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One thing we pride ourselves on at Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue is striving to find the best fit for every single one of the kitties who comes through our doors. Since potential adopters are able to spend time with them and get to know them in a comfortable environment, as well as our staff, fosters and volunteers getting to know them and their personalities while they are with us - we use our best judgement in assessing if a home is a good fit for a particular cafe kitty, or kitties! As kitten season comes around, we will have lots and lots more cute cuddly kittens looking for homes... but did you know, most rescues will not adopt out single kittens on their own!? It's because of Single Kitten Syndrome Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox. Young kittens learn appropriate social behaviors from each other! Even if you never ever leave your house, as much social interaction as you can give your kitten, there are still social needs they require from other cats. When kittens are growing up together, they learn to play with each other and learn that biting and scratching hurts! Without an appropriate playmate, a cute kitten 'playing' with your hand or arm can become... not so cute real fast. They also crave social interaction within their species, which is why you'll see kittens that are bonded groom each other, play together, and curl up and nap together - and most of our kittens grow up in foster homes with other kittens (related or not) and we like to see them go to their forever homes with another kitten they are already comfortable and familiar with, if not to a home where there are already buddies that want a new fun kitty friend to play with. There are of course some exceptions (we don't need to hear the 'but I adopted a kitten by themselves and they were fine' stories...) but that's why we do our adoptions the way we do! We take EACH application for EACH kitty on a case by case basis to evaluate the fit before sending anyone into a home. If a kitten was raised by a bottle baby foster with their siblings, and 6 other bottle babies - they're not going to be adopted out by themselves. People can get upset with us and leave bad google reviews, and send judgemental emails, as always, but our policies will not change. We are in this for the best interest of our kitties, and nothing else. If you are thinking about adopting a kitten this season, consider a pair! They'll always have a friend to play with, cuddle with and won't feel bored and alone. Plus, you're saving TWO more lives by allowing us to take in two more kittens in their place. If you want to adopt, but aren't interested in a pair, consider some of the amazing older kitties we have at the cafe! There are lots of kitties who would LOVE to be an only child and have all their human's attention to themselves!! As always - feel free to chat with us when you visit about who might be the right fit for your fur family! Further Reading:
16 Comments
Rose Lane Lammon
10/14/2022 03:30:35 pm
I totally agree I'm a big advocate of adopting at least two at a time.. many times I've noticed people are not thinking about the cats feelings are emotions or how they're going to like it when the cat parents are not there and they're in the house by themselves. they really do need another usually of their own kind another kitty cat.. I've seen kitties grow up with dogs puppies or just regular dogs and there's lots of pictures of them snuggling up together.. it has to take a certain type of dog in a certain type of cat that loves the other for that to work out... but really the kitty cats need at least one more to live with. I would even suggest having three or four but I know people sometimes feel overwhelmed about it and that's really not that many cuz I've had quite a few but your temperament your personality has to be able to give attention to that many or more . but please adopt at least two don't just take one it by yourself.. it's also so much fun to watch them being friends playmates companions with each other. Watching it was them play together you know wrestle together cuddle together nap and sleep together.. they love it and it gives them a lot of comfort and security...
Daimon
11/10/2022 07:34:54 pm
As insightful as this article is, it doesn’t really help with people who are in situations wherein they have a single kitten by situation. my kitten was a stray and i didnt plan on having her, but i still want to give her the best life i can because i found her. Are there any ways to help or?
Nicole
6/5/2023 12:12:26 pm
Yep -- you can help her by getting another.
Morton
10/17/2023 03:49:35 pm
not everyone can afford to take care of a second cat, especially not right away. like the original poster said, they didn't exactly plan on getting a cat, they adopted a stray. there are plenty of things you can do to give your single cat a good life instead of getting a second cat right away, especially if you CANT get a second cat right away, or even AT ALL, depending on your situation. suggesting that a second cat is the only way to help is so presumptuous.
Jennifer M Graham
12/27/2022 09:18:27 pm
This explains so much of my Braveheart's behavior. My husband adopted Braveheart for me, a purebred ragdoll and as a kitten he was so destructive, mean, and everything you wrote about! Remember he's a purebred ragdoll! He's Not supposed to have these traits! My husband asked the breeders about a second, "oh don't worry about it, he'll be fine." Well we planned to adopt another, but because of how he was, even drew blood at times, we didn't get one. That was in 2014. Last year, I brought home an orange tabby. It took 6 months, but they are not hissing on sight.
Myra
10/22/2023 02:49:32 pm
Stop saying he "adopted" your PUREBRED (as you pointed out more than once) cat. You don't adopt from a breeder. You buy. You sentence a shelter cat to death. You are part of the problem. You are not an animal lover. You are a selfish, vain, spoiled twit. But, it's okay because you have a PUREBRED ragdoll. *Puke*
Nicole
10/22/2023 03:14:15 pm
I wish people would stop making more cats on purpose
Gilbert
6/12/2023 06:40:38 pm
What do you mean by "inappropriately" use litter box? 9/5/2023 12:43:02 pm
That means that they are not using the litter box appropriately - such as peeing or pooping in other areas of the home and not utilizing the litter box.
Alan
8/28/2023 07:48:10 pm
Interesting, so what to do if you have already adopted a single kitten and have had her for 2 months (now 4 months old) too late to get a new pal for the kitty?
Nicole
8/28/2023 08:29:06 pm
Nah, it's fine. I'd still get another, as close in age as possible. I recently adopted a 3mo kitten as a friend to my 6mo kitten. They're fine. Kittens are usually pretty easy to introduce.
denise
9/15/2023 10:41:07 am
Its unfortunate because Most of us cannot afford two vet bills. But can give one a loving home.
Nicole
9/15/2023 11:14:42 am
There's a kitty in a rescue near me who is affectionate towards people but doesn't like other cats. She needs to go to a one-cat home. I'm sure there are some in that category near you too! 😺
Joana
10/17/2023 11:57:56 am
I found an abandoned kitten and would love to give her a brother or sister, but I'm about to move to another house, I have a dog that's not the friendliest with cats (he needs time) and I have a baby. So it would really be better to get another family member when we are settled. Until when do you think it's ok to wait until I adopt another kitten? She's around 3 months now and will be 5 or 6 months by the time I move. Will it still be ok to get her a little brother or sister then? Will they still bond? So far she's very well adjusted and has company 24/7 because I work from home. Thanks!! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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