Okay, so I got it in my head that I wanted a Russian Blue cat. Don’t ask me exactly why, just liked the look of them, that sleek grey fur and green eyes. Figured finding one to adopt nearby would be simple enough. Well, let me tell you about that little adventure.
First thing I did was hop on the computer. Spent a good chunk of time searching around. I typed in all sorts of things, you know, stuff like ‘Russian Blue adoption near me’, ‘local shelters Russian Blue cats’, ‘grey cats adoption’. Went through tons of shelter websites, looking at their cat sections. Lots of cute cats, for sure, but finding a specific breed like that? Tougher than I thought.
Finding the Right Place
Most shelters just had ‘domestic shorthair’ listed, lots of grey ones, tabby ones, black ones. Very few listed specific breeds. I called a couple of the bigger shelters in the area. They were nice enough, but basically said the same thing: purebreds are rare in shelters, especially sought-after ones like Russian Blues. They mostly get mixes, if that.
I also looked for breed-specific rescues. Found mention of a couple online, but they seemed to be miles away or had no cats currently available that matched. It was getting a bit frustrating. Was I being too picky? Maybe.
- Searched online adoption sites.
- Called local animal shelters directly.
- Looked for breed rescue groups.
Visiting Shelters
Decided the best thing was just to go visit a few places in person. Sometimes you just gotta see them, right? So I drove out to a couple of shelters within an hour’s drive. Walked through the cat rooms, saw all the little guys waiting for homes. It’s always a bit sad, seeing them all cooped up.
In the second shelter I visited, tucked away in a corner, was this quiet grey cat. The cage card just said ‘Grey Cat, Adult Male’. Didn’t say Russian Blue. But honestly? He looked pretty close. He had that silvery-blue coat, not just plain grey, and these big green eyes. He wasn’t super outgoing, just watched me quietly.
Making the Connection
I spent some time just sitting by his cage, talking to him. He eventually blinked slowly back at me. You know that slow blink cats do? Yeah, that. Something just felt right. Purebred or not, I liked this little dude’s vibe.
The Adoption Steps
So I decided to go for it. Went to the front desk and said I wanted to adopt him. Then came the mountain of paperwork. Seriously, felt like I was signing my life away. They ask you everything:
- Your home situation (rent/own, house/apt).
- Other pets? Kids?
- Your experience with cats.
- Who your vet is (or will be).
Had a chat with one of the adoption counselors too. Just wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into, which is fair enough. Paid the adoption fee, which wasn’t too bad, definitely less than buying from a breeder.
Bringing Him Home
They gave me his basic vet records – neutered, got his initial shots. Got the carrier ready, they helped me get him inside, and off we went. He was pretty scared on the drive home, poor guy. Just stayed quiet in the back of the carrier.
Got him home, set him up in a quiet room to start, with his food, water, litter box, and a soft bed. Left the carrier door open so he could come out when he felt safe. Took him a couple of days to really start exploring, but now? He’s settled right in. Still not 100% sure if he’s a full Russian Blue, maybe a mix? But honestly, doesn’t matter. He’s my cat now.
So yeah, that was my process trying to ‘adopt a Russian Blue cat near me’. Didn’t find a pedigreed show cat, but found a great grey cat who needed a home. Took some legwork, visiting places, filling out forms, but we got there in the end.
