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For the majority of readers in the northern hemisphere, similar to John Snow in the last season of GoT, winter is (finally) almost here.
The days are short, the nights are cold, and white walkers are vying for world dominance darkness always seems like it’s right around the corner. Unlike the fictional residents of Westeros though, something besides a lackluster series finale is next for us – Spring.
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The season of rebirth and renewal is a time of rejoicing for many, particularly those living in the coldest climates. But sadly, there is a dark side of Spring too, the flipside to all this beauty. It goes by the name, “kitten season”.
The Least Wonderful Time of the Year (to be a Cat)
Kitten season might sound like a dream come true to the uninformed. However, it means something entirely different to those who know better. Warmer temperatures and longer days signal mating is in full swing; a deluge of homeless kittens will arrive soon.
Sadly, many of these adorable little furballs yet to open their newborn eyes will be euthanized before their first birthday.
Kitten season means overflowing shelters. It means a dire need for foster homes. And it means the clock has started ticking for tens of thousands of homeless pets, just like it does every spring.
In a nutshell, kitten season is why The Cat Chaddy exists. Our mission is to transform this grim reality so that one day, no cat is exterminated just for being born in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Achieving this vision will take lots of time and even more money. In the meantime, we must continue to do everything we can to mitigate the unconscionable loss of life taking place each day in countless shelters across the globe.
Like so many of our world’s biggest challenges, this is a complex problem that will require an equally comprehensive solution. This includes both proactive as well as reactive components – education, and outreach.
Five Reasons To Adopt Shelter Cats
Education is a crucial piece of solving the puzzle for alleviating animal homelessness. More specifically, informing all guardians about the importance of having their pets spayed or neutered. And then ensuring that the necessary resources are readily available.
Until then, there remains an urgent need for loving homes and equally compassionate caregivers. For most people, the best way to save the lives of innocent animals is through either fostering or adopting rescues directly from shelters.
Whether you are in the market for your next furry family member or simply want to do your part to make the world a better place, adopting a rescue simultaneously satisfies both. But in case you’re still on the fence, here are five reasons to adopt shelter cats this year.
CATS MAKE GREAT COMPANIONS
Move over sitting and smoking. According to the U.S. surgeon general, loneliness is the new silent killer on the block. But we all know how difficult making friends can be as an adult. Not to mention, the majority of people suck. So what is one to do, you might be wondering?
It turns out that the answer is quite simple: adopt cats.
The fact that cats make great companions is far from breaking news. But adopted shelter cats have much more to offer than just their company – they are scientifically proven to benefit your health in ways that go beyond reducing loneliness.
For example, studies have shown that cats can help us live longer, contributing to heart health by reducing cholesterol and triglycerides. They are good for our mental health too, reducing anxiety, stress, and depression in their owners.
YOU WILL SAVE A LIFE
The unfortunate reality is that there are around 1.4M (yes, that’s MILLION) homeless cats euthanized every year just in the U.S. because there is not enough space to keep them in shelters.
When you adopt a rescue instead of shopping for your cat or kitten at a store (or worse – a backyard breeder), you are saving a living, breathing, feeling creature from being needlessly extinguished.
As if that alone were not enough, this frees up a spot in the shelter, providing another stray animal with a second chance at life.
KNOWN PERSONALITY
Adopting shelter cats is the best way to find a companion with the type of temperament you are looking for.
Because rescues typically interact with their caretakers and volunteers daily, these folks are well-positioned to really get to know each cat’s individual personality. This is even more true with adult cats, seniors in particular.
Speaking of senior cats: the sad truth is that age discrimination happens everywhere, the shelter is no exception. Since many people only want kittens, older cats get overlooked and end up spending the longest amount of time waiting for their forever home.
If it makes sense for your circumstances, please consider adopting a “more experienced” cat. They are often the sweetest, best-behaved cats available. Senior cats are also typically less active, making them especially great companions for older adults.
Whether you prefer a playful, energetic cat, or a calmer kitty that can’t get enough cuddles, adopting a shelter cat is a great way to find your purrfect match.
MOST CATS DON’T NEED TO GO OUTSIDE
Notice how I didn’t say that ‘cats are low-maintenance’ or ‘cats are easier to care for than dogs’. That’s because neither of these statements are necessarily true.
Saying cats are easy to take care of is not only false, but it also perpetuates the harmful notion that cats are lazy, sedentary animals, that are fine being left alone for extended periods. Taken to the extreme, this misconception can lead to neglect or even abuse.
And while we would never say that they are easier to care for, it is true that most cats can thrive in smaller spaces than their canine counterparts. As a result, cats can be a better option if you live in an apartment and/or don’t have easy access to the outdoors.
Just be sure that you are devoting enough time and attention to your cat each day. This becomes exponentially important if you only have one. After all, in this case you are nothing short of their entire world.
BECAUSE TAYLOR SWIFT SAID SO
That’s right, the queen of pop herself recently spilled the secret to a happy life:
Adopt cats. Then adopt some more. And if you’re still lonely? Yep, you guessed it – more cats. I never thought I’d say this, but it seems like Taylor Swift is really onto something here.
Adopt, Don’t Shop?
Whether you are feeling lonely, looking to improve your health, or simply on a mission to make the world a better place, please consider adopting shelter cats.
There are literally tens of thousands of them out there right now. Scared, lonely, and confused, they all dream of the same small miracle – that someone will give them a second chance at life.
Could you be the one?
2 responses to “5 Surprising Reasons to Adopt Shelter Cats”
I didn’t have to go to a shelter. There were plenty of ferals around and I did the TNR trick on the adults and have tamed many kittens through the years. About 5 years ago was the last time we had kittens running wild. I am down to 5 cats that have house privileges and use a pet door. I tom who has the run of the front yard that I feed on the front steps, a feral female who is the last of the three that I have fed outside of my kitchen window who had the back yard and the trees behind to explore and several months ago a youngish orange (maybe male) showed up and eats at the kitchen window, also. In the winter, I provide kitty condo storage containers with blankets for warmth.
You sound like a great person…thank you for taking care of all those cats! And yes, sometimes the kitty cat distribution system works in very mysterious ways 😉