Okay, so you feel that enough time has gone by. You’re past the most painful part of your grieving, and you’re ready to welcome a new cat or kitten into your home without any expectations. You’re open to getting to know a new cat or kitten without any intentions of grooming it to fit the mold of the cat you just lost. Now what?
You may be shocked by what you find. Adopting is 
NOT as easy as it used to be. Here’s what I’m finding in my search so far.
1: People with kittens are giving them away within hours of offering them on Craig’s List.
2: Shelters are closed. The cats are with foster families and there’s no walking into a facility and shopping for a cat or kitten.
3: Here’s the program: You fill out an application; look at pictures online of cats and kittens; choose one, then wait—there could be as many as 200 applications ahead of yours—no kidding!!!
4: If you’re chosen as a potential adoptee for a cat or kitten, you will get a call or an email. There may be additional questions and maybe a home visit.
5: If you qualify—if your chosen to adopt the cat or kitten of your dreams, you can pick it up at curbside. Sometimes the director will allow you to have one visit with the kitten—no touching, just look.
6: Most agencies and shelters seem to have a return policy.
I’ve checked several agencies and shelters in many states and at this time, they all adhere 
pretty much to these policies.
So what if you get to bring the cat of your dreams home? Have you heard of the 3-3-3 rule related to adopting a cat? It seems like a good ruler. They say it takes 3 days for a kitten or cat to decompress after entering your home, 3 weeks for him to get into the routine, and 3 months to feel at home. In 
other words be patient with your new fur-companion. While you’re getting to know her, she has issues of her own—a history that has molded her this far—experiences that have helped to create her self image, her behavior, etc.
While we’re on the subject of pet adoption, do you remember the reasons why you chose to adopt rather than buy? When you adopt you are saving two lives—the cat you adopt and the next cat who needs space in a shelter to wait for a forever home. Adoption helps to eliminate mass production of kittens in kitten mills all over the US.
Here are additional reasons to adopt a cat https://www.lolatherescuedcat.com/2020/06/top-5-reasons-to-adopt-a-cat.html
To find a pet to adopt in your city: https://www.aspca.org/adopt-pet/adoptable-cats-your-local-shelter
