Okay, so here’s the deal. I’ve been wanting a cat for ages, specifically a Russian Blue. They’re just so darn cute and supposedly chill, which is exactly what I need in my life right now.
First thing I did? Hit up Google, of course. Typed in “russian blue cat for adoption near me” and braced myself for a bunch of irrelevant results.
Surprisingly, a few local shelters popped up. I clicked through their websites, but honestly, the photos were terrible! Like, blurry, poorly lit pictures of cats looking terrified. Not exactly selling points, you know? I almost gave up, but then I remembered Petfinder.
Petfinder! That site’s a lifesaver. I set my search filters – Russian Blue, within 50 miles, adult (because kittens are cute but a LOT of work). And boom! A whole bunch of potentials. Spent a good hour scrolling through, reading profiles, and showing my partner about a million pictures. He was less enthusiastic than me, but I could tell he was warming up.
There was one cat, a guy named “Shadow,” who looked promising. The description said he was a bit shy at first, but super affectionate once he warmed up. That sounded perfect. I filled out an adoption application through the Petfinder site, and then waited. And waited. Seriously, the waiting was the worst part.
Finally, I got an email from the rescue organization. They wanted to schedule a phone interview. Okay, this was getting serious. I prepped like I was going for a job interview – researched common Russian Blue traits, thought about my cat care experience (limited, but I’d had cats growing up), and generally tried to sound like a responsible, loving pet owner.
The phone interview went pretty well, I think. They asked about my living situation, my schedule, my experience with cats, and what I was looking for in a pet. I answered honestly and tried to emphasize that I was looking for a companion, not just a cute accessory. They said they’d get back to me within a few days.
Another agonizing wait. But then, finally, another email! They approved my application and wanted to schedule a meet-and-greet with Shadow. Woohoo!
The day of the meet-and-greet, I was so nervous! The rescue was run out of someone’s house, which was a little weird, but the woman seemed really nice and clearly cared about the cats. She brought Shadow into a small room with me. He was even more gorgeous in person – sleek grey fur, bright green eyes. But yeah, he was definitely shy. He hid under a chair for a good 15 minutes.
I just sat on the floor and talked to him softly, telling him about my apartment and how much I wanted a cat. Eventually, he crept out and started sniffing around. He even let me pet him! It was a little scratchy, but it was progress.
After about an hour, the rescue lady asked what I thought. Honestly, I was already sold. I filled out the adoption papers right then and there. There was a fee, which I expected, and she gave me a bunch of information about his food, litter, and vet records.
The best part? I got to take him home that day! I bought a carrier beforehand, so I carefully coaxed him inside and buckled him into the car. He meowed the whole way home, poor thing.
It’s been a week since I brought Shadow home, and it’s been an adjustment, for both of us. He’s still a little skittish, but he’s definitely starting to warm up. He even purred last night when I was petting him! I think we’re going to be good friends.
So, that’s the story of how I adopted Shadow. A few tips for anyone else looking to adopt a Russian Blue (or any cat, really):
- Be patient. It takes time for them to adjust.
- Do your research. Know what you’re getting into.
- Be prepared for the interview process. Shelters want to make sure you’re a good fit.
- Don’t give up! It might take some searching, but you’ll find your perfect feline friend.
I’m so happy I went through with it. Shadow’s already brought so much joy to my life. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go give him some head scratches.
Update:
Just wanted to add a quick update a few months later. Shadow is totally a different cat now! He still has moments of shyness, but mostly he’s a cuddle bug. He sleeps on my bed every night, follows me around the apartment, and even greets me at the door when I come home from work. It’s amazing how much he’s come out of his shell. Adopting him was the best decision ever!
