Background information

Adopting a cat, part 1: I’m looking for a shelter with indoor cats

31/1/2025

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

The time has finally come: I’m adopting my first indoor cats. Finding furballs I love in one of the many animal shelters I’m visiting shouldn’t be a problem. Right?

It’s a joke, really. I write about cats on Galaxus every week and don’t even have any myself. Or at least not any more. I grew up with four-legged friends, but since moving out of my parents’ house, there’s been a furry hole in my heart. I was never able to fill it – due to a lack of possible outdoor access or at least balconies in the old town where I live. Until my husband and I recently moved house.

Our new flat is 93 square metres in size and (finally!) has a balcony. The perfect place for potential feline friends to explore. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to let them explore their green surroundings any further, as our block doesn’t allow cat stairs. So we start our search for indoor cats. One thing’s already certain: we’ll have to visit a shelter. We aren’t interested in pedigree or young animals. There are more than enough of them around and, due to their appearance, they rarely remain open for adoption long.

As soon as you see shelter cats, your desire for kittens or pedigree cats will quickly fade.
Source: BearFotos/Shutterstock

Stay-at-home cats are a rarity

Sounds all well and good, just one problem. As I click through animal shelters in the Zurich area, I notice there’s mainly outdoor cats looking for a new home. Only a few kittens or sick four-legged friends are categorised as indoor cats. I know how nerve-wracking giving medication can be, and wouldn’t trust us to sneak tablets into food for years. Disappointed, I put my cat search on hold for the time being.

A few months later, I was once again bitten by the bug. I set off on another quest and visit animal shelters in Zurich, ending up at Chatzestübli in Dübendorf (page in German). Several indoor cats are available here – mainly from Switzerland, but also from Italy, Spain and Romania. These come from the various animal welfare organisations that work with Chatzestübli. The shelter’s got excellent Google reviews at 4.8, by the way. Worth a shot.

Past and character are decisive

«Uschi speaking», a smoky, friendly voice greets me on the phone. Ursula Macias, who runs Chatzestübli with her daughter Melanie, is immediately likeable. She tells me about her shelter cats and explains that their past as well as their personality determines whether they need to be let out or not. This is where Chatzestübli differ from many animal shelters. They often also rebrand former indoor cats to outdoor cats if they show interest in going outside at the shelter.

Nevertheless, Uschi’s approach appeals to me. It’s consistent with an interview I conducted some time ago with the Foundation for Animals in the Law:

Our favourites

Naturally, I want to have a look at the little things and how they’re kept. I immediately arrange a visit with Uschi. I already have my eye on red tabby tom Lorenzo, black and white Yumi as well as grey tabby Haru and calico Olly, who met and fell in love at the shelter. Who will we choose? Follow me if you want to know what happens next.

Cat adoption

Where did you get your cats?

From a breeder.
18%
From a farm.
25%
From friends, acquaintances or neighbours.
23%
From an animal shelter.
25%
Rescued from the street.
9%

The competition has ended.

Header image: JW Design/Shutterstock

105 people like this article

Darina Schweizer

Senior Editor

Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.ch

I love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.

Background information

Interesting facts about products, behind-the-scenes looks at manufacturers and deep-dives on interesting people.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

Background information
Why cats have a secret ear pocket
by Darina Schweizer
Background information
This is why cats smell so good
by Darina Schweizer
Background information
Adopting a cat, part 2: the difficult decision
by Darina Schweizer