Did you know June is “Adopt a Shelter Cat Month”?
Adopt a Shelter Cat Month focuses attention on the millions of cats in animal shelters hoping for homes. Unfortunately, there are far more homeless cats than there are adoptive families. The ASPCA estimates that 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters every year. Most of them never get adopted.
Why adopt a shelter cat?
1. You’re saving a life:
Any shelter cat- old, young or, at-risk- need stable homes. Due to a lack of resources, shelters often euthanize animals they consider unadoptable first. These “unadoptables” include older cats, black cats, and kittens with physical challenges.
Potential adopters tend to overlook older cats but please don't pass up a senior because you fear you won’t have much time with him. Inside cats can live 14 to 18 years, so you could have plenty of time with your new friend. The beauty of adopting an adult is “what you see is what you get.” Kittens, like human children, change as they mature. That cuddly youngster may grow to be aloof. If a senior kitty jumps in your lap at the shelter, he’s going to be a lap cat tomorrow and next year.
2. Animal shelters are one-stop shopping for your perfect companion:
You won’t have to go from place to place to find your perfect love. Your local shelter will have a great selection of colors, temperaments, ages, and activity levels.
3. Save Money:
Many shelters include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, and viral tests in the adoption fee. If your vet performed these procedures, it would cost much more. Sometimes shelters even include food, litter, accessories, and toys. Such a deal!
4. Cats enrich our lives:
there are health benefits associated with owning a cat. Having a cat lowers blood pressure and decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke. The presence of a cat diminishes loneliness and depression.
5. Cats provide comfort during times of grief:
Not only would a furry friend help you deal with loneliness and grief from the death of a human or animal companion, by saving a life, good comes from tragedy.
Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
Adopt a Shelter Cat Month was established by the ASPCA to promote the adoption of cats from local shelters. If you're on the fence about adding a feline family member, June is the time to do it because humane organizations nationwide offer special incentives to encourage people to adopt. Incentives may include waived or reduced adoption fees, seniors for seniors programs, or extras like free vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, viral testing, a microchip, or cat accessories.
Just because a cat lands in a shelter doesn’t mean he’s flawed. People surrender pets due to personal crises such as a death, divorce, loss of income, a move, pregnancy, allergies, or a new significant other who doesn’t like cats. That, partnered with the springtime up-kick in kittens being born, creates a surplus of shelter cats. Why not welcome a new kitten or cat into your life?