For most of my life, I have had a cat in my home, and I am a big cat lover. Before coming to Estonia, I was unable to have a pet in my previous living arrangements. When I moved to Estonia and got my place, the first order of business was getting a new furry friend.
I am a firm believer in the notion of “adopt don’t shop” and I wanted to give an older cat a home that otherwise would have not been adopted. Older cats come with their own challenges and quirks. It is however worth it to see the trust grow and to build a relationship with a nice old cat.
I ended up adopting my cat from a shelter in Pärnu and named her Maiu because at 8 years old, she’s like a little old Estonian lady.
I am by no means a cat expert, but I am a responsible and well-informed cat owner. In this blog, I will touch on whether you should adopt a cat, the adoption process, and options. general care, and veterinarian care.
Should you adopt a cat?
There are a lot of things to consider when you are planning to adopt a cat and, in some situations, it isn’t best for you or the animal if you aren’t properly capable of taking in a cat.
Here are some questions for you to consider before adopting a cat.
Am I able to take care of myself?
When thinking of adopting a cat you should first evaluate your own self-care. If you are neglecting your own self-care, the additional burden and responsibility of a pet will not be beneficial to yourself or the cat.
Does my current living arrangement allow pets?
Check the contract of your living arrangement and speak with your landlord about your plans to adopt a cat to see it is allowed. Sorry, the dorms do not allow pets. In addition, your furniture is going to get scratched, it is unavoidable. If you are super attached to your expensive couch maybe a cat isn’t the best idea. Also, consider the amount of space you have. One cat can live in a small space but if you are considering 2 cats it is recommended that your living space is at least 46.5 square meters.
Am I or anyone I’m currently living with allergic to cats?
If you are deathly allergic to cats this is an obvious one. Be courteous to those you are living with as well. If the allergy is negligible then there is allergy medication available.
Am I able to take on the financial burden of caring for a cat?
Budget is another big thing to consider when taking in a cat. Typically, I spend 50-100 Euros a month on my cat. This includes Food, Litter, Toys, Vet expenses. Other costs you need to factor in are those initial costs of buying beds, scratchers, litter boxes, a carrier, and any unforeseen medical costs that may need to be taken care of as they come.
Do I have time to care for and socialize with the cat?
Only providing food, water, and a place to use the bathroom is not a sufficient amount of care for a cat. Cats are social creatures. Playing, brushing, and socializing are essential to a happy and healthy feline. If you are only in your domicile to sleep and eat you might not have enough time for a cat and your cat may suffer from separation anxiety.
Adoption process and options
You’ve considered all the above and are ready to adopt your cat, great!
A trip to your local shelter is always a great place to start and you can do some window shopping or have some playtime with some of the cats. Another option is to view a shelter’s website where you can see all the cats up for adoption and make an appointment.
Below are a few good resources to find your local shelter, browse cats up for adoption, or get more information.
- https://kassideturvakodu.ee/
- https://varjupaik.ee/en
- https://www.loomadevarjupaik.eu
- https://catshelpmtu.wixsite.com/catshelp
Please also consider helping the work of the shelters by donating food or money to them, even if you are not looking to adopt.
Once you find your perfect cat, reach out via the shelter’s website or via email. You will be interviewed or fill out an interview sheet asking many of the questions I had proposed and general eligibility questions. The shelter wants to make sure you are a good fit for the cat you are planning to adopt. It is a good idea to ask about the temperament of the cat or if they fit well with children etc. Every cat is different!
When you are approved, and your new cat is ready to come home with you make sure you have all the necessities ready at home! Prepare a litter box, toys, scratchers, beds, water bowls, and comfy places to lounge around! Before you leave the shelter ensure you receive the vaccination records and pet passport (if they have one), as they will be very useful for future vet visits.
Finding a veterinarian
A trip to the vet should be a priority when first adopting a cat. Shelters sometimes do not have the resources to consistently check the health of every cat under their care as thoroughly as they would like.
In my experience, the quality of Estonian veterinarians has been very high and not that expensive. Every vet I have been to (as well as the workers) has spoken English and there should be no issue finding an English-speaking vet nearby. You should ensure by calling ahead or checking their website either way.
Regular vet visits are essential for your cat’s health. However, most cats are not happy to be at the vet, especially Maiu.
General Cat Care
Every cat is an individual and you should find what your cat likes, as well as its quirks and habits. However, here are some general tips to keep your cat happy and healthy.
- Cats are social creatures. Daily playtime and frequent brushing will not only keep them happy but will also keep them healthy. Exercise is important for cats just as much as humans and daily playtime will keep them in good shape. Frequent brushing will reduce hairballs while removing dirt and grease they otherwise would have ingested.
- Cats are creatures of habit. Keeping a specified feeding time and playtime helps them feel more relaxed and will build trust between yourself and your cat.
- Respect your cat’s boundaries. Not every cat likes to be cuddled and picked up. It is important to learn what your cat likes and does not like so they feel calmer and more relaxed.
- If you see any behavior out of the ordinary, especially if your cat is ceasing to eat or drink, schedule an appointment with your vet. Cats are very good at not showing pain, so it is very hard to know if they are hurting or have a more serious internal problem.
Overall, adopting a cat is the best choice I’ve made since arriving in Estonia, and given you are prepared, you should too!
All pictures belong to the author.
