What to do if you're intersted in one of these kittens.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised to start hearing from friend -- and friends-of-friends -- interest in particular kittens. We'd be thrilled if we knew where they end up in their "forever home" so we could keep tabs on them.

We've been told that we are not supposed to promise particular kittens to individuals. This morning I sent an e-mail to my contact at Homeward Pet to see what their adoption procedure is -- especially if someone is interested in a particular baby.

This is the response I received:

We cannot put “holds” or “reservations” on any cat or kitten(s) but you are more than welcome to let your interested parties know as to when they will be available for adoption and advice them to come in that day THE MOMENT WE OPEN. Kittens, especially your litter of kittens breeds are quite popular and will fly out of here in a heartbeat. So whoever is interested in them must show up the day they become available to the public by the time we open (maybe even a little early to assure you are first in line).

Anybody interested in adoption whether it’s a cat, dog, kitten or puppy needs to fill out an application(which they can print out online already filled out by the time they get to us) or they would fill out an application the moment they arrive to the shelter. After the application is filled out they would be shown the kittens by an adoption counselor working that day. The application is a tool we use to help pair up the animals to their future owners. We want to make sure the animal is going to a great home that will be loved unconditionally and never returned or surrendered again, and vice-versa. We don’t want to pair up an animal that isn’t going to work out depending on the family’s lifestyle, needs, wants and etc.

If after talking to the interested parties, and are approved for that given kitten(s) and/or cats then we proceed to the adoption process. It takes about 10-15 minutes worth of paperwork and then they go home with their new companion(s). We do have paper boxes here for free but it’s nice if people come prepared with a cat carrier.

A single cat or kitten is $100 and if you get a pair then its $175. If anybody lives in King County they will have to pay for a King County License Tag which is only $5 for a kitten or $30 for an adult.

Since you are fostering them, you will know when they will be returned to us and available for adoption. I am guessing they are not spayed/neutered yet so when you do return them for their scheduled surgeries they typically become available that following day or two. Laurel or the vet staff would be happy to let you know so you can spread the word like wild fire. Again, the best advice is to let them know when the kittens will become available and to get here that day slightly before we open and maybe already prepared with a completed application on hand.

They can also keep tabs through our website www.homewardpet.org or through www.petfinder.com to see what animals we have that are available for adoption.

Here is the link for the Homeward Pet Kitten Application:
http://www.homewardpet.org/adoptprocedures.html

I hope it all works out for everyone to get the kitten that calls to their heart!