Cat / Kitten Adoption and Breeders Around Seattle
While Gozde and I were looking for a kitten to adopt a couple of months ago, we learned a bit about the process and I wanted to share it with unsuspecting future cat adopters. This all applies to winter time where only a few kittens are available at shelters. So, if you are looking for adopting a kitten off season (a lot of kittens are available early spring), continue reading.
Adoption Centers
There are quite a few adoption centers/shelters around Seattle. We live in Kirkland, so our first stop was Meow Cat Rescue. Very helpful and friendly volunteers. Every shelter requests you to fill out an application form, just to make sure you’re good people! They didn’t have a kitten available at the time but they gave us a list of nearby shelters (along with driving directions from Meow). We have visited a number of shelters during the following 4 weeks to no avail. Of course we’ve made pet adoption rookie mistakes, which you won’t hopefully make after reading this post.
First of all, most probably you won’t be able to find a kitten through the online services like petfinder.com, since kittens go FAST off season. They get adopted in the first hours (even minutes) they become available at the shelters. Your best bet is to visit local shelters, early in the day, probably when they open in the morning in case a new batch of kittens arrives. That way you’ll get to be the first ones to pick. We’ve been to shelters and pet adoption events later in the day and all the kittens were long gone and already enjoying their new homes. You can always call ahead of time and check if they are getting kittens soon. We had a not so nice experience with Forgotten Felines, where they promised my wife that they had kittens available, kept postponing to give an appointment to see the kittens (every day) and by the end of the week they just said that there were no kittens left. When I called the same day, the same lady (that told my wife that they didn’t have any kittens available) told me that they “might” have kittens available. So, don’t wait for a whole week if somebody promises that they have kittens for adoption and will give you an appointment soon. Keep looking.
Most shelters won’t let you adopt a single kitten younger than 6 months. The first six months are very important for kittens’ behavioural development and they need to be around other kittens during this time. So the shelter will pair up kittens for you.
Of course, you need to do your homework before all this. Try to learn about different cat breeds since every breed has their own characteristics, health, upkeep and behaviours. The breeds and ages (kitten or adults?) that will be most suitable for you will depend on how much you’ll leave them at home alone, whether you have children in the house, if you can groom them daily and exercise them enough. All of this reasearch will also give you an idea of how much there is to being a cat owner (or a cat-owned human) and how much you can actually commit to your new cat. This is a very big commiment to take on for around 20 years in your life. The initial cost of adopting a cat is not even comparable to the actual commitment. So choose wisely.
Below are some of the shelters we visited around Seattle. Knowledgable and friendly volunteers all around. The average adoption fee is around $100. It includes neutering/spaying and shots. By the way, you can count on spending $100-$200 for the litter box, litter, scoop, cat shampoo, nail trimmer, comb, bowls, kitten food, toys, scratch pad etc. Vet visits are not that expensive. We went to My Pet’s Vet Clinic for our general check-up and initial shots. If my memory serves me right, a shot costs about $15 and a general check-up by the vet is around $40. Oh, forgot the list of shelters we visited:
- Meow Cat Rescue
- Seattle Animal Shelter
- Paws Cat City Adoption Center
- Seattle Humane Society
- Eastside Pet Adoption Center
After spending so much time trying to adopt a kitten off season and after a bad experience with an adoption center, we have decided to get a kitten from a cat breeder.
Cat Breeders
Below is a alphabethical list of up-to-date cat breeder websites that we visited before we found Fin, our adorable seal point Himalayan, from Wisspurrs. He has been with us for only a month now and he’s already the head of the house and we love and obey him.
