ADOPT AN OLDER SHELTER CAT
When deciding to adopt a cat, how about an older cat? Though cute, kittens are FULL energy & are prone to getting into everything! Unfortunatley it's the "older" cat who sits in the shelter cage and is passed by awaiting it's fate.
If you plan to adopt a cat, please think of adopting an "older" cat, one that is no longer considered a kitten. If you have children of your own, a small kitten is prone to accidental harm while an older cat is stronger and not so fragile, it has a much less chance of being accidently hurt by a small child. If you are an older person, you will find an older cat calmer and a better companion and less likely to get in your way all of the time or need to be constantly monitored.
The average lifespan of a cat is now said to be 16 years with many cats reaching their late teens or early twenties. Both my precious Taffy and Pünchki were what could be considered an "older" cat when we adopted them. Taffy was at the "ripe 'ol" age of 2-1/2 and Pünchki 2 years old. I never had a second thought about them when I saw their beauty and age behind the cage bars. I knew we would be together.
Cats are longer-lived than most other domestic pets and this long life span means that there are plenty of older cats needing homes. So, PLEASE consider an older cat when going to the shelters, humane societys, foster homes or rescue groups. If your heart is REALLY set on a kitten, then how about getting that little one a friend also-an OLDER CAT! :)
Older cats are usually quieter and more "educated" to the ways of life than kittens and generally need less supervision. Older cats would be used to living in a home and know the rules of living with people. Instead of becoming bored and needing to 'investigate' in your absence they are more likely to sleep, leaving your home intact. An older cat will already be housetrained and adult cats adopted from shelters will most likely already be neutered and possibly already have some vaccinations.
Older cats are more home-oriented and settled, making them excellent companions. If you enjoy pampering your cats, an older cat will be much more appreciative of this attention.
Older cats have less energy and are more calm than kittens and are content to spend much of their time bird watching and bathing. As they grow even older, their play becomes less energetic but then that makes it so much more appreciated to see them play when they do. They enjoy attention and companionship, but will not pester you around the clock. Most owners find caring for such cats a very rewarding experience, as I do myself and in turn, an older cat will enjoy the love and security that a caring cat owner can provide.
YES, THOSE CUTE LITTLE KITTENS ARE WONDERFUL, BUT SO ARE THE OLDER CATS THAT ARE BEING IGNORED & PUT DOWN AT SHELTERS EVERY DAY! PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING A WONDERFUL, LONELY, LOVING OLDER CAT. THEY HAVE BEEN RAISED FROM KITTENS, CARED FOR & LOVED, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEIR FORMER UNRESPONSIBLE OWNER DISCARDED THEM! THEY FIND THEMSELVES ALONE AND FACING A SURE DEATH. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADOPT AN OLDER CAT, PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER, HUMANE SOCIETY OR OTHER ADOPTION GROUPS AND HELP SAVE A DESERVING LIFE. THANK-YOU!
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NO-KILL SHELTER
Please consider supporting your local No-Kill Animal Shelter! There are several ways you can help out your shelter, please read the suggestions below and if you can even do just one~remember, it will HELP!
Adopt from your shelter!
Foster a shelter animal
Voluteer at the shelter's office or at their adoption locations
Help in the transportation of the animals to and from the adoptions locations
Participate in fundraising for the shelters such as charity golf outings, bake sales, auctions
Donate Food, Litter, Blankets, Kitty Condos & Toys, etc.
When Jim and I lived in Phoenix, we donated food to FootHills Animal Rescue. It was one of the most gratifying gestures I have ever done! We felt so good to bring to the shelter kitties 10 cans of cat food and also some dry food. We had a couple of kitty food bowls to donate too! FootHills Animal Rescue is a No-Kill, Non-Profit, volunteer organization that uses foster homes to hold displaced dogs & cats until owners can be located or suitable permanent homes can be found. They have placed hundreds of dogs & cats in loving homes or reunited them with their grateful owners.
Early in the new year of 2006 I stopped at Simply Cats in our recent home town in Idaho, and donated some kitty toys and treats. Simply Cats prides itself on being Boise's only cageless, no-kill cat shelter
TOP 10 REASONS OWNERS SURRENDER CATS TO SHELTERS:
(and my rebuttals!)
1. Too many cats in house (AND WHO'S FAULT IS IT THAT THIS HAPPENED??!!)
2. Allergies in family (PLEASE! GIVE ME A BREAK! GO TO MY "PRODUCTS" PAGE & READ ABOUT THE PRODUCT 'SIMPLE SOLUTION' - I HAD HORRIBLE ALLERGIES - BUT I'M FINE NOW FROM USING 'SIMPLE SOLUTION'-OR YOU CAN GET ALLERY SHOTS!)
3. Owner moving (OK, AND WHY AREN'T YOU TAKING YOUR CAT?????)
4. Cost of pet maintenance (SHOULDN'T YOU HAVE CONSIDERED THIS BEFORE TAKING IN A CAT!!??)
5. Landlord does not allow pets (WELL, DON'T MOVE INTO A PLACE THAT DOESN'T ACCEPT PETS IF YOU HAVE ANY! DUH!!)
6. No homes available for littermates (GEE, MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE SPAYED/NEUTERED YOUR CAT SO THEY WOULD NOT PRODUCE UNWANTED LITTERS!)
7. House Soiling (THERE'S ALWAYS A REASON FOR THIS-WHETHER IT BE A MEDICAL CONDITION OR FRUSTRATION ON THE CATS PART-FIND THE REASON & THE SOLUTION! THERE'S ALWAYS A BETTER ANSWER THAN GETTING RID OF YOUR CAT!)
8. Owner having personal problems (GET YOURSELF SOME HELP! DON'T MAKE YOUR CAT SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR PROBLEMS!)
9. Inadequate facilities (WHY DO YOU HAVE PETS IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE FACILITIES TO ACCOMODATE THEM IN THE 1ST PLACE!!??)
10. Doesn't get along with other pets (AGAIN, ALWAYS A REASON-IF MEDICAL-GET YOUR PET HELP-IF NOT MEDICAL-GET USED TO IT-ALL PETS WON'T GET ALONG-JUST LIKE ALL PEOPLE DON'T GET ALONG!)
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