There are many things to think about when you’re considering adopting a pet. You want to make sure you get the best pet for your family.
There are many pet scammers. These scammers prey upon pet owners’ heartstrings by creating fake websites or ads.
- They have a website
A trusted rescue will encourage you to meet face to face, by video chat or by phone before making the decision to adopt. They will also make sure that your home is up to the challenge of providing a safe and secure environment for your new furry friend.
Legitimate rescues will even offer a discount for first-time adopters. And they will be able to answer your questions about their policies and procedures.
They may be able to give you an adoption questionnaire to help match your family with the right cat.
Before you commit to a shelter or rescue, make sure to check out the Better Business Bureau website if you are looking for a cat. There are a lot of scammers out there, so it is best to do your research before committing your hard-earned dollars.
The BBB has a list with tips and tricks that will help you navigate through the world of rescues and shelters. The list can be found on their website, or you can download the pdf version here. The top ten tips are listed below. You can also find videos on YouTube and on Facebook from the BBB. Here you will find information on the most popular shelter and rescue scams and helpful tips to avoid them.
- They have a Facebook Page
Many rescues use Facebook for sharing adoptable cats with the general public. The goal of the rescue is to get the animals out from overcrowded shelters and into homes. Some volunteers have used social media to help cat shelters across America find homes for hundreds of pets in just weeks.
One such volunteer is Traci Highsmith of Raleigh, North Carolina. She has a huge following on Facebook and uses it to help her local shelter, Safe Haven For Cats, find homes for their cats. She posts photos of her kittens and cats, and the attention they get has led to many adoptions.
She also uses her page as a way to raise awareness about cat overpopulation. She believes that education and compassion will eventually replace euthanasia as the primary means of dealing with companion animal overpopulation. She believes in humanely managing feral cat populations. TNR (trap-neuter-release) is her preferred method.
Her page has more than 25,000 followers. She is constantly sharing photos of her rescues. Although she posts primarily about adoptables, she also shares photos and information about cats who are in her care or those who are recovering after surgery or illness.
You should also check if they post pictures of successful adoptions. Also, make sure they discuss vaccines and other important topics. If they don’t, it could be a hoarder who doesn’t care about animals and wants to make a quick buck.
In addition, a Facebook page that is devoted to cats may have more positive messages than the average page. They often post photos of their cats enjoying their surroundings, interacting with one another, and being affectionate. This is a great way to attract more people to the page and can help it gain more traction in the News Feed.
A great way to determine if a Facebook account is legitimate is to check out the groups they are a part of. These groups can help you find answers to your questions or to just connect with other cat lovers. These groups are usually private and you can request to join them.
- They have a Twitter profile
A Twitter account is one of the best ways you can tell if a cat rescue organization is legitimate. A legitimate cat rescue will use this social media channel to share all of their latest news, including the latest cats in need of homes and adopters. This could include photos of adopted cats or updates on the adoption process. A good rescue will also share information on their fostering program. This is a great opportunity to foster a cat or get involved with a new pet.
Another great thing to look for is a company that is TNR (trap neuter return) certified. This is a great way of controlling feral and semi-social cat populations by trapping them in humane devices, transporting them to a veterinarian for spaying or neutering and ear tipping, then returning them to their colony. This is a big step in the right direction, as it helps reduce animal overpopulation and rabies cases. It is also the cheapest and easiest way to save a life!
- They have a blog
A blog can be a great way for Cat Rescue to communicate with their potential adopters. They can share photos of their pets with adopters, talk about successful adoptions, or show how their animals are doing since being adopted. It is also a great way for people to see how much effort and time they put into rescue.
A blog is usually a sign that the rescue is legitimate and that their pets have been well-cared for. Some blogs provide a forum where people can ask questions or get answers. Some blogs are more serious and contain more information about animal welfare and how to keep pets safe.
Some legitimate rescues also have a website that contains a lot of useful information. This includes articles about pet care, how to raise your cat, and tips on getting the best deals for products for your cats. Many blogs have a section dedicated to adopting cats. This section features photos and videos of the kittens.
One of my favorite cat blogs is Taming Gracie – Feral Cat Care. They aren’t a 501c3 yet, but they are a real rescue. They post intakes, progress photos/videos, stories, trail cam images of their feral cats (the ones that don’t have tipped ears will be the ones she plans to TNR’ing), as well as blog posts about a cat who was left behind by her caretaker and was unable give her any love.