Cat adoption
Where did you get your cats?
- From a breeder.18%
- From a farm.25%
- From friends, acquaintances or neighbours.23%
- From an animal shelter.25%
- Rescued from the street.9%
The competition has ended.
Adopting a cat, part 1: I’m looking for a shelter with indoor cats
The time has finally come: I’m adopting my first indoor cats. Finding furballs I love in one of the many animal shelters I’m visiting shouldn’t be a problem. Right?
It’s a joke, really. I write about cats on Galaxus every week and don’t even have any myself. Or at least not any more. I grew up with four-legged friends, but since moving out of my parents’ house, there’s been a furry hole in my heart. I was never able to fill it – due to a lack of possible outdoor access or at least balconies in the old town where I live. Until my husband and I recently moved house.
Our new flat is 93 square metres in size and (finally!) has a balcony. The perfect place for potential feline friends to explore. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to let them explore their green surroundings any further, as our block doesn’t allow cat stairs. So we start our search for indoor cats. One thing’s already certain: we’ll have to visit a shelter. We aren’t interested in pedigree or young animals. There are more than enough of them around and, due to their appearance, they rarely remain open for adoption long.
Source: BearFotos/Shutterstock
Stay-at-home cats are a rarity
Sounds all well and good, just one problem. As I click through animal shelters in the Zurich area, I notice there’s mainly outdoor cats looking for a new home. Only a few kittens or sick four-legged friends are categorised as indoor cats. I know how nerve-wracking giving medication can be, and wouldn’t trust us to sneak tablets into food for years. Disappointed, I put my cat search on hold for the time being.
A few months later, I was once again bitten by the bug. I set off on another quest and visit animal shelters in Zurich, ending up at Chatzestübli in Dübendorf (page in German). Several indoor cats are available here – mainly from Switzerland, but also from Italy, Spain and Romania. These come from the various animal welfare organisations that work with Chatzestübli. The shelter’s got excellent Google reviews at 4.8, by the way. Worth a shot.
Past and character are decisive
«Uschi speaking», a smoky, friendly voice greets me on the phone. Ursula Macias, who runs Chatzestübli with her daughter Melanie, is immediately likeable. She tells me about her shelter cats and explains that their past as well as their personality determines whether they need to be let out or not. This is where Chatzestübli differ from many animal shelters. They often also rebrand former indoor cats to outdoor cats if they show interest in going outside at the shelter.
Nevertheless, Uschi’s approach appeals to me. It’s consistent with an interview I conducted some time ago with the Foundation for Animals in the Law:
Our favourites
Naturally, I want to have a look at the little things and how they’re kept. I immediately arrange a visit with Uschi. I already have my eye on red tabby tom Lorenzo, black and white Yumi as well as grey tabby Haru and calico Olly, who met and fell in love at the shelter. Who will we choose? Follow me if you want to know what happens next.
Header image: JW Design/Shutterstock
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Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI like anything that has four legs or roots. The books I enjoy let me peer into the abyss of the human psyche. Unlike those wretched mountains that are forever blocking the view – especially of the sea. Lighthouses are a great place for getting some fresh air too, you know?