- http://cheshireladycattery.com
- http://dreamquestbengals.com
- http://foresthunter.com
- http://home.comcast.net/~p51bombay/index.htm
- http://kissablespersians.com/
- http://members.tripod.com/~manxtech/Faerietail.html
- http://members.tripod.com/Purrdelis/
- http://pets4you.com/pages/permes.html
- http://purrfectkeeperz.com
- http://sbpixiebobs.com
- http://templeparlor.blogspot.com/
- http://users.clarkston.com/pguenthe
- http://whispurwnds.com
- http://whitenightsiberians.com
- http://wisspurrs.com
- http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/
- http://www.angelightragdolls.com
- http://www.ankhamun.com
- http://www.ashlinzots.com
- http://www.babydollcats.com
- http://www.balichaton.net
- http://www.bellagiopersians.com
- http://www.brindlefarms.com
- http://www.cheetahsdenbengals.com
- http://www.edelpaws.com
- http://www.epsilonbengals.net
- http://www.forestkats.com
- http://www.freewebs.com/mtbakerzots
- http://www.geocities.com/boondoxpersians/
- http://www.geocities.com/debscats2002/
- http://www.geocities.com/heartland/hills/2077
- http://www.geocities.com/miz_thang_26/
- http://www.geocities.com/vialets
- http://www.iridescentcats.com/
- http://www.jackknifemountainragdolls.com
- http://www.Kaperkats.com
- http://www.kasebri.com
- http://www.kattko.com
- http://www.kelloggscattery.com
- http://www.kotchera.com/
- http://www.lindemere.com
- http://www.longfellowragdolls.com
- http://www.maplebayexotics.com
- http://www.movielandcattery.com
- http://www.northwestpixie-bobs.com
- http://www.originalragdolls.com/
- http://www.partiwai.com
- http://www.phyxiuspersians.com
- http://www.pixie-bobs.net
- http://www.purrdcutehimalayans.com
- http://www.ragnificentragdolls.com
- http://www.scottishfold.org/TrickleCreek.html
- http://www.sibcats-wn.com
- http://www.siberianlove.us
- http://www.skyehi.com
- http://www.swazibengals.org/
- http://www.sweetnsweeter.com
- http://www.symphonycats.com
- http://www.tnmbengals.com
- http://www.whidbeybengals.com
Don’t worry, your eyes kinda get used to the bad web designs after a while. This post is already way much longer then I intended, so I hope this was helpful. Good luck!
which pixie bob breeders did you visit and what was your impression of them?
Thank you.
Hi Mona, We didn’t visit any breeders except Wisspurrs. We did our research online.
Forgotten Felines of Seattle is run by the absolute rudest woman I have ever had the chance to speak to. Several people warned me she was crazy, but since I fell in love with one of their kittens listed on PetFinder, I just had to give it a chance.
I understand that they want to find good homes for their kittens and an interview is standard, but this woman was way out of line with the questions she asked. Also! Be warned, you must know the name of your vet or else you will be thoroughly scolded about what a terrible person you are.
I wish people would take their kittens elsewhere. There are many places around Seattle that actually want to adopt out their animals.
I also had a very negative experience with Leslie at Forgotten Felines. She began a nonchalant conversation with me when I expressed interest in one of the kittens listed on line. She began asking about our care of an adult cat (very loved & spoiled) that we had just adopted from PAWS as an indoor/outdoor kitty. She told me that she couldn’t believe that PAWS was OK with us letting him outside at all. When I told her that our vet actually recommended letting him go outside because of his high energy and potential aggression, Leslie said that that was “disgusting” that any vet would recommend such a thing. Then, she basically hung up on me! She didn’t even give me chance to say that if we adopted a kitten that we would be keeping it as an indoor cat (at least until it was over a year old or so).
Now, she’s advertising online that she has 50 kittens that she’s trying to find homes for. It’s no wonder if she’s going to chase away good potential kitty parents!
Frustrated in looking for a kitty,
Jenni
I abselutely agree.Forgotten felines is a bizzare agency. The lady i spoke to hung up the phone on me twice!
I have wanted to raise a kitten and my first time speaking to her was when she asked if i had any other animals. No i do not and nothing is wrong with that! I want to raise a single kitten so it would have my attention All the time. Second time i called i said i had 3 year old cat just so maybe she would let me have the kitten. I do not believe in spraying the cat or neutering it because its sad when they cant have babies. When i told her my imaginary “cat” could have babies she went into shock and “oh my god this is inhumaine i could abselutely not believe that ” and after her speach she goes ” no you can never adopt from us infact ill report you to the other agencies so you could never get a cat!”
