With 70% of cats in animal shelters euthanized and only 2% returned to their owners, shelter cats always need homes. But this time of year is one of the hardest on the capacity of our nation’s shelter system. That’s why The American Humane Association named June Adopt-a-Cat Month. The American Humane Association says:
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. And the shelter staff are ready to help you adopt your very first cat — or to bring home a friend for another beloved cat!
American Humane Association also suggests that when adopting a cat, consider taking home two. Many of you may remember the seniors Louie and Talia from the early days of this blog. They came to our family as siblings who were found on the rooftop of my office building, and they were inseparable their whole lives. We never realized until they were gone and the rest of us weren’t as tightly bonded to each other the difference that acquiring cats in pairs made, and it’s something that we recommend doing if you can. There’s nothing like the lifelong love that a bonded pair of cats have for each other, but it doesn’t take away at all from their being wonderful companions to the humans in their lives.
Two of our loc
al shelters, Orange County Animal Services and Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando teamed up for big event this past Saturday to kick off the month where the lowered adoption fees to $15 per pet, and the head peep went to check it out. It was so crowded that she couldn’t get any photos of animals without crowds of people photobombing them, but that kind of crowded is a good thing. The more people there, the more homes for lots and lots of cats (and dogs) in need of homes. Orange County Animal Services alone reported 140 adoptions on Saturday, setting a one-day record. Twelve paws up for that!
One thing the head peep noticed at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is that at least half of the cats had cage cards listing their reason for being surrendered as the owners moving. So it’s really important to take this month to adopt cats, but also to make sure it’s into forever homes. Adopting a cat isn’t a short-term commitment. Indoor cats can live to be 15 or more, and they can suffer from age-related ailments just like older humans do. It’s OK if you aren’t ready for that kind of commitment just yet. If you aren’t, maybe fostering for a local shelter is a better fit for you.
No matter whether you can adopt, foster, or just get out the word about this important month, get out there and make adopt-a-cat month count. Help make room for all of the cats who need room in shelters this time of year so they can have a turn to find their own forever homes.
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
It’s so important that we all spread the word about adopting kitties this month! I think it is so sad that so many cats were abandoned when their humans moved – what kind of relationship is that?
Yep mommy and meez hate dat so many cats end up in shelters and den bein’ killed. We wish they all kuld find wunderful luvin’ homes. Great posty. Fanks fur sharin’.
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses
Dezi
That picture is so sad. I hope someone adopts him (or her). I would love to help but we are already over our limit. 🙂
Good post. I wish people would look for solutions and advise when they have problems with their cats instead of dropping them off at a shelter. Shelters will work with them to keep cats in their homes. If their human children had bed wetting issues would they take them to an orphanage?
Great post about adopting kitties. I agree, it is so important to get the word out in hopes that one more will get adopted to a good forever home.Thanks for doing this.
We wish many kitties could be adopted every day.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
It’s sad that humans don’t see cats as lifetime commitments. We purr that lots of cats find homes this month…and every month.
It’s a shame kitties lose their homes and loved ones when they move. We wonder if dogs have as high a percentage as cats? They tend to be treated better than kitties are. Thanks for talking about a really important issue! And when kittes are adopted in pairs, 2 lives are saved, a win-win deal.
Very beautiful post. So many kitties and puppies and so few home.
Hugs madi your bfff
I think it’s really sad that so many people don’t move to cat-friendly places when they move. Having a great kitty is definitely a long-term commitment, and it’s totally worth it 🙂
I hope lots and lots of kitties find their happy forever homes this month! I think it’s great that shelters are lowring their prices to encourage adoptions at this time of year.
My hoomin says she can’t wait to adopt a couple of awesome kittehs! 🙂
Luv,
Angel Keisha
Those who move and don’t take their family members are pure idiots.
Ditto to what Brian said.
Unfathomable. Mom would never leave us and she can’t imagine how she could surrender us. She just can’t.
Adopting a cat is a lot of work! We have put a lot of time into making sure our home would be a great experience for cats, so far everything is working out great.
We couldn’t agree more! We hope more people decide they have time for just one more kitty in their home. That would mean so much and help those numbers a lot! Purrs…
Kitties are a Job for Life…there’s no quitting or slacking allowed! That being said there’s no nicer thing than to have a cat (or three or five) snuggled up in bed with you.
Opt to adopt!!!
This is a great post. The rescue organization that three of us came from has a special to encourage people to adopt multiple cats – $80 adoption fee for the first cat, and 50% off any additional cats. It’s important that we get the word out about adoptable cats! We are going to be doing a post about this soon 🙂
‘Owners moving’ ANGRY HISS………………. That’s not a reason its an EXCUSE OK not a reason at all, its lame lame lame and makes us New Zealand cats so damned angry. (What Mum you mean I can’t swear..)
* ahem * Makes us cats so darned angry (look for Mum’s approval and gets it… this time…)
This is a great post, we are going to share it on Twitter and FB.
Harvey Button, Silver and Miranda Kitten.
great post but EVERY month should be adopt a cat month!
Thank you for this post. I will never understand how people can using moving as a reason to get rid of any pet. I could never leave a part of my family behind. Very happy to read about the adoptions though! 🙂
Well when each cat finds itself owner!