Available Cats

Does anyone have allergies or health conditions that could be affected by cat dander? Do you have other pets and have they had experiences with cats—good or bad? Do you have a closed-off space in your home where the new cat can adjust to its new surroundings?

Family

Yes, as this cat will be a part of the family we require every human family member to come and meet the cat prior to them being adopted. This helps us make sure everyone in the home feels safe and comfortable bringing this cat into the home, as well as ensure the cat can trust their new family and will feel safe and happy.

Roommates

Yes, please bring your roommate in to meet the cat you are interested in adopting. While the roommate may not be a big part of the cat’s life or the primary caretaker, we want to make sure that everyone will be safe and comfortable with having a cat in the home as well as make sure the cat can trust and feel safe with all their new housemates.

Pets

We do not require pets to come in for a meet and greet prior to adoption. We ask that you make sure to have your home set-up to separate your new cat and your resident pets before bringing your new cat home in order to make future introductions as stress-free as possible. The new cat should have a room all to themselves (bathroom, bedroom, etc.) where they can settle and adjust before meeting any resident pets. 

Scratching is normal cat behavior. Cats scratch to remove the dead husks from their claws, mark territory, and stretch their muscles. Declawing a cat is the removal of the last bone of each toe. Think in terms of having the last knuckle of each of your fingers removed. If you adopt a cat, provide it with a scratching post and be ready to work out any scratching issues that come up. Declawing is not a solution. Click here to read more about the downsides of declawing.

The whole family should be involved in choosing the new cat, but an adult needs to be the one who makes sure the right cat is chosen for the family and is properly cared for. Feeding and litter patrol is a daily chore and the cat’s health depends on it. Involving children in the care is a great opportunity for them to learn responsibility,  but they can not be expected to do everything. Also, remember the kids will grow up and leave, but the cat will still be with you.

Money
To adopt a shelter cat at the Steamboat Springs Animal Shelter (a City of Steamboat Springs facility) is only $80. This seems pretty inexpensive, however, there are many other costs with adopting a cat. Annual vaccinations, good quality food, litter pan and litter, toys, and a scratching post are necessities. And, don’t forget about veterinary emergencies. These can cost hundreds of dollars. Urinary infections are common with cats. As they age, they can also be more inclined to have heart, respiratory, or kidney issues.

Time and Energy
If you decide on a kitten, realize that they have three times the energy of an adult cat. You will also need to spend more time socializing them so they will become friendly, well-adjusted members of the household.

All the cats coming into the humane society are assigned a pepper. This helps us to clearly communicate the enrichment needs of each cat, their potential placement options, and their overall fear, stress, and anxiety levels while in the shelter and potentially in their new home. All the pepper levels can change based on situation, environment, and human interactions.

We determine each cat’s pepper level by asking two questions – 

1 – What is the cat doing?

2 – How could I respond? 

We want to offer the best support needed for the cat to be their true authentic self (or the purest salsa *wink*) while in our care and hopefully for this to continue when in a loving home environment. 

Below are more details about each pepper level based on the previously stated questions.

What is the cat doing?

• Relaxed and soliciting attention by walking up to you.
• Making air biscuits.
• Pushing in for pets.
• Purrs while being handled.

How could I respond?

• Could easily pick the cat up and they enjoy being held.
• Continually pet the cat in their preferred way, i.e. around the ears, strokes along the back, etc.
• Play with the cat.

What is the cat doing?

• Hides and runaway when approached.
• Struggles to be put down if picked up or becomes very stiff though can adjust over time to being held.
• Usually doesn’t scratch, hiss, or growl but is otherwise visibly nervous and recoils from touch.
• Is responsive to lickable treats such as Churu’s.
• Could do well being paired with a social, outgoing cat.

How could I respond?

• Give the cat as many choices as possible (even multiple food bowls, litterboxes, hiding places can make a big difference).
• Sit on the floor/in a chair as far away from the cat as possible.
• Be as calm and quiet as possible.
• Try to avoid staring at the cat so they can explore ‘unseen’.
• Provide plenty of food such as Churu or gently tossing treats they are known to enjoy.

What is the cat doing?

• They will spend a  lot of time hiding, hissing, and growling at humans. 
• Watches humans hesitantly with limited movement, may be more likely to engage in play than eat food in the beginning.
• Their tail will flick, ears will be slightly turned out, and they will completely avoid/retreat if human gets too close.
• Not comfortable with being picked up but might accept some pets.
• If they feel unsafe or that their subtle warnings are not being seen, they will spend a  lot of time hiding, hissing, and growling at humans. 

How could I respond?

• Set them up in their own environment (like a bathroom or bedroom) and allow them to explore for a while before interacting with them or the environment. 
• Let the cat adjust at their own pace and provide as many options as possible (even multiple food bowls, litterboxes, hiding places can make a big difference).
• It is best to leave some de-stress spaces like dens, hollow beds, etc. and perform treat and retreat exercises.
• Remember with Jalapeno cats, less is more, allow the cat to approach if and when they are ready.

What is the cat doing?

• They will spend a lot of time hiding, hissing, and growling at humans and prefer to be left alone.
• Watches humans hesitantly with limited movement.
• Tail will flick, early slightly turned out, and will completely avoid/retreat if human gets too close.
• Is not interested in food/play if people are too close.
• These cats may allow their regular caretaker to pet or move them.

How could I respond?

• It is best to leave some de-stress spaces and perform treat and retreat exercises. 
• Allow these cats to adjust to their environment for as long as possible before interacting with them.
• Allow these cats to have as much freedom and as many choices as possible in their environment.
• Do not attempt to pick up or pet these cats, you may use spatial pressure to move them if needed.
• Provide a solid and consistent routine so these cats can understand their environment as much as possible.

What is the cat doing?

• They will swat and/or spit, hiss, growl, and will run away from you and might lash out at you if attempt to pick up or move
• They will not approach you even with coaxing, tasty food, or toys. 
• Limited eye contact but will be looking for more places to escape.

How could I respond?

• Avoid touching or petting of any kind. 
• Try to have minimal interactions with these cats, having a regular caretaker can help them settle.
• Have a regular routine so they can know when they need to hide/run/etc.

What is the cat doing?

• These cats will attack if approached, hiss, bite, scratch, yowl.
• These cats will rarely be seen after being released, sometimes only being spotted on cameras, or late at night when people are rarely around. 

How could I respond?

• Avoid touching or petting or any close involvement.
• These cats will need to be trapped for movement, vet visits, etc.

**Thanks to our collaboration with Animal Friends Alliance in Fort Collins for helping us learn about and implement our Pepper Level Program**

General Cat Care 

Litter Box Training 

Introduction to resident dog 

Introduction to resident cat 

Cats and Babies

Cats and Guests

Scratching 

Indoor Cats vs Outdoor Cats

Cat grooming tips 

Cat nutrition tips 

Common Cat Diseases 

Common Cat Behavior Issues 

Older Cats with Behavior Problems 

A Closer Look at Community Cats 

Position Statement on Feral Cats