Adoption

Q. Does Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. know the history of this cat or kitten?


A. Probably not. Our cats are rescued after being abandoned on the streets and in kill shelters. We cannot be expected to know their history. If you want more information on a certain cat, email us. We'll tell you everything we know.


Q. How much does it cost to adodopt a cat or kitten.

A. The fees vary depending on the age and breed of cat. Generally $60 for a fully vetted adult DSH to $150 for a fully vetted Maine Coon kitten. Please email about the cat or kitten you are interested in as some of our cats also have special fees.

Q. How many cats / kittens do you have?


A. It varies at any given time with the number of adoptions that are in progress and completed. See our Petfinder site for the latest information.

Q. Where do all the kittens come from?


A. Unspayed cats!!!!!


Q. How long do you keep the cats/kittens for?


A. Until they are adopted out. We are a no-kill society and believe in giving a survivor a second chance.


Q. Is the adoption fee a donation?


A. No, the adoption fee is used to cover medical expenses and costs associated with the care of the Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. cats. Other donations may be tax deductable.



Q. I want to adopt a kitten. What should I think about first?


A. Kittens are irresistibly cute, but think about the following things before deciding to adopt a kitten:


· A single kitten often becomes bored, lonely and destructive if left alone.


· Kittens are full of energy and naturally run, climb, wrestle, swing, leap, explore, dig, chew and even destroy. Can your household handle this? You will need to kitten-proof your home and fill it with lots of toys and a scratching post.


· Kittens continue to learn socializing skills and receive antibiotics from their mothers up to 12 weeks of age. This is why we think it is important to keep kittens with their mothers up to this age.


· Most kittens are more secure and better adjusted when adopted with a littermate or another kitten close in age.


· Kittens cannot be made to have a certain personality. They are born with personality traits, just like humans. If personality is very important to you, please consider an older kitten (6 months or older) as their personality is more developed and discernable at this age.


· Most cats still have kitten tendencies at 2 years of age and some for longer.


· Many people who contact us are looking for a second kitten as they have realized their first kitten needs a companion.


· Kittens turn into cats.


Q. Is it a good idea to have only one kitten?


A. We usually recommend having two, because a kitten can get lonely. A mate to play with keeps a kitten amused and inhibits destructive tendencies that could develop.


Q. Is it better to have a male or female?


A. Sex of the cat does not matter if the cat has been spayed or neutered.


Unneutered males spray urine to mark their territory, but generally this does not happen if they have been neutered at six months, no older.



Q. Is it better to have one of each, or should I have two males or two females?


A. Again, sex does not matter for neutered cats to get along. The cat's personality is more important; some cats like other cats while others do not. Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. volunteers know the personalities of the cats available for adoption and can help match a companion cat or single cat to a new home.


Q. Do you accept cats / kittens from people who no longer want them?


A. No, Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. rescues abandoned cats and kittens who have no other resources except our help.




Health / Vet

Q. Are Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. cats spayed or neutered?

Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. policy is to spay or neuter every cat we rescue. A single breeding pair of cats can produce an average of three litters, averaging a total of fourteen kittens, in one year. The female kitten from the earliest litter can go into heat as young as four months and be capable of giving birth to their own litters in the same one year span. Conservative calculations estimate 150,000 cats could be produced in a seven year span.


In just one year, two cats can multiply into 30 cats!


That is why every single spay and neuter is significant in breaking the reproductive chain.



Q. Have Tropical Feline Rescue Inc.cats been to a vet?


A. Immediately after Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. rescues a cat or kitten, it is taken to a vetrinarian where it is examined for any identification and signs of illness or injury. If the cat has identification the registered owners are contacted. If there is no identification and if there is any illness or injury, veterinary care is appropriately administered.


The cats and kittens are all vaccinated and, at the appropriate time, spayed or neutered.



Q. What is the cost of veterinary care in Florida?


A. All prices are approximate:


· vaccinations, including feline leukemia $74-87 and up,


· spaying $135 and up,


· neutering $90 and up, 


 add $40 to the price of spay/neuter if a pre-anesthetic screen is performed,


· microchip identification $60-70 and up.


Remember that prices vary with each veterinarian. Rather than shopping around for the least expensive, ask friends or Tropical Feline Rescue Inc. volunteers to recommend a veterinarian.



Q. What is the average life span of a cat?


A. Indoor cats generally live longer than outdoor cats, from 17 to 20 years.