Bring a homeless cat into your family and experience a lifetime of love.
by Alicia Wright
During the 1970s, an estimated 12 – 20 million homeless pets were put to sleep every year. Today that number has been reduced to approximately 4 million. Thanks to the continual efforts of animal welfare groups all over the country, our society has made significant progress in decreasing the amount of animals that become homeless and has been successful in reducing the number of adoptable pets that are euthanized.
Yes, that’s right…by making shelter adoption your FIRST option, you are saving lives.
Did you know that the amount of homeless cats is nearly double that for dogs? Did you know that 25% of homeless pets are pure breeds? Did you know that, on average, dogs take 16 days to get adopted and cats take 24 days to find their forever home? Did you know that if the pets are over 5 years old, the length of stay could be even longer despite good health and exceptional behavior? Did you know that most shelters and animal welfare groups have programs in place that provide vaccinations, spay/neuter and medical care for the pets PRIOR to adoption? (This means that in many cases, you do not have to incorporate these expenses into your budget immediately after bringing your new pet home!)
Celebrate the National Adopt a Senior Pet month by going to your local shelter and bringing a mature pet into your life. The Connecticut Humane Society (Newington, Connecticut 06111) has a number of incentives designed to encourage the adoption of senior pets
Project Purr-Fect provides a $50 discount toward the adoption of any feline that is over one year old and has been looking for a new home for over 30 days.
Pets for Seniors provides a $50 discount towards the adoption of any dog or cat over the age of one year old to qualified adopters who are over the age of 60.
Our general adoptions program places cats that are older than one year old for $80 per cat and cats that are over 8-years old for $60 per cat.
So spread the word! Adopting a senior cat is a win-win for everyone involved. A faithful companion is gained, a friendship is formed and a life is saved!
Read on to learn about 10 compelling reasons to adopt a senior cat.
10 Reasons to Adopt a Senior Cat
- Senior cats love to sleep and cuddle the day away. Cats still want their playtime, but the best part of the day is always…THE NAP!
- Senior cats have a tremendous amount of love to give. Rescuing a senior cat can give us an extra loving friend for many years!
- Senior cats reward compassionate care and love with unwavering devotion.
- Senior cats have learned many of life’s lessons. Cats know that curtains are for decoration and cat condos are for climbing.
- Senior cats know that the litter box is the place to go…not the carpet!
- Senior cats often fit into their new households with ease. They find the softest, warmest spot in the home and claim it for their own quicker than the blink of an eye.
- Senior cats can be the perfect companion for people who are living with delicate health or advanced age. They are generally calm, quiet, and are more likely to sit peacefully in your lap. In some cases, active kittens can even be a safety risk!
- Senior cats make excellent companions for senior citizens and/or empty nesters that may not have the energy to raise a kitten.
- Senior cats are the perfect choice for families that do not have the time to train young felines to the ways of the world.
- Senior cats are often overlooked because of available and adorable kittens. Adopting a senior cat really is saving a life.
