don't make this stuff easy.

Any idea how long this process typically takes?