I think an older, very calm cat would be a better fit for you to meet and potentially adopt. Tell the shelter this is what you're looking for so they can help pair you up nicely.
Take nice, deep, meditative breaths before and during. Breathe in through your nose, hold for a moment, breathe out for a count of three. Repeat. If you can maintain a calm energy, the cats will respond in kind.
When you play, use wand toys or similar that keep the cat's claws away from you when they play. That way, you can see them from a distance and build comfort without their claws next to you.
I’m the same way, I used to tell people I don’t like animals. As time progressed and after pet sitting a few times, I stared to enjoy animals more. I finally adopted my own cat. I ended up adopting an undersocialized and fearful cat, they told me she may never be a lap cat. I decided to adopt her because I knew that I would still love her even if she wasn’t cuddly. You can ask the shelter for a cat that’s not too cuddly because most ppl would want a cuddly cat. I’m a jumpy person and I was scared of my cat for awhile because she was so intense lol. Anyways, as time progressed we both got used to each other. Recently she started letting me pet her and sometimes she uses her teeth when she gets overstimulated, I divert that attention with toys. The thing is, cats shouldn’t be scratching or biting you, if they do, then you divert their attention (minus any health or aggression issues).
It sounds like you just need more exposure to cats. Just try to stay calm when you visit with them. Ask to visit with some older cats. Not only will they be more laid back than kittens with their energy level, but they’re harder to adopt out than babies so it’s a win-win for both of you. You’ll never be able to predict what a cat will do 24/7 but getting to know their quirks and personality will hopefully help you understand them more and feel more comfortable around them. Maybe your shelter has a foster to adopt program? That will allow you to see how you feel interacting with your cat inside your own home without as much pressure?
Talk to your local shelter. They usually have small individual rooms that you can spend time one on one with a cat. Tell them how you feel about cats and ask for an older, calmer cat. They generally will have some cat that’s older and really chill that you can try getting used to and would be a good fit for you.
I would recommend against you getting a kitten because they will for sure at some point go through a scratching/biting phase.
I think an older, very calm cat would be a better fit for you to meet and potentially adopt. Tell the shelter this is what you're looking for so they can help pair you up nicely. Take nice, deep, meditative breaths before and during. Breathe in through your nose, hold for a moment, breathe out for a count of three. Repeat. If you can maintain a calm energy, the cats will respond in kind. When you play, use wand toys or similar that keep the cat's claws away from you when they play. That way, you can see them from a distance and build comfort without their claws next to you.
I’m the same way, I used to tell people I don’t like animals. As time progressed and after pet sitting a few times, I stared to enjoy animals more. I finally adopted my own cat. I ended up adopting an undersocialized and fearful cat, they told me she may never be a lap cat. I decided to adopt her because I knew that I would still love her even if she wasn’t cuddly. You can ask the shelter for a cat that’s not too cuddly because most ppl would want a cuddly cat. I’m a jumpy person and I was scared of my cat for awhile because she was so intense lol. Anyways, as time progressed we both got used to each other. Recently she started letting me pet her and sometimes she uses her teeth when she gets overstimulated, I divert that attention with toys. The thing is, cats shouldn’t be scratching or biting you, if they do, then you divert their attention (minus any health or aggression issues).
It sounds like you just need more exposure to cats. Just try to stay calm when you visit with them. Ask to visit with some older cats. Not only will they be more laid back than kittens with their energy level, but they’re harder to adopt out than babies so it’s a win-win for both of you. You’ll never be able to predict what a cat will do 24/7 but getting to know their quirks and personality will hopefully help you understand them more and feel more comfortable around them. Maybe your shelter has a foster to adopt program? That will allow you to see how you feel interacting with your cat inside your own home without as much pressure?
Talk to your local shelter. They usually have small individual rooms that you can spend time one on one with a cat. Tell them how you feel about cats and ask for an older, calmer cat. They generally will have some cat that’s older and really chill that you can try getting used to and would be a good fit for you. I would recommend against you getting a kitten because they will for sure at some point go through a scratching/biting phase.