How to choose the right kitten from a shelter?

mausheri: How to choose the right kitten from a shelter?
I really like the personality of Russian Blues, but since I can’t get one from a shelter, I’ll have to adopt a mixed kitten.

So, my question is: Since most of the kittens in shelters are muts, how am I to determine its personality (obviously not by breed)?

What will it be like as an adult cat?

I need an affectonate, calm, loyal cat, a cat that can be my best pal.

Answers and Views:

Answer by amanda g
The easiest way is to adopt a young adult cat. You can get a better feel of their personalities then. Kittens can undergo radical changes as they grow.
Also a kitten has a better chance of adoption then a older one.

Answer by teawanee
Ask the people working at the shelter, also, adult cat personalities can be changed by how there are raised, if you constantly play with them as kittens, they will grow up to be active, but if you hold them and pet them a lot, they will grow to be affectionate and calm. Also, on petfinder you CAN find russian blues, and other cat breeds. Don’t worry that petfinder isn’t a shelter, many of the animals there euther are in a shelter, or will be if there owners can’t find them a new home.

Answer by Hindsy
in my experience – limited yes – there is no answer to this.

Cats grow up and adapt to the environment you raise them. I got two kittens, 8 weeks old, from a household that was very hectic. I expected to encounter major problems based on their first few weeks.
However, as my household is calm, and relaxed, i’ve found I now have 2 little guys who are more than happy to laze around the house, come for cuddles and engage in gentle playing games with me.

if you experience anything like I did, you will know straight off which cats are for you – I had a litter of 5 to chose from. Luna was the runt and I knew as soon as I seen him quiver and shake his way to his feet he was for me. HIs big brother Sol was beefy, and independent and I knew Luna needed that contrast – and my decision was made. They came to the front out of the 5 we seen – no regrets, no questions afterwards. My two suit each other, but more suit my house.

You will just know and you’re challange is to shape them to suit your house…trust me, it won’t be hard!

good luck and have fun with whichever cat you choose.

Answer by Sag
Well…. the best thing to do is to go to a no kill shelter where the cat has lived there for a little while and the people running it have gotten to know the cat first hand. You really aren’t going to be able to tell much if you go to the pound or county shelter. The SPCA has shelters almost everywhere… I would go there first.

Answer by Gabyy
Any cat can be loving and loyal, depending on how you treat it. Some of the rescued animals have had harsh pasts, and are going to be happy to go into a home where someone loves them. I would get the youngest kitten there, giving it time to grow with you. Once it’s in your hands, the way you treat it will highly effect how it acts as an adult.

Answer by Mrs. RuneAmok Sisto
Don’t go by their looks. Don’t get sucked in by those cute antics and sweet eyes and hairy ears and huge paws.

Spend time with it. Ask the volunteers who care for it what it’s like.

It’s been my experience that a kitten’s personality remains essentially the same as it ages. A shy kitten will probably be a shy adult. An non-cuddly kitten ditto.

I’m not an expert but that was my experience. Poppy and Sophie were cute as hell but Poppy is still shy and Sophie is still nuts. Neither are cuddly – and neither ever were. I love them to bits but I definitely didn’t consider personality when I went kitty shopping.

Answer by SchoolCook
The best rule of thumb is if a cat comes to you and doesn’t hide in the corner that would be the best one. You want one that is openely friendly. good luck

Answer by Daisy77
From experience I always go for the oddball..or the one who keeps to him/herself!!! They tend to be more affectionate in the long run and will be happy to have a new home!!

Answer by BEN W
My advice to anyone adopting from a shelter is to select the animal that no one else is likely to adopt.

Answer by Percy-and-Penny
Then don’t adopt a kitten – adopt an adult cat. With kittens you never know what they’re be like as adults – while with adult cats the personality is right there before you. That’s complete BS that a cat must be as “young as possible” or that you have it from kittenhood in order for it to bond with you. All my shelter cats were adopted as adults and they VERY quickly bonded to me.

And who says you can’t find a Russian Blue at a shelter? Purebred cats get surrendered to shelters as well. I should know – I have three of them – a Persian, an Exotic Shorthair and a Ragamuffin. They were all three years or older and are all the sweetest, most friendly, most loving, most playful cats I’ve ever known! I’m actually sitting here typing with Penny the Exotic Shorthair on one side and Mocha Valencia the Ragamuffin snuggled right up on on the other!