Finding the Purrfect Kitty for Your Family!

The following article content is provided with the permission of the ASPCA

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services of Wimberley, Texas Presents: The ASPCA Feline-Ality Test

A love match made in heaven? Well it can be if you select the right feline personality to suit your lifestyle. The ASPCA (with the sponsorship of IAMS) has developed what they consider a sure-fire method of finding that perfect “feline-ality.” You could say it is a personality test for cats. The purpose is to match potential adopters with their perfect kitty.

How does this program work? It assesses the behavior of felines along with the expectations of potential adopters. Cats are assessed on two major scales of behavior: One is the “valiant” scale, the other is the “independent-gregarious” scale. And adopters participate in a survey that helps match them to their perfect kitty mate. The two feline behavioral scales are the valiant scale and the independent-gregarious scale.

The valiant scale is based on the feline’s response to novel stimuli. In other words, the valiant scale determines the degree of comfort a cat displays in new situations. A low valiant cat, for example, would be apprehensive in a new situation while a high valiant cat would display little or no nervousness if placed in a novel circumstance.

The second scale is the independent-gregarious measure. This measures a feline’s social behavior. It specifically measures the amount of time the cat will want to spend with the adoptive family. It determines whether the cat is independent, social or gregarious. This provides the potential adopter with a measure of how much family time their new cat will need, as well as other social requirements.

Each major color assignment is based first and foremost on the valiant scale. A low valiant score is a purple cat. A medium valiant score is an orange cat. And a high valiant score is a green cat. Secondly, the independent-gregarious scale is used to determine personality ranges withing each color category. A cat with a score of 5-13 is ranked independent. A cat with a score of 14-23 is considered social, while a cat with a score of 24-34 is considered gregarious.

The MYM program allows for three main feline-ality colors, with a total of three independent-gregarious scales within each color. This adds up to a total of nine distinct feline personality types.

Putting it all together, the potential adopter is asked to fill out an adopter survey card. The information from the survey provides specific points and the final score determines if the adopter falls in the purple, orange or green category. It is then up to the individual adopter to choose within each specific color range the most likely candidate for their home environment.

To take the adopter survey please visit the Cat Adopter Survey Test page.

		Private Investigator Category: Independent/low valiant “I’m working undercover to keep an eye on you and your household. You may not even know you’re under surveillance. I can vanish into thin air if anyone or anything interferes with my investigation. If you need a cat who knows how to stay out of trouble and will always keep your secrets, I just might be your case.”
		Secret Admirer Category: Social/low valiant ” When it comes to relationships, I’m very level-headed. I don’t leap in paws first. If you know what I mean. But give me a little time, and then I’ll shower you with purrs, head-butts, and plenty of lap time. In the meantime, you may not see a lot of me—but I’ll be thinking of you.”
		Love Bug Category: Gregarious/low valiant ” Do you seek affection? I do! If you also like petting, purrs, and paws kneading in your lap, I think we might have A LOT in common. I’m looking for “someone who enjoys quiet times and togetherness.” Could that someone be you?”
		The Executive Category: Independent/medium valiant “I have to say, I’m a busy cat. First, I’ve got to check out what’s happening out the window. Next, I’ll see if any closets or cupboards need looking into. And then there are my naps—can’t be late for those. I can fit a little socializing into my schedule. Shall we plan on breakfast and dinner? I hope you like kibbles.”
		The Sidekick Category: Social/medium valiant “Like all sidekicks, I’m just plain good company. I like attention, and I also like my solitude. I don’t go looking for trouble but I’m not a scaredy-cat, either. If you are looking for a steady companion to travel with you on the road of life, look no further.”
		Personal Assistant Category: Gregarious/medium valiant “You’re working on the computer? Let me press the keys. Reading the paper? I’ll hold the pages down for you. Watching TV? I’ll just plop on your lap so you can pet me. I love an orderly household, don’t you? I’ll help you with all your chores and I’ll help you relax when we’re done. You’ll be wondering how you ever managed without me.”
		MVP Category: Independent/high valiant “I’m a savvy cat who knows the score. I’m pretty unflappable, too. I don’t mind entertaining myself, but a human companion at the other end of the couch and a nice scratch behind the ears always make my day. If you’re looking for a resourceful addition to your team, think about signing this Most Valuable Pussycat.”
		Party Animal Category: Social/high valiant “I’m a cat on a mission: PARTY! I love to play and explore and test my limits. I’d love to play with you, but I can make a toy out of anything: pencils, post-it notes, potatoes. If you are looking for some laughs and someone to liven up the party, think about inviting me.”
		Leader of the Band Category: Gregarious/high valiant “I’m a cat who does everything in a big way. I not only like to be in the middle of things—I like to lead the parade. I’m an adventurous cat, but I’ll still make plenty of time to show you my affectionate side. I’m the demonstrative type, you might say. Want a cat who’s brimming with confidence? That’s me.”

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services is located in Wimberley, Texas and provides pet sitting care for all types of animals: ranch animals, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles (but not gators!) and amphibians. This full-service petsitter company will ensure that all your pets receive lots of love and the best of care while you are away on business or pleasure.

Cat Adopter Survey Test: Feline-ality Program

Content provided with the courtesy of the ASPCA.

You may hope to meet the perfect cat but “perfect” is different for different people:

• A cat who loves to play.
• A cat who loves to cuddle.
• A cat who loves to snooze peacefully in a sunbeam.

The Feline-ality™ Adoption Program is built around the Feline-ality™ Assessment that reliably predicts how an individual cat is likely to behave when he or she arrives at your home. In addition, the Meet Your Match™ Cat Adopter Survey identifies your preferences, expectations, and lifestyle so that you can look for cats with Feline-alities known to be a good fit for your household.

Adopters who meet their new feline companion through the Feline-ality™ Adoption Program bring them home already knowing something about the cat’s:

• Enjoyment of being petted and held
• Playfulness, “talkativeness,” and activity level
• Interest in new people and new things

Matching the Feline-ality of cats in our shelter with your “Person-ality” lays the foundation for the human/feline bond to develop, increasing the potential for a successful, permanent placement.

This one-page survey gathers information about your expectations of cat ownership and helps determine the Feline-ality that best suits your lifestyle. Based on the results of the survey, you’ll receive a color-coded Guest Pass to help guide you to cats that best meet your expectations and lifestyle. For example, if your pass is green, look for cats with a green cage card.

A color-coded guest pass in hand, you can get to know cats whose cage cards identify them as green, orange, or purple. You aren’t required to choose a cat with a certain Feline-ality™ - love at first sight does happen. The Feline-ality™ Assessment enables you to be prepared for your new love’s response to your home and to be ready to help the kitty adjust.

To download a PDF copy of the survey form click on this link: mymcatsurvey

How to score your results:

The form is divided into three sections: A library, Middle of the Road, and A Carnival. These sections correspond to the purple, orange, and green Feline-ality™ . Based on the highest number of circled responses within each section you will either be a match with the purple, orange, or green Feline-ality™ . In the event that your responses are divided equally (not likely but it could happen) select the section you feel the most comfortable with.

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services is located in Wimberley, Texas and provides pet sitting care for all types of animals: ranch animals, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles (but not gators!) and amphibians. This full-service petsitter company will ensure that all your pets receive lots of love and the best of care while you are away on business or pleasure.

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