Can I trust what an animal shelter tells me about their adoptable cats?

I adopted my first kitten from a shelter where he had been given no shots, tests or anything. I had it all taken care of at the vet and he's healthy and tested negative for feline AIDS. I'm considering a second adoption. Other shelters in my area claim to have them tested, de-wormed, distemper shot etc. They charge a higher adoption fee, and this is fine if it saves me money at the vet. But they are sheltering so many cats that I wonder if I can really trust what they tell me. And will my vet be satisfied with what they claim about the kitten, or will he recommend the same series of tests and shots he did for the kitten I already have?

Good on you for adopting.

I think on the whole you can trust what shelters say about what they are providing their cats with before adopting them out. It is fairly standard practice for many shelters these days to provide vet care before the animals are adopted out. This means that they are assured that at least the basic care is given before the cats/kittens leave the shelter. They can also reduce the spread of any diseases within the shelter.

The shelter should provide you with a vet card or paperwork stating exactly what medical tests/vaccinations etc have been done. This should be signed by the vet. Your vet should definitely be satisfied with this if you can show him/her the paperwork stating what has been done.

The best way to feel comfortable about the shelter and what they claim is to ask lots of questions about what they provide.

If they are approved by the goverment, they have to tell you the truth. Or else they are just getting themselves into trouble.

So you need to do your homework to find out if they are endoresed by the relevant authority.

probably not-they want to get them adopted right? better off taking to vet for regular tests altho costs more but at least you will have reliable information.

have them tell you and look them up on the net and compare

always ask questions

They have to tell you the truth about it. Especially if they tell you it's had it's rabies shots. You can ask for records if you like. but places like that usually have vets that they have deals with that do it for lower costs and they do it all at once. They'll let you know if the cat hasnt' gotten it's shots yet.

I adopted a cat from a shelter and they told me flat out it hadn't been there long enough to get the shots yet. These people care about the animals, they want them to go to good loving homes and have nice long lives. They dont' want to lie to you when it could hurt the animal. Good luck!

MOST CERTAINLY YOU CAN TRUST THEM. They are too many legal problems if they lie.

The ones that claim they are tested=FACT is all cats and dogs available have to be temperment tested prior to be putting up for adoption. If there NOT they ae euthanised, as they cannot risk putting bad animals up for adoption! Too many legal issues if they did!

In my area it is a requirment for them to be vet checked, kittens to receive there 1st vacination, and all animals to DEWORM, VACINATED , IT IS LAW TO HAVE THEM SPAY/NEUTERED PRIOR TO ADOPTION! It is law in australia to have this basic care requirements!

What shelters should do, however it depends on the country/state your in!
* De-sexing
* Microchip with lifetime membership
* 1st vaccination
* Collar and tag-Not all shelters provide this.
* Carry box for cats and kittens-Not all shelters provide this.
* 2 week health check-most shelters in my provide a health check for certain period, however it not neccessarily 2 weeks.