Andrea, a manager at a Toronto insurance company, is a lifelong cat lover who's always used animal rescues. Andrea explains how she and her son, Daniel (both above), found their latest cat, Tootsie Roll, in west Toronto:
 

Why did you and Daniel  adopt a rescue pet? Why didn't you buy a kitten or cat? 
I trust shelters. They make sure the cats are in good health before they adopt them out. I have always had cats, about 10 in all, and have been adopting from shelters for about 20 years.

 

What led you to adopt your latest cat?
Our last cat, Charlie, passed away in August 2016. After two months, I was ready for another cat. I had a positive experience when we adopted Charlie from the Etobicoke Humane Society (EHS) in west Toronto, and thought I would use them again. In the end, both cats that we adopted from EHS were well-cared for; EHS gave them their shots and provided them with a very clean environment.

 

What steps did you take at EHS to adopt?
I looked online at the kitties EHS had. I was looking for a male tabby because they are very affectionate. When my son and I got to EHS, the cat we wanted had been taken, but the staff were patient and informative. EHS asked, “What did you like about that cat?” We answered that it was playful and friendly. So, EHS recommended a long-haired, 11-month-old momma cat who had just weaned her kittens. She was healthier than the first choice who needed work on her teeth and had a stubby tail (that could've to lead to other health concerns). We ended up adopting the momma and named her Tootsie Roll.

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How did EHS prove that Tootsie Roll was in good health?
She already had visits to the vet. EHS gave me the paperwork showing when she went to the vet and had her shots.

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In turn, how did EHS determine you guys were the right fit?
They gave us a written questionnaire as well as a verbal interview. Questions included: How do you care for cats? Are there other animals in the home? Will you keep her indoors? Can you afford to take her to the vet? My husband was not with us, so EHS called him to make sure he was on board. 

How did EHS help you transition Tootsie Roll into your home? 
They gave me 12 cans of wet cat food she'd like and advised me on when and where to take her for her neutering and a follow-up vet visit--which was all covered under her adoption fee of $170. Tootsie Roll had no health issues. She just needed to be fixed. EHS didn't make any home visits, but they did call to see how Tootsie Roll doing. They also gave us a grace period.

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Tell us about this grace period.
I'm not sure if it's called that, but basically, they said if anything was wrong with the cat concerning her health within three months or so, EHS would pay for it or take it back.

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For someone completely new to adopting a cat, what do you say to them if they remark, Isn't every cat the same? Why go through this process of choosing the right cat? Why not just pick one and go home?

Every cat is different. Some are quiet and don't like noise; some are friendly and love to cuddle. It's important to make the right match, or else you won't have a good experience.