Host: How can I make sure I adopt a healthy cat?

Bridget Speiser: All animals that moves to shelter and rescue have been assessed for health and typically they get one last health check before they are released to the adopters. You will want to have a health check performed by a veterinarian in your community pretty soon after your adoption. Some shelters will require a visit to a private veterinarian within 14 days. Many cats do leave the shelters with what's called an upper respiratory infection, what as a human you would determine to be a cold and that typically comes from the living environment then living so close to each other. So a small upper respiratory is not unusual but you should be relatively assured that your animal has been assessed for true health and wellness before leaving the shelter and again establish a relationship with the veterinarian in your community and move forward in partnership with them to keep that animal healthy.