Mary Allen
Many farms give away kittens in spring and autumn. Read here what you should definitely pay attention to when adopting a cat from a farm and how you can make a valuable contribution to cat protection.
Both spring and fall, farms are a popular destination for many looking to adopt a cat because of the many benefits they offer. However, there are also many negative aspects to adopting a kitten from the farm.
Benefits of Farm Kittens
The advantages of farm kittens seem to be obvious: You can choose the kitten from the local litter and often take it home immediately. In addition, the young cats are usually given away. It is not uncommon for vacationers to bring home a cute kitten from a trip to the country.
Many farm cats grow up to be healthy and affectionate cuddly cats in their new homes. And yet the following points should be considered urgently before adopting a kitten from the farm!
Getting Kittens From the Farm: You Have to Consider That
A blanket statement on how cats grow up on farms cannot, of course, be made. There are many farms where the cats are regularly fed, examined by a vet, and, if possible, neutered. Of course, the exact opposite also exists.
If you want to adopt a kitten from the farm, you should definitely make sure that the cats are treated responsibly on the farm. Deliberately uncontrolled propagation and neglect should not be supported under any circumstances.
Here are five things to consider before adopting a farm kitten:
Uncontrolled Reproduction
Unfortunately, castration is not yet a matter of course, especially in rural areas. Unneutered court cats reproduce completely uncontrollably so that one female can even give birth to up to 20 kittens per year. If you adopt a kitten from the farm, offer to cover the cost of having the kitten neutered. In this way, you make a valuable contribution to sustainable cat protection.
Diseases and Parasites
Farms often lack both the will and the means to have the cat’s mother and kittens adequately examined and vaccinated by a veterinarian. Weak and ill mother cats raise kittens who also have health problems. Young cats should be vaccinated against cat flu and cat disease as early as eight weeks old. Parasitic infestations are also common among farm cats. Kittens are particularly susceptible to worm and flea infestations. Be sure to ask what is being done on the farm for the health of the cats.
Lack of Imprint on Humans
The mother cats from the farm are often shy and don’t like being touched by people. They hide their young so that they cannot get to know anyone for the first few weeks. Thus, the young cats lack the necessary imprint on humans. If you adopt a shy kitten from the farm, you have to gain the young cat’s trust with a lot of patience and love. There is a good chance that the young farm cat will never become a big cuddler.
Separation From Mother Too Soon
Many farm kittens are taken from their mothers at a very early age and given away. This has serious consequences for kittens and mother cats. In the first 12 weeks of life, kittens learn from their mother all the important behaviors that they will need later in their cat life. The mother cat, whose kittens are taken away too early, also suffers greatly from the separation.
Difficult Adjustment Period
Kittens from the farm have a particularly difficult time getting used to being kept indoors. They are used to freedom from an early age and are not familiar with typical household noises such as vacuum cleaners, hairdryers, or the hustle and bustle of children. These cats need a lot of rest and time to acclimate. A second cat from the same litter provides security and makes it easier to settle in.