ADOPT A FRIEND – BE A HERO
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a beautiful feline companion for yourself or perhaps as a friend for your Ragdoll baby. There are thousands of wonderful animals available for adoption who have lots of love to offer. Local shelters always have cats available – and if you don’t see what you want on the first trip, visit again and again. I truly believe that adopted pets know that you’ve saved them and you are forever a hero in their eyes. Check with local veterinarians too as they will occasionally have babies available to good homes. These kids may have been given up by their owners and placed with the vet for a number of reasons (anything from an owner’s death to the family relocating to a change in life circumstances). There are also several Ragdoll rescue groups across the country and a number of breeders searching for good “lifetime” homes for their retired kids so that they may live out their years as pampered pets.
And another tip…don’t think that you have to get a kitten in order to “bond” with the pet. Older cats are often overlooked, but they can make the best of companions since they’re usually calmer and less destructive than kittens. But don’t be fooled by their calm demeanor, they still have lots of curiosity, playfulness and love to share.
Don’t forget to always, always, always have any new pet (not just shelter kitties) checked out thoroughly by your veterinarian, including tests for FIV and feline leukemia, before it enters your home. You should also quarantine the new animal for several days (consult your vet for recommendations as to the exact length of time) just to make sure that it does not develop a cold or anything else that could be spread to your existing pets. Remember the old saying “Better safe than sorry.”