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June Is ‘Adopt a Shelter Cat’ Month
Posted by Alisa Mullins at 5:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Up until a few years ago, the fourth floor of PETA’s headquarters in Norfolk, Va., was home to four cats-Jack, Roxanne, Eddie, and Ginger. This fabulous foursome didn’t always have the run of a 7,300 square-foot office space, complete with kitty jungle gyms, secret kitty doors, window seats with panoramic views of the Elizabeth River (along with its endlessly fascinating bird residents), and a staff of several dozen “servants” at their beck and call. Jack and Roxanne spent the first year of their lives confined together in one cat carrier by a hoarder who had more than 100 animals, some living in closets. Eddie and Ginger were kept in a car by a vagabond-rescued just in time, before the summer heat turned the car into a deadly oven.
Sadly, all but Ginger have now passed away (Ginger now lives with a PETA staffer so that she doesn’t have to spend her nights at the office alone). But even after spending close to two decades ruling the roost at PETA, these cats could still no doubt have related to the plight of the millions of cats who are awaiting loving homes in animal shelter cages at this moment, yearning for a home where they can run, jump, stalk toy mice, play hide-and-go-seek, and catch 40 winks on the couch.
Unfortunately, not all shelter cats will find good homes like Jack, Roxanne, Eddie, and Ginger did. An estimated 3 to 4 million animals-about half of the dogs and cats taken in-must be euthanized in animal shelters each year. The good news is that there are two easy solutions to the tragic animal overpopulation problem: 1) spay and neuter animal companions to prevent adding to the homeless crisis and 2) adopt your next cat from an animal shelter.
This month is “Adopt a Shelter Cat” Month, which falls at this time of the year because it is the start of “Kitten Season”-the dreaded time when animal shelters are inundated with unwanted cats and countless litters of kittens. If you have the time, energy, patience, and resources to provide a happy home for a cat, you can’t go wrong by paying a visit to your local animal shelter. By adopting a homeless cat, you get a terrific companion and save a life at the same time. In fact, you might consider going a step further and adopting two cats, since single cats can get lonely and bored. If the shelter has two siblings or a parent and baby up for adoption, adopting both can help ease their transition to a strange new place (and will spare mommy cat the agony of having every single baby taken away from her, only to be left in a cage all by herself).
Just take a look at a couple of the touching stories our Prime bloggers have written during the year about their rescue cats, and I think your heart will guide you in the right direction:
Do you already share your home with a shelter cat (or two or three)? Share your rescue stories below.
Posted to Family & Friends | Posted to Tags: adopt, cat, rescue
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Allie Feldman says...
June 5th, 2009, 7:34 pm
I was always a dog person, but my building does not allow dogs. Adopting my cat, Lulu, from the NYACC was the best decision I’ve ever made. She loves to play and snuggle. And she’s never pooped on the floor! And shedding has never been a problem.
I would adopt 2 or 3 more cats if I didn’t have a roommate.
Again, adopting Lulu was the best thing I ever did.
Barbara Moore says...
June 6th, 2009, 5:05 pm
I have 7 cats, “Lil” Abner,Lulu,Dina(who only had half a hind leg at birth) Mikey,Snuggles,Cleopatra and “Miss Mouse” our adored 14 yr. old inside cat who’s been in since she was 5 wks. old and only goes out to the Vet for shots.She does not like people. I have rescued a lot of shelter animals,dogs and cats over my years and highly recomend this because they seem to appreciate it the most and make the most faithful companions. If I could be so fortunate as to be rich,or hit the lottery my goal would be to have a NO-KILL shelter under any circumstances.I also have my family of 5 dogs.They are ALL well taken care of,so please don’t use the word CAN’T it’s just not acceptable because the first of it is CAN!!!
Kristi says...
June 6th, 2009, 6:27 pm
I just adopted a shelter cat a few weeks ago and her name is Ramona, she is a year old tortoiseshell that was going to be put down at the shelter because she had been there since the 27th of february of this year and they needed more space for more cats. She had been there so long because she kneads with her claws sometimes when you pet her. but shes turned out to be a great cat and she loves me just as much as my other cat, Naomi does. They get along great and play into the wee hours of the morning, sometimes using me as a trampoline to get over the bed at the other one as they chase each other around lol!
Sharon says...
June 8th, 2009, 4:42 pm
Please adopt a shelter cat! For people who work all day, an adult cat, or two are the ideal pets. There are so many cats in shelters, if everyone that can would adopt one or two, it sure would help. I have adopted many adult cats over the years, & they are fabulous.
Jill Mortimer says...
June 11th, 2009, 2:02 pm
I spayed and neutered around 45 cats that were living as feral cats at the factory where I worked. They were difficult to catch, as they soon become wary of traps, but eventually I got them all. Some lived in different areas of the factory, but all were fed and looked after. All became tame and my office was filled with them, on the computer, under the table, on the desk - everywhere. Fortunately, over the years they all died before the factory finally closed.
All my own cats have only been rescued ones. They have been, and are, all wonderful. I wouldn’t be without them for anything. I recommend to everyone to get a cat or dog from a Shelter, as there are so many looking for homes.
Deanne says...
June 15th, 2009, 3:24 pm
Cats are wonderful companions and special little creatures. They are clean and mostly quiet and do not need alot of space or constant attention to be truly happy. They just need the love of someone willing to give them food, water, shelter and a scratch under the chin every so often. They are almost the perfect pet! I boldy urge anyone with a real heart to adopt a shelter kitty. My shelter adoptees are soooo appreciative to be in my little townhouse; it is a kingdom to them! I’ve never felt more loved! We saved each other. I am so thankful that I allowed two shelter cats to rescue me! They have made all the difference in my life. If you are unable to adopt a shelter cat at this time, make a donation to your local nokill shelter in someone’s memory or go there see the hard work being done and play with the kitties who need a human companion until their forever person comes for them. PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER. A perfect world would be one where there was no need for animal shelters.