Today is National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day.
Consider going your nearest shelter and checking out the amazing animals they have available.\r\n\r\nWe all have certain looks we love, but like a human life long companion, a relationship is more than about blue eyes or luxurious long hair. It’s about affection and enjoying time together. Think about your lifestyle when considering a cat (or dog.)
Are you at work for long hours? If you’re away from the house during the day or you travel frequently, a mature pet would probably fit better into your lifestyle. If you want a younger pet, consider bringing home siblings. That way they can use up some of that crazy kitten or puppy energy on each other. Kittens, with their strong predatory drive, will wrestle with each other rather than attacking ankles or fingers.
Do you have toddlers? Ah, we all have romantic images of our babies growing up with the puppy or kitten, but kittens are fragile and puppies are rambunctious. Most shelters have a 6/6 rule: no adoptions of kittens under six months to families with kids under six years. A kid can drop or fall on a kitten or small pup and seriously injure him. Conversely, a kitten or puppy struggling to get away from a four-year old who’s holding him too tightly may bite or scratch in self defense. Consider a mature cat or dog. The shelter receives so many family pets who are used to being around kids.
I’ve spent the last 25 years trying to find families for homeless cats. Oftentimes cats and kittens end up in shelters for reasons that aren’t their fault:
- Moving
- Don’t have time for the pet
- New spouse or boy/girlfriend doesn’t like the pet
- I’m suddenly allergic
- Can’t afford him any longer
Many of these excuses are bogus. The families have simply lost interest in the cat and can’t be bothered. The animals sit in a cage at the shelter, frightened and bewildered. These are wonderful pets who only want the same thing you want: to live, to love and be loved. Is that asking so much? Please go to your local shelter on this National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day and adopt a homeless cat.
You’ll save a life and receive unconditional life.
I adopted a dog last year from the shelter. He’s one big bundle of energy, but he’s very sweet, hard to believe he’s 7 and a half years old now!