Are you thinking about celebrating Adopt a Cat month by, well, yeah, adopting a cat? That’s great. Welcome to the world of feline friendship. Here are some things you might want to think about.
Are you going to adopt a kitten? That’s always a good choice. Let’s be honest. Any cat is a good choice. We cats are, after all, the purrfect companion. But, before you really set your mind to that kitten, you might want to give some thought to adopting an adult cat. Even a senior cat can be a great choice for some people.
What are the advantages of adopting an adult cat? CATalyst Council recently issued a press release that answered that very same question. Here’s part of the release:
“Adult cats can become a member of your family just as easily as a kitten, generally know how to use a litter box and are typically mellower than their younger counterparts,” says Bob Rohde, president and CEO of the Dumb Friends League in Denver. “Older cats have just as much love to give and seem to be more grateful for getting that second chance at happiness.”
Also mentioned in the press release is the fear that some people have that an adult cat might have a shorter time to spend with you than a new kitten. While that might be true to a limited extent, here’s what CATalyst Council’s executive director, Dr. Jane Brunt, has to say about that.
“Many people overlook older cats in shelters because they worry about the amount of time the cat has left, but many cats live to be well into their late teens, so adopting a 6-year-old cat could mean that you still have over a decade to enjoy each other’s company,” says Dr. Jane Brunt, CATalyst Council’s executive director. “The most important thing to remember when adopting any cat is that proper veterinary care is necessary to help your new friend enjoy a long, happy, healthy life.”
Another nice thing is that when you adopt an adult cat, you might very well be saving that cat’s life. Kittens are easily placed in shelters and rescues but adult cats can have a more difficult time finding a forever home despite the fact that they make wonderful pets.
Either way, whether you adopt an adult cat or a kitten, you won’t regret it. We cats make the purrfect companion!