WTF this lady is seriosely crazy……
I was HORRIFIED about the way that I was just treated by the owner of Forgotten Felines. She ignored my initial email, when I called she then told me that she “never reads those”. Why list your email if you dont read it?! Without even giving me a chance to explain my situation (I have a son) she talked over me about not adopting to people with kids and hung up. I find her practices so discriminatory. We are incredible pet owners and have tons of references from other animal foster care homes from who we adopted etc. She is a sad and vile person. I think that really, she is a cat hoarder and has nothing else in her life.
I wish that I could report her behavior to petfinder but can not figure out how to.
Its depressing and strange to me when I encounter people who think that they are helping animals when in reality they are hurting them by not adopting to good animal lovers.
Boo Forgotten Felines.
Another bad review about Forgotten Felines …
Leslie was very rude to me as well. I called about a cat I saw online and she asked me how many hours a day I would let it outside. I hadn’t planned on letting it out at all, but assumed she was asking because this was a cat that needed to be outside. I told her I could only let it out once in a while, if I was home and could accompany it. First mistake. She became very abrupt and rude, saying that I should NEVER let the cat out. Even if I am with the cat, I could get distracted by a phone call, at which time a wild coyote with great timing would swoop into my yard and carry the cat away. I said I would gladly keep it indoors. She then grilled me about letting my last cat out. My last kitty was an adoption from the SPCA, declawed, and she accompanied us in the garden once in a very long while. Next mistake. She said she would NEVER place one of her cats with someone like me, and no vet would EVER say to let a declawed kitty out, even when supervised and fenced. Her tone and remarks implied that I was irresponsible and not worthy to own a cat. She didn’t give me any chance to explain our last situation or to tell her all the positive things we did for our last kitty. I felt so terrible I cried when I hung up. My cat lived 18 years and was so loved. Unlike Leslie, I never stuck my cat in a cage or put her with a bunch of other cats where she would be scared and get little attention. No matter where we moved, we always looked only at places that took pets because we were committed to her for her life. I don’t know any pet that was loved and care for more than my kitty. I was so stunned at her attitude that I didn’t say much at the time, but afterwards I sent her an email. Sounds like she won’t read it anyways. Is this a legitimate agency or just some woman who goes around scooping up cats and then hoarding them forever? I read that 95% of animals in shelters are euthanized. If this is a legitimate agency, then they need to start being more logical and less hysterical about their evaluations. There are pets that need families, and families that need pets – but I guess it is better to leave the animals locked up in cages at Leslie’s house. Note: Anyone applying for a pet through this agency, be sure to tell them that letting a cat outside is VERY BAD and you never have, and never will, do it.
My wife just had a horrible experience with Leslie at Forgotten Felines. We were planning to adopt a young/middle-aged cat from Forgotten Felines. We previously had a beautiful Tortiseshell for 18 years that had to be put down last year. Anyways Leslie “chatted” with my wife about being a pet owner for a few minutes, and then pounced! She expressed horror that, on occasion, our previous cat (who followed us around like a puppy dog), would accompany us outside when we gardened (we have a very nice floral garden). She said several times that she could never let a cat go to someone that allows the cat outside, and that Kirkland is full of coyotes (which is possible). She then berated my wife for not being a good pet owner. My wife attempted to point out that we had a cat for 18 years, well cared for, and that the vets never told us cats should only stay inside, etc
It is so validating to read the above blogs on Forgotten Felines! I too made rookie mistakes about trying to find a kitten in the off-season. It seems in this day and age you should be able to do your research online without driving all over in the hopes of finding a kitten. I’ve been bait-and-switched by MEOW twice (and dislike their attitude, although the people in general are nice); but that Nazi Woman at Forgotten Felines! I wonder how many other people have burst into angry tears after slamming the phone down after a “conversation” (rant) with her? Thanks for letting me vent. I’ll keep looking at shelters but have been amazed at the difficulty.
