AWA
does not have its own shelter, therefore, all the
cats
that we rescue are in different places. Some are
boarded
at vet clinics and some are placed in foster homes.
Where
is your office?
We
don't have an office or any paid employees. We are
all
volunteers working out of our own homes.
How
do I get to see the cats?
If
you see a cat or several cats on the website that you are
interested
in, please call a volunteer at
(905)
544-1053 or 547-4169
The
volunteer will give you the locations of the cats
and
phone numbers to call for appointments to see them.
Why
do I have to talk to a volunteer?
Our
volunteers need to briefly interview any person wanting
to
adopt one of our cats to ensure that they will
provide
the cat with a good responsible home that is
suitable
for the cat they are interested in.
Every
cat is different ... a very shy cat would not do well
with
a family of noisy active children and an energetic young
kitten
would not be suitable for an elderly person.
Some
cats need to be an only pet while others would do well
in
a multi-pet home ... the volunteers and vet clinic staff
know
the personalities of the cats and can advise you.
After
I have been to see the cats, what do I do
if
I decide I want to adopt one of them?
Tell
the staff at the vet clinic or the care-giver in the
foster
home and also the volunteer you spoke to
that
you want to adopt the cat you have just been to see.
The
cat will not be shown to anyone else and will be
reserved
for you. It is not necessary to make a deposit.
The
volunteer will make arrangements with the vet/foster home
and
you to do the adoption at a mutually agreeable time.
Even
if you decide not to adopt, please call the volunteer
back
and tell them so they know the status of the cat.
Can
I take the cat home right away?
No,
not usually. We don't want you to make a snap
decision
on a 15 - 20 year commitment. We also need time
to
make sure the cat is ready to go out to a new home. The
health
record needs to be prepared or updated and the cat
needs
its nails trimmed and a fresh application of Advantage.
However,
exceptions can be made if you are from out of town
and
advance arrangements are made with the volunteer.
What
if someone else wants the same cat I do?
Whoever
calls first and makes an appointment to see the cat
has
'first dibs' on that cat. If the first person decides
not
to adopt, then the second person has a chance to adopt.
How
does the adoption process work?
When
a date, time and place have been arranged,
the
volunteer will meet you there. The volunteer will give you an
adoption
contract to fill out and sign. Our adoption fee is $150,
cash
or cheque. We don't take credit or debit cards.
You
will get a receipt, but it is not a tax receipt.
You
also get the cat's health record, showing dates of
vaccinations,
de-wormings, flea treatment, spay/neuter etc.
and
a catnip ball as a going-home present for your cat.
What's
included with the adoption fee?
All
our adoptions include Feline Leukemia testing,
rabies
vaccination, 1st and 2nd FVRCP vaccinations
2
de-wormings, flea control, spay/neuter surgery and any
other
medical treatment necessary to restore good health.
If
it's a kitten that hasn't had all their shots completed
at
the time of adoption, we give you a voucher to pay for that and
for
the spay/neuter surgery when the kitten is old enough.
Why
do I need a carry case?
It
is unsafe to transport a cat without a case, therefore,
no
case ... no cat! If you don't have a case of your own and are
unable
to borrow one, we may have one available that we
could
lend you for the trip home - just ask. You should purchase
a
case of your own as soon as possible though ... you will eventually
need
one to take your cat to the vet for annual check-ups
and
you never know when an emergency might arise.
Why
do I have to buy food from the vet?
If
you suddenly switch the food that the cat has been used
to
eating at the vet's, it will probably result in stomach upset and
diarrhea
for the cat and we're sure you'll both want to avoid that!
You
can purchase one bag of food from the vet and gradually
switch
over to another 'good quality' food later on if you wish.
We
can advise you which foods are suitable for your cat.
The
quality of the food affects the health of your cat.
Cheaper
foods might have taste appeal, but could cause
expensive
and painful health problems for your cat later on.
Why
do you insist that AWA cats must be kept indoors?
We
feel strongly that keeping a cat indoors is the safest,
healthiest
choice. Studies have shown that indoor cats usually live
twice
as long as cats that go outside. Even with vaccinations and
flea
control, a cat that goes outdoors is still at risk from disease
and
parasites. Plus there are the dangers of road traffic,
attack
from other aggressive animals, pesticides and poisons.
Apartment
balconies may seem safe, but unless they are
completely
and securely screened, cats can easily jump onto
a
railing (perhaps chasing an insect or bird) and fall,
causing
serious injury or death. Even taking a cat outside
for
a walk on a harness and leash is not safe. When confronted
by
a dog, a terrified cat becomes surprisingly strong enough
to
pull a leash from its owner’s hand and can be gone in a flash.
So
why risk the health and well-being of your pet?
Don't
find out the hard way that going outside is too
dangerous
for your cat. Indoor cats can enjoy looking at birds
and
squirrels from a sunny window; scratching posts can replace
trees
and small toys can provide the stimulation of hunting.
Why
is there a 2 week trial period?
We
want to make sure that this is a 'forever' home for
the
cat. A trial period ensures that there aren't any conflicts
with
other animals in the home or any surprise allergy problems
in
the family. We want both the cat and the new owner to be happy!