This is a thought. It might be unworkable and impractical. We know that domestic cats have preferences in relation to other cats. They can strike up friendships. There is no guarantee that a cat will like another but it does happen and when it does their lives are improved. There must be countless cat couples dotted around the United States cosying up to each other in blissful contentment.
Would it not be possible for shelters to assign a room and a person to checking the compatibility of cats as companions? We know that shelter cats are normally keep in separate cages but some of these cats might be able to make friends with another cat at the shelter.
If it was feasible to match up cats from time to time they could be adopted out as a pair of cats. This would be advantageous from two standpoints (a) the shelter adopts out two cats rather than one and (b) some adopters will like to adopt two cats who have already made friends. It might suit the adopter.
We know how problematic it can be to introduce a newcomer to a resident cat or cats. It might not work. If an adopter can adopt two cats in an established friendship they have resolved the problem beforehand.
This proposal might not be feasible from the standpoint of resources. It would need shelter workers to be involved in pairing up cats and a room or space where the assessment could take place. However, of it could be made to work there would be significant advantages in saving cats’ lives and improving the lives of cats.
We did have one or two cases where a person did adopt two senior cats that were friends in the kennel but we did not make it a requirement. Lucky some people are very kind.
We pair them up in the kennel for their well being while they are stuck in the kennel. If they did not come in together as a bonded pair most likely as kittens from the same litter we do not require adoption of both. It is difficult enough getting adult and senior cats adopted, we do not want to add on any requirements for an adult or senior cat to be adopted that would make it all the more difficult unless it is necessary for the cat’s well being to survive.
I’d expect most cats not to get along but it would be nice if one or two did and that they were re-homed together.
When I worked at the shelter, for group play, we’d only put cats together that got along. So, it gave us a chance to see the ones that were affectionate with each other. It’s much easier to do with siblings. We also removed the center divider so they could cuddle and play if they wanted to.
Some cats hissed at other cats when we were just passing by their cage, so they didn’t get invited to group play times.