My family and I are currently looking for two kittens, preferably in the same family, to adopt. We came across the most adorable kittens at Forgotten Felines, but we decided to do some research on the place. What we found was horrifying. It seems to me that Leslie is an insane cat hoarder who takes in kittens and will not let anyone adopt them. I have not found ONE person who has managed to adopt a cat from that place. I hope that someone sues or at least brings attention to this horrible person. There are three children in my family. One is four years old and loves kittens. He has never abused them and loves to play with active in playful cats that my family has. Why are children so terrible to her? Why can’t you ever let cats outdoors? If she wants a lot of cats she should buy fifty of them and keep them in her house and be a hoarder alone. We will be adopting from MEOW, because it seems like a lovely place and has gotten all good reviews. PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE A CAT THAT YOU NEED TO GIVE AWAY/SELL, DO NOT GIVE IT TO FORGOTTEN FELINES!
I have an know several people who have adopted from Forgotten Felines no kill shelter. They place over 360 cats and kittens a year! All through volunteers. We should all be so generous and giving with our time to animals. I do not understand anyone wanting to malign a group dedicated to helping place animals in forever homes. There has to be a screening process, all adoption groups have them some more stringent than others to ensure a real forever home.
I have a comment in response to Rali. Who in this time of severe pet over population does not get their cats spayed or neutered?? Leslie was right to dismiss you as you are seriously negligent and astonishingly out of bounds. No rescue group will let a cat or kitten go to an adoptive home without being spayed or neutered.
For Anna i have a comment as well. What kind of person has a cat to give away or sell??? You find homes for them or work with an agency to help you place them while you keep them in your own home. Be part of the solution, not the problem. Additionally no rescue groups adopt out easily to home with small children!
We had a great experience with Leslie as have many others who recommended forgotten felines to us. The majority of posts on here that are negative have seemingly been posted by terribly uninformed people who have not done any research about other agencies.
We have had two good adoption experiences with Forgotten Felines. Leslie has been kind and helpful. She seems to put the cats first and gives them good care, which is what I would hope from any agency.
I called Leslie wanting one of the Himalayan Ragdoll mis kittens she advertized. After a lot of questions on both our parts, I got the sense that this might not be the mix advertized. I am looking for this special type of cat for my 13 yr. old son who has terminal and would love a pal at home! Getting 2 wouldn’t be a problem eaither as they would be so entertaining. I am not looking for just a long haired kitten. When I told her I wanted to be sure of the mix, for this reason, she got very hateful. She said she had over 40 kittens and no one knows for sure what they are. Petfinders allowes her to guess what breed they might be and write it up as long as they look like it could be. She then hung up on me too!
After reading the posts I can understand why these kittens are still up for adoption. When I saw them still posted I suspected she might be a hoarder and using petfinder as her alliby. No way would these cuties remain posted if she was truely trying to find a home for them.
All of Leslie’s questions and concerns were legit. It is her manner, or lack of manners that sets wrong with me. Clearly the welfare of cats is not as important to her as her feeling of absolute power over them and the people who would love to adopt them. Hanging up on someone who is just responding to a post “please adopt me” get come class. People may not remember you, but they will always remember how you made them feel. Shame on her.
Forgotten Felines is GREAT!!
What kind of person has to have to have a specific breed of cat? If you need a label so bad go to Nordstrom and buy some shoes. How can anyone expect a person who is finding new homes for kittens to know the exact breed of a kitten? How in the world could you fault someone for not knowing specifics?
Forgotten Felines is not an excuse for hoarding. WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE WHO SLANDER OTHERS WHO ARE DOING ACTUAL GOOD? My family and I donate kitten food, toys, and beds to Forgotten Felines regularly and we stop in to drop the larger items off in person, the faces of the kittens ALWAYS change as they find homes. The place is clean and the volunteers fantastic. These kittens are looking for forever homes.
People with terrible things to say should look in the mirror and assess why they need to be so petty and misinformed.
I wanted to add that people should go into petfinder.com and look up Forgotten Felines, Seattle and click on the link that reads, click here for our Happy Tails! You will see recent adoptees through the organization, right now it is over 1600 cats and kittens.