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You have questions....we have answers. Here you'll find answers to our most commonly asked questions along with other useful information pertaining to adoptions and some alternative care options. 

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Local Animal Services Quick Links:
      - 24 hr Animal Emergency
      - Hamlin Dog Shelter
       - Hilton Vet Hospital
       - Petfinder
       - SNIP 
      - Feral Spay/Neuter 

Q: Do you deal with Feral Cats?  
A: No. Contact one of the groups below that work specifically with ferals.

• Habitat For Cats: http://www.habitatforcats.com/
• Friends of Ferals: http://rochesterhopeforpets.org/friends-of-ferals/

Q: My cat is old and sick, can I drop them off at your shelter for help?  
A: No.  We are not a medical hospital.  We are an adoption facility.  You should contact your primary veterinarian immediately for assistance.

Q: Isn't Declawing Just Removing a Cat's Nail?  
A: No.  It is the Amputation of the Last Bone of Each Toe. Too often, people think that declawing is a simple surgery that removes a cat's nails—the equivalent of having your fingernails trimmed. Sadly, this is far from the truth. Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe. If performed on a human being, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. It is an unnecessary surgery that provides no medical benefit to the cat. Medical drawbacks to declawing include pain in the paw, infection, tissue necrosis (tissue death), lameness, back pain, litter pan issues, mental trauma. Educated pet parents can easily train their cats to use their claws in a manner that allows everyone in the household to live together happily.  This information is credited to The Humane Society of The United States and PetFinder. PLEASE read the Human Society article online HERE and the PetFinder article HERE. 


Q: Are there Alternatives to Declawing? 
A: YES.  (1) Keep claws trimmed to minimize damage to household items. (2) Provide stable scratching posts and boards around your home. Offer different materials like carpet, sisal, wood, and cardboard, as well as different styles (vertical and horizontal). Use toys and catnip to entice your cat to use the posts and boards.  (3) Ask your veterinarian about soft plastic caps (like Soft Paws®) that are glued to the cat's nails. They need to be replaced about every six weeks. (4) Talk with your veterinarian about additional alternatives. 


Q: How do you determine a cats age?
A: When a new cat arrives it is taken to the vet and the veterinarian will age the cat based upon the cats condition at the time of the visit. They look at several physical attributes such as dental condition, coat condition, etc. You can ask your veterinarian their estimation as well when you go for your initial visit after adoption. 


Q: Will this cat get along with my other pets?
A: We can not answer this type of question honestly as each and every pet is different. Cat A may get along with Cat B but not like Cat C, etc.


Q: How do I prepare for a new cat/kitten?
A: When you bring your cat home for the first time you should have a room designated for the cat with a litter pan, food, bedding, toys, a place to hide, etc where they can become acclimated to the sounds and smells of their new environment. Having this space free of other pets or children is key to give your new pet a sense of safety and security in their new home. This especially applies to kittens.  A kitten should never be allowed to fully roam a new home unsupervised for a given time.  Kittens should always have their food and litter pans in the same area where they are staying, never on another floor in the home.   

This is a great article to reference....Tips for the first 30 Days of a Cat Adoption

Q: How do I introduce a new cat to our other household pets?
A: Introductions to other animals should be done through closed doors or extra tall baby gates between rooms so that both your new pet and older pet have a sense of security when meeting their new roommate. Each cat is different so they may be best buddies from the start or there may be a period of growling, hissing, swatting etc. These will most likely diminish over time but you have to be patient.


Q: What if I have a problem with my new K.A.T. adoptee?
A: Contact us right away and we will happily try to help you through the situation.


Q: What if the cat is not acclimating to their new home after a period of time?
A: If you have given your new cat an adequate amount of time to adjust to their new living situation and the cat is still having a hard time acclimating, you do have the option of returning them to us.  Please contact us at 585-392-0995 to discuss your options. 

Additional Questions?
Visit our Contact page or call us directly at 585-392-0995