Adopt a Shelter Cat

By: Talin Seta Shahinian

So you’re thinking of adopting a cat? Great! A cat makes for an awesome pet and companion. If it’s your first time adopting, or you purchased from a cat breeder or a private individual in the past and want to explore other options, please consider adopting a shelter cat. Shelter cats are just as wonderful and deserving as other cats, and you may even find a purebred cat among them. The difference is that a shelter cat is homeless, so they’re in dire need of a forever home and may have been waiting to be adopted for a while too.

Choosing the Right Type of Cat for You

First things first, decide what kind of cat you want. Do you want to adopt a kitten or an adult cat? Do you want a rambunctious, high-energy, playful cat or a more sedate snuggler? You can start by taking this Cat Quiz to help you determine what kind of cat is best suited for you, your lifestyle, and your household. Animal shelters also have adoption coordinators and other staff matchmakers to help you and your new pal find each other.

Starting Your Search for Your New Cat

Even before you visit a shelter, you can begin your search for locally available Cats for Adoption. You can search for kittens and cats using various criteria such as age, gender, and breed. The great thing about an online search is that it covers multiple shelters to show you all the available cats in your area, giving you a head start on your journey to adopt your new feline.

Five Great Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Cat

1. Save two lives! According to the ASPCA, around 6.5 million companion animals wind up in animal shelters in the U.S. each year. By adopting a shelter cat, you make room for another kitten or cat at the shelter. Also, if you adopt two cats, you’ll save three lives! Shelters sometimes have bonded pairs that were surrendered to a shelter together. Keeping siblings or best friend cats together is a compassionate way to give them both a new home, with the built-in comfort of their existing companion. Bonus for you: two new fur friends to love!
2. Help combat shelter overpopulation. ASPCA statistics show that 1.5 million shelter animals end up being euthanized due to shelter overcrowding. Among these tragic euthanizations, about 57% of them are cats. You can save a precious cat’s life that would otherwise be lost.
3. Promote more shelter cat adoptions. You can also encourage others to choose shelter adoption by introducing your new cat to friends and family. When you post all those cute new cat pics to social media, folks may ask where you got such a fantastic cat, and you’ll have the opportunity to share that you adopted from a shelter, which can change people’s perceptions of shelter cats.
4. You will be adopting a well-cared-for cat. While cats may arrive at a shelter with health problems or have been victims of neglect, the shelter will help rehabilitate them. They’ll receive all their necessary shots, have any health issues treated, and be spayed and neutered. You’ll save money on initial veterinary care that would typically come out of your pocket, and rest assured that your new kitten or cat has a clean bill of health.
5. You’re adopting a cat with a known personality profile. If you want to know more about what to expect, adopting an adult cat is the way to go. You’ll be able to observe the cats, and the folks at the shelter can tell you about each cat, having interacted with them extensively. Adopting an adult cat is also an awesome thing to do, as many folks gravitate to adopting kittens, leaving adult cats behind. Adult shelter cats may have been there for a while, just waiting for a special person like you to give them a forever home.

A Note on Kittens

Adopting a kitten is a bit of a wild card, as it’s impossible to fully know a kitten’s personality before they’re more developed. It’s best to adopt a kitten only if you’re okay with surprises and know that you’re flexible enough to roll with whatever temperament your cat develops. You’ll also need to be prepared for their high energy and hijinks, as kittens are likely to get into everything and require more supervision. You can’t beat a kitten when it comes to cuteness, though. So, if you have the time and patience, go for it!

Whatever age kitten or cat you decide to adopt, you’ll be making a world of difference for a shelter cat. You’ll also help another homeless cat by freeing up a shelter spot so that they can find their new family too. You’ll save money and benefit from being matched with a cat compatible with your personality, lifestyle, and household. You may even save the precious life of a perfectly healthy cat by preventing their euthanization. Most of all, you’ll be blessed with a new cat companion who’ll be so grateful for your love and their forever home.

If you live in NW Wisconsin, Purple Cat Mobile Vet Clinic is here to help you keep your cat healthy and happy. We’re a high-quality, high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinic. We see cats exclusively. Find information for scheduling on our www.purplecatvet.com website. You can also look on our Facebook page for more helpful information on all things feline!