Hey everybody, Truffles at the keyboard! Did you know that June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month? I was a shelter cat at this time last year and getting adopted was the very best thing that ever happened to me. From the bottom of my little tortie heart I wish that every kitty could find the love, happiness and safety that I've found.
This past weekend our state took part in Maddie's Pet Adoption Days. In our tiny state of Vermont nearly 700 homeless cats and dogs were adopted! (The final tally is still being worked on, but over 15,000 animals were adopted in 9 states...exceeding last year's goal by 78%!!!) We could not be happier that people everywhere are discovering that shelter kitties ROCK!!!
Here are just 5 purr-fect reasons to adopt a cat at your local shelter:
1) You're saving TWO lives. According the the ASPCA, approximately 37% of cats that enter shelters are adopted, 41% are euthanized, and then less than 5% of cats who enter as a stray are returned to their owner. Every time a cat is adopted from rescue, you're actually saving the lives of 2 cats, the adopted cat and the next one who will take their place in rescue.
2) Choices, choices, choices. Are you looking for a Persian or a Siamese? A tabby or a tortie (YAY!!!)? Every breed and color pattern can be found at your local shelter or breed rescue group. Do you want a kitten, an older cat, a special needs baby? Each spring during “kitten season,” thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats already in shelters across the country. That means your local shelter has tons of cute, cuddly newborns, in addition to all the mellow, older cats and everything in between.
3) Spay/neuter, vaccinations, deworming...oh my! All of these things are taken care of before you leave the shelter with your new pet. Some shelters even send you home with a certificate for a free first visit to the vet, a microchip and a goodie bag! Trained shelter staff also evaluate each cat for any possible behavioral issues.
4) Encourage friends and family to adopt. Many people fear that shelter cats are feral or not very friendly or well-adjusted. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most are happy and healthy, well socialized, and house-trained. They are also much less expensive than purchasing a cat from a breeder. By adopting a shelter cat and talking about your positive experience, you'll encourage others to do the same thing.
5) Adopting a cat can benefit your health. At least one study has indicated that people who live with a cat have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This includes lowering the risk of having a heart attack. Cats are also credited with helping to reduce stress levels, helping to reduce blood pressure, helping to lower cholesterol levels, and helping to reduce the risk of depression.
It turns out money CAN buy health and happiness...in the form of an adoption fee :)
Adopt, don’t shop.
If you can’t adopt, foster.
If you can’t foster, donate.
If you can’t donate, volunteer.
If you can’t volunteer, educate.
15 comments:
All important points!! However, I urge you to adopt three-legged cats. Never torties. Love, Crepes.
Tortie! Tortie! Tortie! Torties are the best! Love, Mrs. P.
Adopt both. They go well together. :) - Love, Alana.
Woohoo!!! Those are great numbers....and great reasons to adopt!
Great information!! There are so many great reasons to adopt a cat!
Our local shelters are going nutty with adopt a kitty day
Lily & Edward
Yes, yes, yes! Great post. I'll be sharing. Have a great weekend and thanks for joining the Pet Parade! ~Rascal and Rocco
What a tremendous success for Maddie's Pet Adoption Days! My Miss Gitty was a tabby rescue from the Humane Society. We spent 20 years together and she was purr-fect.
We say YEAH adopt and adopt as often as you can! MOL We totally support adopting, there are so many waiting for their forever homes.
Magic definitely puts all four paws up to say yes to rescue cats. Little Red was given to me by a friend so isn't actually a rescue but he was still in need of a home and we love both the cats dearly.
I beg to disagree. You’re saving THREE lives as in your own. Ever see those Who Saved Who shirts? Petfind offers some free health insurance too if you find your pet there.
Great post! We really have to get the percentages of cats adopted from a shelter up higher.
Great post. I care for seven cats. Four indoors and three ferals who have come for breakfast and supper for the past 4-5 years. Of my four, one was a feral who came through the door and 'took over." One was a adoptee from the animal shelter and the two little ones who rule the roost were ferals we snatched from the mama cat at about three weeks old. She lived at my worksite and had three litters in one year. We rescued all 13 kittens and placed them and they finally caught mama and papa and got them spayed. Last word, she is still there, but now retired from having kittens! Great post, Truffles. I plan to put It up on my face book if I can figure out how to do it.
Awesome post! We so agree!
Great post, Truffles! We adopted 2 kittens about 8 years ago, from a woman who runs a private shelter in our area. We love them dearly!
Love this, especially the quote at the end! I love that you mentioned how rescuing a cat saves not one, but TWO lives. As a former shelter employee, this is super important to me - said goodbye to way too many sweet kitties due to overpopulation :( Thanks for this post!
What a great post!!! Thanks for linking this up to the pet parade hop with us!!!!
Sharing!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
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