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The <strong>Neighborhood</strong> <strong>Cats</strong> <strong>TNR</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong><br />
If you’re satisfied with the answers you get, then explain the next steps in the<br />
adoption process: (1) The person comes over to meet the cat; (2) if that goes well, then<br />
you will pay a visit to their home (preferably without the cat – too much pressure<br />
otherwise), and (3) there will be an adoption fee, which you should make at least $75.<br />
Having the person come see the cat for the first time, instead of you bringing the cat<br />
to them, shows if they have enough interest to take the trouble to come and meet their<br />
new friend. The subsequent home visit allows you to confirm that your evaluation of the<br />
person as a good placement is correct. There is little more revealing than a person’s<br />
home. Is it pleasant, clean, has a sense of warmth, screens on the windows like they said,<br />
etc.? If you go and get a bad feeling, don’t give them the cat, but say you need more time<br />
to think about it. Doing a home visit also helps ensure you are not dealing with an<br />
unsavory character who doesn’t actually live where he claimed.<br />
Charging a fee is essential. This is the only way to guarantee you are not being<br />
fooled by a professional buncher who intends to sell the cat. These people are very<br />
smooth and practiced at saying exactly what you want to hear. Charging a fee eliminates<br />
this danger because then they cannot profit by selling to a lab. Furthermore, anyone<br />
adopting an animal should be able to afford a modest fee. If they can’t, how will they<br />
pay the next veterinary bill? <strong>Cats</strong> do cost something to keep in good health.<br />
All this may seem like a lot, but a good home will appreciate your thoroughness and<br />
understand you’re doing it because you deeply care for the cat. If someone objects and<br />
says you’re making it too hard, that’s a red flag and a sign that you should keep looking.<br />
Whenever possible, especially with feral cats and kittens, try to place them in a home<br />
with another feline. Ferals are cats’ cats. They usually get along with other cats<br />
extremely well, including domestics, but can languish if left alone. If you have multiple<br />
kittens and want to adopt them out in pairs, which is always ideal for them, then ask right<br />
away before going into the other questions whether the potential adopter is willing to take<br />
two. Some people won’t, but in the end, if you stick to adopting in pairs, you’ll only<br />
need to find half as many good placements.<br />
In order to attract that great home (which will come along if you’re patient), post<br />
flyers in veterinarians’ offices, pet stores, your gym and your workplace. Include a good<br />
photo of the cat on the flyer – pictures make all the difference. Check your local paper to<br />
see if they offer free ads for adoptable animals. Finally, post your cat on Petfinder<br />
(www.petfinder.com), the largest Internet-based adoption service.<br />
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