Adoption

Dear Elizabeth: We adopted a new kitten from a local rescue group last month and she is just perfect. Although she had been tested for the leukemia virus and FIV by the terrific group that saved her from the street, we took her to our veterinarian right away so that she could be examined before we introduced her to our two older cats. After a clean bill of health, we brought Bunny home and she has become part of the family. The problem is that before we scheduled her spay surgery, she came into heat. What a scene!

After the flurry of kitten adoptions during the summer months, many shelters are now overcrowded with adult and older cats. Just ask Betsy Saul, co-founder of Petfinder.com. "Kittens at shelters tend to get adopted very quickly," Saul says. "We need to make sure that adult and older cats dont get overlooked. Publicizing them on websites like Petfinder.com can help."

Youve been staying in a sweet little apartment in Valletta, the capital of the island of Malta. As in Italy and other Mediterranean countries, cats and kittens there roam the streets and share their territory with their human neighbors.

Sometimes people adopt animals without thinking about the commitment, not only in time and effort, but also in costs.

Providing a temporary home for four-legged babies can be extremely rewarding for all.

Smokey, Felix, Mittens, Tigger - what has been your inspiration when naming a feline friend? Many methods abound.

In 1999 Dave Duffield, founder of PeopleSoft, Inc., and his wife, Cheryl, established Maddies Fund - and gave animal shelter medicine a much-needed shot in the arm. The foundation, which is named after the couples beloved miniature schnauzer, is helping to finance the creation of a no-kill nation. In September 2005 Maddies Fund awarded Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine a $1.7 million grant to educate veterinarians and veterinary students in the field of animal…

Caring for cats that need extra socialization or time to get healthy provides shelters - and the animals - hope for the future.

Kittens are irresistibly cute, but there are plenty of adult cats in need of good homes. Is your home the perfect place for one?

Adopting an animal is an important decision. Visiting the shelters in your area - and comparing - can be a good idea.

This handy guide can provide hints on making your home as cat-welcoming as possible.

To relinquish an animal isnt an easy process, so heres what you can expect to encounter.