NOTES


The most intimate thing a cat can do to tell you they want to be your cat is to roll over on their back. This is their "word" for submission.

Choose very carefully. You really need to follow the guidelines and be 100% sure. Lied has a 15 day return policy. Your cat may develop URI after a few days. Just take it to the free Vet visit and medicate it. It will recover. If you take it back for a credit that cat will be euthanized. You don't need that on your conscience.

Cats require a scratching post in order to maintain their claws and their muscles. Get one post type, preferably one that also serves as a perch. Also get a cardboard scratcher to put on the floor. Add a little catnip.....

Showtime! If you haven't see the performing housecats of Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater (V Theater - Planet Hollywood) your life has a huge hole in it! When you see what these Perfect Cats can do, you will want to teach your own cat a few things. Amaze your friends! Amaze yourself.



De-clawing a cat is a vile practice. They have 10 days of blinding pain when they use the litter-box. Their paws are distorted. Don't de-claw and don't do business with Vets that offer it. It is ILLEGAL in most civilized countries and an embarrassment to America that this is allowed.

Keep your receipt and the plastic collar. Someday you'll want a scrapbook honoring your furry new best friend. Really, you will.

Suggestion submitted by one of our readers. Take some extra layers of clothing so you can hold multiple cats close without making them nervous from the scent of the preceding cat.

























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There is nothing in the world like a Perfect Cat. If you will take the little bit of time and trouble it takes to find the One, you will have the chance to do something remarkable in your life. Whether as an individual or as a family, you are making a memory.

Perfect Cats are great communicators. You can learn the language of another species and teach them some of yours. How utterly amazing is that? These creatures have been around since the dinosaurs and humans are just monkeys who wear suits and use forks.

Perfect Cats give us the chance to experience true love that never fades away. Examine this thought: no matter how much you think you love another human, there will always be times when you don't love them at all. That's life, we can't always make each other happy. A Perfect Cat will love you every minute of every day and you will find yourself loving it back, every minute of every day.

Perfect Cats are natural entertainers. Not only could you teach your cat to do "tricks", they mimic you and try to amuse you. When I wash my face, my cat Bellis sits at the other sink, sticks her paws in the water and washes her face. I get to smile often and she does it every time. Your Perfect Cat will develop its own routines.

Perfect Cats are outgoing and friendly. They meet your visitors at the door and you can carry them around in your arms. They give you nose kisses.

If you get your Perfect Cat at Lied, you will have the thrill of saving its life.  They are in perpetual danger. They don't have much time!


I'll begin with the most controversial issue. Kittens. There is no surer way of having a questionable cat experience than to take a kitten because it's "oh, so cute" and not have the slightest idea what it will grow up to be like. For a few months of cute kitten-hood you may have lost a chance at 10 - 20 years of perfection.

Kittens grow up! They don't stay small and cute. They become cats. Some are great and some are destructive jerks. Charlie Manson was a cute baby but not so good as an adult.  I can not tell you how many 1 year old cats are dropped off to probably die that were last years Christmas kitten. These are lives, not toys. Even if you don't adopt a kitten, someone else will, while you are busy finding a Perfect Cat. Many of the kittens get out alive at Lied, not so many adults.

So to you, the discerning adopter who can see beyond the impulse, please adopt a cat between 1 and 10. You can see exactly what you are getting. Leave the tiny kittens for the impulse shoppers.


There is a science to finding that Special Cat. Remember, you are making a LIFETIME adoption. You need to invest 2 to 4 hours (or more if you can spare it) in your project.

When you have 2 days off in a row, preferably weekdays but weekends are OK, drive down to Lied at 655 N. Mojave, between Bonanza & Harris, turn left o Harris, enter the second driveway and park near the white Quonset hut shaped tent. This is the cat adoption section.

Start at either end and go down every row. Stop in front of each and every cage, don't skip any of them and accidentally not meet your cat. Say hello or meow to every cat. A few of them will come forward to you. Put your fingers in that cage. The cat should sniff your fingers and rub its head against them. Write down the cage number. GO SANITIZE YOUR HANDS! Really, don't be one of these inconsiderate people who spread viruses and get cats killed. SANITIZE YOUR HANDS AFTER TOUCHING ANY CAT. Take a bottle of sanitizer with you.  TAKE SOME SANITIZER WITH YOU. There are also sanitizer dispensers at each end of the tent.

Don't look at the cats paperwork. Just find the cats that respond first.

Now, take a short break. Then go back around to all the cats that responded the first time and spend a couple of minutes talking to them. Some recognize meow, some will wink back at you, some just look at you adoringly. Keep track of who did well on round 2 but don't give up the info on the round 1 cats.

Now, you need to come back later in the day or the next day. Sometimes cats are sleepy and don't put on their best performance. So if you were there at noon, come back at 5 the same day or the next day.

Round 3. If it's the next day, there might be new cats. If you already have 4 or more, you don't have to put in much time but take a look and if someone catches your eye, add them to the good list.

Spend some time with every cat that has passed your tests at least twice and of course, the ones that reacted all 3 times. Keep track of your notes! SANITIZE YOUR HANDS BETWEEN TOUCHED CATS!

Take a break.

Now, find an employee or volunteer to let you meet the cats. Ask them who their favorites are. Some of the employees are really good at spotting cats. The employees that clean the cages have to take out every cat so they have good direction. See if they pick one that you picked but don't be swayed by their opinion. Work from your list. Prioritize them by your favorites in coloration or size or whatever but don't let those things make you gravitate toward cats that aren't on the 3 list. Pet the cat in the open cage, if you get a good reaction then take the cat out and hold it in your arms. See if it stays. See if it nestles. See if it purrs. Is it focusing on you or is it focusing on it's cage.

You can only do this a few times or you'll have the smell of so many cats on you that you might confuse the applicant. Maybe go outside for a few minutes and air yourself out in between.

At least one cat there will pass all the tests of awareness, intelligence and affection. If you have more than one, now look at the papers and let the info on there make your final decision for you.

Take a break.

Take your chosen cat out one last time. Accept it might be nervous from all the attention. Hold it to you. You'll know. Your heartbeat and the cats purr will be in sync. Ain't love grand?


Lied's fees are as follows:

Cat adoption - $80
Senior over 60 cat adoption - $30
Senior over 60, cat over 5 - Free

Cats price includes spay/neuter, rabies and 4/1 shot, FIV and FELV test (but not vaccination) and deworming. That's about $200 worth of work and a real bargain.

Cats come with a free vet visit for 10 days. Use it! Even if you have your own Vet - it's free and useful.