Frequently Asked Questions

While Austin Siamese Rescue specializes in Siamese and Siamese-mix cats, we cannot guarantee that any cat is a full-breed Siamese unless they were surrendered by a breeder or a previous owner who provided that confirmation.

Many of our cats come from shelters, stray situations, or feral colonies, and in these cases, we rely on physical traits and temperament to make our best assessment. These cats may display Siamese characteristics such as color points, vocal personalities, or sleek builds, but without pedigree papers or known lineage, we cannot confirm their breed with certainty.

Regardless of pedigree, our goal is to find loving homes for all of our cats—Siamese, mixes, and others in need—based on their unique personalities and needs.Item description

Please contact the foster caretaker. To find their contact information:
1. Select "Available Cats" from the drop-down menu under the "Adopt" heading.

2. Locate the cat of interest, click "read more" -> click "View Full Profile". The foster’s email will be in the bottom-right corner.

Review the Available Cats in the above menu. After finding a cat that you are interested in click "Read More" -> click "View Full Profile", here you will be able to view the cat/kittens full story. If you have any question you may email the foster parent, email located below Austin Siamese Rescue Inc. Or you can select the Adopt button and put in an application.

Adoption fees for Austin Siamese Rescue range from $100 to $250 and include spay/neuter, vaccinations (FVRCP & rabies), a microchip, and flea, ear mite, de-worming, and other treatments as needed.

For a complete fee schedule, please review drop down menu Adopt→ READ BEFORE APPLYING

Normally it takes 7-14 days depending how thoroughly the application was filled out (read the bold comments under each question). To speed up the process, contact your personal and veterinarian references and let them know to watch out for our email.

ASR wants to verify that adopters have a history of providing proper care for their pets, including keeping them up-to-date on vaccinations, preventative treatments, and regular wellness checks. This serves as a key indicator that the adopter will responsibly care for the cat they wish to adopt.

To prevent single kitten syndrome, ASR requires kittens to be adopted in pairs. Kittens learn essential social skills, boundaries, and manners through interaction and play with other kittens during their first several months of life. Adopting two kittens together helps prevent behavioral issues, boredom, and loneliness, ensuring they grow into well-adjusted adult cats.

Single kitten syndrome" refers to behavioral problems that can arise in kittens raised alone, often lacking the social learning and feedback they receive from other kittens. These issues can include excessive clinginess, attention-seeking behaviors, and potentially more destructive or aggressive tendencies. While not a formally recognized medical condition, it's a term used by cat behaviorists to describe the behavioral challenges associated with raising a kitten in isolation.

Elaboration:

• Lack of Social Learning:

  Kittens learn important social skills and appropriate behaviors from their littermates and other cats. This includes learning the boundaries of play, how to groom, and how to interact with other cats. When raised alone, they may miss out on these crucial lessons.

• Potential Behavioral Problems:

  Single kittens may develop behavioral problems such as:

  • Clinging to humans and seeking constant attention.

  • Excessive vocalization (meowing).

  • Suckling on blankets, clothing, or other pets.

  • Biting or scratching during play or when a person is leaving.

  • Destructive behaviors like chewing furniture or scratching walls.

  • Inappropriate litter box behavior.

• Impact on Adult Cats:

  The lack of social learning during the crucial socialization period can have lasting effects, potentially leading to a more challenging adult cat with "cattitude".

• Recommendations:

  To avoid these problems, many cat rescues and shelters now recommend or require adopting kittens in pairs, or finding homes with existing active cats. This allows kittens to learn from each other and develop more balanced social skills.

• Not a Medical Condition:

  It's important to note that "single kitten syndrome" is not a medical diagnosis. It's a behavioral term used to describe the potential challenges associated with raising kittens in isolation.

What is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)?

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a virus that affects a cat’s immune system, making it harder for them to fight off infections. It’s often compared to HIV in humans, but it’s important to know that FIV is only contagious between cats—it cannot be passed to people or other animal species.

FIV is typically spread through deep bite wounds, which means it is most commonly found in unneutered, outdoor male cats who fight. However, once a cat is neutered and placed in a stable indoor environment, the risk of spreading FIV to other cats is extremely low—especially in homes where cats get along and don’t fight.

FIV-positive cats can live long, happy, healthy lives. With good nutrition, regular vet care, and a stress-free indoor lifestyle, many FIV+ cats live just as long as non-infected cats. They do not require special medication, and many never show signs of illness.

At Austin Siamese Rescue, we believe that an FIV diagnosis should not be a barrier to adoption. These cats deserve loving homes just like any other cat—and often have just as much love to give!

If you’re considering adopting an FIV+ cat and have questions, we’re happy to talk with you more about how to support their health and well-being.

At Austin Siamese Rescue (ASR), we want every adoption to lead to a happy, lifelong match. One of the most important steps to ensuring a successful adoption is a slow, thoughtful introduction between your new cat and your existing pets.

We understand that bringing a new cat into your home is exciting—but rushing introductions can lead to stress, behavioral issues, or even failed adoptions. That’s why we provide guidance to help you set up your home and manage introductions in a way that promotes safety, comfort, and long-term harmony.

Step-by-Step Introduction Process:

1. Start with a Sanctuary Room
   Set up a quiet, enclosed space (like a bathroom or spare bedroom) for your new cat. This gives them time to decompress, adjust to their surroundings, and feel safe before meeting other pets.

2. Let Them Adjust to You First
   Spend time in the room daily, allowing your new cat to get to know your scent and voice. This helps build trust before any introductions to resident animals.

3. Scent Swapping
   After a few days, exchange bedding or gently rub each pet with a separate towel and place it near the other animal’s sleeping area. This allows them to get used to each other’s scent without physical contact.

4. Feed Near the Door
   Feeding your resident pet and new cat on opposite sides of the sanctuary room door creates a positive association with each other’s presence.

5. Supervised Visual Introductions
   Use a baby gate, screen door, or slightly cracked open door to let them see each other after several days of scent swapping. Observe their reactions—hissing, growling, or puffing up may indicate they need more time.

6. Short, Controlled Meetings
   Once both pets seem calm, begin short, supervised meetings. Use toys or treats to distract and reward calm behavior. Gradually increase the length of these sessions over several days.

7. Go at Their Pace
   Every cat is different—some take days to adjust, others take weeks. Patience and consistency are key to building a peaceful multi-pet household.

Still have questions? We’re here to help. Email us at Austinsiameserescuetx@gmail.com.