Kelly wrote:

She's normally very friendly, loves to be
held. Today she was hissing and swatting.
We chalked it all up to "a bad day", and
they are still interested in adopting her,
but were a little concerned. They need a
very friendly, easy-going cat, as they have
a one-year old child. Could being in heat
cause her behavior change? Should she
return to normal after her spaying?

When you consider the fact that
A) she is in heat
B) she is now out of your comfortable home and in a shelter situation,
which is extremly stressful and
C) she is dealing with the discomfort of her milk drying up it should
come as no surprise that this little girl is cranky. Once she is spayed
and out of the shelter in a less stressful environment, she should be
better.

I would caution that you reinforce to the people adopting her to never
allow their child alone with her unsupervised and start right away
teaching the child to be gentle when allowed to handle her specifically
because you have seen how this cat reacts to stress. Let's face it,
young kids ARE stressful and I doubt these parents have much, if any,
experience having young children and cats together so it's very
important to underline the right approach so they don't make mistakes
which result in the return of the cat later.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray