How to Adopt a Kitten

* Visit the local animal shelter. There are many lost and homeless animals there, including many cats and kittens. Pick one you like.

* Spay or neuter your cat. The shelter may offer to do this as part of the adoption process. By having your kitten spayed (if she's a female) or neutered (if he's a male), you will help prevent the overpopulation of cats. The reason animals are in shelters is that there are too many for people to take care of.

* Get shots for the kitten. Kitttens need to have shots, such as distemper, to help them fight off diseases.

* Make the kitten a place of her own. When you get the kitten home, allow her some time in a small room -- perhaps the bathroom -- to get used to living with you. A kitten needs to recognize the sights, sounds, and smells of its new home. Even though the new kitten is very cute, try not to pick her up a lot for the first day or two. Give her a small toy to play with -- a spool, maybe, or a ball.

* Show her the litter box. Kittens need to be shown where the litter box is. Place the litter box on the other side of the room from her food and water, and place the kitten in the litter box. She'll get the idea.

* Food and water. Kittens need plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. As for food, you may want to start your kitten on food specially prepared for baby cats. Dry food is okay; in fact, that's probably what the shelter was feeding her, so she'll be used to it. If you give her canned food or special foods, you may have a difficult time later trying to get her to eat dry food, which is much cheaper (and smells better!).

Our question: Have you adopted a pet? Let us know by sending us your answer now!

* The book has lots of other information about different animals!


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