Adopting a Cat from Every Creature Counts in Denver, Colorado

As I sit at my computer, my kitty, Carmine, sits a few feet away, watching me type. He is my constant companion and best friend. I adopted my cat through Every Creature Counts from the PetSmart Adoption Center.

In June 2005, I moved to a new apartment and I decided my kitty, Milita, needed a playmate and companion to keep her company as I spent a lot of time in classes and at my internship. A friend and I decided to check out the kitties in the adoption center at the PetSmart located at 2780 S. Colorado Blvd. I wanted a cat who was within a year or two of Milita's age (approximately 2 at the time). I have a vision problem, so immediately my friend pointed out this little orange kitten in the bottom row she thought was cute. I squatted down to look at him and sure enough, he was quite adorable!

A PetSmart worker came into the room and asked if we needed any help. We told her that we'd like to see the orange kitten, so she got him out for us. The orange kitten's name was Carmine. I took Carmine over to a chair in the room and sat down to pet him. I put him on my lap where he laid down and began to purr. I fell in love with the little orange kitten right away!

Carmine had made it clear that he wanted to go home with me, so I asked my friend to help me fill out an application at the front of the store. It asked me questions about my home situation, such as what type of home I lived in, if I had any other pets, how old the other pets in the home were, and what I'd do with the kitten if he didn't end up working out in my household. We gave the application to the PetSmart worker who looked it over and let us know that I would have an answer within 24 hours. Every Creature Counts takes the time to look over every application for adoption and ensures that the landlord will allow cats in the apartment (if applicable) before they approve you for adoption.

The next day, I received a call that I was approved to adopt the kitten. My friend drove me back to the PetSmart where I was able to pick up Carmine and take him home. Before I could take him home, however, Every Creature Counts required me to sign a contract. The contract stated that I agreed not to declaw Carmine and that if he did not work out in my home, I would bring him back to the adoption center. The contract also stated that I could take Carmine back to Every Creature Counts if his scratching ever became an issue as they are against declawing cats.. These terms were fine with me as I had not planned on getting my kitten declawed anyway as I do not agree with this practice.

In addition, the contract stated that I agree to provide all medical care, proper food, shelter, and water, to treat my kitty with kindness at all times, that I will not abandon or sell my cat, that if the kitty becomes lost, I will make every reasonable effort to find him, and if he is found by a shelter that I will retrieve him.

Every Creature Counts also gives you a 15-day medical assistance plan to help cover any shelter-related illnesses or conditions your kitty might develop after leaving the adoption center. The medical assistance is provided through the shelter during their office hours only.

When I adopted Carmine from Every Creature Counts through the PetSmart Adoption Center, my adoption fee was $60. The organization has raised the adoption fee for cats to $75 since then. The adoption fee includes vaccinations, deworming, a test for Feline Leukemia, and spay/neuter. All cats from Every Creature Counts also receive veterinary exams and any necessary medical care before they are put up for adoption.

If you want to give a cat a good, loving home, I would definitely recommend you check out Every Creature Counts. If you are not against declawing cats, though, this organization may not be the best place for you to adopt a kitty. If you would like to learn more about this organization, you may visit their website.

Over five years ago, I decided to give a kitten a good, loving forever home. I've enjoyed my companion and best friend Carmine since June 2005, and he's enjoyed a good, loving home where he will be pampered for the rest of his life. I am truly happy that I have had the privilege of giving such a loving, wonderful cat a great life.

Source:

Every Creature Counts: Home:
http://www.everycreaturecounts.org/